And this bobcat may be in luck,
for this particular valley is blessed.
A river here never freezes.
It’s fed by a volcanic hot spring
that heats these waters to 50 degrees warmer
than the surrounding air.
Hungry animals of all kinds come here to feed.
Throughout the winter, the river is full of food –
for those who know how to catch it.
Here, even the coyotes have become fishermen.
But hunting is hard for a cat
that’s not used to getting its feet wet.
So he must choose his target with care.
Goldeneye ducks.
But can he get close enough to pounce?
(Ducks quacking)
Perhaps he’ll have more luck on the other side.
Here, steam from the river warms the surrounding trees.
So up in the branches, there could be prey.
If only he could get to it.
It’s six metres up.
At last, a squirrel.
Not much, but enough to keep him going.
To survive a winter in these mountains takes tenacity,
and bobcats have that in abundance.
