Otters and Bobcats

This week has been exciting at Green Cay because a River Otter has joined the daily routine of the wetlands.  Each day the otter can be seen eating tadpoles and fish in the Alligator Hole area.  We also watch it swim around the nature center and run through the front entranceway on its way to its next feeding destination.  Some people this week even saw it run right by our baby Bobcat as she rested in some brush.  The otter didn't even notice as the still Bobcat watched it pass. 

For those not familiar with our Bobcats, we have a family of three currently spending much of their time near the entranceway to the nature center.  The mother has two kittens and they are nearing full grown cats.  I expect in the next month she will kick them out of her territory but until then, our visitors are delighted to see such a nice looking feline prowling the grounds.

When Bobcats are born they usually have blue eyes that turn to a brownish-yellow.  One of the kittens has one blue eye and one yellowish eye right now which seems odd.  I don't know if its other eye will change color or not but until then, it's an interesting sight.

You never know what you may see at Green Cay.  Right now, it's very busy with "snow birds," families, birders, and nature ethusiasts.  I would recommend coming late in the evening before sunset when the exercise walkers aren't here and the boardwalk crowds have calmed down.  It's one of my favorite times of day at the wetlands.  And surprisingly, the wildlife seems just as active if not more so than in the morning.  Just keep in mind that all parts of the park can be productive for wildlife and the parking lot/entrancway is some of our best habitat to see the Bobcat, Barn Owl, or our wintering LaSagra's Flycatcher.

Nemesis Bird: Yellow-breasted Chat, plus a Bobcat or three

Everyone has a nemesis bird, one that alludes you no mater how many times you seek it out.  I've been looking for a Yellow-breasted Chat for a few years now.  Many days have been spent searching for one at Lucky Hammock but this chunky skulker has escaped me again and again.  

Imagine my surprise today when I heard a chat was spotted from the front entranceway boardwalk at my work.  I rushed out and looked around.  Within 10 minutes I had my bird.  There it was in a Saw-toothed Palmetto, out in the open at eye level only 15 feet from the boardwalk.

Green Cay Nature Center is a special place and I am lucky to work there.  Even more lucky to find such a great bird to start my 2013 off right!  After the chat dipped back down in the vegetation I turned my head and there was mother Bobcat slinking from the opposite direction.  She stopped and looked in our direction.  Her two kittens followed her out and gave us a quick glimpse.

Two great wildlife sightings in a matter of minutes!  Thanks goes to Anita Holland and Linda Fell who helped my find the Yellow-breasted Chat.  Special thanks to Linda for emailing all these great photos from our time together on the boardwalk.

A LaSagra's Flycatcher has been hanging out in the Green Cay parking lot this week but it wasn't spotted this morning.  I was so elated about the chat that I wasn't even disappointed in missing it.  I may be the only birder in Palm Beach County that would rather catch a nemesis bird like the chat than a rare stray.  Good birding everyone!  

Bobcat vs. Gator

Here at the flyingmullet I keep it real and even when photos are a little graphic in nature, I think it's important to show nature at work.  On election day this year we had an alligator attack one of the baby Bobcats.  Needless to say, it never stood a chance against the spectacular power of an alligator.  If you ever wonder how you would stack up against a predator like this then these photos will show you what it's like to be on the receiving end of an the jaws of a huge reptile.  

I apologize if you find the image upsetting but remember, alligators need to eat too.  It's all part of the big food chain.

I know my updates have been few and far between.  I hope to remedy this soon.  Until then, I will have a post up next week about the best outdoor/birding/etc gifts since we're in that time of year again.  Also a little update from South Carolina since that's where I will be spending my Thanksgiving holiday.

Bobcat Interrupted

My volunteer Paul Cummings sent me this photo recently.  Our Bobcat kittens have been delighting visitors all this year.  I couldn't believe that Paul interrupted this little one to snap a photo during a private moment.  Though I am glad that the visitors are getting some up-close and personal time with the wildlife.  In case you're wondering this was shot from above off of the boardwalk.  The animals at Green Cay are very use to the physical barrier of the boardwalk protecting them from humans.  I am amazed at how acclimated they are to the walkers, children, and photographers that run by everyday.

The baby Bobcats have been entertaining visitors at Green Cay. The above photo was taken this week as 3 of the babies chased each other around near the edge of the wetlands as this one dared climb high in a tree. While everyone was watching and snapping photos of the cute babies the mother provided another highlight. We heard splashing and I turned just in time to see the mother Bobcat pounce on a raft of American Coots. She came up with a clean catch. The bird struggled and she trotted through the water to the forest edge. We turned back to the babies but they were gone. Obviously, they knew dinner was on the way. If you want to see our Bobcats they are easily seen from the deck of the nature center by the restrooms. I think early morning is best but they have been seen throughout the day.