Healing heart and bobcat mystery

Today, I saw a friend who I haven't seen since last summer. She immediately said that I looked so much happier than last summer. I guess that my heart has been healing, ever so slowly, as Mother Earth has been spinning. And, she truly spins...

This photo is from the Utah desert. It was so dark that there were almost too many stars for my photo but it certainly shows that our Earth spins and spins, stopping for nothing.

Of course, Shyla has played a huge role in helping me to see the happiness in life again. We have fun on the trails together every day.

We mountain bike, play, train, and take photos in the early mornings. Here, she's standing on one of my favorite trails.

Close to that trail, there's been lots of bobcat activity.

Multiple bobcats have marked the same spot in recent weeks.

I thought that I was seeing normal bobcat behavior until I captured this series of photos. First, one bobcat arrived at a popular spot.

That bobcat went to lie down next to the trail (he's just to the left of the center of the next photo), and another bobcat arrived.

The second bobcat sat, waiting for the first one to be ready to move on (he was now in the far right of the photo as you can see from his eye shine). They were clearly traveling together.

The confusing part is that it's not a time of year when I see bobcats traveling in pairs or groups. Usually, mating season is in late winter. Then, early in the summer, I'll notice a female bobcat traveling a certain route regularly, probably coming and going from her den, where she's nursing her kittens. In July or so, she'll start carrying dead prey with her as she travels her route, probably taking it to her kittens. Finally, in August or so, the kitten(s) emerge from the den, looking small and timid.

So, the 87 million dollar question is: Why are these two bobcats together? I know that they are capable of breeding at any time of year so perhaps it's a breeding pair or a mother with an almost grown up kitten (whose kitten was born at an odd time of year). Whatever the reason (and I'd love to hear your thoughts), it'll be fun to see if this pair remains together or not.

Just for perspective, here's a bear going  past the same spot a few hours later, heading for some marking trees. He weighs at least ten times as much as a bobcat. I'll share his antics with you soon.

R likes the bears best of all - especially the ones who are as black as he is!