Bold Bobcat in our Yard

Around 1:30 pm today my brother saw a "large cat with a short tail" right up against the glass of the sliding door of his bedroom, looking in! He called me, but I arrived too late to see the creature which headed downhill. For the record, there was a cat bowl with kibbles just inside the room near the glass. The photo below shows where that animal would have been (red star). The box is a cat shelter with the hole facing inwards for the safety of his cat, Jinx.

Photo 1: Red star showing where the "large cat" was peering into the house.

I then equipped him with a small digital camera, because I suspected a Bobcat. About an hour later, he took the following pictures (Photos 2, 3 and 4).

Photo 2: The cat, obviously a Bobcat, heading TOWARDS Jinx on the patio.

Photo 3: Cropped version of Photo 2.

Photo 4: The Bobcat, circled in red, heading towards what Jinx considers HER road (she rolls in the dirt on it regularly).

Photo 3 is just a cropped version of Photo 2. Photo 4 shows Jinx, not the least bit afraid, on her toes (literally) and the Bobcat (circled in red) heading down the Steebers' driveway. Alan scared the big cat away. Apparently Jinx and the Bobcat were in something of a stand-off with Jinx showing no fear of it, and it showing no fear of Jinx. I have seen Jinx's boldness with my cats and would not put this past her! Needless to say, Alan is a bit afraid for Jinx's safety and is keeping her in for awhile.

Now we have the digital camera set on "movie" mode, and are watching for a possible return.

Is this a sick animal, starving, or just incredibly bold??

All photos by Alan Deeley except for Photo 1 by Robyn Waayers