OPENING SHOT Cat capture Photo: by Vic Schendel Gear: Canon EOS 7D Settings: 1/1000 sec, f/10, ISO 500 A s a professional wildlife photographer I've spent many years in the field photographing all kinds of animals. Over the years, I've encountered a handful of mountain lions during my adventures. People are often afraid of these large cats, but most are never seen by people. That makes these animals special to photograph and share with my viewers. My experiences with mountain lions have come while hiding, patiently looking and waiting for other animals. If you want to capture images of cats in the wild, learn their habitats and behaviors before searching for them. Hide out in areas where there have been sightings, set up in a camouflaged place and stay hidden and silent. I spotted this cat one afternoon waiting in a blind hoping to spot some mule deer bucks around Newcastle. I'd known for years lions inhabited the area, and I happened to be in the right place at the right time. I was downwind of this cat when it approached about 50 yards away from where I was located. I watched as it clawed its way up a nearby tree. It took the cat about five seconds to reach a big branch. The sound of those nails tearing at the bark on the trunk was like nothing I'd heard before. My heart was pounding as I lifted the camera to photograph the cat overlooking its domain. I managed only a few images before it heard the shutter and sprinted away. 6 | April 2021