Serval (Lifer)
(Leptailurus serval) B28I8181 Masai Mara Triangle - Kenya
In North Africa, the serval is known only from Morocco and has been reintroduced in Tunisia, but is feared to be extinct in Algeria. It inhabits semi-arid areas and cork oak forests close to the Mediterranean Sea, but avoids rainforests and arid areas. It occurs in the Sahel, and is widespread in Southern Africa. It inhabits grasslands, moorlands and bamboo thickets at high altitudes up to 3,800 m (12,500 ft) on Mount Kilimanjaro. It prefers areas close to water bodies such as wetland and savanna, which provide cover such as reeds and tall grasses. In the East Sudanian Savanna, it was recorded in the transboundary Dinder–Alatash protected area complex during surveys between 2015 and 2018.
In Zambia's Luambe National Park, the population density was recorded as 0.1/km2 in 2011. In South Africa, the serval was recorded in Free State, eastern Northern Cape, and southern North West. In Namibia, it is present in Khaudum and Mudumu National Parks.
There were two major difficulties in making this photo: the tall grasses at this time in the Masai Mara and the very harsh midday light which creates a veil of heat - and which is a sore for all photographers.
You can hardly photograph a Serval at the start of the day because it waits until the grasses are dry to hunt rodents, birds or lizards.
However, I was already quite happy with this meeting, even with a photo of average quality.
Serval (Lifer)
(Leptailurus serval) B28I8181 Masai Mara Triangle - Kenya
In North Africa, the serval is known only from Morocco and has been reintroduced in Tunisia, but is feared to be extinct in Algeria. It inhabits semi-arid areas and cork oak forests close to the Mediterranean Sea, but avoids rainforests and arid areas. It occurs in the Sahel, and is widespread in Southern Africa. It inhabits grasslands, moorlands and bamboo thickets at high altitudes up to 3,800 m (12,500 ft) on Mount Kilimanjaro. It prefers areas close to water bodies such as wetland and savanna, which provide cover such as reeds and tall grasses. In the East Sudanian Savanna, it was recorded in the transboundary Dinder–Alatash protected area complex during surveys between 2015 and 2018.
In Zambia's Luambe National Park, the population density was recorded as 0.1/km2 in 2011. In South Africa, the serval was recorded in Free State, eastern Northern Cape, and southern North West. In Namibia, it is present in Khaudum and Mudumu National Parks.
There were two major difficulties in making this photo: the tall grasses at this time in the Masai Mara and the very harsh midday light which creates a veil of heat - and which is a sore for all photographers.
You can hardly photograph a Serval at the start of the day because it waits until the grasses are dry to hunt rodents, birds or lizards.
However, I was already quite happy with this meeting, even with a photo of average quality.