I almost "muffed" this shot, then he wouldn't let me in the end.
I was heading out chukar hunting, left late as I usually do so I can look for bucks and maybe pop off a shot at a coyote this time of year. Anyways, he was in an area that burned 2 years ago, no cover what-so-ever. I got 2 initial impressions; he was big since I saw a large paunch and huge feet on him, and he seemed to be trying to cut in front of my truck to get across the road in front of me.
I took my eyes off of him for about 6-8 seconds as I unzipped my shell vest, retrieved my camera and took it out of the zip lock bag. Kitty was nowhere to be seen! Hill to the right was bald, valley he was crossing had burned hot and had no cover. There was a gulley on the left side of the road, about 8 feet deep with a few large boulders in it. I thought he my have hunkered down in there. At that point I thought I missed a golden opportunity. :-(
Looking uphill, across the valley and in my rear view mirror, no kitty. As I rounded the corner I saw him 200 yards in front of me, 50 yards from and parrelling the gravel road. I sped up hoping for a running pic. As I neared he turned away from the road, crouched under the 2 junipers and then sprang into them.
I put my .357 mag in my right front pocket and with camera in hand, I hot footed it to the trees. I went left where he went up. After about 10 seconds of looking and no cat I thought he may have come out of the tree but I'd watched it the entire time. So I walked around the front and looked into the first trre, no kitty. I glanced over and he had me if he wanted me.
I immediately took about 5 pics. There was glare on the view finder so I was concentrating more on the camera than the cat. I realized my heart was beating fast, realized why and drew the revolver. A few more pics and I backed the 100 yards back to the truck.. I never saw him leave so I thought, "I wonder if he'll let me drive back to the tree?" I locked in the hubs and drove out there. He just looked at me while I took about 20 more shots. I drove back and as far as I know he's still there.
