Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

I have wanted a lioness carrying a cub for a long time. I was on the last part of the trip to Kenya in Amboseli. We were out early heading to the conservancy to look for elephants on the dry lake bed. We spotted one elephant in what is left of the trees (the elephants have destroyed many trees looking for food). It was so dark yet I really was not even taking photos. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw the lioness come out of the trees carrying a cub! I was so excited. The problem, she was close enough I could not use the 600mm f4, I don't have the 400 2.8. My 100-500 is great, but could be better in low light. Anyway, these are a couple of the first photos. Even though she was walking I went with 1/160, 400mm (f6.3 the best I could do) and the ISO was 5000.

My brain was sort of mush being so happy to see her and expecting her to disappear at any moment that I really should have stopped, checked the photos and upped my shutter speed and let the ISO go higher. I took a lot of photos and too many had too much motion blur. I wish the quality here was a bit better, but I now have lioness carrying cub.

We would drive ahead and stop some distance ahead and wait for her to walk to us. It was just special and I will have more to share!

I was so thrilled to see her come out of the trees!!!

(Download)


(Download)

Little baby did not move, but his tongue made me wonder how comfortable he was!

(Download)

She would stop and set the cub down and adjust her grip. The baby never complained!

(Download)


(Download)

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Wonderful set!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Awesome!!! I love these photos!! I bet "kitten" was saying, "Ma, not in front of the humans; you're embarrassing me!"

Another kitty I want to cuddle! If you ever find any that stay that little, get one for me!

Dodie

lbarnett25 Loc: Baldwinsville, NY

Fantastic!

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Congratulations on a wonderful bucket list moment! I appreciate your narratives and your beautiful East Africa work. Your photos carry a feeling of respect for place, people and creatures that I appreciate very much.
Thank you! Phil

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Great series Beth.

Don

Nigel7 Loc: Worcestershire. UK.

Fabulous. Photos to die for!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Outstanding set, Beth!

waltnetto Loc: LaVerne, CA

Me too! Absolutely delightful photographs.

LeeK Loc: Washington State

What a wonderful experience and very nicely recorded.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

These are great Beth. No motion blur. Thanks for sharing.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

We will both have to have one!

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Ok, now we need 3 cubs!