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It’s been a year since my last trip back to Africa, with nothing planned on the horizon. I find myself yearning to return. Like many who visit, I have been drawn in by the continent of our origins. Nothing symbolizes the wild elemental nature of the old world better than the Lion. Contemplative, calculating, cunning and composed, these big cats with big attitudes exude a confidence and patience honed over millennia. It’s a big cat attitude that is part of their genetic makeup; honed and interwoven into their cellular structure over millennia. #Lions
Today was our first day in the Okavango Delta in north-western Botswana.
Our first game drive of this epic safari saw us arrive at the scene of a kill. A pride of lions had taken down a zebra foal, and the lions were feasting.
The pride consisted of a pride male, three lionesses and seven young cubs.
We anticipated the intent of one of the females, who, along with another female, headed to drink after feasting.
With the cubs trailing, the lions quenched their thirst.
In a tough game of positioning ourselves to capture images and video footage of the lions, while battling the challenges of their constant movement and the long grasses, I captured a profile view of one of the lionesses in the warmth of the afternoon sun.
What a great start to a wonderful week in Botswana!
African Leopard in the Mara North Conservancy, Masai Mara, Kenya. Seeing a wild leopard out in the open during daylight hours was a rare privilege indeed, and then seeing him hunting (albeit unsuccessfully) a warthog, was an incredible experience
Ein Junglöwe des "Fig Tree"-Rudels in der Masai Mara (Kenia).
A young member of the "Fig Tree" lion pride in the Maasai Mara (Kenya).
Kruger National Park, South Africa
July-August 2019
Parc National Kruger, Afrique du Sud
juillet-août 2019
Two lions mating In Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. Truly an amazing and rare experience to witness!
Cape Buffalo (male). Known as Black Death, the Cape Buffalo is one of the most dangerous creatures in Africa. They lie in the water holes and mud bogs to keep cool and to coat the skin with mud to deflect the heat and biting insects.
After we have had lunch we were very sleepy but we have had to keep on driving. So nobody was looking for animals while we drove on bumpy dirt roads. A little later Stan (our Guide and driver) stopped the car. He turned around slowly and whispered: „There are lions on the left.“ You can’t believe how fast tired tourists are awake and ready to shoot ;) In literally seconds everybody has had his camera ready and was looking at three big male lions which were laying right next to us. We all were full of adrenalin… what a great luck again!
If you want to see the other images of my trip through southern Afrika please see my Flickr album: "Southern Africa 2014".
Picture taken during a safari in the Masai Mara national reserve (Kenya, Africa).
The king of the savannah.
Foto scattata durante un safari nella riserva nazionale Masai Mara (Kenia, Africa).
Il re della savana.
Canon EOS50D + Canon 100-400 f/4-5.6 @ 400mm, 1/200s f/6.3 ISO800, circular polariser, handheld.
The social structure of lion prides continues to fascinate me, as I'm sure it does many. Several adult females can support an nursery of cubs, and cubs may move from one adult female to another for support and nursing. Of course the adults are also there to keep order and teach appropriate behavior. A snarl, a roar, and a glancing blow with a giant paw are not unusual for the cub that does not want to listen. Even with all this community care a large number of cubs will not survive their first year of life. For those that do, the bonds of the pride are something that remain instinctive. #iloveNature #iLoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #Tanzania #Nature in #Africa #Serengeti #Lions #LionCubs #DrDADBooks #Canon #WildlifeConservation
Ein Afrikanischer Elefant am westlichen Rand des Makgadikgadi-Pans-Nationalparks (Botswana).
An African Bush Elephant in the Most Western Part of the Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve (Botswana).
An alpha male chases a vulture from a recent kill. The unlucky eland, Africa’s largest antelope, was taken down just hours earlier by the Ngorongoro pride. The lions have, for the most part, finished with the carcass, but are always reluctant to allow other predators and scavengers take over. Chasing the vultures and predators that arrive next, however, is akin to chasing shadows. There is only so much energy that any lion can expend on a battle that is futile. Eventually, vultures, hyenas, and jackals move in and the lions move off to sleep, relegated to chasing shadows to shield them from the heat of the sun. #Lions
Big Tom cat at Kwando Lebala,
the guide and trackers were tracking this cat for almost 2 days, at least they found it.
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It's dark, I'm tired, and filled with excitement. Having just woken well before sunrise, I ready myself in my safari tent and make my way to the recreation lounge where I'll meet my jeep safari driver. When I visited Namibia several years earlier, I managed to see four of the Big Five. The leopard has eluded me until now, but even though it's early, I know my luck is about to change.
My willingness to trade a lack of sleep for the privilege to be first into the national park has paid off. Still before dawn, I'm in the first jeep to arrive at the gates of Yala National Park. Home to perhaps the densest population of leopards anywhere in the world, the prospect of sighting a leopard here is strong. Even more likely though, is the wild ride and jockeying for position that comes with a steady influx of tourists all eager to go on their own jeep safaris.
Eine Löwin des "Rongai"-Rudels mit ihren Jungen in der Masai Mara (Kenia).
A lioness from the "Rongai" pride with her cubs in the Maasai Mara (Kenya).
One of two lion brothers that we encountered on a productive morning game drive in the Khwai Concession, Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Here, the impressive male lion is engaged in the flehmen response.
Seeing these Elephants walk miles to reach this little Oasis was a true delight. They frolicked in the water and trumpeted all around. I particularly liked the light on this shoot and hopefully captured it well for you all to see:
Ein Leopard mit seinem Jungen im Moremi-Wildreservat (Okavangodelta, Botswana).
A Leopard with Cub in the Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango Delta, Botswana).
August 20, 2025 - Leopard (Panthera pardus) seen on our morning game drive in Chobe National Park, Botswana
Another beautiful, wild Lion, yet another unique mane. There have been two likely explanations for the lion’s mane, one for protecting its neck during a fight and the second is for attracting females. It is thought that possibly the color and fullness of a mane might be an indication of its fitness. The denser and darker the mane, the healthier the lion, and therefore the most desirable to females. It is not known for sure though since there are successful alpha males with manes of all colors and lengths. In either case, thicker, darker manes, will raise body temperature, causing the lion to suffer in the hot sun. January 30, 2017