Gabriela Plesea
05-03-2017, 12:21 PM
This is one powerful and fearless lioness I have encountered on a number of occasions during my Kalahari trips. On this particular morning I drove out early to a nearby waterhole, hoping to meet up with a clan of spotted hyenas I had seen the day before. I barely got there and was busy pouring myself a cup of coffee when the hyenas started arriving one by one. After quenching their thirst they all jumped into the water, the youngsters played around while the older mamas kept vigil to ensure no other predators spoiled their fun.
Minutes later I was surprised to see them scatter in all directions. As I looked around I noticed a lioness with two small cubs walking down the road. I did not think she would leave the cubs to go after nine hyenas so I wondered why the spotties panicked to such an extent. Then I looked around again and saw another lioness...She was only meters away and I recognised her instantly. There's something about her eyes that has stayed with me since the very first time I saw and photographed her, a merciless and unforgiving stare of sorts.
To cut my story short, my girl did not waste time, she lunged forward to chase the hyenas down a slope with amazing speed and determination. Eventually she caught up with one adult female who collapsed like a rag after a brief scuffle. Unfortunately the action happened at some distance and the protagonists of the scene I described were turned away from me. I did keep a few images for the record but none worth processing. Things happened fast and I was unable to decide where to aim: the hyenas running, the lioness with cubs or my wild eyed lioness...I have shared in the past a few images from this sighting, here is another. I sincerely hope this old girl makes an impression on you as she did on me.
Nikon D4
Nikon 500 F4
ISO 5000
F5.6
1/1000s
Hope you all have a wonderful evening. And thank you so much for viewing and comments on my previous images, I appreciate it.
Kind regards,
Minutes later I was surprised to see them scatter in all directions. As I looked around I noticed a lioness with two small cubs walking down the road. I did not think she would leave the cubs to go after nine hyenas so I wondered why the spotties panicked to such an extent. Then I looked around again and saw another lioness...She was only meters away and I recognised her instantly. There's something about her eyes that has stayed with me since the very first time I saw and photographed her, a merciless and unforgiving stare of sorts.
To cut my story short, my girl did not waste time, she lunged forward to chase the hyenas down a slope with amazing speed and determination. Eventually she caught up with one adult female who collapsed like a rag after a brief scuffle. Unfortunately the action happened at some distance and the protagonists of the scene I described were turned away from me. I did keep a few images for the record but none worth processing. Things happened fast and I was unable to decide where to aim: the hyenas running, the lioness with cubs or my wild eyed lioness...I have shared in the past a few images from this sighting, here is another. I sincerely hope this old girl makes an impression on you as she did on me.
Nikon D4
Nikon 500 F4
ISO 5000
F5.6
1/1000s
Hope you all have a wonderful evening. And thank you so much for viewing and comments on my previous images, I appreciate it.
Kind regards,