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The eldest female in a Pride is the "Queen of the Jungle" as she is the one who keeps the pride together and disciplines anybody who gets out of line. She is also in the lead of all hunting expeditions passing on her wisdom to the younger Lionesses.
This beautiful lioness was eagerly looking towards the days activities of the rest of the pride which may result in a successful hunt to feed them.
This beautiful Lionesses of the Maji ya Fisi Pride was relaxing, captured during a photography safari on a late evening game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
We saw this old male in the Central Kalahari. He was really gaunt and in his very last days. When he walked he more or less tumbled like a drunk. A sad view indeed.
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© Thomas Retterath 2016
Amur Leopard Cubs Jilin and Samson frolicking in the crisp autumn morning. Almost a Celtic Knot of cats!
Amur Leopards are critically endangered - fewer than 100 left in the wild, so I'm very happy to see some successful breeding. This is the first time I've seen them since early August - Jilin had a hurt foot, so they were keeping them inside while he healed. Looks great now!
High res, so zoom in!
Panthera pardus orientalis at the Brookfield Zoo.
In the vast, sun-bleached grasses of the Maasai Mara, the leopard known as Lorgogol pauses, a fleeting vision of wild grace. His gaze is fixed on the horizon, a silent hunter etched against the endless Kenyan savanna.
The two white rhinos live in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in the north of Kwa-Zulu-Natales. The park is about 96,000 ha in size and represents a piece of originally African savannah. In addition to the "Big Five" live here about 1000 white and black rhinos.
The King, Olobor (the calm one) together with his brother Oloshipa and other siblings, were the undisputed ruers of the very famous Black Rock Pride. The pride had spread their wings all the way from Sand River upto Talek area of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve ruthlessly.
The written law of nature takes it course and he has not been seen since mid-January. Reports indicate that he and his brother had killed 6-8 cubs of the Kisinja Pride a couple of days earlier. Having been alone when he ran into two of the pride males of the Kisinja Pride he couldn't fight both at the same time.
Having had an amazing sighting of him early in the morning when was still busy feeding on the Wildebeest he had brought down under the cover of darkness. Captured during a photography safari on an early morning 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.
Queen Kaboso and her mate, Golden Boy were sighted on their honeymoon and busy procreating in the wild.
Captured during a Photography Safari on an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Lions do not mate at a specific time of year and the females are polyestrous. Like those of other cats, the male lion's penis has spines that point backward. During withdrawal of the penis, the spines rake the walls of the female's vagina, which may cause ovulation. A lioness may mate with more than one male when she is in heat. They normally mate after every 15-20 minutes for 2-3 days whilst on their honeymoon. The average gestation period is around 110 days; the female gives birth to a litter of between one and four cubs in a secluded den, which may be a thicket, a reed-bed, a cave, or some other sheltered area, usually away from the pride.
King Loki of Kilo Saba Pride is seen busy in procreation during a Photography Safari on a late evening game drive just as the sun was setting in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
When mom returns to the kopje, she finds her cubs safe and waiting. They are overjoyed to see her. They can actually hear her when she is still quite a distance away, and gather together, staring off into the distance as if the one who sees her first might win a contest. When she arrives, there are greetings all around, with plenty of head butts, nuzzling, and kisses. After nursing her cubs she takes them out for a little exercise, and introduces them to the world beyond the kopje. It's a young cub's life in the Serengeti, and when it's good, it's great! #iLoveNature #iLoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #Tanzania #Nature in #Africa #Serengeti #Lions #LionCubs #Canon #Bringit #DrDADBooks #Photography #Picoftheday #Photooftheday
In the quiet light of the Maasai Mara, the legendary lion Lorkulup rests, his gaze a silent testament to a life of sovereignty. His presence, a fleeting yet eternal echo across the plains, embodies the untamed spirit of the wild. It is with a heavy heart that we remember such magnificent beings; reports from early 2024 confirmed the passing of this iconic king, making this portrait a poignant memory of his reign.
African Elephants (Loxodonta africana). Shingwedzi, Kruger National Park, South Africa. Explored 15 Apr 2025.
Elephants 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 very cute looking baby Elephant, was captured on a photography safari during a game drive, following its mother in Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Featured on Flickr Explore #29 on 2026-04-08.
The Ewaso River Pride was spread all over the open space near the banks of Ewaso Nyiro River at sunrise. This young Simba saw something to peek his interest and sat up for a closer look for there daily provisions.
Captured on a Photography Safari on an early morning game drive in Samburu National Reserve, Kenya.
© Ben Heine || Facebook || Twitter || www.benheine.com
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It is a composite image based on several photos I took in different countries.
I wanted this to look very neat and clean with a surreal atmosphere...
The Zebra was taken in Kenya, the background in France.
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For more information about my art: info@benheine.com
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I am The Wind Says The Wind
A poem by Peter S. Quinn
'I am the wind' says the wind,
I will improvise pictures in the sand;
What I've explored or chagrined,
You shall come to understand.
'I am the rain' says the rain,
I will sooth your mortal flesh;
With a drink from my reign,
There are no other holier fresh.
'I am the fire' says the fire,
I will open up darkness to you;
Give you longings and more desire,
In each thing you make and do.
'I am a child' says man's child,
Each word I make shall stand;
I'll make my rules out of the wild,
In each my way I command.
'I am the earth' says the earth,
You are nothing without me;
I gave you and your forefathers birth,
I set each thought and thing free.
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The poem appeared on www.poemhunter.com/peter-s-quinn
Die Leopardin "Kazuri" auf einem Baum (Masai Mara, Kenia).
The leopardess "Kazuri" lying on a branch (Maasai Mara, Kenya).
Leopards (Panthera padrus) live in all but the most arid African habitats. They are one of the most far-reaching cats, found even in suburban areas. They enjoy resting on boulders, kopjes and tall trees along the riverside. They are able to make their homes anywhere there is an available food supply and a limited amount of external interference. Though leopards are adaptable, they are facing a severe drop in population as fur hunting and human encroachment create dire conflicts.
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.
The beautiful Mara River female Leopard had a kill stashed up this tree. After having patrolled her territory she came back climbing the tree getting to her meal. Captured during a Photography Safari on an early morning drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Meandering through a field of Ngorongoro crater's dry summer grasses, a lioness and her growing cub move all but invisibly toward the ravine. There they join with others from the pride, drinking from the creek that flows from one of the lakes at the crater base and resting in the shade of a scrubby acacia. They are safe in the crater, with no natural predators. Poachers could easily get to them not far beyond the crater walls but this safe haven is well guarded. The cub stops suddenly to check his surroundings, raising his head up above the summit of the brittle, crisp, meadow grasses. He glimmers at us inquisitively. Mother, much more experience with human encounters, moves slowly forward, careful to keep her head down low, thereby avoiding detection. It is a picture perfect morning in this one of a kind caldera that cradles an abundance and diversity of life. Not far afield the balance of nature has shifted as an ever growing population of nature's most invasive species threatens the existence of others. It is a problem that echoes worldwide. #iLoveNature #iLoveWildife #WildlifePhotography in #Tanzania #Nature in #Africa #Lions #DrDADBooks #Canon #WildlifeConservation
The Fig Tree pride members had been sleeping the day of deep in the bushes. As the sun began to set, the pride members began to emerge one after the other.
This beautiful Queen of the Fig Tree pride was walking into the open savannah plains with a meaningful look in her eyes.
Photographed on a late evening game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Lions are extremely water shy.
But sometimes it just does not work and they have to go through it.
These young lions here had no other chance. Their mothers had been waiting for them on the other side of the Khwai since morning. It took hours for one of the youngsters to take heart and speed through the water. The rest of his kinsfolk followed immediately. In 40 seconds, the spectacle was over and the lions were unmolested by crocodiles and frogs on the saving shore.
All rights reserved. © Thomas Retterath 2018
instagram @thomas63retterath
Featured on Flickr Explore at #22 on 2026-05-13.
Most lionesses reproduce by the time they are four years of age. Lions do not mate at a specific time of year and the females are polyestrous. Like those of other cats, the male lion's penis has spines that point backward. During withdrawal of the penis, the spines rake the walls of the female's vagina, which may cause ovulation. A lioness may mate with more than one male when she is in heat. They normally mate after every 15-20 minutes for 2-3 days whilst on their honeymoon. The average gestation period is around 110 days; the female gives birth to a litter of between one and four cubs in a secluded den, which may be a thicket, a reed-bed, a cave, or some other sheltered area, usually away from the pride.
King Olobor of Black Rock Pride was trying to entice the Queen of Maji ya Fisi Pride who was not interested in his advances. Captured during a Photography Safari on a late evening game drive in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya.
Two young male lions stop to pose atop what is left of an abandoned termite mound. As they mature they will find themselves increasingly on the periphery of the pride. Eventually, they will leave the pride and join bachelor prides, made up of other males. If they are lucky, they may eventually take over or establish a pride of their own. It's not an easy life, however. On average, male lions live much shorter lives than females. Much of that is due to injury sustained in battle. For now, all is right with the world and they can enjoy growing up in the safety of their pride. #iloveNature #iLoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #Tanzania #Nature in #Africa #Lions #DrDADBooks #Canon #Photography #Picoftheday #WildlifeConservation #Photooftheday