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Friday, March 8, 2019

Nature and Feline Friday: A Mountain Lion in Stalking Mode

More than a year ago, I found some most fascinating footage of a mountain lion stalking prey on a trail camera. I recently ran across it again, and I was mesmerized once again. I just had to share with you.

The mountain lion appeared at a water hole that was dry due to a severe drought. He clearly thought that prey was nearby and moved incredibly slowly and meticulously for about 30 minutes. He took each step painfully slowly, avoiding making any noise at all.

It took him almost a minute to get from that first position almost into his pouncing position. As he moved each hind paw forward, he'd inch this front paw forward so that the hind could land where the front paw had been an instant earlier. It looked like a method to prevent him from accidentally making noise with his hind paws since he can't see where they are landing.

Then, he maintained this very uncomfortable-looking position for quite a while. I believe that he was ready to pounce on an animal. He held his tail up and off the ground the entire time.

He left the view of the camera a couple of times but kept coming back, always using his silent deliberate gait.
When I checked the cam well after the lion had been there, I spent some time exploring near the water hole to see if I could find signs that the lion had made a kill but I didn't find anything.

Here's a video of this mountain lion's time near the dry water hole. Although it may appear to be in slow motion, it is not. Rather, he was moving with such stealth that he moved very slowly. Enjoy - I have never again seen footage like this, and I doubt that I ever will!

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22 comments:

  1. easyweimaranerMarch 8, 2019 at 4:08 AM

    he reminds me a lot of the Nelly... he is a stalker too and he has a lot of feline moves ;O)

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  2. Yamini MacLeanMarch 8, 2019 at 4:31 AM

    Hari Om
    An absolute cat!!! My angel Jasper would make like this as he approached his sister-dog's tail... YAM xx

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  3. Brian's Home BlogMarch 8, 2019 at 5:52 AM

    That's an amazing video, yes, he sure had his sights set on something.

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  4. MadSnapperMarch 8, 2019 at 6:16 AM

    Amazing! what a stalker he is. each paw as it moves into position, he touches it several times to make sure it is in the correct spot. i watched for a short time 2 days ago on my walk, a giant white heron, stalking a lizard, much like this cat, one claw went forward, i did not stay to see if he got his prey but i am sure he did.

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  5. The PadreMarch 8, 2019 at 6:57 AM

    Fantastic 3min Video There!! Way Cool. Reminds me of the Boy Dog in a big way. Shadow Boy was just under 100 pounds and he would move in the same stealth like pattern when he saw a bird, snake, etc on the trail. We had numerous friends that would "laugh" at him because he acted just like a cat on the hunt. Seeing this video, The Boy Dog must of had a Mountain Lion Spirit.

    Thanx For Sharing This And Enjoy You Weekend,
    Cheers

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  6. Box Canyon Blog.comMarch 8, 2019 at 7:27 AM

    Yikes!

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  7. My Mind's EyeMarch 8, 2019 at 8:08 AM

    WOW I loved this video...Cats large and small, wild and domesticated, are so very deliberate with each step.
    In her younger years, Madi would stalk a toy exactly like this. I always loved right before the pounce how she marched in place as if to get her momentum up.
    Hugs Cecilia

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  8. Millie and WalterMarch 8, 2019 at 8:09 AM

    What a cool video! It's too bad we couldn't see what he was stalking.

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  9. Berts BlogMarch 8, 2019 at 8:22 AM

    I love how precise his steps are that without noticing he misses every leaf that could make a sound. what an amazing video to watch

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  10. Gene BachMarch 8, 2019 at 9:34 AM

    That video is awesome!

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  11. Tammie LeeMarch 8, 2019 at 9:41 AM

    Wonderful to see!
    If only we knew more of the story.
    My friends dog moves a lot like that and will hold still for a very long time in wait.

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  12. DukeMarch 8, 2019 at 9:54 AM

    He is very patient and very quiet. What a cool video!

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  13. SandeeMarch 8, 2019 at 9:55 AM

    Wow, this is amazing. I would love to live in this kind of country. Loved the video. We watch the fishing birds do this very same thing. Ever so slow and ever so quiet. Beautiful.

    Thank you for joining the Feline Friday Blog Hop.

    Have a purrfect Feline Friday and weekend. ♥

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  14. Ruby Rose and the Big Little Angels 3March 8, 2019 at 10:15 AM

    That is one cool cat. He is fascinating to watch

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  15. Nancy JMarch 8, 2019 at 10:59 AM

    Such deliberation and care, so quiet, and after all that nothing to show for his time and stealth. How little we would know if it were not for all your videos and photos. We are the winners here today, thanks so much for the visit to your part of the world.

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  16. Bella Roxy & MacduiMarch 8, 2019 at 12:20 PM

    Incredible movement....so controlled!

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  17. The Army of FourMarch 8, 2019 at 1:51 PM

    That is SO COOL! I like to use stalker mode, too. Mostly on Cammie. Sometimes on my mom. And sometimes on my bff Chelsea the Border Collie. She does this slinky thing, too. It's so fun. Then we wiggle all over and do nose bumps and stuff. I don't think that's what the Mountain Lion had in mind, though.
    Yours sincerely,
    Margaret Thatcher

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  18. ♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥March 8, 2019 at 6:46 PM

    How we love this video!!! That cat is quite the stalker. Timber likes to stalk squirrels and rabbits but we don't think he has the patience to move that slowly:)

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  19. Idaho PugRanchMarch 8, 2019 at 9:49 PM

    so fascinating to watch him step so slowly and deliberately.
    hugs
    Hazel & Mabel

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  20. Tails Around the RanchMarch 9, 2019 at 2:01 PM

    With all that patience and effort, I hope he was rewarded with a tasty meal.

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  21. jank1961March 9, 2019 at 3:51 PM

    It's amazing how deliberate and patient they are! That deer must have sensed that was not a good place to hang out!
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  22. Tweedles -- that's meMarch 12, 2019 at 8:40 PM

    Amazing video KB !
    love
    tweedles

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