Gordon Ellmers was driving north on County Route 113 near the town of Stillwater on Friday when he saw something that made his heart pound: A bobcat.
Ellmers, a serious wildlife photographer and veterinarian who owns Fort Edward Animal Hospital, was driving along the Hudson River looking for areas to spot birds when he saw the wild animal walking across the road.
“Right in front of my car coming out of the woods was this gorgeous bobcat,” Ellmers recalled. “I’ve never seen one before. I was in awe.”
Ellmers said the wild feline had dense, short hair and was about three times the size of a domesticated house cat.
The photographer immediately grabbed for his camera and began shooting photos he’ll never forget out of his car window.
“I just stopped in the middle of the road — I wanted a shot so badly,” Ellmers said. “I heard a truck come up behind me, but I didn’t even turn around to look.”
Before long, a second bobcat came out of the brush on the side of the road.
“This is breeding season,” Ellmers explained. “The first one I saw was male. He was looking for females who were in heat who are receptive to him. Then, as he walked across the road, out came the female bobcat, and the two sized each other up.
“He checked her out to see if she was in heat, and she took time to see if she’s interested in mating with this guy,” Ellmers added with a chuckle.
The photographer documented the rest of the exchange from less than 100 feet away, he said, as the pair of bobcats had a “playful, growly encounter” before they disappeared back across the road where the male came from.
The truck behind him came to a stop and that driver took photos, too.
“As soon as I saw the bobcat, I was so excited,” Ellmers said. “When you see something you’ve never seen before and you’re into photography, all you can think of is ‘I have to get this shot because I’ll probably never get another opportunity.’ ”
With the small population of bobcats in the area, Ellmers’ chance photo session was likely a once-in-a-lifetime event.
“I spoke with some friends after this who are pretty knowledgeable on the subject, including one friend of mine who is retired from the DEC who said in this area, there are approximately five bobcats per 100 square miles,” Ellmers said. “That’s how lucky I was.”
Based on surveys from the late 1970s, bobcats occupied 13,500 square miles, or a little more than one quarter of the state, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation website.
The website confirmed that there are about five bobcats per 100 square miles in the Adirondack area, but in the Catskills there are about 16 bobcats every 100 square miles.
While bobcats prefer habitats with natural features for protection — like ledges and rock piles — evergreen bogs, swamps and other secluded places are also common if they are not completely isolated by urban development, according to the DEC website.
Ellmers said his heart was pounding with excitement during the less-than-five-minute encounter, and being frightened of the animals never crossed his mind.
“I probably should have been a little afraid because I know bobcats will eat a deer, goat or sheep,” he said. “I suppose they could have come after me, but I stayed in my car to take the photos.”
If other people encounter a bobcat, he also recommends they keep their distance, especially to respect the animal.
“Respect them and give them their space,” Ellmers said. “Get all the photos you can without getting too close to them and let them do their thing until they leave. You’re in their home first.”
Reach Gazette reporter Kate Seckinger at 395-3113, [email protected] or @KateSeckinger on Twitter.
Categories: -News-, Schenectady County
