View allAll Photos Tagged bigfive
I've had the pleasure of meeting wild African elephants several times - but it's a long time ago now, so I really look forward to go back meeting them again in only four weeks ツ
This one was a part of a flock of both babies, young ones and adults, feeding right around our jeep for a while as we sat in silence, watching and listening. A wonderful experience!
Check out more elephant photos in the links below the line!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Feel free to follow my facebook photo page:
www.facebook.com/ranveigmariephotography/
Or my Instagram:
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.
A young leopard cuddles with his mother in the dense underbrush. Like any child, he trusts her implicitly, wrapping his paws around her as she lovingly licks his belly. Occasionally, she glances our way to make certain that we keep our distance from her precious bundle. #Leopards
A powerful and resilient white rhino pauses for a moment at a watering hole in the heart of Namibia’s untamed wilderness. Its weathered skin, curved horn, and steady gaze speak to the endurance and strength of one of Africa’s most iconic species. A poignant reminder of the beauty and fragility of wildlife in its natural habitat.
Leopard mother
Serengeti, Tanzania
We waited almost 3 hours for this beautiful leopard to emerge from the bushes with her young cub. We were the only vehicle that waited, and it was well worth the wait! I got so lucky that she happened to pause in this spot (for 2 seconds) before continuing up the tree. Incredibly, this was the only spot on the tree that had any light coming through the canopy and it just so happened to fall right on her face. One of those incredible moments I will never forget.
Young lion and cub playing wild in the Hwange NP, Zimbabwe
All rights reserved. © Thomas Retterath 2013
Some photos have a appearance more compatible with the painted arts rather than that of photography and some excursions are simply unfathomably gratifying from an artistic perspective. Such was this particular trip to Tanzania. I am feeling the need to return.
South Africa.
Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Hluhluwe is pronounced something like "Shluh-shloo-ee".
KwaZulu-Natal
The white rhinoceros or square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is the largest extant species of rhinoceros. It has a wide mouth used for grazing and is the most social of all rhino species. The white rhinoceros consists of two subspecies: the southern white rhinoceros, with an estimated 20,405 wild-living animals in 2013, and the much rarer northern white rhinoceros. The northern subspecies has very few remaining, with only four confirmed individuals left (three females and one male), all in captivity.
A popular theory of the origins of the name "white rhinoceros" is a mistranslation from Dutch to English. The English word "white" is said to have been derived by mistranslation of the Dutch word "wijd", which means "wide" in English. The word "wide" refers to the width of the rhinoceros' mouth. So early English-speaking settlers in South Africa misinterpreted the "wijd" for "white" and the rhino with the wide mouth ended up being called the white rhino and the other one, with the narrow pointed mouth, was called the black rhinoceros. Ironically, Dutch (and Afrikaans) later used a calque of the English word, and now also call it a white rhino.
A leopard's tail has many uses. Female leopards and their cubs use their tails to communicate, express affection and therefore strengthen bonds. The white tip on the mother's tail also helps act as guide for her young when following her at night.
When the tail is flying in the air on display it shows that the leopard is just on a stroll and there is not threat but when it is rolled under the belly the leopard is stalking and on the hunt.
Queen Luluka was up a tree finishing of her nights meal when she climbed down and scent marking her presence on the tree stump before walking away looking for another tree to sleep the day off.
Captured during a photography safari on an early morning game drive during a in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
2015 Spring 'Roid Week
Film: Impossible Pioneer SX-70 Generation 2.0 Color Test Version + Instant Lab transfer
Location: Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa
The old fighter
Ein wahrer König!
Welch ein bewegtes und ruhmreiches Leben liegt wohl schon hinter ihm.
A true king!
What an eventful and glorious life must already lie behind him.
Kenia - Masai Mara
All rights reserved. © Uli Assmann
South Africa.
Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Hluhluwe is pronounced something like "Shluh-shloo-ee".
KwaZulu-Natal
The white rhinoceros or square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is the largest extant species of rhinoceros. It has a wide mouth used for grazing and is the most social of all rhino species. The white rhinoceros consists of two subspecies: the southern white rhinoceros, with an estimated 20,405 wild-living animals in 2013, and the much rarer northern white rhinoceros. The northern subspecies has very few remaining, with only four confirmed individuals left (three females and one male), all in captivity.
A popular theory of the origins of the name "white rhinoceros" is a mistranslation from Dutch to English. The English word "white" is said to have been derived by mistranslation of the Dutch word "wijd", which means "wide" in English. The word "wide" refers to the width of the rhinoceros' mouth. So early English-speaking settlers in South Africa misinterpreted the "wijd" for "white" and the rhino with the wide mouth ended up being called the white rhino and the other one, with the narrow pointed mouth, was called the black rhinoceros. Ironically, Dutch (and Afrikaans) later used a calque of the English word, and now also call it a white rhino.
Baby Elephant struggling
Lion Camp, South Luangwa NP, Zambia
All rights reserved. © Thomas Retterath 2015
Elephants (Loxodonta africana) are the largest land animals on Earth, and they're one of the most unique-looking animals, too. With their characteristic long noses, or trunks; large, floppy ears; and wide, thick legs, there is no other animal with a similar physique.
A baby elephant is called a calf. It weighs about 250 pounds at birth and stands about three feet tall. Calves can't see very well at first, but they can recognize their mothers by touch, scent, and sound.
Baby elephants stay very close to their mothers for the first couple of months. The calves drink their mother's milk for about two years, sometimes longer. They drink up to 3 gallons of milk a day! At about four months old, they also begin eating some plants, like adult elephants, but they continue to need as much milk from their mother. They keep drinking milk for up to ten years!
This beautiful Elephant family was captured on a photography safari during a late evening game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Just before we left Chobe National Park and headed towards our last accommodation in Botsuana we met this little fellow. He wasn’t as young as he might look without his right handed tusk. But he certainly was still very playful…
I didn’t know that wild elephants do this gesture. I always thought only captivated ones would do that… I certainly was wrong ;)
Anyway it was a very cute good bye from the wildness to us. On the same day we entered civilization again… and were shocked! Have you seen the movie „The Beach“? That how I felt like.
If you want to see the other images of my trip through southern Afrika please see my Flickr album: "Southern Africa 2014".
A quiet encounter in the African savannah.
This elephant did not charge, did not perform, did not demand attention – it simply was there.
Calm. Present. Powerful.
Moments like this remind me why wildlife photography is not about the perfect shot, but about patience, respect, and humility. You are a guest in their world.
This was in very low light as the sun just set and this Lion who was the head of the pride was sitting just at the boundary of his territory making sure all and everyone knows who he is. Watched him for about 45 minutes until he lay down and took a snooze. Thought I would use the low light and do this in monochrome.
They say that lions are not supposed to climb trees but then I guess no one informed the lions. In places like Tanzania's Serengeti, the practice seems to becoming more popular. Young lions, because of their smaller size, are more adept at the practice than larger, full grown lions. That being said, I have never seen a full grown male in a tree although full grown females up a tree are not unheard of. There are many questions surrounding this activity, not the least of which is, "why would a lion climb a tree?" Experts have suggested that the cats like the cooler temperatures and it may also help them escape from insect predators that tend to stay lower to the ground. One thing is certain, climbing up a tree is easier than climbing down. Unlike leopards that are adept and agile amongst the arbor, lions are clumsy and sometimes very, very tentative. Watching the process of a lion climbing down can be nothing short of hysterical. That's the downside to being on the upside! #iLoveNature #iLoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #Tanzania #Nature in #Africa #Serengeti #Lions #DrDADBooks #Canon #WildlifeConservation