Cougars and bear cubs, oh my!
Two sentences into the conversation, however, we knew that this catch would have to be released.
ArtisHENDERSON ArtisHenderson@yahoo.com

Panthers are on it. Sea turtles, too. Up until 1987, even alligators had a spot.

With all the Florida animals on the endangered species list, it's amazing there's any wildlife left in this state. From what I saw at the Wink 96.9 Love Lost and Found singles event on Sept. 22, however, there's not only wildlife - it's out in force.

As my single girlfriend and I prowled the candlelit room, sampling the hors d'oeuvres and stopping for cocktails, we spied some of the more notorious species.

Up first: bear cubs.

We commandeered one of the high, white tables (shooing away an Elton John-loving construction worker) and used it as our observation point. Making small talk while we discreetly scanned the room, Susie lit upon a great find. Directly behind my right shoulder, a group of attractive and exceedingly well-dressed young men. Susie gave them her patented come-hither look, and come they did. They were British (point) and on a visiting soccer team (point, again).

Two sentences into the conversation, however, we knew that this catch would have to be released.

COURTESY PHOTO Susie and I stayed well back from the action.

"So, how old are you?" I asked. Even in the dim lighting, they had that youthful, I'm-sporting-afake ID glow.

"I'm 21," said the Justin Timberlake look-alike quickly, like he was trying to convince me. "And he's 20," pointing to his tall, lanky friend.

Susie caught my eye and shook her head imperceptibly. These were babes in the dating woods and too young for us by a good five years. We talked for a few minutes more before excusing ourselves to the bar.

By the time we made it back around to our table, drinks in hand, we were disappointed to see that someone else had taken our prime location. Our disappointment didn't last long, though, as we had another opportunity for wildlife sighting.

The too-young bear cubs were still in the vicinity, but this time barking up a much older tree. It could mean only one thing: cougars.

The women flirting with the collegeage prepsters were at least 15 years older, if not 20, and impressively confident in their maneuvers. These women of a certain age - true to cougar form - were fierce, territorial, and looked to be victorious. Susie and I stayed well back from the action, but even from a distance, the thrill of the hunt was exhilarating.

As the evening wound down, we headed to the open-air pool and patio out back. The night had been fruitful, but there was one elusive creature still on our list.

We found a pair of deck chairs, and as I leaned back in the plastic seat, she grabbed my hand. "Stay still," she said. "There's a silverback at 10 o'clock."

I froze. Then, cautiously, casually, turned in his direction. "Don't look him directly in the eyes!" she hissed in my ear, but it was too late: I was staring full-on at the grey mane, lined forehead, and crop of chest hairs sprouting from his open Tommy Bahama shirt.

We stayed like that for a full five seconds, locked eye-to-eye. Then, he winked.

I pulled back, unbelieving, and turned to Susie, who caught the whole thing.

"He just winked at me," I said, still not sure I really saw the bold, old-school gesture.

"A real silverback," she said, appreciatively.

With that, our singles safari was complete, and we left content in the knowledge that Florida wildlife - of the nightlife variety, anyway - is going strong.

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