BIODIVERSITY
Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
There's no doubt mountain lions live up in the Santa Ynez mountains, and wander into urban areas--even downtown Santa Barbara. Every few years, there's a report of a mountain lion on campus in the very early morning, typically somewhere around the baseball field. The images below were taken with a trail camera. In the unlikely event that you see one in person, we don't encourage sticking around to take a photo! Instead, be loud, wave your arms, and slowly back away. Visit this website and this website to learn more about research on these elusive carnivores in southern California.
PAUL WILLIS
Signs of a California Winter
Sycamore leaves blown into bones
of mustard weed.
Wild cucumber, vining
blossoms across the path.
Soap plant rippling its green reaches;
first red buds of poison oak.
Sourgrass, its tart shine,
and gophers heaving fresh, damp earth.
Orion giving ear to coyote,
that mighty hunter.
The tawny tail of a mountain lion,
disappearing into the trees.
Trail Camera Photo & VIdeo Credit: Kelly Ferguson