National Wildlife Day - Bobcats and Elk at Point Reyes National Seashore - California

Whenever there is a Wildlife Day, I like to spend the time in nature documenting and photographing wild animals. To recognize National Wildlife Day in the U.S., I went out to Point Reyes to photograph the Tule Elk that once neared extinction. On the way, I stopped by a favorite spot and found a beautiful female bobcat. We had a moment. Hope you enjoy! All captured on the DJI pocket 3 and Nikon Z8 with the 400mm f/4.5 lens.

[@kennethbouley8748]

Great job, Matthew! Thanks for appreciating Point reyes!

[@paulandpedro]

Loved the elk history! Saw some ay Point Reyes a few years back as well, its an awesome spot

[@MatthewRaifman]

Thanks for watching!

[@mariovelasquez2780]

Great job on those Bobcats 👏🏼 I’m always looking for to photograph them every time I go there but no luck yet 😣

[@timcannady3213]

Love this! Thanks for sharing your trip. I'm curious how you feel about the reach of the 400mm. I'm using the 500mm PF on the Z8. I went to Point Reyes for the first time this weekend, and I was surprised by how many fences there were. I've since learned about the politics of the ranchers 😅 When you get near the bobcats like these, are they conveniently near you by the fence? Or maybe you're in places without fences? I'd also be curious to hear how important you feel the f/4.5 is while shooting at that location. The PF is a f/5.3, so it's around 2/3 less of a stop. Thanks for any tips :)

[@MatthewRaifman]

Thanks so much for the comment. I thought a lot about the 600pf vs 400 f/4.5 and ultimately decided to unload the 400mm in favor of the 600 pf. The IQ is comparable though I think the 600pf is a tad better, but that extra 200mm does mean I have a lot more pixels on the subject. It's a compromise for sure, but I needed that extra reach. I do wonder if you already have the best of both worlds with the 500 PF. Yes, you have to adapt, but it is similar IQ and is a nice compromise between the two. With regard to Point Reyes, I tend to go past Point Reyes Station and out towards Abbotts Lagoon area. There are a lot of fences, don't get me wrong, but the bobcats roam and I have had good luck spotting them. It's always a crap shoot and there are plenty of times I don't see one. Have fun out there!

[@angelogarciajr5356]

Great photo ops out there, but I hate the road out to the lighthouse. My truck ride on that road kills my back lol You got some great close up video on the cat. I photographed a bull elk out there one year and Fish and Game used my photo on the annual hunting regulations. Now that was cool I dont think the elk have antlers right now but maybe they havent lost them yet. Or is your video from earlier? Thanks for sharing. By the way, you had mentioned you were going back to Yosemite. The Firefall is happening on sunny evenings now thru end of Feb. Happy trails.

[@MatthewRaifman]

Oh yes! I know what you’re talking about. That road is brutal! Have to go very slowly. Pretty neat they used your photo. This video was entirely shot yesterday. Not sure why there were a few with antlers still. I’m dying to go but looks like it isn’t happening because family life is a priority right now and our youngest just is not sleeping. Alas! Maybe next year.

[@angelogarciajr5356]

Just a short period when the hard antlers fall and new growth begins so if they are hard, they will drop very soon. Firefall is also brutal, getting a permit or going in before the gate opens, finding parking, walking 3 miles on ice in freezing temps and finding a spot with no one in your view. Firefall can be brutal.@@MatthewRaifman