An unidentified large black cat was spotted over the weekend in Michigan's Manistee County. Traverse City photographer Dakota Stebbins snapped a few photos of the animal before it moved out of sight. | Photo by Dakota Stebbins, used with permission

COPEMISH, MICH. -- A Travese City photographer assigned to snap pictures at a 5k race over the weekend unexpectedly caught something surprising on camera.

Dakota Stebbins was at the Twisted Trails Off Road Park in Copemish to photograph the Drew Kostic Memorial 5K Tough Run on Saturday morning when he spotted an unidentified large black wildcat near the race course.

“As I was setting my camera up for a large group shot I noticed a large black animal come into the frame,” Stebbins told MLive. “I instinctively took five photos trying to find the right focus for my group shot. I then watched the animal for another 25 seconds or so before it clicked in my mind what I was even looking at.”

Traverse City photographer Dakota Stebbins was setting up to photograph a 5K race in Copemish, Mich. when he spotted a large black wildcat moving through the area. | Photo by Dakota Stebbins, used with permission

RELATED: DNR investigating possible large cat sighting in Manistee County

Stebbins, who was concealed under a camoflauge rain poncho, managed to snap a few photographs before the animal moved out of sight.

“I watched it prowl low to the ground and sniff around as if it was trying to catch a scent. I then noticed the muscles along this cat’s legs and the tail sway slightly,” he said. “As the cat made its way to the other side of the trees with its ears pinned, I released a long held breath.”

A woman standing nearby saw the big cat, too, Stebbins said.

After alerting one of the event’s organizers, Stebbins returned to his post along the race course and finished his assignment. He later helped Michigan Department of Natural Resources field officers with their investigation into the incident, he said.

The DNR is continuing to investigate the sighting. Bobcat, mountain lion and lynx are Michigan’s only native wildcats, according to the DNR.

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