Bobcat pic from 4-15-07

[billythekidrock]

While calling for bears this weekend I looked over my shoulder and saw a tan "stump" between two other stumps. After calling and looking back at it a couple times, I grabbed my rifle for a closer look (was sure it was a yote).



Through the scope I realized it was a bobcat. I grabbed my camera out of my pack and snapped a couple images, then continued calling.





I don't know how long it had been watching me, but it was not coming any closer. I grabbed my range finder and ranged the stump at 100 yards exactly. After calling for a few more minutes I motioned my partner over (he was at least 150 yards beyond me). I wanted him to see the cat and continue calling while I crept for a closer picture. But the cat notced him and decided it was time to leave.



Later I walked over to that stump and it was almost waist high. We estimate this to be a tom of about 30-35 lbs.

[Ray]

 

[boneaddict]

Excellent pics!   Thats what it is all about.

[bobcat]

Really cool pictures! How much zoom do you have on your camera?

Too bad it isn't bobcat season.   

[billythekidrock]

Thanks guys. It was pretty cool. Not the first kitty I have called in but it is the first I got to take pics of.

My camera is a Canon PowerShot S2 IS, 5.0 Megapixel, with 12x Optical Zoom.

It is a tad bulky for hunting (probably better for holidays and such) but it is what I have right now. I am looking at one of the smaller Canons though they don't have the higher zoom.

[billythekidrock]

Excellent pics!   Thats what it is all about.

We had to leave early that day, and did not call in any bears, but the pics made the day, as well as the weekend a huge success to me.

[bobcat]

Billy, check out the Panasonic FZ5, like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ5-5-0-Megapixel-Lightly-Used_W0QQitemZ120109671874QQihZ002QQcategoryZ114273QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Or get the newer FZ7, it's basically the same but more money. I think they're about as compact as you can get for having a 12x optical zoom and image stablization.

[Branden]

Those are pretty cool pics. I wish I could call like that.

[billythekidrock]

Bob, Mine is a bit more compact then those. The other Canon that I was looking at only had a 4x optical zoom. It wouldn't have taken that bobcat pic, but it would be smaller and cheaper to carry in the woods.

[bobcat]

Oh ok, well that's pretty compact. I didn't know of any with a 12x optical zoom any smaller than the one I've got. My other one, an Olympus with 10x zoom, is about twice as big, and I hardly ever pack it with me when I'm hunting becaue of its size.

[billythekidrock]

My buddy has a Minolta DImage 3 mega with a 10x optical that is very compact. I use it all the time and alot of the pics I have posted over the last 3 years have been taken with it.

[boneaddict]

You pretty much can't go wrong with any of the panasonic FZ's.  They are pretty good for what they do and compared to my 35mm a pleasure to pack around.  I have had my eye out for a more compact one with a better zoom.  I need to get one I can just put in my pocket for hunting.  People harass me when I don't get field photos, but honestly where I go, I don't want an extra ounce of weight or inch of bulk.  I took my camera last year and it made it.  I took it shed hunting this weekend and put it into my pack when it started raining.  I ende dup scratching the heck out of my view finder.

[billythekidrock]

I will take another look at the Panasonics.

5 years ago I bought my first digital camera and it was a Panasonic. The thing is as large as a camcorder and a tank to lug around. It records on a floppy disc (LS120) that has over 100 megs of storage. Compare that to the 1.44 floppy and I still wonder why they didn't take off. Anyway, I really like that camera,but technology has surpassed it.

[boneaddict]

The FZ10 was one of te first really good digital cameras with th original 12x optical and 5 megapixel format.  It was then a rush in the indusry to get more megapixels, which has its own downfall.  the FZ20 came out and then in a blink the 30.  the 20 and 30 are appreciatably louder.  Panasonic listened to its customers and the FZ50 came out and it is much better.  I don't know about any others after that.  they are all affordable and take great pictures.

[Muleyslyr]

Wow!!  I'd have to say that would make my day too.  Great picture!