When my husband and I moved into the La Crescenta area in 1970, coyotes were heard at night. After the Foothill Fires in 1975, the coyotes were still heard, but were now seen more often. We also saw more raccoons, opossum, and skunks, but not mountain lions or bob cats. If mountain lions were in the news, they were mentioned regarding the Orange County Area. I never thought about the mountain lion as an animal that could be prowling in my neighborhood.
I remember between 1995-1996, a mountain lion was mentioned in our local news. I was surprised as I had never heard that animal mentioned as an animal that was seen here or as a threat to our local pets. That was the first time I gave thought to them in La Crescenta. I was not comfortable with this change.
I have seen bob cats in my yard 4 different times in the past year. The most recent sighting was in September. I took a picture of the bob cat drinking from my pool. Each time I have seen the bob cats, it has been in the morning hours between 6 and 9:30. One morning there were two bob cats, they walked across my lawn, and one sprinted up an oak tree with ease. Another time the authorities were at our door, while we were eating dinner, telling us to stay inside as there were three mountain lions in the yard next door to my house. Soon a helicopter buzzed overheard telling the neighbors to stay inside. I believe the animals finally moved and I think I heard they were not mountain lions after all, but bob cats. Two years ago was the first time I saw a bob cat in my yard in the late afternoon, about 4PM.
I think everyone has to be aware that these animals are bold enough to be out when we may be outside too.
We all need to be aware of our surroundings. Many say they were here first and we are in their territory. That may be true, but they seem to be visible more often and it presents a change that makes me uneasy.
I have attached three photos of the bob cat that was in my yard.
