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Tuesday, August 03, 2010

C for ABC Wednesday










This area, as well as others, have a fair share of cougars. Generally, these big cats avoid human involvement but so many people have moved into cougar habitats that sightings are becoming more common.

As a child, I heard cougars (they sound like a crying child) but didn't see one until a couple of years ago on a Forest Service Road. What a beautiful sight! I didn't even think of using my camera (the photo is courtesy of Wikipedia) as I watched him stroll away like a kingly lion but it's a scene I'll never forget.

Recently, friends mentioned seeing one at their summer home and I was almost jealous, even though these animals are far from cuddly.

Have you ever seen a cougar in the wild?

♥     ♥     ♥

37 comments:

Leslie: said...

I haven't seen one in the wild, but they often come down from the mountains and invade people's back gardens. There have also been incidents where cougars have attacked humans. But then, I guess WE are encroaching on THEIR territory, aren't we, when we build houses higher and higher up the mountainsides.

??? said...

I haven't seen any cat in the wild (well, except for wild housecats of course), but I'd love to. Around here, you may get to see a wildcat or a lynx if you are very, very lucky. But nothing as big as a cougar.

photowannabe said...

No I haven't but at our previous home we were just a mile away from the Nature Preserve. Many roam there but I have seen Bobcats in that same reserve. It is truly thrilling to see them in their own habitat.

Sam Liu said...

Oh wow, that must have been a truly wonderful experience. Unfortunately, we have no wildlife as majestic as cougars where I live, so I've never seen one. I suppose there are zoos around, but nothing beats seeing an animal in its natural habitat. I'd love to visit some day and hopefully get a sighting :D

Hildred said...

I haven't seen a cougar in the wild, but a few years ago, when my grandson was in his early teens, he saw one while out in the back yard after dark. Pretty fast exit back to the house!!!! Beautiful creatures, but very dangerous.

Vinay Leo R. said...

no TW, not seen one in the wild.. just on TV in Animal Planet, and they looked very royal.. magnificent :)

Lovely C..!

Sylvia K said...

I love cougars although I've only seen them in zoos and I do hate to see them caged! Great post for the C Day! Hope your week is going well!

Sylvia

Gigi Ann said...

Yes I saw a cougar in the wild a few years ago, when we were vacationing in Wyoming. We were out for a nature drive with our friends, one late afternoon, when lo and behold, we spotted one. It was the highlight of my vacation that year. Great choice for "C" today.

Eldritch the Dragon said...

We just have Cats. But they are like little Cougars. Love Eldritch

Beverley Baird said...

I definitely haven't seen one in the wild! Seen them in zoos though.
have a great week!

Anonymous said...

No, as far as I know they are not in Maine.

My mom heard one scream outside the barn where she had gone to feed some puppies when we lived in near Salem, Oregon. I was only about four, so missed it all.

anthonynorth said...

I'd love to see them in the wild. In the UK the most dangerous thing you'll see is a badger - and then only with good eyesight at night :-)

Ralf Bröker said...

Well, cougars do not live in Germany. But some days ago the promoted a new tv-series which had "cougar" even in its German titel. Strange world ...

Best wishes
Ralf

Anonymous said...

What an amazing story ! So far wasn't able/allowed to see one meself. Please have a good Wednesday.

daily athens

Roger Owen Green said...

only in the zoo.
great CATS

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Cheryl said...

No big cats around here unless you count the Maine Coon domestic!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

loved it,
celebration is cool in every level.

Wanda said...

Beautiful animal.

Cheryl Ann said...

Haven't seen one in the wild, but I believe we were watched by one up in the Mogollon Rim of Arizona once. Hubby and I were out hiking and he grabbed my arm and very quietly told me to stop, turn around, and walk back to the car. He said every hair on the back of his neck was up and that SOMETHING was watching us! He swears it was a mountain lion.

Naquillity said...

i've never seen one in the wild but would love to. i would simply pull my hair out if i missed an opportunity to take even one picture. have a great night.

Gayle said...

I've seen mountain lion tracks while out hiking, but never encountered one up close and personal. I'd love to though... from a safe distance. How thrilling!

EKSwitaj said...

I was working on a trail crew in the Cascade foothills, and my friend and I were up pretty far ahead of the rest of the group working on leveling the grade. The winds were starting to kick up as we headed back.

There on the path in front of us was a cougar. Magnificent, yes, but in the moment more frightening than anything else. I had my friend climb onto my shoulders and we yelled at the big cat until it ran off.

Mara said...

I wouldn't mind seeing one in the wild, but if I saw one here, it must have so lost its way! The only wild cats living here are domesticated cats that have turned rogue...

nonizamboni said...

Seeing a wild cougar HAS to be one of those life experiences you'll never forget. Thanks for sharing your luck.
Happy Wednesday!

MaR said...

I haven't, but I love felines!! great informative post for C.

ABC Wednesday: C

Unknown said...

I have never seen a real cougar in the wild. They must be impressive. I have seen lynx in 'Kolmarden', zoo here in Norrkoping, which are the only bigger wild cats that are native to Scandinavia. They are also impressive and also very un-cuddly.
Interesting to read your post about cougars. I have also chosen felines for my C-post. But much safer to pet!

Best wishes,
Anna

Anna's Cats

Julie Jordan Scott said...

No, never seen one in the wild but living in Southern California, I heard of their attacks on a regular basis.

I have seen coyotes, though. One of my friends and I actually enjoy howling with them and one of our favorite stories is when one actually howled and walked scarily close to where we were howling.

It was sacred, holy and SCARY!

C is for... "Love" left behind?

Carver said...

I've never seen a cougar in the wild. I might be the same way about not thinking of taking a picture. Sometimes the event is so absorbing that it's hard to take a picture. Great post for C.

Carol said...

Yes, 500 years ago when I was but a child. We visited friends who had a big ranch somewhere in Wyoming, I believe it was. In the mountains. It was a very large cat, at least in my eyes, and it's presence convinced me I belonged inside with the adults, no matter how boring they were. I know of people near us here that have seen cougar paw prints, but I've not seen any. I try not to think about them when I take the dogs out after dark.

Annelie said...

No, I have not seen any of them wild, I´m sorry to say....
And Cheers to you to!

LisaF said...

The four-legged variety? No. The two-legged variety? Yes. :-O

Jama said...

I've never seen a cougar in wild before, mostly they are in the zoos.

Gattina said...

I don't know the name cougar, to me they look like a lion or tiger (without stripes) lol !

Dani said...

Never seen cougars, not any wild cats. Only in a zoo, caged. :(

Great post. Thank you.

Reader Wil said...

How interesting! I wished i had seen a cougar! I never saw a cat in the wild, but I love these feline creatures. We had always cats here, but they all died. Now I should like to have some cats, but i am often away and besides the traffic is heavier.

Jay said...

What a wonderful experience, though I'd have been very nervous if I'd been on foot!

No, I've never seen one in the wild, though I did keep a good eye out when on holiday in Utah and Nevada last year!

kat - Mom's Place said...

Oh i only saw cougar in the movie not in real..it looks cuddly but i know they are not.

Thanks for the visit and comment.

See you next week.