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Christoph Stopka
Wet Mountains Colorado USA
12/13/2023
09:43 am

Equipment Details:

Sony RX10 IV, handheld, zoom at 600mm and F:4

Post-processing Details:

Minor adjustment in LIGHTROOM

Image Details:

Sun flares, Meteor showers, deep space discoveries - no doubt, there are big things happening in our world these days. But in the high country of Colorado, at this time of the year, the subtle things make a big difference and have a profound impact: Deer and elk are in rut and constantly sparring, one can even hear the clicking and clacking of their interlocking antlers in the middle of the night. Sometimes their conquests for more territory goes too far, and one of the contestants gets seriously injured. And that's where the Bobcats come in, patiently waiting for one of the big guys to get hurt, rendering him weak and defenseless.
I took this photo of a beautiful Bobcat couple (Bobcats are also called "Red Lynx") close to our house at 9,000 ft elevation in the relatively untouched Wet Mountains, where the - normally very elusive - two Bobcats were lingering on a log, watching full of anticipation as a herd of about 20 deer - including four postering bucks - were milling around on a meadow. The two Bobcats were totally focused on the scene on the meadow. stalking and waiting. I don't think they even noticed me hiding behind a tree and clicking away... An unforgettable experience, for sure.