You do need a lens at least
200mm in length, either a zoom or telephoto. This is a classic
wildlife chase safari where we travel throughout the area that has a
high density of bobcats and raptors. 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,
while the raptors are much easier. 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 2-3 bobcats per day, and a dozen or more raptors -
red-shouldered hawks, ferruginous hawks, bald and golden eagles, a
variety of falcons, great horned owls, barn owls, and burrowing
owls.
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 6:30am (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 the night before - 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 $40/per photographer, per day. We return
to Harris Ranch between 5pm and 6pm at the end of each safari day.
Bobcat Video:
VIDEO
Bobcat Albums:
Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3
Difficulty Level:
EASY
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