In 2012 I encountered 80 bobcats, in 2013 it was 94 bobcats - and in 2014 it was
152 - each year getting better than the last. You do need a lens at least
200mm in length, either a zoom or telephoto. This is a classic
wildlife chase safari. There are no guarantees, but a high
probability of success in capturing this most elusive of
California's feline predators. In November of 2015 we had a 16 bobcat
day,
photographing 12. In January 2019 we had a 12 bobcat day,
photographing 10. So there are big bobcat days out there. These
bobcats live in rolling oak woodlands between Interstate 5 and
Highway 101 - in some of the finest ranching country in California.
Typically, we see 2-4 bobcats per day.
These safaris generally sell-out, so booking early for your optimum
date is important. Additional dates will be added. We
shoot from my 4-door F-150 4x4 Super Crew Cab truck,
exiting to tripod up if a bobcat runs up a tree. There is no
place in North America where you can see this high number of
bobcats, consistently, and capture the types of images that we have
captured during these safaris.
Reservations
We meet at 7am (which can vary by the month of the year) at
the Harris Ranch Intersection Chevron Station, or at the hotel lobby
you might be at - at Highway 198 and
Interstate 5. Unless you live within an hour or two I would
advise getting a hotel room the night before. (Best Western,
Travelodge, and Motel 6, as well as the more expensive Harris Ranch
Motel). We do split gas, which amounts to $25/per
photographer, per day. On the 2-day and 3-day safaris I make the
reservations for the middle nights at a hotel in Hollister where you
would pay for your room upon check-in. We return to Harris
Ranch around 4:30-5pm at the end of the safari.
Bobcat Video:
VIDEO
Bobcat Albums:
Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3
Difficulty Level:
EASY
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