During an Earthwatch expedition to Idaho to survey Mountain Lion populations, Adrian Bland had a wildlife encounter he will never forget. “We were on a mission to survey a mother lion with kittens,” he explained.

“After climbing slowly up a mountain side we began to hear the lions and could tell we were getting closer to finding them. Then all of a sudden, the mother lion leapt out of the cave and over the expedition leader’s head! Her power and beauty were breathtaking. We were able to weigh and tag the kittens as part of the research project before leaving the family in peace.”

^{Photo Credit: iStock, GarysFRP}