The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers

[ExFmem]

Always LOVE perusing your photographs - there are so many special ones, and that takes something more than mere luck.

[Alf]

That vervet looks so naughty

Oh another traffic jam

[Lisbeth]

The paradise flycatchers are such pretty birds

Such a cute little vervet

Another pretty little bee-eater

Nice rhino

You may keep the road block

[Flutterby]

The vervet is so cute!

Love the flycatcher and jackal too, not the mention the lions!

[Bushcraft]

That jackal is eyeing you out

Great to get lions first thing in the morning just outside camp

[Richprins]

Oooh! I remember the Mananga Trail from last year! assume it looks s bit different now?



Btw...flycatchers are rare in the Park, IMHO?

[Pumbaa]

Thanks so much Mel, nan, ExFmem, Alf, Lisbeth, Flutterby, Bushcraft and Richprins for your ongoing support and Motivation with all your amazing comments

[Pumbaa]

One already had enough from the cars and moved already into the bushes on the roadside eying the cars suspiciously.



Due to the early morning one was for sure still sleepy although lions are in fact sleepy the whole day long.....



We noticed that the road was a bit wet and it obviously rained a bit over the night and also over the day it fell a couple of rain drops but only in form of drizzle although that area needed far more rain.



“I see you”



Needless to say that Timon was again in his element and took picture after picture of a pensive male



and portraits of the yawning one. We carried a bit forward to let either pass other cars or to also allow others a bit farer back in the queue to admire the lions but although the camp was quite full everyone behaved very well at that sighting and all passengers in the cars had the opportunity in taking a couple of shots from the Majesties.



Due to the overcast weather it was still far darker than it normally is at that time of the day so we were in fact happy that there was not that much activity between the lions as otherwise the shots would have come out blurred.



As it was only a question of time until the lions might move deeper into the bushes away from the road we also carried on as we got our shots – At least we were once again more than happy that we in fact had left camp prior to the Mananga trail and were happy that we were allowed to admire those males that close.



We even had still time in exploring the S100 after the excitement nearly at the gate but same was disappointingly quiet that dim morning and so we came forward quite fast until we had to stop for a lone lioness who



looked a bit agitated and obviously was searching for other pride members.



Same was looking permanently into each direction and even came closer to the road



and same carried on walking steadily forward into one direction.



We meanwhile noticed a bit further down the street another car who stopped as well and then we also realized the two other lionesses who were busy in rushing towards the other one.

[Pumbaa]

For the time being we simply remained where we stopped and observed the three lionesses



and finally it was time to welcome the long missing sisters



who then walked together.



What a wonderful morning we already had we drove already a couple of kilometres in a highly game and bird populated area and what did we get to see that morning – lions – In fact not a bad way to start the day with although you know that we are in fact not only lion hunters we also stop for birds, impalas and other antelopes quite often and long but when the lions do come across that easily we for sure take them as well and spend time with them.



It has to be another cuddle



before all of them laid down and all of them were facing another direction




until it was time again to get back into the sleeping modus



and they were indeed tired after they finally found their sister again.



At least when it comes to more than one lion one of them is a bit more active than the others and so it was here as well



and the greeting ceremony started once again





How I love that close bond between them



to be continued....

[Lisbeth]

What a lion show you got there