Wildcast

Pups were out when I arrived and they watched me creep into my hide. They knew they were safe with their den just there.
About an hour after sunrise the male arrived and fed the pups. He’s sure proving to be a successful hunter! The female not having fed tried to pick up scraps that the pups had missed.

I’m not sure if she’s going out hunting but now for several days she hasn’t been on a kill.
Having all fed they disappeared behind the den. An hour later still, no sign.
So again I went trailing after them. Eventually I got barked at. They were lying up in the open, adults and pups, a long way to the east. Why would the female do this? It’s so unsafe for the pups. Maybe she’s a first time mother.

With me having disturbed them it was straight back to the den.
I only joined them again at sunset. But this time I didn’t go into the hide but perched myself above the den and waited.
I heard the female come in and suckle the pups. I was weary of trying to shoot while the adults were there but with all the noise of the pups suckling I was sure I could do it. Slowly, very slowly, I peeked over the edge. I had hardly seen the mother and she saw me and bolted with much barking and the pups scattered underground.
I was so hacked off with myself for trying and now I’d ruined the only chance I had of filming the pups from that angle. Especially as I’m sure they’ll be moving den in the next day or so.
A short while later, with the sun just about to set, I heard the male arrive. I didn’t peek over this time. I heard him feed the pups and waited a little longer.

Sure he had moved off I peeked over and saw the pups running around picking up their scraps of meat. They didn’t think of looking above them and I was able to film away fairly freely. Great stuff from this totally different point of view!
But I wondered why the female didn’t alert the male to me being potential danger? Was it just that I had surprised her that scared her and actually she is getting used to me. Of course I like to think so.
So who knows what tomorrow will bring. With these little guys growing up so fast everyday is different.