Mike in the Wild

Serious birders visiting Tucson know to check out Sweetwater Wetlands, a wastewater project that has recreated a wildlife habitat in the middle of Arizona's second largest city.  Waterfowl like herons and ducks are attracted to its ponds while a multitude of songbirds, raptors and owls live off the native flora.  Migratory birds are also regularly seen in this desert and urban oasis.   So it was a disappointment when I arrived on a cloudy and blustery late autumn afternoon and only gallinules and wigeons were present on the duckweed-filled ponds.  The approaching storm didn't concern me, but apparently birds felt otherwise.   Nevertheless it was my lucky day because a feline resident was not intimidated by the chance of rain either.   And like me, this bobcat was on the hunt.   Of course his prey was for a meal and not a photographic collection.  It seemed to be familiar with the terrain, following the same paths as birders...