Cute vs Cute: Part 2

In part two of the difficult choice showdown, we have, (said in the same ring side announcers voice) the challenger… tipping the scales at a massive 6 pounds flat, representing the flat rocks on the eastern bank of the Sand River… an adorable little leopard cub!

Now the two on one fight is not usually fair, but this little chap brings a few extra weeks experience to the table, aging comfortably at between six to eight weeks.

The little blighter was found completely by chance, while watching kudu feeding nearby the rocky den. The spotted fluff ball made a dash across the rocks, giving away the den site, and allowing us a unique photographic opportunity! When he realized he had been seen, he went for the tried and trusted, ‘stand still’ approach that leopards instinctively use. The near foolproof technique almost worked, but the human frontal lobe won the battle, and I managed to find him again.

Amazingly, he relaxed up to the vehicle almost immediately, and allowed for a good photo session. He moved cautiously around the large rocks for a while, and then very casually rested in some shade, right next to me!

So there we have it, the throw down has been…thrown down… Which ball of fluff takes the title of the cutest cub?

Leopard cub

Leopard cub

Leopard cub exploring

Leopard cub relaxing

Cute vs Cute: Part 1

Two sightings have produced one very difficult choice. Which one is actually the cutest?

In part one of this showdown, we have, (said in ring side announcers voice) weighing in at a combined weight of eight pounds two ounces, hailing from a rocky outcrop in the north of the reserve… two of the cutest little lion cubs I have ever seen!
I managed to get a glimpse of these little chaps at between three and four weeks old! Unbelievable luck!
It all started with a sighting of the female, moving through some pretty tall grass. When she moved through an open patch, a couple balls of fluff were scampering around her feet. I managed a few glimpses through the grass, but no pics were on offer.
Being a seasoned pro, (the mother of the cubs is the oldest female in her pride, at roughly sixteen years), she felt comfortable enough around the vehicle to move out onto the road – and where mom goes, the cubs will follow! This produced an amazing opportunity to get some shots!

They were full of energy, and seemed to be enjoying their first outing into the real world, and in a world where danger lies waiting around every corner, there is a certain freedom afforded to the cubs of the top of the food chain!

In part two, we will have a look at the challenger…

The proud mother

Lioness and cubs

Lion cub scampers through the grass

Lioness and cub emerge onto the road

Lion cubs

Lion cub

Lion cub

Lion cub

This is getting ridiculous!

I am running the risk of being called a liar – but it’s worth it to bring you a little friend I have affectionately named…number 4!

I have been going on over the last few months,(The good luck continues; It took a while to find it) about the seldom seen pangolin, and how lucky I have been to see them, but the rumours seem to be losing momentum, as a lifetime fourth popped up!
This is the first one I have seen at night, surprising, as they are mostly nocturnal, and gave me the chance to try using the spotlight to light the scaly subject up.
It was great to see him roll up into his defensive ball, then poke his head out just a bit, to see which direction was the safest, followed by a charge for the tall grass.
The greatest challenge, however, was not the lighting, nor trying to find the head, but trying not to loose yourself in the moment, and forget that the lions, leopards and hyaenas do not stop prowling through the night, because you want to photograph a pangolin!
With a little help, I managed to stay on the right side of trouble, and have added a few shots to the pangolin library that I am proud of.

Pangolin in defensive ball

Pangolins armour

Peeking Pangolin

Pangolin