Other male lion coalitions from Masai Mara

[Spalea]

The Scarface mystery is always remaining...

David Lloyd: " ScarrrRRRRrr

I introduce 2020 with a picture of the legendary Scar of the Maasai Mara. Scar and his Musketeer coalition brothers of Morani, Hunter and Sikio pretty much ruled the Maasai Mara until the arrival of the Six Warriors coalition a couple of years ago.
These days they are often seen between Entim and the Rekero and Rongai crossings in what appears to be semi-retirement. They are at around 14 years old now after all. Scar still is missing his eyelid (the eye itself appears ok) and he’s much slowed down now due to age and his atrophied hind leg.
Of the other three, Morani and Sikio are still strong but hope is fading for Hunter who has been missing since August.
I’ve been shy of using ‘king’ as a descriptor for lions as it’s so overdone, but if there was ever a King of Kings then Scar would be a deserving title holder.
My 400mm f/2.8 died in the days before this picture but a 300mm f/4 sufficed (with a TC) well.
Making a satisfying portrait difficult, older lions do their best not to establish eye contact with you (the young ones are not so concerned) so you have to be quick to get the picture. You only need a fraction of a second of a glance anyway. You just have to be ready for it. "

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