The race

January 13, 2013 | By Roger Real Drouin In mammals |

Riding the sandy two-rutted, I thought I’d be racing the sun through the prairie.

Deeper into the interior of Myakka State Park, I soon came up on an animal trotting ahead, about a hundred yards off. I didn’t know it was a bobcat until she sprung into a sprint. And for five seconds, maybe less, she dashed ahead. I followed. I knew she’d smoke me. Finally she kicked up sand, just as I slowed. And she turned off the trail into the prairie palmettos and brush.

When I met back up with Rach, I told her I’d seen “the most beautiful thing ever.” She asked what it was, but words, once again couldn’t capture this encounter. I tried though to explain how I raced the bobcat.

The “All Weather Trail” at Myakka River State Park, a half mile from where I raced the bobcat:

2 Comments so far

  1. SRQ on January 13th, 2013

    Oh my gosh….that is so cool! Awesome story. Love the paw prints in the sand. Did you have the Go Pro running? I’m really going to be looking for that bobcat when I get back to the park!

  2. Roger Real Drouin on January 13th, 2013

    Yea, it was sweet! Unfortunately, the video didn’t come out, but the photos are from the Go Pro. I have to experiment more with the video. Hope you get to see her!

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