Guest post written by Cat Expeditions participant: Yiwen (Jerry) Zhang
Book a spot on this year’s Bobcats of California photo tour.
“To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour”
Do you believe in paradise—a place where nature flourishes untamed and beauty stretches endlessly across the horizon? What if I told you that such a paradise lies just 50 miles away from one of the world’s busiest cities? If you don’t believe me, let me take you on a journey through time, as I recount an unforgettable experience in Point Reyes National Seashore—a hidden sanctuary of wildlife, quietly nestled just north of San Francisco.
In early December 2024, I embarked on my first wildlife expedition—a long-awaited adventure into the heart of nature. I set out with Cat Expeditions to Point Reyes in Marin County, driven by a singular purpose: to find, observe, and photograph the elusive yet graceful bobcats, along with other remarkable wildlife. The expedition was expertly planned and guided by the passionate and knowledgeable wildlife experts, Sebastian Kennerknecht and Rachel Tobias, whose expertise, hospitality, and dedication brought every moment of this journey to life.
Day 1
Upon arriving in San Francisco, my fellow travelers and I were warmly greeted by Sebastian Kennerknecht and Rachel Tobias at the airport. We were then driven to Olema House in Point Reyes Station, a charming and tranquil retreat just 30 minutes from the national seashore. After settling in and enjoying lunch, Sebastian and Rachel gave us a detailed briefing on our expedition filled with passion, expertise, and a deep respect for wildlife.
It quickly became clear that this wasn’t just a photography tour—it was an opportunity for me to connect with nature on a personal level. We were also introduced to Christian Irian, an exceptional wildlife tracker and biologist whose sharp eyes and vast knowledge of Point Reyes proved invaluable in spotting bobcats and other wildlife.
Our adventure began in two SUVs with Christian scouting ahead. Within minutes of arriving at our first location, Sebastian spotted a bobcat resting on a sunlit hill. Under his careful guidance, we approached in a single-line formation, stopping as the bobcat moved downhill, seemingly unfazed by our presence. I captured my first photo: a striking side portrait of this majestic male surveying his territory. He soon disappeared into the bushes, leaving us in awe.
Not long after, we encountered a mother bobcat and her adolescent kitten. To avoid disturbing them, we remained in our vehicles. The mother napped in the golden afternoon light, and I managed to photograph her mid-yawn before she stretched, stood up, and quickly vanished into the hillside, with her kitten trailing close behind.
Later, Christian spotted another bobcat hunting atop a hill. Sebastian and Rachel quickly maneuvered us into position. We tracked the cat on foot as he moved through tall grass, hunting gophers with precision.
Although he disappeared into the hillside, the experience of observing his natural behavior was unforgettable. As the day neared its end, Christian spotted another bobcat hunting nearby. Sebastian led us on a 15-minute hike, carefully positioning us to move parallel to the cat in a way that signaled no threat. The bobcat eventually emerged from the bushes, walking toward us before disappearing again. We waited quietly in the tall grass, and soon she reappeared, staring directly at us.
After a brief encounter, she continued on her way, fading into the hillside as the sun set, marking an extraordinary end to our first day.
Day 2
We departed our hotel promptly at 6:50 a.m., venturing into a new area of the seashore. As the golden hour reached its peak, we spotted a coyote near the roadside, hunting for gophers. He locked onto its target, crouched, and pounced—but came up empty. Turning to glance at us, almost sheepishly, the coyote soon shook it off and moved on.
Moments later, we encountered a bachelor herd of tule elk, their golden coats glowing in the sunlight against the dramatic backdrop of the sea cliffs—a striking reminder of their remarkable recovery from near extinction.
As the morning wore on, bobcat activity was sparse, though we briefly saw the mother and her kitten from the day before, who kept to themselves. After lunch back at the hotel, we headed out again and, with Christian’s help, found the scar-nosed female bobcat from our first day. This time, we watched in awe as she successfully hunted twice in quick succession, her lightning-fast reflexes snatching gophers from their holes in milliseconds. At one point, she turned to face us with her prize, as if proudly displaying her catch. Capturing her in that moment was surreal—it was my first time witnessing a bobcat hunting, and I was fascinated.
Later, we spotted a shy bobcat that disappeared as soon as we exited the car and another hunkered down in the grass. Wildlife is unpredictable, but the day offered plenty of magic, including a gorgeous Western bluebird perched on a branch, its iridescent feathers glowing against a silky background.
As the sun began to set, we encountered another bobcat just waking from an afternoon nap. From inside the car, I admired his “angry stare,” likely displeased at being disturbed. Just as we were about to call it a day, Christian spotted a female bobcat hunting gophers. To our delight, this cat was unusually tolerant of our presence. With his decades of expertise, Sebastian guided us within 10 meters of her, ensuring she remained undisturbed. After an unsuccessful attempt, she moved downhill, and we followed at a respectful distance. As we waited in the grass, she struck again, this time capturing a large gopher. Unlike the previous bobcat, she devoured her meal right in front of us, unbothered by our presence. Watching her eat, clean herself, and disappear into the bushes was a breathtaking end to a day full of surprises and unforgettable moments.
Day 3
Our third day began with a relentless rainstorm. Despite the downpour, we ventured to Drakes Beach, where thousands of Northern Elephant Seals converge during their annual mating season. Today, however, only a few male seals sprawled along the shore, their massive forms blending into the stormy backdrop. We waited patiently in the rain, watching as two males clashed. A brief but fierce dispute erupted between them, ending with the subdominant seal retreating to the sea, his surrender swallowed by the waves. Wildlife sightings were scarce during the storm, though we paused to admire a palm-sized newt carefully making its way across the rain-slicked road to safety.
By afternoon, the rain gave way to an overcast sky, and the landscape awakened. The male bobcat from our first day reappeared, locked onto a gopher with undivided attention. We approached silently, and he remained unperturbed, totally immersed in his hunt. In one swift motion—a powerful pounce—he captured his prey. We watched in awe as he devoured his meal and meticulously groomed his fur.
Soon after, Christian guided us to another bobcat—a female who would come to define the spirit of our journey. She moved with graceful determination, stalking gophers along a hillside, completely indifferent to our presence. Her every movement was deliberate, her gaze unyielding as she crept toward a hole, waited, and struck—only for the gopher to escape from another burrow. Yet, she pressed on, her eyes scanning the horizon. For nearly two hours, as the light gradually faded, we followed her relentless pursuit. Finally, with the last rays of daylight illuminating the hillside, she pounced again, this time emerging triumphant with a large gopher. The group erupted in quiet applause, captivated by her resilience and grace. Time seemed to stand still as we watched her carry her prize into the shadows, leaving us in wonder of her unyielding spirit.
As darkness crept in, we briefly spotted another bobcat hunting across a field before making our way to a cypress tree. There, under the dimming sky, a great horned owl took silent flight, its ghostly silhouette vanishing into the night—a hauntingly beautiful finale to a day filled with the magic of the wild.
Day 4
Our final day began with a wet, misty morning, as rain and dense fog shrouded the landscape. At Drakes Beach, we found a few Northern Elephant Seals sleeping peacefully, and during our cautious drive through the fog, we spotted several coyotes. One lay leisurely in the middle of the road, while another snacked on crunchy food near a fence post. Herds of tule elk, veiled in the mist, added an atmosphere of mystique to the quiet morning—a slow start, but serene nonetheless.
By afternoon, as the fog lifted, the landscape came alive. Bobcats began appearing, actively pursuing their prey. One skittish cat darted away as we tried to get closer, but to our amazement, the tenacious female we had spent the previous afternoon observing was hunting in the same area again.
This time, we weren’t the only ones captivated—she had a crowd of photographers eagerly following her. Despite the attention, she remained calm, focused on catching gophers, preparing for the impending storm. Locals mentioned her success rate had risen to about 50%—a testament to her persistence. Practice was paying off.
As we observed her, the most magical moment unfolded. She walked directly toward me, paying no attention, and sat beside a gopher hole only 5 meters away from me. I steadied my camera, dialed up the shutter speed, and held my breath. In a flash, she struck—burying her head into the hole and emerging with her prize. She swiftly moved past me, carrying her meal to the bushes, and in that instant, I captured her fierce, determined expression—a “gangster” look that perfectly embodied her grit.
We spent the entire afternoon with her, marveling at her relentless energy. She hunted, missed, adjusted, and tried again, offering us an awe-inspiring display of tenacity. As the daylight faded, she managed one final successful hunt before disappearing into the night.
As the storm returned, I glanced back at the jade hills—home to countless wild creatures that have thrived here for centuries. Spending two afternoons with this remarkable bobcat made my first wildlife expedition unforgettable, a memory I will cherish forever.
Reflection
As I waited at the airport, scrolling through the 20,000 photos I had captured over the past four days, I couldn’t help but reflect on the unforgettable moments of this expedition.
As a theoretical physics PhD student, I’ve spent years striving to unravel the mysteries of the universe, immersing myself in abstract mathematical theorems. I once believed that solving these puzzles was the ultimate way to connect with nature. Yet, through wildlife photography, my perspective has profoundly shifted.
Nature’s beauty isn’t hidden in distant equations—it unfolds all around us, waiting to be discovered, experienced, and cherished. As Frank Herbert wisely wrote, “The mysteries of life aren’t a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.” This expedition offered me the perfect opportunity to immerse myself in that reality, to witness the magnificent yet fragile splendor of Mother Nature. The creatures I encountered—once abundant, then nearly lost, now making a slow and steady comeback—are living testaments to survival and resilience. And the fierce female bobcat, who gave me not just countless photo opportunities but also countless lessons, stood as a symbol of bravery, perseverance, and untamed freedom.
This four-day journey solidified my commitment to a lifetime of wildlife conservation. I am deeply grateful for the remarkable creatures I encountered in Point Reyes—and for those I’ve yet to meet around the world. They reveal a world worth living for, one brimming with stories that will inspire us. I am looking forward to sharing these stories with my family, my friends, and generations to come, reminding them that we have only one Earth, our shared home. The magnificent yet fragile nature inspire me to protect it—because in doing so, we preserve not only the planet but also humanity itself.
