p.1 #1 · Lioness V Mongoose, (500PF) plus a few more from Botswana.
Have been quite busy of late with trips as varied as Serengeti, Bavarian Alps, Swedish Lapland, and have just returned from Uganda and soon leave for a 3 week assignment to Ecuador- Galapagos/Amazon, but not complaining for one minute!
So I've grabbed a bit of time to process a late Sept trip before all these from my time spent in the NG12 concession in the Okavango Delta/Botswana whereby I had just a few days to prepare my newly purchased (Sept 23rd) Nikkor 500PF, on this trip the light weight prime proved an ideal combo for an encounter with 2 lionesses and a family of mongoose!
"Mongoose mayhem!"
I followed a pair of lionesses for over 3 hours knowing their preference for daylight hunting.
Thinking and hoping they were about to strike on a lone drinking Giraffe, however with lions being big curious cats, the pair got distracted by a family of Banded Mongoose that panicked attempting to scramble to safety with mongoose scattering here there and everywhere, she struck out at a separated mongoose striking a flattening blow, but somehow the fearless foe wrangled free managing a miraculous escape!
It was such a thrill to witness this rare and exciting David versus Goliath moment, that had a fortunate ending for all the family!
Being F/F I make no apologies for the cut tail and having the amazing lightweight 500PF in my lap enabled me to grab a 5/6 frame sequence, having a bigger, heavier prime, such as my 400/2.8E may not have seen me so fortunate to capture anything, as this sequence was all over in seconds.
Camera: Nikon D500
Lens: AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR
ISO: 360
Focal Length: 500.0 mm (750.0 mm in 35mm)
Aperture: f/6.3
Exposure Time: 1/2500s
The 2nd frame from this sequence missed focus here, but with 5 in 6 hitting the mark, I'll take it.
The lucky Mongoose escapes and darts off just out of frame.
"Predator on the mound"
A young male leopard uses a large termite mound to scan the evening plains for his favourite Reedbuck meal.
p.1 #3 · Lioness V Mongoose, (500PF) plus a few more from Botswana.
Hi Marc, great to hear from you! Your usual spectacular images posted, the mongoose encounter, tree hole leopard and sunset shot are really special, thanks for posting!
p.1 #13 · Lioness V Mongoose, (500PF) plus a few more from Botswana.
I'm new to FM Forums, but I have just seen couples and couples of stunning masterworks, and this does not disappoint at all. Quite the opposite. Keep the good job going
p.1 #18 · Lioness V Mongoose, (500PF) plus a few more from Botswana.
I’m jealous every time one of your posts pops up...this is no different. Seeing and photographing intransigence potentially unique behavior is always a thrill. And add to that gorgeous images of the more usual suspects make this a winner.
Eric
p.1 #19 · Lioness V Mongoose, (500PF) plus a few more from Botswana.
Great captures of great scenes. I must say I personally like "4 African Wild Dog (from the 11 pack) harass and "escort" a panicky hyena out of their area" - it is nice to see a hyena being chased out of town.
and having the amazing lightweight 500PF in my lap enabled me to grab a 5/6 frame sequence, having a bigger, heavier prime, such as my 400/2.8E may not have seen me so fortunate to capture anything, as this sequence was all over in seconds.
