There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
As I drove down into the river bed to get a better view of the cats, my heart skipped a beat! They could not have been in a better position for a spot of afternoon photography. Two of the Nharu males were with the three lionesses and the remaining sub adult cub: all six cats just enjoying the cool moist river sand.
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
Sadly, it would seem as though the male with the gammy leg, who we refer to as Skorro (meaning rubbish), is just not getting the time needed for his leg to heal. I see this time and time again, where a lion with a damaged leg seems to be on the mend and then suddenly their injury looks worse than ever. I guess that’s what happens when you run around fighting and hunting most of your life. He is still gorgeous none the less!
On a mission... This beautiful male lion seems oblivious to the presence of mere mortal humans as he makes his way through a patch of lush, long grass close to Baobab Ridge. Spotting a male on the move in daylight is a rare privilege and a truly thrilling experience.
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Judging by the place photo was taken it should be one of the 5 Vuela males.
A Gigantically large bodied male #blackdammale never sported an impressive long and thick mane. This is an image when he was still a youngster coming into his prime years, but already a father and ruler of a vast territory here at @royalmalewane in South Africa. He never the less, while still alive, provided our guests with countless images on their #wildlife photographic#safari
But, really, it was two of the Nahru males that stole the show that afternoon. I sat with them for an age as they just slept and slept and slept, not even a herd of impala walking 10 meters behind them could stir any sort of consciousness. In fact, they got so boring I decided to see what else I could find. Turns outs not that much and so as the rain started to come down, I started my journey back to the slumbering cats. Usually, at this point most people, including me, would prefer to be back at the lodge sipping something hot to drink and taking it easy, but there were wet grumpy lions to photograph!
Luckily, I had brought two rain jackets, one for me and one for my camera. And so there I sat in my home-made jacket tent peering out like a sniper waiting for the perfect shot. I am not too sure if the perfect shot was taken but I was drenched by the time I decided to leave the boys. All I am saying is that it would have been nice of him to actually face me while he shook his mane off.
*This image is copyright of its original author
Later that afternoon, I caught up with the two Nahru males. They seemed much happier in the dry yet cool weather and even gave me a roar, which is always amazing to hear and feel.
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But really this day was meant for one thing – finding and photographing the new addition to the River Pride! I have to thank Ginger and Given for their awesome tracking as it led to an entire day of photography and sun burn for me. All jokes aside, once the actual den site had been found I decided I was going to spend all day there, but first I needed coffee, some snacks, another memory card and some more sun cream.
We found a great way down into the riverbed and there they all were, lazing about and taking it easy. There is sadly only one new cub, I am not sure what happened to the rest of the litter, but I am confident that there were more to begin with. However, one is better than none! It took a very long time for the little one to relax with the vehicle there but eventually as all the other lions slept deeply, the cub decided sleep wasn’t the best use of her time!
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I spent the rest of the day with this awesome pride of lions as they slept, played, groomed and eventually got up and left the riverbed towards the end of the afternoon. And although I got some pretty bad sunburn, I wouldn’t change a single thing about the day. Welcome to the world little one!
Well, I sadly didn’t get to catch up with the new face I wanted to see most, and that is the newest member of the River Pride. Just before my return to work the guides had their first sighting of the 6-week-old cub born to the youngest River Pride female, and if I am honest, we were all a little disappointed to hear that there is only the one cub. But as Luke reminded me, one cub is better than no cubs, and with the other young lioness in the pride expected to have her cubs soon (if not already), we will have more on the way. I, in fact, failed to see the River Pride this past week, with the most frustrating moment being when I saw their tracks on our southern boundary one morning, and reported this to Scotch when he came back on drive, and upon checking the same spot in the afternoon, found the whole pride resting in the same place!
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It was however lovely to see the Nharhu males again, even if I caught them on a day that they weren’t enjoying life so much as they were seeking cover from the intermittent rain bursts under some pretty small Guarri bushes. Once the rain passed though, the three brothers reunited, and gave us a wonderful roaring display. It was also good to see the limping male putting some weight on his hind leg again.
The other lion news this week was the surprise arrival in the area of some members of the Western Pride from the northern Timbavati. Three of their five lionesses were seen resting in the Nhlaralumi one day, with tracks for the other two lionesses further east. I can’t recall this pride having come into our concession for many years, if ever. They aren’t the only new faces around, there has also been a small pride of three lions frequenting the western parts of the concession, comprising of a nice male (the Dundee male from northern Klaserie), and two lionesses from what we believe are known as the Balule Pride (also northern Klaserie). With the Nharhu males spending so much time to the south-east of the concession, it has left a gaping hole in the central and western portions of Tanda Tula, so it is not a big surprise to see some new lions moving in to fill the void.
(01-29-2021, 03:16 AM)Herekitty Wrote: Scorro males - the current Western Pride males at Ingwelala adjacent to Motswari. Images by Esmareth Knight, Jan. 2021
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*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
Also seen at Motswari. Image by Danell Bartie, Jan. 27, 2021
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And the Western Pride females admiring their latest batch of cubs at Simbavati. Images by lotus.photography0, Jan 26, 2021
*This image is copyright of its original author
The last photo is the Skorro male. the other are the Western pride boys
A stunning portrait of the dark-maned Ross male near Orpen Gate.
The life of a male lion is a story reflected in the scars on his face, how many territorial disputes has he encountered, confrontations by up and coming young males, fighting for a bigger mouthful of the latest pride kill.
Image by: Seranne Slaviero
January 2021
About #2623: I believe having never seen a so scarred lion's face... Really impressive ! Lucky for him, it's almost healed (excepte close to the mouth).
About #2623: I believe having never seen a so scarred lion's face... Really impressive ! Lucky for him, it's almost healed (excepte close to the mouth).
I totally agreed! The stare of this Ross male is absolutely intimidating.
