Two Bobcats in the Morning Fog

Yesterday morning at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, two bobcats turned what seemed like an ordinary drive into a moment I almost missed.

I was slowly driving the auto tour road in heavy fog when something in the grass caught my eye. I had already passed the spot before my brain registered what I had just seen. I stopped the truck, shifted into reverse, and carefully backed up to take another look.

There they were.

Two bobcats were lying quietly in the tall grass beside the road.

The fog hung thick across the refuge that morning, softening the entire landscape and muting the colors of the early day. The bobcats blended almost perfectly with the dried grass around them. I nearly drove right past them, but one of the bobcats briefly opened its eyes as I passed by. That small movement caught my attention. Both bobcats were lying completely still in the grass, resting quietly side by side.

Encounters like this remind me how easily wildlife can disappear into their surroundings. Even a predator as striking as a bobcat can become nearly invisible when it chooses the right place to rest.

A Quiet Moment with Two Bobcats

Both bobcats appeared relaxed and comfortable. One had its eyes half closed while the other looked directly toward the road, calmly observing its surroundings.

Seeing two bobcats together is always a special sight. Bobcats are typically solitary animals, so moments like this often involve siblings or possibly a mother with a nearly grown young cat. Not far from this same spot at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, I once photographed a bobcat carefully checking the road before her kitten crossed.

Whatever their relationship, they seemed content to share the same quiet patch of grass on that foggy morning.

Photographing the Bobcats

I slowly positioned my camera and lens on the bean bag I keep draped over the open window of my truck. That simple setup has become one of my favorite ways to photograph wildlife from the vehicle. It provides solid support and lets me stay low and steady without disturbing the animals.

The fog actually helped the scene. It softened the light and removed harsh shadows, creating a gentle look to the photograph. Even though the visibility across the refuge was limited, the fog gave the moment a calm, almost peaceful atmosphere.

Both bobcats remained in place long enough for me to take several photos before eventually disappearing back into the tall grass.

Camera Settings

• Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark II
• Lens: Canon RF 200–800mm f/6.3–9 IS USM
• Focal Length: 500mm
• Aperture: f/9
• Shutter Speed: 1/500 second
• ISO: 2500
• Exposure Compensation: +2/3
• Support: Bean bag on truck window

A Reminder to Slow Down

Moments like this are a good reminder of how important it is to drive slowly and pay attention while exploring places like Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.

Wildlife can appear almost anywhere along the auto tour road, and sometimes the most memorable sightings happen when you nearly miss them.

If I had not glanced back at that patch of grass, I might have driven away without ever realizing two bobcats were quietly watching the world go by just a few yards from the road.

Foggy mornings often make wildlife photography more challenging, but every now and then they reveal something special.

Yesterday morning was one of those times.