On my 2nd venture to this great park in October of 2009,I was able to witness something that raised every hair on my body.I was going down the windows trail in the eve by myself -5:30pm-(never do that again) looking for black bears.I came upon two cubs in the creekbed next to the trail.My camera settings were too slow (low iso) and I blew the shots terribly as they were very blurry.So I sat down adjusted my camera and waited for their return.I heard some noise to my left up the trail and I saw a huge fluffy tail sticking out of the brush flicking like a cat would do.The tail disappeared into the brush and as I anxiously waited and saw the cougar thru the mesquite walking down the washout.She was headed toward the opening where I had spotted the bears.I had to move to my left to assure I got a clean shot.As she entered the open area I had kicked a rock and she gave me this stare from about 40 away.What a moment.I thought,I cant run so I might as well get proof of what was going to possibly happen to me.I hate to admit it ,but I was petrified.Well I had just a coupla seconds with her and she moved on and I felt so much better.The thing I didnt know was there was another cougar (male) following her and he passed less than 10 to my left,not raising his head but just following her scent.I snapped a coupla images as I zoomed back my 200-400-mm lens just to get him into the frame. These cougars mated as I was going back to camp and I heard the terrible scream going up the trail. Got a little more rattled again. Please excuse the blurry image of the male as, oh well you understand.The female cougar was published with BBNP. Mark Flippo of BBNP was who I brought these images to and I got to know a lot of the Park Rangers during my visit. Mark told me if these cats hadnt had each other on their minds I might not be alive today.Thanks for looking
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 19:12:16 +0000
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