07, Cheetah antics and sunset Lions – Africa live 2013

Greetings!

Well today’s post  features the rewards from following a Cheetah mother with her two cheeky cubs for a long (long, hot!)  time.

After several failed hunting attempts, they rested under a tree that we knew the cubs wouldn’t be able to resist playing in. Low and behold they had a great time! I love how the cubs have no worries about getting into the tree, but have to think twice about coming down!!

A lovely set I think and some very big smiles in the vehicles as both of my 4×4 groups were there to see it!

Elephants are a big favorite of everyone’s as they are always up to something. For some reason I always have trouble photographing them from an inspiration/composition point of view. This time I decided to try a few abstract shots of their amazing details!

Interesting huh!?! Their skin is alive with detail and often missed with the portraits shots we al tend to lean towards. This lot were very relaxed around us and kept on grazing as they walked all around us. Bliss!!

We also had a great few moments with some 2 week old Lion cubs. The opportunities for photos were almost zilch as they were well hidden and we wouldn’t dare attempt to disturb them in any way if that’s what the mum wants. Shortly after we headed to the rest of the Pride nearby for some into the sun backlit attempts. Russ and myself particularly trying out some bracketing options to cope with the huge contrast in light..

Lastly here is a bracketed shot from our sunset with the lions. Very, very quickly merged in Lightroom (with the simple but effective enfuse plugin). I think this will need some more careful processing before it is finished but the lions were great, the sunset was great and shooting into it all offered up some challenges and rewards!

I heard Russ here in the other vehicle setting off the bracketing, looking forward to seeing the results!

Once again, thank you all so much for stopping by I hope you are enjoying the blog. Please, please do simply drop me a line on Facebook or twitter if you like as I love getting your messages and it spurs me on, questions on any aspect of the trip welcome too! Good to know there are people out there 🙂

20 mins rest before preparing for the afternoon drive with David and Marilyn. If it is as good as this morning we are in for a real treat!

Rich.