Eyeballs in Odd Places

There are some things that just creep you right out in the morning, in the dark, with just a headlamp and one of those things is eyeball reflection from something you haven't a clue as to what it is. It's in a strange place, not with the other expected floating eyeballs coming towards you from the upper paddock or out of the goatie hut or waiting by the side of the barn. Nope this pair is in a tree or off the slope of the driveway in the brush area. A small forward facing set, not the wide eyed deer set that are common a little later in the season. Certainly not a pair of Bond's eyes. A few years ago it was a lynx in the barn, this time it's another visitor that we've caught glimpses of the past week or so.

A black as night tom cat. I know he's a tom, once you know what a tom smells like when he marks it stays with you. This handsome dark stranger has slightly longer hair than the usual domestic shorthair variety, a very fluffy tail, more so when we had a mutual startle moment this morning.  He was obviously trying to get away from the barn and I took a different route and stumbled on him crouched  and waiting for a clear shot across the driveway.  The flash of eyes, I jumped and gasped, he shot out right in front of me and poof gone into the darkness. The body reacts before the brain kicks in. It took me a second to recognize what it was. 

I don't know if he'll stick around. Both Buzz and Juno are kind hosts, having come from feral cat colonies and use to other cats around. I have been weaning them off of the heavy winter feedings and giving them pretty much what they can eat in a sitting. They are, after all, suppose to be working barn cats! In any event, if he stays we'll have to try to catch him for neutering and shots and then re-release. This boy seems truly feral. The one time I came face to face with him in the daylight, he hissed and growled before he gave ground. We've dubbed him Puck.