I think our paths have crossed again.  It’s almost a half mile ahead of me and moving effortlessly like a sleek well-oiled machine.  I was riding my bike in the early afternoon when I first spotted it.  They say you don’t see them this time of day.  Only in the early morning are they ever seen, if then.  I saw the movement of a dark object way ahead of me.  I’m always engaged in an intuitive hunt for nature’s spectacular.  I pedaled faster hoping to catch up, but I can’t get a photo and ride the bike at the same time.  So I’m closing some of the distance on the dirt road, Perocchi Grade Trail in Big Cypress in the Everglades, as it winds through the Cypress, Palmetto Palms and pine forest.  I could run but I can’t do that.  I would make too much noise and get too tired out to take pictures.  The glimpses I get build my hope.  My heart is pounding with excitement.  This may be the best sighting of my four-month trip through the less visited places of Florida, southern Texas and on to south west Arizona and back to Ocean City during January to May.
    I need to stay on the same side of the road from it to help hide me from it.  I abandon the bike, and walk at a very fast pace as quietly as I can.  I need to get closer to determine what it is.  Maybe it’s a large otter, a wild pig or black bear.  Hopefully I can get close enough for a good photo; no not good photo, an outstanding one.  Once in a while I can see it.  I’m getting closer and closing the distance between me and it, but all I’m getting is a rear end view.  Can’t be sure what it is, yet.  It’s not wide enough for a bear. Deer?  No, the body is too close to the ground.  Maybe a bobcat, too big and it has a long tail.  I’m wearing out, and I don’t think it’s breaking a sweat moving effortlessly.  Wow, I get a break; I’m getting what I want.  It’s crossing the trail to enter a grassy field.  No more wondering. It’s a good two hundred pounds of Florida Panther and I had time for one good photo opportunity.  That’s why my camera is always accessible in seconds, usually slung over my shoulder whether I’m walking, paddling the kayak, or riding my bike.  Nature has rewarded my persistence, exertion of the chase, and shown me something most people will never see in a life time!
    The panther had never changed its pace of stride, looked in my direction, or paid any attention to me even though I invaded its space.  It didn’t care about me at all or some would say, it wasn’t hungry.  The panther population is estimated to be between 80 - 100 cats within the state of Florida.  Big Cypress National Preserve is home to approximately 30 - 35 of those cats.  That’s the National Park Service’s story.  They imported about a dozen big cats from Texas several years ago to beef up the gene pool and since then I think there’s been some real fun in them cypress swamps!  Why?  Because I see way too many panthers for them to be that scarce.  I saw enough of them one morning to single handedly challenge what their sign on Rt. 29, near where it crosses US 75, says stating the population, but that’s a story for another day.  I don’t want to let that cat out of the bag, yet!
    For those of you who care, I accomplished the close-up of the panther by using a Canon Rebel xti Camera with 100-400mm telephoto lens at 400, the ISO was 100, shutter speed 1/200th of second at F 7.1 using shutter priority semi-automatic exposure and evaluative metering. Again it’s not so much what kind of camera, but being ready to use it instantly.  It’s really important to get a picture and maybe using the automatic setting rather than fumbling with the dials, buttons and trying to remember the correct settings may take too long and cause you to not miss the picture.  Get one any way you can, because the panther won’t wait.  You can do it right and maybe from a closer vantage point for the second shot.  I did have time to take a light reading and even to shoot several shots with my Panasonic Lumix “point & shoot” camera to record the chase and where it took place, so the photos could tell a story.
    You can find more info about the Florida Panther @ http://home.nps.gov/bicy/naturescience/panthers.htm.  Here In Ocean City I’m still doing family photos on the beach.  If you’d like to set one up give me a call at 410-289-7339 or check out my web site at http://photosasyouwantthem.biz.  See you at MR’s, Fager’s Island Monday evening Deck Party, Seacrets, Coconuts and on the beach.  Enjoy