Masai Mara - September 2011 - Lions

4th September - First drive and we found some rather well known members of the Marsh Pride They are certainly looking very well fed at the minute. They were split into lots of groups. Its a shame we didn't see Bibi and her cub, we would have been lucky if we had because I think it was only born at the beginning of the month and she wouldn't have brought it out.

I'll start off with an old favourite. The light was going fast so the pictures aren't brilliant.



A very battered looking Claude having a clean up after his meal.


A rather full and sleepy Claude


Romeo soon arrived. Think he was having a nap in the bushes.


Wrong angle, but still like the picture


A missed picture, this lovely little lady walked out and rubbed round Romeo's face. I missed it, but will check Chris's pictures to see if he got it.

5th September - 6.50am - just the other side of the thicket we had left them the night before. Sleepy lions:


Is it that time already?


Back where we left the pride the night before, it was an early morning bath and play for four of the small members of the Marsh Pride

Look who we found at the same time and the same place the next morning

On 6th September our driver decided to take us to see all the wilderbeast and zebra in the migration, they were the other side of the talek river and because of all the rain we couldn't cross so we took a nice LONG drive around so we could go across the bridge. Well the drive was entertaining, I'm glad we were in a 4 wheel drive.

On the way, we saw this gorgeous lion and lioness who had just finished mating. Bad light again, the weather was awful.


And on the way back (with slightly improved weather) we came across the pride again. Two males both with females mating. This was close to the Talek River. I know two of Notches boys had taken over a pride and had been seen mating, I don't know if this is them or not.






While these two were busy. Down the hill, there was more 'action' going on!! hehe!


Two other female members of the pride were about as well

On our last drive, we came across another two members of the Marsh Pride, male and female laying on a dead tree trunk initially I thought it was brother and sister, now looking at the photos maybe mother and son. It made me sad to think it wouldn't be long until this young male lion would be kicked out of the pride


Maybe not the most comfy of pillows


Ok I'm awake now


He would not look at the camera


Time to move


Now, how can do I get down from here? (you wouldn't believe how long it took him, it was almost like he wanted to play and jump down on her, but just didn't dare to )


Ok, so I'll just take the same route


Now that was too much like hardwork - time for another snooze


Gorgeous Lioness.


Thats it for the lion photos. I hope I didn't post to many, i was really struggling with which ones to pick because we took so many.

Thank you Doogs. I really, REALLY, wanted to get a picture face on of a lion yawning!! I think I had the opportunity for one and I missed it.

I'm extremely glad I got to see White Eye and that my photo will have put a few questions to bed. She looked extremely healthy as well and was feeding on a kill when we saw her. She really is a beautiful cat!! Any idea how old she is?

So wonderful to see White Eye Ann-Marie, i'm really pleased you managed to capture her, it's good to know she is ok.
Do those Lion boys have no shame brilliant captures AM, to see one mating must be brilliant but two
Claude looks fit to burst in his photo, he actually looks as if he is about to give birth.......how much had that boy eaten Him and Romeo do look rather battered these days don't they and I do worry about them, it's sad to know they will be in a battle with youngsters one day and it does make you worry for them both.
Between you and Doogs we have some gorgeous Lion pictures, we have been truely spoilt.........but i'm glad we have

littlewid-x-

Those really are great photos AM. How fantastic it is to see one of our favourite Big Cats White Eye. The old Girl still looks as though she's doing well. Love the OK I'm waking up and the rest of them look as though they were having fun with the tree. Never to many Lion shots AM, perhaps in the depth of winter when we are fed up, you clould look through, and post some more to brighten our days
WS

Anne-Marie - stunning photos of all our favourite lions - and thrilled to see White Eye alive and well. You've really got some great photos there and certainly not too many. How could you ever post too many lion photos? I could happily look through hundreds .........

So pleased you got to see so much activity I mean not that activity but the lions in general .... ooops I am digging myself into a hole here!

Lai Pai