Posts for: Sark17
Nov 15, 2019 07:07:10 #
WOW!!! That really puts their size into perspective. I’m sorry to hear of his loss. What a magnificent animal ❤️
EllieLady wrote:
And you shouldn't - - bears are really wonderful, but they are unpredictable predators.
This is Bart the Bear (a Kodiak) - - from one of the animal caretaking classes I took years back. Yes, the one from the movie, The Bear. But he could not be trusted without Doug around. Bart, sadly, had to be helped over the Rainbow Bridge.
This is Bart the Bear (a Kodiak) - - from one of the animal caretaking classes I took years back. Yes, the one from the movie, The Bear. But he could not be trusted without Doug around. Bart, sadly, had to be helped over the Rainbow Bridge.
Nov 14, 2019 20:20:38 #
Thank you so much!!! I just realized I didn’t include the “store original” link so hopefully they still look okay! He was super intense and from the looks of it, he’s been in a few recent fights. He just seems to have a little extra attitude.
gsmith051 wrote:
Nicely done. Especially like #4. Thanks for posting.
/George
Sorry about double posting, but Leopard shots worth it.
/George
Sorry about double posting, but Leopard shots worth it.
Nov 14, 2019 20:18:58 #
I’m so excited for you guys!!!! I’m actually booking my return with her now too. I wouldn’t have guessed how absolutely enamored I’d be with Africa. Can’t wait to see your photos from your adventure! February is right around the corner!
toxdoc42 wrote:
Fabulous. We are all booked and ready to go Feb 23, signed with Storme. She has been wonderful, hopefully we will be as pleased as you were.
Nov 14, 2019 19:04:37 #
On our last full day in South Africa, we set out around 5:30am as usual. We heard there was an unconfirmed Leopard sighting and we started towards that direction. There were a couple other trucks looking for him too, so our guide didn't rush, he took his time to show us rhino, giraffes, hippos, colorful birds and just about everything else we passed along the way he took time to tell us about. Once his radio went off again though and announced that it was now a confirmed sighting, we shifted gears and hauled tail over there!
We had gotten lucky the day before and saw a leopard drag his kill up into a tree, so I asked if they thought it would be the same one. He of course didn't know but when we got there and he saw his face, he said absolutely not, that this was a different male leopard and this was his story:
Ravenscourt was the name given to a female leopard that lived in the region shared by a few lodges. They all "knew" her and recognized her by her markings when they would see her out. Ravenscourt was a guide favorite and they claimed she taught them many things through their time observing her.
When they learned Ravensourt had cubs, they were all elated for her. She raised them as well as she could and was a very good mother, but life is rough out there. One day a male leopard came into another male leopards territory and tried to kill her son, the only one that she had left. She fought viciously to defend him and she did just that, but she died of her injuries. The lodges and guides in the area were devastated and went as far as to do a tribute to her which consisted of sharing beautiful memories and creating incredible artwork of her.
Ravenscourt left behind who they now call "Ravensourts Male" which is the stunningly beautiful Leopard that is shown in these photos. He oozes cockiness and is currently scent marking all over another male leopards territory. Not sure if he's fresh from a battle or heading to one, but he walks with the attitude that he knows he is special, and almost like he's out for vengeance...
We had gotten lucky the day before and saw a leopard drag his kill up into a tree, so I asked if they thought it would be the same one. He of course didn't know but when we got there and he saw his face, he said absolutely not, that this was a different male leopard and this was his story:
Ravenscourt was the name given to a female leopard that lived in the region shared by a few lodges. They all "knew" her and recognized her by her markings when they would see her out. Ravenscourt was a guide favorite and they claimed she taught them many things through their time observing her.
When they learned Ravensourt had cubs, they were all elated for her. She raised them as well as she could and was a very good mother, but life is rough out there. One day a male leopard came into another male leopards territory and tried to kill her son, the only one that she had left. She fought viciously to defend him and she did just that, but she died of her injuries. The lodges and guides in the area were devastated and went as far as to do a tribute to her which consisted of sharing beautiful memories and creating incredible artwork of her.
Ravenscourt left behind who they now call "Ravensourts Male" which is the stunningly beautiful Leopard that is shown in these photos. He oozes cockiness and is currently scent marking all over another male leopards territory. Not sure if he's fresh from a battle or heading to one, but he walks with the attitude that he knows he is special, and almost like he's out for vengeance...
Nov 14, 2019 11:20:39 #
Oh wow!! I bet that was incredible!!!! What an adventure! I don't know if I would feel as comfortable around bears as I did elephants!
TheShoe wrote:
Wonderful set. The closest I have ever come to the thrill, and I thought it was about the best high ever, was being up close and personal with the Kodiak Bears on Afognak Island. I can only imaging the feelings you had with the elephants that close to you.
Nov 12, 2019 19:53:13 #
okay, okay... so she's not MY birthday lion... But here's why she is so special... I went to Africa for a big birthday and my hope was to see the Big Five (and more!) and we were there for about 5 days and hadn't seen a Lion. It was okay honestly because of everything amazing and wonderful that we DID see AND not seeing one gave me a good reason to go back. But over half way into our trip, and it didn't look promising.
So, we followed our schedule and on our sixth day there went from South Africa to Botswana and got to our lodge just in time for their evening game drive, which was on my actual birthday. We didn't have any expectations, we just went with it and enjoyed the ride, bouncing around on this awesome Land Rover, seeing giraffes and zebra, tons of hippos and elephants, the warm breeze on us, never expecting the sight we were soon to see.
As we had just poured a sundowner glass of wine and chalked it up to an incredible day, we stumbled upon this girl asleep in a bush.
We stopped to watch her sleep. That to me was JUST FINE and counted as a sighting, I saw the big five, it was my birthday, I was the happiest I had ever been.
But just then she woke up, took a stretch, got out of her spot and went to watch the sunset - I kid you not. She watched it set and we watched her. The golden light shining on her beautiful face, and as the sky was being painted a fiery red and orange, she got up again and went on her way - likely to find a meal for her family.
This may not be MY birthday lion - but she sure was the cherry on top of what was the most spectacular adventure of my lifetime.
So, we followed our schedule and on our sixth day there went from South Africa to Botswana and got to our lodge just in time for their evening game drive, which was on my actual birthday. We didn't have any expectations, we just went with it and enjoyed the ride, bouncing around on this awesome Land Rover, seeing giraffes and zebra, tons of hippos and elephants, the warm breeze on us, never expecting the sight we were soon to see.
As we had just poured a sundowner glass of wine and chalked it up to an incredible day, we stumbled upon this girl asleep in a bush.
We stopped to watch her sleep. That to me was JUST FINE and counted as a sighting, I saw the big five, it was my birthday, I was the happiest I had ever been.
But just then she woke up, took a stretch, got out of her spot and went to watch the sunset - I kid you not. She watched it set and we watched her. The golden light shining on her beautiful face, and as the sky was being painted a fiery red and orange, she got up again and went on her way - likely to find a meal for her family.
This may not be MY birthday lion - but she sure was the cherry on top of what was the most spectacular adventure of my lifetime.
Nov 12, 2019 07:32:20 #
Oh my goodness they’re right in Tennessee! How cool! Beautiful mission, I love what they do!
dancers wrote:
I envy you..........they are THE most wonderful animals.
have a peep at elephants.com............to see their refuge!
have a peep at elephants.com............to see their refuge!
Nov 12, 2019 06:47:57 #
Yes! Both were with a cell phone! the guide actually laughed at me on day one when I showed up with my 150-600 attached the my camera (though I did use it a ton!). Not sure where exactly you’re heading but I’d ask if you’re allowed to go off road or not, makes a difference lens wise but I still used my 70-200 and 150-600 95% of the time and my phone the rest!
fbeaston wrote:
My goodness!!!!! Between this shot & the shot you shared in response to a post of mine, where one was right beside the jeep ... so close in fact I believe you took the shot with your cell phone ... give a sense of just how close they could come. That had to be an experience of a lifetime!!!!! You've really captured it exceedingly well. Thanks for sharing.
Nov 12, 2019 06:34:43 #
Here’s my husband who was beside me for perspective. We got much closer to them (and they came much closer to us!) in the private game reserves because you’re allowed to go off road. In the National parks you’re required to stay on the trails so you don’t get AS close but you can get within 15 feet anyway! But this guy wasn’t even the closest. We had one come within inches of the truck as he wandered by. It was a rush to be so close!
fbeaston wrote:
Another great post Sark17 ... one of my favorite critters & you've captured them well. Curious ... how close were you to those? Thanks for sharing.
Nov 11, 2019 19:26:42 #
Thank you! And Yes! We must have spent thirty minutes watching one delicately picking bark off of a branch with the precision of a surgical blade. Super impressive. I feel so honored to have gotten to see them in their world!
John from gpwmi wrote:
Wonderful photos, Sark17. I especially like #2 & #3. You mentioned they have an emotional family connection, and powerful turn a Land Rover over. They are also delicate enough that they can pick a single flower with their trunk. Amazing animals indeed. Good first choice!
Nov 11, 2019 19:00:59 #
When we arrived in Africa with all of the excitement of a kid on Christmas Day, we met the guide before our first game drive. He looked at me and said "what are you most excited to see while you're here?!" I instantly answered ELEPHANTS! He sort of chuckled as if that was a given, probably expecting to hear Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, something rare and hard to find...but nope, not me. It's the elephants through and through. There is something so incredible about such giants that could flip your Land Rover and stomp you into the ground without even tiring themselves, but at the same time are so gentle, emotional and sensitive, focusing on family and especially taking care of the seniors and youngest in the herd.
This is a small sampling of all of the INCREDIBLE elephants we saw in South Africa and Botswana. They got so close to us in South Africa that my husband actually had to lean back in his seat or he would have been bumped into! They are harmless until they're not, but we never felt threatened.
It was a true sight to see them in the wild and I hope someday to start working with a non profit over there to help protect them. For now I just look at their pictures and smile :)
This is a small sampling of all of the INCREDIBLE elephants we saw in South Africa and Botswana. They got so close to us in South Africa that my husband actually had to lean back in his seat or he would have been bumped into! They are harmless until they're not, but we never felt threatened.
It was a true sight to see them in the wild and I hope someday to start working with a non profit over there to help protect them. For now I just look at their pictures and smile :)
Nov 10, 2019 19:14:30 #
Thank you for your kind words! I’m sure you will see everything you want to see and more! When do you head over?!
fbeaston wrote:
No offense, but I respectfully disagree ... I thought these were great images ... & I'll look forward to more. There have been several Hogs of late who have shown some incredible images of recent trips to Africa they just took ... makes me wish it was time to leave. But Keith & I will have a wonderful time ... anticipation is part of the enjoyment I guess. I just hope we see the game that all of you saw & we capture them as well.
Nov 10, 2019 16:15:43 #
Thank you!!! But don’t take these for anything good!! I’ll share more tomorrow! I’m so excited for you and your upcoming trip!!
fbeaston wrote:
Very nice images Sark17 ... I've been waiting to see some from your trip since you answered an earlier post of mine. These were worth waiting to see. Thanks for sharing.
Nov 10, 2019 09:32:55 #
The first ones were in South Africa but the mom was in Botswana! Not the Okavango but by the Chobe. They call them Bush Criminals and I see why! Thankfully we didn’t have the “full experience” like you did 🤦🏽♀️😂
CaptainBobBrown wrote:
Was this in Botswana perchance? We had a similar experience in a camp in the Okavango Delta except the vervets climbed into the trees over our tents and defecated on them whenever anyone came out or used their adjacent privies. One little one decided to get a drink out of a portable hand washing basin and I've got a closeup picture of it staring into the camera with soapy water dribbling out of its mouth.
Nov 10, 2019 08:59:16 #
On a recent trip to Africa we were lucky enough to see the Big Five plus the rare African Wild Dog - Two BIG packs! I can't want to share those photos soon, but while looking through the MANY photos from our trip, these guys just cracked me up and I wanted to share!
They are so human-like with their expressions and antics, and I so enjoyed watching them. Even one day when we were enjoying a nice picnic in the bush, this mom came down and rummaged quickly through a bag on the truck, tossing aside papers, pens and eye glasses until she found what she wanted - Fig Newtons! Hey, a moms gotta do what a moms gotta do! And just look at that sweet baby!
Hope you enjoy!
They are so human-like with their expressions and antics, and I so enjoyed watching them. Even one day when we were enjoying a nice picnic in the bush, this mom came down and rummaged quickly through a bag on the truck, tossing aside papers, pens and eye glasses until she found what she wanted - Fig Newtons! Hey, a moms gotta do what a moms gotta do! And just look at that sweet baby!
Hope you enjoy!
