Originally Posted by
Leon Smith
In early July of this year, at Caledonia PA, I met north bound hiker Baby Ruth. We talked about the trail ahead, water, etcetera. As the conversation turned she showed me her video sequence from Shenandoah National Park. At Lewis Mountain she photographed a cougar on the trail. The tawny brown catamount was moving and Baby Ruth quickly determined it's course. she had the wherewithal to take off her pack and make ready her camera. After a moderate walk the cat reappeared in profile, a mere thirty feet away.
Close and clear the image of the mountain lion is outstanding. The big cat appears in the brightness of June as healthy and formidable, but unconcerned or oblivious to the hiker-photographer. The lighting, view and close-up of the cougar in this video would make a wildlife photographer envious.