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Lion cubs playing and prancing around, waiting for their mother to return from a chase@ Masaimara, Kenya
A breathtaking capture of lionesses resting under the shade of a tree in Namibia's vast wilderness. Their peaceful yet powerful presence highlights the beauty of African wildlife. This moment showcases nature’s harmony and the untamed spirit of the savannah.
If I had to choose a gaze that I find truly mesmerizing, I would have to pick that of the leopard. Eyes that seem as wide a saucer with an iris of brilliant green encircled by a rim of golden foil. It’s a gaze that seems to pierce its subject to the core, freezing them in their tracks. I have more than once stared intently into the eyes of a leopard at close range. The sheer power and determination of its glare inspired awe as well as trepidation and I felt truly lucky to be in the safety of a vehicle at the time. #Leopard
It's commonly thought that a pride of lion comprises a single dominant male and his females, this is not the case. A territory is held by several males in partnership known as a coalition. There can be between two or more males in a coalition and their territory overlaps with a number of different mutually exclusive female territories. Working as a team, it is easier to dispossess older lions of their domain and keep hyenas at bay, lions’ chief competition. Collectively the males are a stronger force, can defend a larger territory and protect more females. They will split up to do patrols but rejoin as necessity requires. The coalition may be, but not always, made up of brothers. In this instance, the cooperative effort serves the perpetuity of the family genes.
King Olbarnoti and his elder brother Lolparpit are the proud owners of the Ekunyei pride.
King Olbarnoti was seen very well fed after the previous nights hunt and was photographed during a Photography Safari on an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
The Ekunyai Pride females had brought down a wildebeest during the night and by the time we got to them at sunrise they were just finishing there much needed meal.
The cubs had all eaten and were busy playing with each other whilst the females were polishing off the left over carcass before they all went down to the stream to quench their thirst and sleep the rest of the day off.
This very handsome King Olbarnoti of the Ekunyai pride was seen walking away and looking for his brother Lolparpit who was already seated in the open savannah plains and this was captured on a Photography safari on an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
The sun creeps over the caldera rim bathing everything in a warm, welcoming glow, and painting the lion in a palette of hospitable calm. He stares austerely across the meadow. The dawn’s early light does not betray his stealth, wicked bloodlust, and fiercely competitive nature. Despite a propensity to slumber, he leads a life in the fast lane and like all who do, his resplendent days are numbered. #Lions
Distinguished by its exceptionally beautiful, black-spotted coat, the Leopard (Panthera pardus) is also recognised for its supreme stealth and its remarkable versatility. Despite being the smallest of the ‘big cats’, the leopard is the most widespread of all wild cat species, and is well known for the variety of prey it takes, as well as its ability to occupy a range of habitats, from deserts and mountains to jungles and swamps.
The leopard can be individually identified by its spot pattern. Its distinctive black spots contrast with the pale background coat colour and the white underparts. Small, solid black spots mark the head, throat, chest and lower limbs, with larger black patches on the belly. The leopard’s back, flanks and upper limbs are patterned with pale-centred rosettes, which vary greatly in shape and size.
A superb predator, the leopard has a long, well-muscled body, thick, short limbs, and broad, powerful paws. Its powerful jaws enable it to kill and dismember prey, while particularly long, sensitive whiskers allow the leopard to ‘feel’ its way as it hunts at night. Several long hairs in the eyebrows help protect the eyes from vegetation as it moves through the undergrowth. The leopard is also an extremely agile climber, with heavily-muscled shoulders and forelimbs which aid it in climbing, pinning down prey and hauling prey into trees.
Photographed on an early morning game drive in Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Kasha, the Amur Leopard Father of Jilin and Samson, roaming in the westering light - and spots me! Yikes!
That, or he's watching the Z7 (et al) roll out as intently as I am! (Hello Nikon Rumors :)
High Res - zoom in!
Panthera pardus orientalis at the Brookfield Zoo.
They never forget a wrong
Next to the elephant, the African buffalo is renowned for its exceptional memory. They are known to ambush and attack hunters that have wounded or injured them – even years later!
Während sich die Gnus bei ihrer jährlichen Wanderung durch die Serengeti immer wieder hektisch einen geeigneten Crossingpoint über den für sie gefährlichen Mara River suchen, lauern im Hintergrund die Löwen und warten nur auf den passenden Moment.
While the wildebeest on their annual migration through the Serengeti are always frantically looking for a suitable crossing point over the Mara River, which is dangerous for them, the lions are lurking in the background, just waiting for the right moment.
Kenia - Masai Mara
All rights reserved. © Uli Assmann
In Kenia gibt es seit Jahren Schutzgebiete, in denen die sanften Riesen gut bewacht leben können.
Der Solio Park zum Beispiel liegt etwas abseits von den üblichen Routen für Safari-Reisen direkt am Fuße des Mt. Kenya. Ein absoluter Geheimtipp für die Beobachtung von Spitzmaul- als auch Breitmaulnashörnern.
Ich habe sie bisher in freier Wildbahn nur als sehr sanfte und friedfertige Tiere kennengelernt. In der Riege der "Big Five" kommen sie meines Erachtens immer zu kurz weg - völlig zu unrecht!
Ich hoffe, dass auch spätere Generationen diese tollen Tiere noch in freier Wildbahn erleben können.
Solio - Kenia
Gentle giants - and yet threatened
In Kenya, there have been protected areas for years where the gentle giants can live well guarded.
Solio Park, for example, is located a bit off the beaten track for safari trips directly at the foot of Mt. Kenya. An absolute insider tip for the observation of black as well as white rhinos.
So far I have only met them in the wild as very gentle and peaceful animals. In my opinion, they always come off too short in the ranks of the "Big Five" - completely unjustly!
I hope that later generations will still be able to experience these great animals in the wild.
Solio - Kenya
All rights reserved. © Uli Assmann
On a safari drive in Kruger National Park I had the good fortune to capture this image of a male white lion, a genetic rarity among lions.
This Leopard was scared by a Safari vehicle and chased from one bush to another. Our guide guessed correctly where he would come out and so I was lucky to get a couple of good shots. Lucky for the impala that the Leopard had other things in mind.
Masai Mara, Kenya
All rights reserved. Thomas Retterath 2018
Distinguished by its exceptionally beautiful, black-rosette covered coat, the Leopard (Panthera pardus) is also recognised for its supreme stealth and its remarkable versatility. Despite being the smallest of the ‘big cats’, the leopard is the most widespread of all wild cat species, and is well known for the variety of prey it takes, as well as its ability to occupy a range of habitats, from deserts and mountains to jungles and swamps.
Leopards are solitary animals. They inhabit a territory spanning anywhere from one to 12 square miles, depending on the access to food. Territories for males and females frequently overlap, but they guard their regions heavily against members of the same sex. Female territories tend to be smaller, and several may be encompassed within one male territory. Males often fight over their space and will mark trees and logs throughout their area by clawing bark and spraying urine.
Driving back to camp, after a successful early morning game drive we were surprised by this sighting of the day. The beautiful young female Leopard was sitting in the middle of the road, under the shade of an Acacia tree, looking for a prey. Captured during a Photography Safari on an early morning drive in the Samburu National Reserve, Kenya.
A close-up (with a 400mm telephoto) of one of Africa's Big Five animals, a male cape buffalo in Kruger National Park.
The Double Cross Queen was up and about early after sunrise and was strutting around showing off her beauty in the lovely golden light. Having being chased away by the King Romeo II, who was in a foul mood she went towards the rest of the pride members.
Photographed in the Double Crossing area of Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
One of the biggest Leopards in the Mara, the huge Double Cross male Leopard was on the prowl early in the morning. Walking along the gulley floor he made a half hearted attempt of stalking some wildebeest feeding nearbby. Having blown his cover he walked along a dry river bed with hit tail in the air, towards his resting place for the rest of the day.
Photographed on and early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
One of the biggest Leopards in the Mara, the huge Double Cross male Leopard was on the prowl early in the morning. Walking along the gulley floor he made a half hearted attempt of stalking some wildebeest feeding not far off. Having blown his cover he walked along a dry river bed towards his resting place for the rest of the day.
Photographed on. game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
The thrill of a safari is always one of the draws of the African savannah. The sun starts to rise, peeking up over the horizon of the valleys. Guests head out with sleepy eyes that quickly become vigilant as a breath of fresh air wakes them. The excitement builds of what is to come.
In honour of International Leopard Day, let me share some incredibly fascinating facts about one of the most sought-after members of the big five.
The leopard is the most elusive of all the big predators. They are well camouflaged making the sight of them even more rewarding.
Most leopards are light in colour with distinctive dark spots, called rosettes. The rosettes consist of groups of 5 to 6 spots arranged in a tight ring. This feline varies in size and colour depending on the location and habitat. Leopards are found all over sub-Saharan Africa. They occupy the grasslands that have trees in which they can hide and sleep during the heat of the day.
The beautiful Luluka, female Leopard, gave birth to a cub in August, 2020. They normally move their dens every 2-3 weeks, so as to keep other predators away from the cub. Luluka was seen holding her cub in her jaws and moving dens nearly 3 kms away. Photo captured during a photography safari on an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
African Lion (Panthera Leo). Biyamiti, Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Out looking for a known pride of lions in an area of the Southern Kruger National Park, I'd pulled onto a low bridge crossing and started scanning the river banks. I was completely oblivious to the fact I'd stopped right next to this lady so had quite a startle when I noticed her about 2m away! So close I could hear her drinking.