The Lions of Botswana

[marc]

Taken from a recent trip in September last year.
All taken with a monopod from vehicle.

Okavango swamp cat. Moremi GR in the delta.
D3 500VR 1/1000s ISO200@f/5.6





The color of a Lion has been described as the color of Africa. Moremi GR
D3 500VR 1/500s ISO200@f/4





Lioness portrait Moremi GR
D3 500VR 1/350s ISO200@f/6.7




Treed Lion Xakanaxa region.
D3 500VR 1/250s ISO200@f/8




C & C most welcome

Cheers
Marc

[sevencolours]

Marc

I like the pose in number 4. The lion and the branches beautifully aligned. I can only presume you did not physically set it up yourself.

[whitey]

Very nice. Heading to Botswana later in the year. Needing some new glass, probably not 500VR though

[chrisk]

The color of a Lion has been described as the color of Africa. Moremi GR
D3 500VR 1/500s ISO200@f/4

superb. bucketloads of atmosphere.
this could only be fully appreciated freakin huge on canvas.

[natskis]

Fantastic shots!

[wendellt]

great images
that 2nd one has the best composition
excellent work

tell us more about the trip

[Big V]

Just superb. It is so nice to see fine shots of these wonderful animals in the wild. I can see why you keep going back.

[surenj]

2nd for National Geographic.

[colin_12]

These are all great Marc.
I like most of the others think that #2 of the young male is the better of this batch.
Envious

[aim54x]

Marc, I cant wait to see more from this trip.

I have to agree....#2 is awesome, it would look great as a giant print/canvas/magazine spread. I just love how most of the foreground and background just fade off bringing the lion into direct attention. So powerful!

[marc]

Appreciate the comments guys, many thanks.

Very nice. Heading to Botswana later in the year. Needing some new glass, probably not 500VR though

Hi Whitey
When/where in Botswana are you going?
If Nikon ever get there act together the replacement 80-400VR would be nice.

The color of a Lion has been described as the color of Africa. Moremi GR
D3 500VR 1/500s ISO200@f/4

superb. bucketloads of atmosphere.
this could only be fully appreciated freakin huge on canvas.

Thanks Chris
Not quite large canvas, but have managed some nice 18X12's including that one. BTW, some impressive nature images on your Flickr site.

great images
that 2nd one has the best composition
excellent work

tell us more about the trip

Thanks Wendell
This was a 24 day/21 nights (in camp) safari, that started out with a 10 night mobile camping with MassonSafaris here:
http://massonsafaris.com/index.htm
Highly recommended! Just my wife and I and our guide of 27 years experience, Ewan and 3 assistants in a backup vehicle, pitching tents at private campsites each night in magic locations like the Delta, Xakanaxa, Savuti & Chobe regions. Witnessing 2 sub adult male Lions predating on a Sitatunga antelope, an extremely rare occurrence and something never seen by Ewan or many others before. Getting our vehicle flooded in a river crossing with myself carrying my camera over my head in neck high water! You know,....... fun stuff like that.

Then on to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve with 3 nights @ Deception Valley Lodge here:
http://www.dvl.co.za/activities.html Excellent trackers, with great birding and Lion & Leopard/cubs.

And finishing up with 8 nights in the Moremi Game Reserve@Mapula Lodge here:
http://www.mapulalodge.com/ Where the highlights were witnessing a Zebra birth and resulting 10 Wild Dog pack interaction and earlier seeing them take down an impala (low light distance, unfortunately). Great Leopard images in a tree @sunset.


Cheers
Marc

[zafra52]

Very nice and natural pictures. Great work!

[DebT]

Marc,
you've certainly captured a wonderful experience in sensational style - thanks for sharing
DebT

[radar]

I do love that 2nd one

André