Distinctive bobcat gains fans at Fla. refuge

MELBOURNE, Fla. — A photogenic bobcat with a distinctive notch in its left ear is attracting attention in the heart of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The medium-sized bobcat has been spotted in recent months prowling along Black Point Wildlife Drive, a 7-mile scenic loop through pine flatwoods that affords views of waterfowl, alligators and shallow saltwater marshes.

"I saw it three times in August. He's a young cat, because he's got pretty good markings and spots on his body," said Tom Dunkerton, an avid birdwatcher and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteer.

"They're like ghosts. They walk through that thick bush like it's nothing. I love encountering the bobcats. They're mysterious. I got a shot of him looking at me as he popped back on the road, and you can also see a bit of curiosity on his part," Dunkerton said.

Wildlife officials have posted photos of the bobcat on the refuge's Facebook page the past four weeks, enticing sightseers. Refuge Ranger Nancy Corona said the visitor center usually receives one bobcat sighting a week, most often during mornings and evenings.

"There's a lot of bobcats on the refuge. They usually hide in the brush, but every once in a while, one will come out and show off. What makes this one so interesting is, with his ear, you know you're seeing the same animal," Corona said.

"To me, it looks like he got into a fight. But I just don't know," she said.

Dunkerton said he has photographed the notch-eared bobcat while it peeked through tall grass roughly 25 feet away.

Ken Blye, founding president of the Orlando Camera Club, captured an image of the sharp-fanged beast wading in a marsh from about 35 yards away, using a 600mm lens and a teleconverter from his car window.

"This guy that we got crossing the water was pure happenstance," recalled Blye, who has photographed nature scenes at the Merritt Island refuge for the past decade.

"Next thing I knew, he came trotting out of the bush. He gets about even with the car, and he stops and looks at us — like he's posing. Great, great shot. It's exciting when you get them, because they're so elusive," Blye said.

Bob Hartmann, a professional photographer, shared the same hiking trail with the bobcat last month near duck-hunting blinds. It was early morning, and the spotted creature stopped in its tracks about 500 yards away.

"I snapped off a couple pictures before it noticed me — and then it started walking in my direction. And then, click click click click," Hartmann recalled.

"I'd love to know the story behind his ear."

Neale also reports for Florida Today