Palomar Mountain: Harrison Serenity Ranch Wildlife

A friend of mine owns a 67 acre wildlife reserve on the southwestern slope of Palomar Mountain. I have been helping her with various projects around the place, as she rents it out for special events: weddings, music festivals, etc.

This weekend, no one had reserved the place, so I came up with friends to do a little work and relax over the holiday weekend. I have to admit I was feeling a bit down: I usually go visit the whales in the spring, and this time I had only one chance to see them, in early January.

However: the El Niño rains have produced record plants and wildflowers up here, and that has attracted many animals: deer, quail, and- I learned today- bobcats!

My friends departed yesterday, and I awoke to a family of mule deer grazing near the main lodge. I later saw them while walking around the property before breakfast.

Then, as I sat in the kitchen of the main lodge, enjoying the peace and quiet (normally I help with cooking for large groups)- I saw ravens, jays, and other big birds. Just a normal day...until a large bobcat sauntered across the deck!

We had heard about a bobcat from some of the visitors, but this was my first chance to see one so close to the lodge. Poodle noticed him as he went past the glass door, and slowly got up to peer outside. I waited a minute, looked out the window, then went out to confirm it really was what I thought it was.

Then I noticed the deer had returned: 5 of them, snoozing in the meadow above the lodge. So I grabbed my camera and took photos from a safe distance of both critters.

I did a little work outdoors, returned for a cold beer, glanced out the kitchen door... and bobcat #2 walked by, sniffing briefly at the door which was slightly ajar. She was smaller, maybe younger, and more vividly colored than bobcat #1- more reddish brown vs. his gray/black coloration. (Poodle was resting on my lap and missed this one.)

Beautiful animals- what a joy to see them up close from just a few feet away. Clearly they are accustomed to walking along the edge of the ravine, along the deck outside the kitchen.

It is now dark. I just went out to collect some firewood from the wood pile, since it's a bit chilly. The entire time, I sincerely hoped no mountain lion would follow in the steps of the 2 bobcats, and mistake my crouching figure next to the chopping block for a deer or other edible item...

Hoping you had a wonderful, relaxing & happy holiday!
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Morning mule deer: a yearling heads up the slope to reconnect with the herd, seen in upper right corner of photo:


Afternoon mule deer: grazing in the shade of the live oaks:


Mid-day bobcat, heading across the horseshoe pit:


Late afternoon/happy hour bobcat: looking back at the house, wondering who shut the door after she strolled past


[Edited on 3-28-2016 by Whale-ista]

Quote: Originally posted by Maron

OMG Whale-ista, What a wonderful and beautiful property. Pls u2u with the email or web site. Don't have a huge group, but most interested in cost, minimum size of group, kitchens, beds, minimum stay, etc. Mother Nature is wonderful. Thks for the post and the info

Quote: Originally posted by BornFisher

Love the felines. My NatGeo moment today was a Coopers hawk flying in my house! Chased a dove, hit something above where I was napping, and made it back down the hall and thru the open door from where it came. Tomorrow, it`s Santiago peak (aka Saddle Back peak), just a quick one day trip with my cousin. Who knows what adventure tomorrow may bring!! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_Peak