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.
Marion du Toit: " Ever been this close? It’s riveting, an encounter you’ll never forget!
Best advice? Put your camera down! Don’t take photo’s. Just watch. Soak in the experience. That’s what is most important! "
Michael Laubscher:" The endless depth portrayed by the plains of the Mara is something that can only be truly understood once experienced.
In this image the soft, cool colours compliment what is already a perfectly tranquil scene and in my opinion does this special area some good justice."
Zhayynn James:" Male lions are larger and more powerful than females, but females are fierce, more nimble and faster and they know when to tell the males to back off. This was that moment when the male had cornered a female and she retaliated, causing him the back off in surprise, reinforcing a little social distancing. "
Maasai Mara 2010 For some years this was among my favourite pictures but it goes nowhere on small screens. I typically print it life size, where it takes on a new life – it stands up very well in a six foot frame. It doesn’t really matter that it was taken on a 12 megapixel sensor, pixels will always be trumped by good images. "
A result due to the distant calls of his brother echoing out the vast Mara valleys like rumbling thunder. How great it’d be to hear this mighty call again soon."
Sachin Rai:" This was an interesting day when we chanced upon a pride of lions feeding on this massive hippo one late morning. We had no clue If they found it dead or actually killed it. But their bellies were full and they were all sprawled under the bushes nearby. When we returned to the spot later that evening, we saw atleast a dozen hyenas feeding on the carcass. One lioness tried to shoo them away but she gave up soon and started feeding alongside. It was only when she grabbed a bite and walked back is when the male lion decided to eat some more and the dozen hyenas just disappeared as he walked casually to the kill. "
Michael Laubscher:" They say everything that goes up must come down.
But there comes a time when what went up may not necessarily enjoy coming down. Lions struggle to climb into trees due to their solid muscle weight but the journey down is a lot more challenging thank the trip up. See, lions can power their way up into a tree thanks to their immense power but this muscle/power will not help when working against gravity on the way down. Unlike leopard, lions do not have a “special” wrist joint that can lock into place when they approach the decent. This locking joint plays a vital roll to the leopard because when gravity pulls their heavy bodies downward, there is now no risk in spraining or hurting muscles/ligaments when trying to slow down the plunge down the tree. Now with lions weighing roughly 120kg more than a leopard, you can just imagine how much this “must come down” Journey is dreaded but these large cats."
Other male lion coalitions from Masai Mara
