57 replies to this topic

[irish1]

While working the night-shift for many years, we came to learn alot about the different (animal) wildlife in Folsom. Where they hang out to prowl, and their common paths to move about the city in darkness. It was quite shocking to be driving the roads at night, and come upon a mountain lion and her cub crossing the roadway towards the sewer plant on Folsom Blvd. Or the bear(s) working the garbage cans up in ARC north, making a mess. As well as over at the east dead-end area of Oak Ave Pkwy, where bear pretty well splintered a utility pole while cleaning their paws, after enjoying the garbage menu.

There is the mountain lion that patrols the area near Folsom Dam, that use to cross Folsom-Auburn Rd. into the old Nursery acreage, and then into the mobile home parks and greenbelt towards Baldwin Lake. Occasionally, but not too often, you would run across a furry fox sitting motionless - just watching you drive by also.

Over at Folsom Blvd. in the belt behind Mel's, just as the sun was going down, another cop'er and I had chased/caught a culprit back in the jungle/stream that runs along there. On our way out, we found a path (thank God) to try and lighten the load back to our cars. Sitting (actually seated) in the path was the absolute biggest grey-brown house cat, I ever saw, and it had no tail at all. It just stared at us motionless, with it's ears doing 180's back and forth. Hell with the bad-guy, I was now facinated by this cat. My partner - who had been a State Ranger for many years - chuckled at me, and pointed out that the cat was a 'bob-cat, and can be dangerous...' and was well aware of our presence (ears). She then pointed out that the cat 'was not looking at us..,' but the markings on the back of their head just makes it look that way. The cat then just got up and jogged away back into the bush. Quite an educational moment, for a (mostly) city boy.

As for the coyotes, they are plentiful throughout the city - at least at night - as are deer. I can recall dozens of times over the years, seeing coyotes deep within perimeter neighborhoods carrying off someones cat. The one with the cat, is usually being followed by 2 or 3 more, running towards open fields. It's sad to see, really, because you know the cat was someones pet. But they do slink about in numbers, during the night. There are also many, many, many turkeys residing in the city too... I'm referring to the feathered type, by the way...!

Be safe....

[chris v]

I'll do night walks or bike rides along the bike trails sometimes and I see all kinds of wildlife. I really do recommend trying it as long as you aren't afraid of the dark or wildlife.

[MrsTuffPaws]

C'mon, TruthSeeker, play nice with Malamute. "Truth" is, Malamute is a dog. Listen closely and you may hear my beagles howl at the moon, a siren, or other dogs as well, but most likely squirrels.

The coyotes at the Zoo will howl with sirens too. Not sure about the wolves.

[Bill Z]

My son spotted California Quail wandering through our neighborhood tonight.

[GCM]

the coyotes have been around here before all of our suburbia, they stick to the green belt coming down from the hills to warmer territory as it gets closer to winter, lived in folsom my whole life, as far back as i can remember, i remember the coyotes. the crazy thing was when i saw huge deer bookin it down my street, that was craziness!

[Rich_T]

A big one ran across Iron Point Rd. last night at 10:00 PM, by the "Vessona" condos at Oak Avenue.

[Howdy]

There was one hanging out at BT Collins park around noon on Saturday watching the cars drive by on Willow Creek.

[tony]

A big one ran across Iron Point Rd. last night at 10:00 PM, by the "Vessona" condos at Oak Avenue.

I've seen them around there -- it's a natural connection between the wetlands north of Iron Point and lots of open space south of it -- several times late at night.

A couple months ago, there was one routinely wandering through the Preserve (from the cemetery/state park area) streets in the evening. I saw it a couple of times and even followed it a couple times around the block once.

[SandPebble]

They are around for sure. I saw one this past week as I drove towards
El Dorado Hills. It crossed from the path near Big Valley to the open
field at the corner of Blue Ravine and North Parkway Drive more towards
the homes near the electrical power lines. Now with construction there
I haven't seen the coyote again. Another one was off Oak Ave.

[tgianco]

Saw one yesterday coming down into Folsom off of Folsom Lake Crossing. It was coming from the area over by the prison and heading towards the lake. It just scurried across the road... very cool, although some cat owners probably wouldn't think so.

[Pool Runner]

I saw one last Friday coming down from EDH on Beatty Dr in the Promontary (Real Close to Emprire Ranch) I thought it was a stray dog at first but after closer inspection it was clearly a Coyote. When I was a kid in the 90's the college wasn't in yet and these animals would wander down our street in Lexington Hills all the time, sometimes the Mama with 3-4 pups in tow. I don't know anyone that has ever been attacked. Everything I've ever heard was that they are more scared of us than we are of them, but you never know.

-Ryan

[MikeinFolsom]

Saw the coyote again today on my run behind the 'new' Raleys. He saw me coming and took off from the bike trail across the field, running towards the golf course. Next time I'll run with a pound of raw hamburger tied to me. Might make me run just a little bit faster?

[Dan600]

Had one run out in front of the car tonight on Folsom Auburn Rd. just before Folsom Lake Crossing. He decided to stop in my lane and turn around to head back into the trees. Probably a good choice.

[gm2005]

Had one outside our back yard last Sunday.

[puppylover]

My husband and I saw a BOBCAT!!!!! running across Oak Ave Parkway right by the dog park.