The right place at the right time.
For amateur photographer Bruce Small, his wife Gail and their hosts Chick and Norma Marks, three-year residents of the Village of Lake Deaton, the right place was the ninth fairway of the Egret Course at Evans Prairie The right time was 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31.
“We were setting up to photograph the rare occurrence of a ‘super blue moon’ and positioned ourselves with silhouettes of palm trees in the foreground. We first thought there was a deer – about 120 yards away. But we quickly realized it was a large cat,” said Bruce. “I tried to quickly readjust my camera settings but just had a second to get off a couple of shots. It took off ‘like a shot’ and disappeared.”
The foursome has no doubt exactly what had been standing before them.
“The cat was about six feet long, too big to be a puma,” said Norma. “We clearly saw the markings and the large tail that distinguishes a panther.”
Later, they sought confirmation from several authorities.
The national animal rights organization, Defenders of Wildlife, states that panthers range across the southeastern United States. In Florida, the breeding population is the southern tip of the state, but young male panthers have traveled to its central and northeast parts.
“We posted our pictures and inquiries on specialized sites on Facebook,” said Bruce. “Based on the picture and our observations, most felt that we had seen a panther. Unfortunately, because of the photo’s poor quality, staff at Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was unable to decide.”
After the sighting, the Smalls, who have been visiting from Raymond, Maine, and the Marks resumed shooting the moon and landscape, as well as continued touring The Villages to find those perfect pictures – if only less ‘fleet of foot.’
“Our once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the panther was startling,” recalls Chick. “We’re still stunned.”
