Photographer Name
Deborah Harford

Instagram handle
shinesthroughwater

Date/Year of Photo
August 4th, 2015

Location of Photo: (BC photos only)
Kootenay Lake, BC

This description may appear alongside winning photos featured in prize items.
I was staying in an off-grid cabin near Kootenay Lake and heard a strange chirping noise outside. Looking outside, I saw a mother cougar and two mostly-grown cubs arriving and settling down to relax in the natural meadow outside. I suspect they visit the place periodically, as there is normally no-one there. I was safe inside, so despite being on high alert was also able to relax - and had the thrill and honour of watching these normally very shy animals roll about in the meadow, and simply chill. The young ones played together like regular kittens (but with enormous paws and teeth!) while Mom went and lay down behind a tree to keep watch - or maybe just get a break from the kids! After about 15 minutes they shifted gears and slipped away among the trees. I actually felt more concerned then, because I realized they were probably still there but out of sight. But then I also realized that I had been hearing the chirping noise all week and that they had probably been around the whole time - there were other people around with dogs, kids, etc., and although people did see them passing by, no one was hurt or bothered in any way. This was on the edge of thousands of km of Purcell Wilderness so I think this little family has tons of game available and just comes to the lake to chill, drink, and peek at humans - their equivalent of reality TV?