But Wait, There's More

Back in October, we were so excited to capture two cougar kittens on camera, in the Verdugos. Suddenly, the population there went from one, to four (mom must be around somewhere, although we never saw her.) Surprise, and some dismay that a month later two tiny kittens were found underneath someone's car in Burbank, and whisked away to Zoo to You, an educational facility in Paso Robles. Their lives were saved, and they'll have a pretty luxurious life there, but it meant that there really was only room for one lion in the Verdugos. That wild areas have gotten so small that other animals couldn't make it more than a few short weeks. And I would have loved to see them on camera again.

But as much as camera trapping has opened a huge window into observing wildlife, we still only see one tiny spot of real estate, for a brief few seconds. The real detective work is left to biologists, and my hat's off to them for figuring out mysteries like this.

Are these our October kittens, growing fast? Did a litter of four somehow get split up? Or has a completely new family moved in recently, in search of better hunting?

Not to be overshadowed, this less mysterious male has been making rounds in the San Gabriels following mule deer. Whole Foods indeed...

Where's Waldo?

Geez, look at that belly!

Small Cat Week

In honor of Nat Geo Wild's "Big Cat Week", I present to you my own miniature version.  My episode is only 16 seconds long, and contains just two small big cats. Since it is a first for me to see kittens, and also a complete and total surprise, I consider it more momentous than anything second tier cable has to offer!

A New Perspective

Tired of seeing only tails, and few beautiful lion faces, I decided something had to be done. The lions, usually oblivious to my clever attempts at various scent lures, and entirely unpredictable in their timing and direction of travel, could not be reasoned with. (Whoever said they regularly patrol their territories, using habitual routes, has a couple revisions to make in their study!) Anyway, a simple solution - two cameras, facing opposite directions! Eyes in the back of your head, like they do in India to keep from becoming Tiger Chow (also not scientifically verified for efficacy, but I admit I'd try it.)

He paused - not to examine my expensive cologne lure, no - he was smelling fox urine. Look at the gorgeous color on this fox's head! I haven't seen them in daylight much.



And to top it off, my little ringed friend is back.



I have some nice bear footage, but I think I'll hold off until after hunting season. There are two females with cubs here, that are not yet weaned. I don't want to encourage anyone to hunt in this area for that reason. Anyway, they are all small, so hunters - you're not really missing anything.

It's the little things

There is nothing more fun than a complete surprise capture on a trailcam.