Coat appearance and density will change in cougars just like it does in any other animal depending on the time of year. I have a cat on my wall that I killed fair chase in early october. The hair is very fine and light in color. I have seen several killed in the mid winter months. The hair looks coarse and darker than the summer coat. By the looks of the leaves on the plants in the pic. It looks to be in the warmer months. I have a hard time beleiveing any pics on the net, or even the paper these days. I would have to vote bobcat in the pic also. But still am open to the fact that cougars could be roaming the east!!!!!