Sometimes leopards just walk and they are quite beautiful....but when they walk with purpose they take on an altogether different appearance. We followed this young female for a few hours in the morning through some harrowing adventures with baboons. Leopards and baboons are mortal enemies and their interactions vary based on time of day. In the daylight, leopards are quite nervous when baboons are around...male baboons have canines larger than a leopard's and will harass and possibly kill them. At night however, the leopard's far superior night vision turns the tables....they hunt baboons...I can see why a baboon might get pissed off!
It took awhile, but she successfully avoided them as she went on her morning rounds....and right past us.
It is good to be back it touch!
Eric http://eyelaser.smugmug.com/Nature/Botswana-2012/i-9tNtw4J/0/X2/BOTX0661ChitabeLeopard-X2.jpg
Beautiful...I really enjoy these type of shots that show more of their day to day life, and the extra info provided is just an added bonus...thank you.
A gorgeous image, Eric.
And thanks for the narrative explaining a few aspects about the relationship between leopards and baboons.
I never saw a wild leopard, but while in Serengeti National Park, and camping on the ground in an unprotected area, we had a small troop of baboons that lived in the area- and hung around camp every day. The male looked to be about 60-70 pounds, had a head almost the size of a human, and shoulder and arm muscles that made me suspect him of using steroids. AND he had huge canines. He was a scary dude.
Charlie
Great to have you back in touch Eric.
I so appreciate the stories you tell with your images... your words always add even more interest to the image... very compelling, very well done.
