Bobcats are shy creatures and primarily nocturnal, so witnessing this bobcat slowly exploring the water's edge at midday in July is a rare treat.

She is clearly communicating with someone, either known or not yet known. She rubs her cheek against the leaning tree trunk to leave her scent, then turns to spray-mark in the same location, while softly mewing as she travels on her way.

Her distinctive markings - white ear backs outlined in black, her speckled legs, her cropped tail, ending also in black and white - along with her grace and understated motion captivate our attention and draw us in. And as we watch, we may find that we reclaim that same focused stillness within ourselves.