p.1 #1 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
How do you separate your emotions? Just weeks after having the privilege to photograph three of the smallest leopard cubs I've ever seen comes the news that it is unlikely they have survived. I now look at the photos in a completely different light(npi)...wondering what their lives might have been and trying to not to think about how their young lives might have ended. In the end, their survival was going to be iffy at best but when, in a few short weeks, jubilation turns to melancholy I can only be thankful for having having witnessed such a joyous sight.
"Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, A time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories; They're all that's left you"
Paul Simon's....Bookends
As a back story....we heard there may be a mom with a cub in a dry river bed as someone got a brief look the week before....we drove the river bed and my wife spotted the leopard and cub on some rocks....as we pulled to a vantage point about 60 to 70 yards away we saw her nursing her cub. And then a second one appeared and we were stoked but then a few seconds later a third appeared and joined its sibs. The whole sighting lasted 41 seconds...we were lucky to be able to spend about 15 minutes in very poor light with them the following day. The rules allow only a single vehicle viewing and for no more than 15 minutes and only while mom is around. So over the next couple of days they were only viewed a couple of times and then they were not seen. It is not uncommon for a mother leopard to have 2 cubs but 3 is very unusual. Survival of leopard cubs in general to independence is only about 25% so the odds were against them to begin with but hope sprung eternal.
This will more than likely end my series...thank you for all your support and interest.
p.1 #3 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
hnilsson wrote:
Tough news my friend. Has mom been seen?
Yes, mom has been seen and another female leopard was seen in the area of the den but it is unknown whether she was responsible for the cubs' apparent demise.
Eric
p.1 #4 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
What a gift to have observed this family, Eric. Tragic to think of those darlings not surviving, nature can be very cruel indeed. Thank you for sharing these, and those cubs will live on in your memories and in these gorgeous images.
p.1 #5 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
These are truly the images of a lifetime. Your photography is clear and sharp and tells the story of their young lives and their mother's love beyond any question.
As sad as the probably outcome may be, it is nature's way, whether you believe that a God set it all in motion or nature itself created the life process. So your quote and memories of this time and place are wonderfully unique and precious.......thanks to the humans that set this land aside and protected, and continue to protect, it.
Thanks very much for posting these images. They are wonderful.
p.1 #6 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
Wow Eric....these images are phenomenal...this must have been such an amazing short-lived experience. Thanks for the story and for sharing this beautiful family with us.
p.1 #7 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
You certainly were blessed to be able to be a witness to their short lives and to capture these magnificent shots. You have captured them so well.
Such a sweet and touching set.
p.1 #8 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
You took some great photos to have as good memories before the unfortunate news of there loss Eric. It's very hard to learn of your subject's passing, particularity when young and cute like this.
Even harder is the news of yet another mass murder this afternoon. I fell for all those effected.
p.1 #9 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
Wow... Eric truly amazing series and yet sad!!! Having bred horses for 15 years often with great joy comes sadness. As a friend once mentioned with life there is death.
p.1 #10 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
These images are superb! Getting a chance to see and photograph these creatures is a great experience. We know the prospects for survival a not good for most of the wildlife we see but you did a great job capturing some memorable images of these young leopards.
Your prior post indicated another female may have killed them. Is that common? I thought the main predators of leopard cubs are lions and male leopards that want to take over the mother.
p.1 #12 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
These are some truly great images, Eric. Sorry to hear of their fate. The bookends song from Simon and Garfunkel has always touched me, and seems very appropriate here. Thanks for sharing these wonderful images.
Keith W.
p.1 #13 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
dclark wrote:
These images are superb! Getting a chance to see and photograph these creatures is a great experience. We know the prospects for survival a not good for most of the wildlife we see but you did a great job capturing some memorable images of these young leopards.
Your prior post indicated another female may have killed them. Is that common? I thought the main predators of leopard cubs are lions and male leopards that want to take over the mother.
Dave
Thanks so much Dave. I agree that male leopards and lions are the main culprits with hyenas, baboons and even large eagles and snakes being responsible on occasion. It is less likely that a female would kill another's cubs but it is not unheard of....the idea was suggested by those at the reserve when they saw another female leopard near the den site a few days later.....it may just be coincidental however.
Eric
p.1 #14 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
"How do you separate your emotions?"
You don't.
I've learned to appreciate the fact that I have been imbued with compassion even though it makes life difficult sometimes. In the end, I'd rather have it than live without it.
p.1 #17 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
jfwoodman wrote:
What a gift to have observed this family, Eric. Tragic to think of those darlings not surviving, nature can be very cruel indeed. Thank you for sharing these, and those cubs will live on in your memories and in these gorgeous images.
Jim
Thanks Jim....yes, the excitement of seeing three wee cubs was overwhelming.
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Genes Home wrote:
These are truly the images of a lifetime. Your photography is clear and sharp and tells the story of their young lives and their mother's love beyond any question.
As sad as the probably outcome may be, it is nature's way, whether you believe that a God set it all in motion or nature itself created the life process. So your quote and memories of this time and place are wonderfully unique and precious.......thanks to the humans that set this land aside and protected, and continue to protect, it.
Thanks very much for posting these images. They are wonderful.
Sometimes I wonder if not knowing is better...ignorance is bliss
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arbitrage wrote:
Wow Eric....these images are phenomenal...this must have been such an amazing short-lived experience. Thanks for the story and for sharing this beautiful family with us.
YGMV
Geoff
Geoff, thank you...not only for your support on the forum but also for all your generosity in helping me going forward with these images.
p.1 #19 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
birdied wrote:
You certainly were blessed to be able to be a witness to their short lives and to capture these magnificent shots. You have captured them so well.
Such a sweet and touching set.
Birdie
Thanks Birdie...I do feel very fortunate even if the outcome seems to be less so for them.
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morris wrote:
You took some great photos to have as good memories before the unfortunate news of there loss Eric. It's very hard to learn of your subject's passing, particularity when young and cute like this.
Even harder is the news of yet another mass murder this afternoon. I fell for all those effected.
I hope we pass our midterms!
Morris
Thanks Morris...and yes, we must put all things in perspective....hate rears it's ugly head and there's nothing natural about that!
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charles.K wrote:
Wow... Eric truly amazing series and yet sad!!! Having bred horses for 15 years often with great joy comes sadness. As a friend once mentioned with life there is death.
You cat series are always superb!
Thanks so much Charles...we understand nature and its inherent dangers which doesn't make us feel any better but when we hear of loss of life of innocents it touches us in a different way.
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p.1 #20 · Mixed Emotions....My Africa finale (OMG!!...read my last post)
Kind of late to the "party" here but, Eric, your images and the story are very captivating. Thank you for sharing them regardless how it may have ended...
