Hunting leopard

[davidedric]

We were out on safari when we noticed that the puku (an antelope) were all staring one way. So we headed over to a gully and found ourselves almost right above this gal. Unfortunately, she was headed towards us and I didn't have time to change focus mode, so not really sharp. Still, you don't often get above a leopard.





We followed it a little way, but then the baboons spotted her. No chance of a surprise ambush now, so it's a stretch and off for a siesta.

[Brownbear]

She/He is beautiful and you captured her/his eyes magnificently. Thank you for sharing.

[chauncey]

C'mon Dave...get down to eye level.

[davidedric]

C'mon Dave...get down to eye level

What, like this...................

[jprzybyla]

Nice ones Dave....

[Tom Barry]

Wow! What an experience - and thanks to you, we get to share it. Thanks for posting these.

[chauncey]

Yeah...exactly like that. Great shot!

[Brownbear]

Wow!

[Kaye Leggett]

Oh wow - I'd be proud of this one. Who says lions are the king- leopards win hands down for me as you have shown us.

[Manfred M]

Dave- you've had a great experience and unless you have spent time out in one of the African National Parks, people have no idea as to how rare an occurence you have experienced and how fortunate you were to spot a leopard in the wild. It's great that you were able to come back with these beautiful images.

We went through something similar when we were in Etosha a couple of years ago; seeing a leopard stalking antelope was the highlight of our stay there. The two of us were out by ourselves in a small truck, so our view was completely different than yours.

[davidedric]

Thanks for your comments. There are two different leopards here (the stalker and the up close). You can tell by the spot pattern around their noses.
Dave

[Mike Buckley]

Before I tell you how great the last photo is (Oops! I think I just did that.), I wanna see the photo that you are displaying on the left side of your posts.

To speak to the point Manfred made about the rarity of seeing a leopard while on safari, our guide in the Madikwe Game Reserve, which is in South Africa, told me that he sees a leopard about once each month and only for two to five minutes each time. My understanding is that leopard sightings are not nearly so rare in South Africa's Sabi Sand Game Reserve and that spending a week there almost ensures that you will see at least one. I've been told that that's one reason the prices are so high for the lodges that are located in that reserve.

[davidedric]

To speak to the point Manfred made about the rarity of seeing a leopard while on safari

Interesting points. We were in the Nsefu sector of the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. It's a fairly small area, maybe 500 sq. k. and on the opposite bank of the river from the main park. There are only three small lodges so never more than eight or so vehicles out there.

Zambia is one of the countries that permits night drives, so although leopard sightings were not every day, they were by no means uncommon (leopards, like most cats except cheetah, hunt in darkness). However, on this trip we were regularly seeing leopards during the day, so we asked if they were becoming more common. The guides thought possibly, but they were certainly becoming more visible.

Why this long ramble. Well, when we were there, there were no fewer than three film crews filming leopards, and staying out all night to do so. So it seems likely that the leopards behaviour is being changed by human activity - and that can't be a good thing. I'm sure it brings in good money for the Zambian park authorities, and in the short term offers good photo opportunities, but I worry about the longer term consequences.