"LOVE IS NOT JUST A HUMAN EMOTION"

Bobcat (Female & Kitten) - 9 Photos

Southeast Calgary, Alberta, CA

One of the first unwritten (or perhaps even written) rules is "never put the camera away".

I had just had quite a successful day in Fish Creek Provincial Park (Calgary, AB) and was heading home, late afternoon. Proceeding along a main road that borders a residential area and the park itself, I spotted a large cat sitting under a tree next to a building. From its size, colouring & demeanor, I thought "bobcat".

Looking for the quickest road to turn off, drive around and park, I headed into a small parking lot. I parked the car, grabbed the camera and thought, "There is no way this cat is still going to be there".

As I approached the area, one cat (which I soon discovered was a kitten), jumped up on the wooden fence, which bordered the alley and settled under some tree branches. Grabbed some shots, moved away from the road and looked down and there quietly sitting next to the fence, was Mum. 

I am not certain if this was her only kitten or whether Mum had already navigated the other(s) across the busy road into the provincial park. 

In Calgary, bobcats have taken to "hanging" out in residential areas, that are close to open spaces such as Fish Creek Provincial Park. There must be ample opportunity for prey (such as rodents, rabbits, etc.) and some protection from other predators. 

Mum was so relaxed and was more interested in trying to round up her skittish kitten. The kitten quickly jumped from the fence to join its mother and as you will see from the photos, both had some quality together time. Having had some reinsurance from Mum, both moved along to once again to try and cross the road.

Mum lined up first looking left and right and I honestly had my heart in my throat. She waited for the traffic to be held up at the lights and then proceeded to cross. One car made a right hand turn and I stood to one side on the pavement to catch the driver's attention. And yes, she came to a complete stop. Mum crossed the road safely to the park side and waited for her kitten.

The kitten was snuggled up under a bush near where Mum had been next to the building but no enticement from Mum or from my feeble efforts, could get it to cross. 

Nature knows best so I quietly left the area, got back into the car and drove off. I know Mum was waiting close by and if the little one didn't make it across soon thereafter, Mum probably would have navigated the road again to bring her kitten across later that evening.

So my thanks goes out to Nature for this extraordinary gift. As you will see from the photographs, the love displayed between mother & kitten is no less than (and perhaps is more) than that felt by humanity.

PHOTO #1 - The Kitten on The Fence (those red objects are small fruit on an ornamental crabapple tree)

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) - Juvenile"KITTEN WITH ORNAMENTAL FRUIT"

PHOTO #2 - Mum (and no, she is not concerned at all, only panting - it was warm)

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) - Adult (Female)"BOBCAT MOTHER"

PHOTO #3 - A Yawn From Mum

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) - Adult (Female)"YAWN"

PHOTO #4 - Cat (Mum) in the Grass (waiting for Junior)

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) - Adult (Female)"WAITING FOR JUNIOR"

PHOTO #5 - The Kitten Looking for Reinsurance from Mum

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) - Adult (Female) & Juvenile"A MOTHER'S WELCOMING TOUCH"

PHOTO #6 - This Wasn't Just a Snuggle

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) - Adult (Female) & Juvenile"GETTING CLOSE"

PHOTO #7 - Looks Like Someone Was Looking for the Milk Bar!

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) - Adult (Female) & Juvenile"NOW WHERE IS IT?"

PHOTO #8 - Mum and Her Kitten

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) - Adult (Female) & Juvenile"MUM & KITTEN"

PHOTO #9 - Backfield in Motion 

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) - Adult (Female) & Juvenile"BACKFIELD IN MOTION"