As a wildlife photographer, I’m always on the lookout for those special moments when animals reveal their family bonds and personalities. During a recent trip to Oklahoma’s Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, I was lucky enough to capture one such moment with a bobcat mother and her kitten.
I was driving slowly down the auto tour road, scanning the brush for any sign of wildlife. Suddenly, I caught sight of a bobcat standing in the middle of the road up ahead. She was looking intently from side to side, as if checking for any dangers before crossing. I quickly pulled over and parked, using my pickup door as a blind. I carefully set up my camera and lens on the door frame to get a stable shot.
After a couple minutes, the bobcat went back into the roadside brush, only to emerge again moments later followed by a tiny bobcat kitten! It seems mom wanted to make sure the coast was clear before bringing her baby along. She led the spotted little kitten across the road and into the grass. I was able to get some great shots of the pair as they crossed, showcasing the bond between bobcat mother and kitten.
Bobcat kittens are born blind and don’t open their eyes until 2-17 days after birth. They rely entirely on their mothers for food and protection early on. It’s always special to see wildlife families stick together and watch over their young. This mama bobcat was taking no chances with her precious cargo!
Spotting this duo made my day. It’s encounters like this that make wildlife photography so rewarding. I feel privileged to witness these unscripted moments in nature and to be able to share them with others. Whether it’s adorable baby animals or dramatic predator-prey interactions, our wild places offer no shortage of remarkable sights.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon EF 800 mm f/11
Technical:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: August 13, 2021 (7:33 A.M.)
- Aperture: f11 (Fixed)
- Shutter speed: 1/800
- ISO: 5000 (Auto)
- Exposure Compensation: 0
- Focal Length: 800 mm