RIBBLE, D.O. 1988 FELIS CONCOLOR Hastings Natural History Reservation, Monterey Co., Calif. July 27 This morning while checking traps on Grid W42 (West Racing), Ellie Steinberg and I got an excellent view of a F. concolor. (daylight survey) At 0800h it was checking traps at station 8,10 when Jessie, my dog, let out an alarmed bark. I heard leaves rustle and spotted the lion ~10m to the south of the station in the direction of station 8,5. It was in a thicket of evergreen and deciduous shrubbery. The lion took a look at us and ran off to the west, about 10 sec after I first spotted it. Ellie and went up to station 8,5 but couldn't see it. We went on with checking traps and at 0830h I saw the tail; rear quarters of a lion at station 4,10 (I assume this was the same individual at 8,10). I called Ellie and we both proceeded slowly towards 4,10. grassland The lion continued north up an open slope and stopped 30m from 4,10 under a live oak. It stood there for ~2 min before sitting down, keeping a watchful eye on us. It was on a steep slope (~35°) above us. We watched it in awe for about 10 min and decided to try and get closer. We moved about 5 m and the lion stood up, snarled, and hunched its shoulder. We decided that was close enough (!) and backed up to 4,10. We moved on to check the remaining traps, leaving the lion lying in the shade. Unfortunately, we didn't have any binoculars so I don't know the sex. It was at least 1.5 m total length and mature. Excellent animal!!