Tag Archives: Lion

by Diane | March 24, 2016 · 2:34 pm

South Africa Nature Photography Safari

The Greater Kruger Area –

In the “backcountry” at Sabi Sands, away from crowds known to flock to Kruger National Park, we had amazing animal experiences.

Early morning, a lion wakes up and grooms.
© 2016 Diane Kelsay

Nice hair, what a good looking lion.
© 2016 Diane Kelsay

A leopard walked right beside our open vehicle. It was close enough to reach down and pet. Of course I wouldn’t, I just sat there holding my 200-400 lens that couldn’t focus at such a close distance. Fortunately before it moved in so close, we all had a good time photographing the leopard. The guide told us that all of us in a vehicle presented a large unit that it wouldn’t mess with.

We saw a mother and cub every day. We never tired of watching and photographing the interaction.

One time the cub strayed away and caused some alarm before they were reunited.

Cats were plentiful, but we were up close and personal to some really big critters – very exciting photography.

Rhino and oxpecker, symbiotic relationship
© 2016 Diane Kelsay

Hippos look like huge monsters in the water.
© 2016 Diane Kelsay

They are “really huge” (and rarely seen) out of the water.
© 2016 Diane Kelsay

Cape buffalo
© 2016 Bob Harvey

We had a nice mix of safari animals.

Zebras
© 2016 Diane Kelsay

Giraffe drinking – a very vulnerable time, given the position they take. They drink cautiously.
© 2016 Bob Harvey

Vervet monkeys
© 2016 Bob Harvey

Hornbill
© 2016 Bob Harvey

Woodland kingfisher
© 2016 Diane Kelsay

Marvelous diversity, great opportunities to be up close and personal with amazing animals who don’t run when you arrive.

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Tagged as Kruger National Park, leopard, Lion, Nature Photography Adventures, rhino, Sabi Sands, South Africa photo safari

by Diane | March 11, 2013 · 7:33 pm

Tanzania Photography Safari

This 4th post will conclude my blog for our February Tanzania Photography Safari. If you are just visiting for the first time, be sure and scroll down through the other 3 posts. This was such a memorable trip with the many rare sightings we had and were able to photograph. At the end of our trip, everyone felt very touched by the sign as we entered Lake Manyara National Park – Remove nothing from the park except: Nourishment for the soul; Consolation for the heart; Inspiration for the mind. They said “that was our trip”! Join us in 2015 http://www.naturephotographyadventures.com/workshop.photo.tanzania.htm

Zebras and wildebeest running together
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

The lion cub photo on the last post seemed to be everyone’s favorite, so I am including 2 more of the 20 or so shots I got of this cute little guy.

Lion cub taking a cat nap
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

Ah, nap didn’t last long
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

And speaking of yawns, check out the teeth on this cheetah.

wow
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

Sure, we can back up, no problem
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

Elephant dust bath
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

Look at those lashes – yeah, we were pretty close
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

The elegance of the flamingo
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

Taking flight
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

Storm coming in late afternoon, Serengeti
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

Sunrise after the storm
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

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Tagged as Africa, cheetah, elephant, Lion, migration, nature photography, Nature Photography Adventures, Serengeti, tanzania, Tanzania photography safari, wildebeest

by Diane | March 2, 2013 · 8:00 pm

Tanzania Photography Safari

Our first morning in the Serengeti… I was awakened by the sounds of lions roaring, hippos grunting, and something munching the grass outside my tent. I thought that would just be a giraffe – not so. At 6:00 am my fearless Maasai warrior escort arrives and starts stomping and yelling to chase away two cape buffalo right off my deck blocking my exit (fortunately the deck is 4’ high). The buffalo responds and gives me some space. I did check to make sure my escort had his spear before I came down the steps. We always have an escort when it is dark.

Sunrise, Camp Masek, near my tent
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

After breakfast, we had a beautiful sunrise by my favorite tree here at Masek (which is near my tent). The day only got better with lots of cats and more.

Lions having a family discussion
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

Leopard sleeping high in a tree
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

Lion cooling off in the shade at the granite kopjes in the Serengeti
© 2013 Diane Kelsay

Impala…

We met some Maasai junior warriors out herding goats and stopped to chat. One of them tried to offer me his necklace, didn’t know what that implied so I gracefully declined.

photo taken by Said, our guide

More photos to come in a few days.

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by Bob | February 22, 2013 · 1:09 pm

Tanzania Photography Safari

I had a call in the middle of the night last night – everything is just fine in Tanzania, but there had not been internet access out in the Serengeti.

It sounds like there have been exciting times. Thunderstorms. Cape Buffalo camped out next to Diane’s tent. More exciting photography moments. Can’t wait to see!

In the meantime, I’m posting a couple images that I was holding to go with Diane’s words (that never came).