Saturday, March 12, 2011

Camera Critters: Serengeti Lions



For Camera Critters last week, I posted photos of a lumbering animal not always considered beautiful. My fondness for contrast led me to choose this series of shots for today...
for surely, there are few animals as magnificent, graceful and wondrous as the African lion.
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Crossing from Kenya into Tanzania, our drive took us past a tall cluster of rocks where
a young pair of lions basked in the sun-baked afternoon.
The male's youth showed in his short mane that had not yet come into its own, but already he was embracing his role in the pride. Adult males sleep for up to twenty hours a day, leaving the tasks of both childrearing and hunting to the females, rousing themselves only to feed first on the game dragged home to them. 
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Clearly, the pair had fed recently...the male soon dozed off in spite of our truck parked a short distance away with us looking on in fascination.
True to form, the female remained watchful, keeping a careful eye on us even as she scanned the wide open plain around their raised pedestal....her vigilance a guarantee that no threat or possibility would escape notice...
I used my telephoto lens for these shots, since the lions' perch was a distance away. from the rutted road.
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Keeping a distance is paramount. We must always remain mindful to tread carefully and respectfully in this fragile environment which we are priviliged to explore.
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This is their home...has always been their home. We may only peer in briefly from the edges, leaving all as we found it and taking out nothing but memories.
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And the memories are like no other. I write this post on a gray muddy day half a world away from the African continent...yet I need only close my eyes to feel that sultry sun soak into my skin as a young lion's golden head nods ever lower, until at last, he succumbs to sleep...
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I'm linking this to Misty Dawn's wonderful Camera Critters! To see more critters from around the world, check out the link below...
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28 comments:

joo said...

Now I'm really happy I found your blog! Your photos are terrific and I really like your blog.
Thanks for your comments:)
Have a great weekend!
Joo

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

What gorgeous beautiful animals and your photos display that beauty! Wonderful.

Kay L. Davies said...

Oh, Lynette, I am speechless with envy. What gorgeous animals, what wonderful photos, what an amazing experience! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Luv, K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

VioletSky said...

These are absolutely gorgeous shots of gorgeous creatures. The third one is especially - wonder what he is thinking of you...??

Eileen T O'Neill ..... said...

Lynette,
A wonderful opportunity to see and share your wonderful Serengeti experience, with such majestic cats!

For now, I too am imagining what the warmth of the sun feels like, as winter is slowly leaving us. Snow in Scotland today!
Have a great weekend Lynette,
Best wishes, Eileen

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Lynette -- this is a great post -- I actually can't imagine anyone NOT thinking a lion is magnificent and beautiful.

It's wonderful you got to go on a photo safari there!!!!

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Oh my goodness, these are the most amazingly wonderful shots. Such beautiful lions! How wonderful to have been so near to them. I love your words as well, and your respect for their world, which we can only visit. Beautiful photos, Lynette! You know you went to Africa for both of us, glad you took lots of photos!:)

Leontien said...

great photo's and great creatures!

Thanks for sharing
Leontien

rapunzel said...

Wonderful shots. Thanks for sharing.

Angela said...

They are beautiful. Looking at them made me remember hearing one purr at a zoo several years ago...it sounded like a car engine running!

adrielleroyale said...

Oh that is too cool. I love lions - These pictures make me smile :)

Anonymous said...

Wow - these are magnificent shots of these wonderful animals!

magiceye said...

superb captures of magnificent critters!

Lois Evensen said...

What fantastic images! Just wonderful!

eileeninmd said...

Wow, fantastic shots. What a wonderful experience.

EG CameraGirl said...

I think lions are magnificent creatures. How fortunate you were to see them in their natural environment. These photos are wonderful!

Willard said...

Absolutely awesome images!

Unknown said...

Really well done photos of beautiful animals!!Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Tins and Treasures said...

Good Morning, Lynette,
They are nothing more than a big kitty-cat, right?

I'm thinking I want to go on a vacation with you! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. ~Natalie

Kit said...

Loving your big kitties! Such incredible creatures. Kit

Unknown said...

Superb images! These photos take me back to my African visit and the safaris I was lucky enough to enjoy! Kudos!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dear Lynnette, Thank you for visiting me today! I have never met you before, but have you been to my blog? What a joy it is to see your photography! TWENTY HOUR A DAY NAPS FOR THESE GUYS? Sheesh!!!! They leave the work to the females who have to stay on guard during their waking hours! How wonderful nature is. I remember two years ago going to our local zoo and watching the lions; the male approached the female apparently looking for some ACTION and she must have had a "headache"...she growled, scratched his face and he stood their whining!!!! teehehehheeeee......oh, ya gotta love it.....

THANK YOU FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT and for visiting. Have a beautiful week! Anita

Katy Cameron said...

When we went on safari, our jeep got stuck right next to 2 lionesses and their cubs. It was bad enough working out how to get out (and making sure the tracker from the front seat didn't get eaten!) but there was one little old lady thought we should all get out and go see the kitties... Needless to say we didn't, thought I think our guide did momentarily ponder whether or not he should shoot her ;o)

Anonymous said...

impressed by your brilliant shots.

Jinksy said...

Lions featured in my nightmares for years... I must have run miles, trying to get away from them!! LOL

Pat Tillett said...

Beautiful photos! I love cats! Big ones and little ones... Great post!

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

Hi Lynette. You have two magnificent blogs. Your photos are truly breathtaking. I was able to absorb myself and travel with you. Thank you. I love you Utah photos, and these as well. My favorite is of the two lions looking at each other, much as my husband and I might after one of said something unusual.

Thanks you for your visit to my blog as well.

I look forward to many more visits ...on both sides!

Meryl
http://departingthetext.blogspot.com

Pat said...

Wow, Lynette, these are absolutely spectacular wildlife photos! You have been on some amazing travel adventures. I've been catching up on your blog posts and now I'm hooked on your blog!