Resting African Wildcat on sunbaked pan in Etosha Ntl Park, Namibia. Only a small amout of dry grass nearby for cover and was surprised to find it. Note the rufous color behind the ears. This is the ancestor for our common housecat.
Scanned Slide.
lovely image Charles .. one of my favourite cats..normally very shy ..and when approached runs away ..so you got very lucky... did you shoot this from car..or is that your reflection standing up in cats eye.. only nit v small ..wud have liked lower angle .. but this is not possible if you were shooting from car.. so well done
Yes this was shot from a car(VW Beetle) ,since uncomfortable outside the car here when by myself.
The funny part of the story was after the sighting and a few shots saw German tourists stranded after car breakdown just down the road waving at me. I picked them up and carried them back to enclosure area where they were staying. I then rushed back to the cat sighting and it was still there. A few more shots and it blended into the grass.
First time in Africa shooting alone so was leery of trying to get different perspective. Would probably be a little more brave(foolish) today.
I do not know how rare it is ,but is secretive like most small cats.
Chas.
This is quite remarkable, first a Wild Cat in daylight then in the open, I would have thought that this was impossible.
Great if not unique, I do wonder sometimes whether people appreciate that it is not always a good idea o get out of your car, or the fact that is gainst park rules.
Sorry Robert-this was a previous trip. Now Watching Spring develop in South Carolina !
Wish I were some where else exotic and plan to go to Belize in late April and then later to Northern USA migration hotspots.
Any plans for you ?
Chas.
African Wildcat
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