We just crossed the road to the Hearts Desire Beach path from the Jepson Trail. I heard a low croaking noise like a big frog. Puzzled I stared into the shadows ahead of me and began to see the body of a deer on the right side of the path. Had it been hit by a car? Too far from the road. Was it giving birth? No, it had antlers. The croaking was coming from the deer's head. I was half afraid it would jump up and gore us in its wounded state. It shuddered but could not lift its head or get up. My companion caught sight of the drag marks in the dirt and said, Mountain lion. It is probably in the bushes watching us right now. Good to have someone around who knows something abut predation. On the drive home I kept thinking, Some mountain lion kitties are getting fed. Note to self: Deer are an indicator species for mountain lions.
url: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/82678402