- Wow! - Lucie et Philippe
- Loved it xD - Nebυlą ♥
- I love how it is darkened and you can still see grass pieces!! - tristin.nitsirt
- absolutely incredible. - zcrew
- fantastic light! - Victoria Carrizo
- Cool yellow eyes! - Rosie @}-'--
- I felt scared the first time I saw it. Its like he is ready to attack.
BRAVO !!! - gsbhatthal
The Ghost in the Darkness..
We had met the (nowadays) Mlowathi Male Lions during our previous visits to Mala Mala. They used to be called 'The Mapochos' (the Devils) as they formed a brotherhood of 5 big adult Males and as such were sheer invincible. They were seen bringing down huge prey such as rhino. On numerous occasions they have killed other lions; both male as female as well as many cubs. They have no fear .. and it shows.
This year's visit, 2 encounters with 2 of the brothers had a huge impact on me;
The first encounter was with both Males. It was already pitch dark and apparently the smell of a willing lioness was in the air. They were sizing each other up in order to determine who would be the lionesses’ date. There was restlessness and aggression in the air. At one moment we found ourselves situated between the two impressive males. One started roaring. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard a Lion’s roar up close but I can tell you it is heart stopping; especially from 3 meters away. Your whole body vibrates with those deep thunderous tones. Then the other male answered the call with his own roar. Those haunting roars, coming from both sides, as close as that, is a sound I’ll never forget.. (picture above is one of the brothers on that particular night).
On the second occasion, a couple of days later, ranger Dean and I had gone out during the heat of the day to try and photograph Giant Kingfishers. When after 5 minutes we stumbled upon a big herd of elephants playing and frolicking in the Sand River, the Kingfishers were forgotten :-)
After a while a message came in through the radio; The ‘Mohawk”
Mlowathi Male was seen at the airstrip in the company of an Eyrefield
Pride Lioness.. So we went to have a look.
We found them in thick bush heading towards the river. The other
brother had clearly been defeated in the fight over the favours of the
female and waited a bit further away. The 2 lovers went off together
and we followed them as best as we could until they stopped on the
sloping riverbed. Dean parked the big Landrover in front of them and
we waited..
All of a sudden the 2 big lions stood up to have a drink in the puddle right next to the landrover. Nothing out of the ordinary in Mala Mala until the huge Mapocho suddenly turned and stepped towards the (entirely open – not even a door) Landrover until he almost touched Dean’s foot, constantly staring at us with those huge yellow eyes. His whole body all muscle and clearly aggressively demanding privacy. And the stare lasted.. and lasted… And you know, so well, it would only take one lash with that giant paw…
I can’t even begin to describe what goes through you in such a moment.
Pure fear is probably the closest. Dean explained later that he didn’t
want to start the engine as the sound might have startled the Lion,
which would have made it even more dangerous. Also he wanted to stand
ground as he didn't want to teach the Lion that cars were 'to be
intimidated'. Later on he said bravely that he was only waiting for
the clicking of my camera to save the moment for eternity. Yeah
right.. I’m quite sure that he also had nothing else in his mind than
survival.. (I was so completely scared stiff that I totally forgot to
press that shutter!).
The Status Quo lasted and lasted and someone had to do something to
clear the tension.. In the end Dean did start the engine and we backed
off a little which made the Mapocho turn and join his lady… Guess he
won the staring contest...
Pfuw!!!!
Comments and faves
LJ., leaders, Kris Kros, Jeff Clow, and 494 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Kris Kros (41 months ago | reply)
wow, look at that eye
incredible lighting
leaders (41 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Search the Best...Invited Photos Only, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Calmtwood (41 months ago | reply)
.............
Tony Fernando (41 months ago | reply)
Superb capture.....
David_Rees (41 months ago | reply)
Wow .. this is amazing! Superb shot!
Jeff Clow (41 months ago | reply)
That's is fascinating....both the story in your caption and the stellar photo.
Superb work on both.
wisenicesam (41 months ago | reply)
OH my God you all were so close to danger. Great shot!!!
WildImages (41 months ago | reply)
Fabulous picture and fascinating story. You really nailed this one!
Seen in your photostream.
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called BORN TO BE WILD, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
B`Creative Pixel (41 months ago | reply)
Amazing adventure with incredible shot - thanks for sharing!
zedith (41 months ago | reply)
Wow Hennie, poor you... Now you've doubled your African's addiction!!! Eheheh
Great story (wish I could have lived it....) and splendid picture; that eye it's a killing one! Love it :)
H&K
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hopendust (41 months ago | reply)
what a fantastic shot.....did you have to change clothes? I was bitting my finger nails just reading your account of the shot...you are very brave!!
LJ. (41 months ago | reply)
I thought I told you to take care? I don't remember ever saying it was ok to get in between two males from the brotherhood!!!!
Now we've established you take no notice of me, the fear... its kind of irresistible don't you think? Next time and of course there will be a next time, you may well just press the shutter.
The shot you did get is spot on. Real control on the exposure to isolate the light and shadow and @ iso 3200 the quality is superb.
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Seen on your photo stream. (?)
paultnature (41 months ago | reply)
Beautiful capture and a great heart stopping story of the lion encounter!! Glad everyone came away unscathed.
Jan Schietse (41 months ago | reply)
wow
aleemsm (41 months ago | reply)
What a heart rending story !!! (beautiful write-up)
That sure is one piercing gaze!! :-(
I freaked out at merely watching the movie.... but you braved it much more...up, close & personal!
well, I shudder to wish you a HAPPY & ADVENTUROUS NEW YEAR 2010! :-p
RJackrel (41 months ago | reply)
WOW! Incredible story and a beautiful photo to boot. I am extremely envious!
Nayana :D (41 months ago | reply)
Phew! Just reading that whole thing gave me goose bumps twice! I do not know how exactly you must have felt, but nevertheless, your description weaves a detailed picture! Love the shot! Waiting for more heart beat missing narrations...
& Happy holidays :D xx
csnyder103 (41 months ago | reply)
Ha Ha....I laugh just to release the tension. Incredible image and even more the images that you conjure up by the narrative. Fantastic.
spw11 (41 months ago | reply)
I can't even begin to imagine what that must have felt like. It ain't like watchin' it on Discovery Channel!
Superb image and story... Thank you for sharing the moment!
lesaint (41 months ago | reply)
Oh, Woaw for they end of this years to choice this subject with this photo.
Happy Hollidays to you !!
... ? [deleted] (41 months ago | reply)
awesome and scary
Hellsgeriatric (41 months ago | reply)
A magnificent capture, Hennie! And, please, never say that nothing exciting ever happens to you (:-))).
ChristinaLEvans (41 months ago | reply)
Beautiful light effect.
mikel.hendriks (41 months ago | reply)
Wow what an story ... my own adrenaline level went up reading it.
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Seen on my Flickr home page. (?)
Judy & Paul (41 months ago | reply)
Oh! Took my breath away!
Judy
Rafael Montano (41 months ago | reply)
Great light. Brave capture...
munna-shiv nagar (41 months ago | reply)
Wow ! EXCELLENT WORK
H.B.Koch (41 months ago | reply)
Impressive capture of the lion
(I hope never to have such an encounter with a lion as you describe above. A reason for not visiting Africa, hmm)
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Rivendell♥Photography (41 months ago | reply)
What a gorgeous animal. Truly breathtaking! I've been waiting and waiting to see some of your shots from your holiday and both times have been so worth the wait. Thank you so much for taking the time to share the stories....truly amazing! Beautiful work here Hennie!
Gypsy Flores Photography (41 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Spectacular Animals (Invite Only) , and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Yikes. Be safe Hennie.
Heidi's_PaSSioNs ღ (41 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called ! EXoTic aNimALs !~ Award 2 * , and we'd love to have this added to the group!
THERE ARE NO WORDS !!!!! SCARRRRRY! YOU'RE SO BRAVE AND DEAN TOO!
MAGNIFICENT!!!!!!!!!!
Heidi's_PaSSioNs ღ (41 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called ! mANEs AnD feATHErS_uP cLOsE ! ~Aw 2*, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
baby7 (41 months ago | reply)
great work my friend
JKmedia (41 months ago | reply)
WoW. Awesome image. Well captured and presented.
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Seen on my Flickr home page. ( ?² )
Janice L (41 months ago | reply)
The photo alone gives me goose bumps but then add the story. Wow.
karthikv4u (41 months ago | reply)
Wow, how the hell was this pic taken? looking at this runs a chill down my spine .... absolutely magnificient!
kroywen68 (41 months ago | reply)
wow! i am speachless... great picture! happy new year!
lr3127 (41 months ago | reply)
such beauty we have in this world
Ga clicker (41 months ago | reply)
What an awesome image and story......
I really like your animal photo!
You are invited to post this photo to Spectacular Animals, invite only
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Please add the tag SpecAnimal to your photo
Please include a link to the photo when applying for group membership.
_ njphoto [deleted] (41 months ago | reply)
great shot and story hennie!
JuttaMK (41 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Tell me a story... (Show & Tell), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Wow!!! What a story, and what a shot! That should last you a while ;-)
You could never get this look in his eye in a zoo...Never
Seen in Born to be Wild
dragonflydreams88 (41 months ago | reply)
. . . . speechless!!!!
Aðalheiður Guðmundsdóttir (41 months ago | reply)
Beautifully captured, great light!
MyRidgebacks - Sharon C Johnson (41 months ago | reply)
so beautiful, my friend. I hope you had a good holiday.
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YOU ARE INVITED to post this great Photo to:
Wildlife Award Group - Post 1, Award 2
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SugarbearSteve (41 months ago | reply)
What a great way to spend the Holidays Hennie, and what an exciting encounter. It sounds like memories to last a lifetime..
gazraa (41 months ago | reply)
I think WOW just sums up the picture and the story. I can't wait until I get to go on a safari one day.
Steve Tracy Photography (41 months ago | reply)
Phenomenal as always, Hennie. What more can one say?
kaibara87 (41 months ago | reply)
oh this is just fantastic!! :O
dedayrace (41 months ago | reply)
Absolutely stunning image ! Thanks for the story behind the image.
AnyMotion (41 months ago | reply)
What a thilling story and fantastic capture, dear Hennie !!
Great Shot!
Please add this beautiful photo to :
"World Nature & Wildlife Closeup"
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