Suicide month: Lions V's Buffalo, SLNP- Zambia Part 1

[marc]

Have just returned from 4 weeks in the Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia, my 8th trip to the dark continent and my most incredible safari experience ever, as they say over there this time of year is known
as suicide month!......................never a more apt word. 40+ deg's C (105+ F) most days with some tsetse flies to keep you honest.
The lion on buffalo predation was amazing, plus other sights as well.........stay tuned.
The weather gods proved to be well behaved, having experienced many threatening days but only one real downpour the whole time.



5.41pm.
The no-tip tailed female from the Nsefu pride was the first to spot 2 male Buffalo drinking on the other side of the river and promptly crossed, followed by the others.
(would have preferred the whole reflection, but the shoreline was coming into play)
What followed that evening was the stalking, attacking and eventual death of BOTH buffalo!
An amazing scene to witness!


ALL images taken @ Fish Eagle lagoon, Luangwa River, Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia late Oct 2011



D3s 500VR 1/400s f/5.6 ISO3200 F/F






5.44pm
By now all but the 3 pride coalition males had buffalo on their mind.

D3s 500VR 1/320s f/5.6 ISO3200 F/F







Again, deliberately keeping focus on the central lion as she had my attention.
D3s 500VR 1/400s f/5.6 ISO3200 F/F






5.46pm
The pride were now closing the gap rapidly. (the other boy is just out of frame, upper left)
At this stage we were sure both knew they were being stalked, but they seemed to defiantly stand their ground.

D3s 500VR 1/640s f/4 ISO6400 -cropped (top & bottom only) to pano. I now needed to up the ISO to 6400 & f/4 in order to keep a reasonable S/S.
Image quality deteriorating now, but considering the distance and ISO, still holding up ok I feel?



..............to be continued.

C & C most welcome

Cheers
Marc

[stubbsy]

Marc

that first image is a great capture. I like the bow wave in front with that bit of relection. The rest aren't too shabby either

[Matt. K]

Beautiful work! What a trip!

[Reschsmooth]

Excellent captures. Well done.

[aim54x]

Amazing images, cant wait to see the next installment

[Big V]

Love the story looking forward to the conclusion

[Wink]

I agree with the others. Awesome shots!

After 8 trips you must have a wealth of advice for people looking to do a safari over there.
Would you mind putting together a thread of advice and information?

I've been thinking about doing Chris Bray's safari in 2013. It's all centered around photography and they have 3 600mm lenses to share around amongst the group.

[norwest]

There's nothing not to like about the first shot. Tremendous shot. The eyes remind me of my ex wife in a bad mood, actually.

[CraigVTR]

The first and third shots are great. Those eyes.

[marc]

Appreciate all the comments guys, many thanks.

There's nothing not to like about the first shot. Tremendous shot. The eyes remind me of my ex wife in a bad mood, actually.

Luckily she's your EX.

[norwest]

Appreciate all the comments guys, many thanks.

There's nothing not to like about the first shot. Tremendous shot. The eyes remind me of my ex wife in a bad mood, actually.

Luckily she's your EX.

You can count on it.

[Willy wombat]

awesome stuff

[radar]

A great series of photographs Marc, thanks for sharing them. It is always a thrill to see your African adventures.

It would have been a challenge to be shooting in the hot conditions, not when most people go on safaris.

The first one is certainly a standout. I also really like the second one with the line of lions crossing while still showing the ones waiting on the bank.

Cheers,

André

[marc]

It would have been a challenge to be shooting in the hot conditions, not when most people go on safaris.

Cheers,

André

Very true Andre

Overall it's not a great time for general game or birding, however, if you can put up with the heat, the predation action was first rate. And primarily my reason for venturing to this region at this particular time.