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Archive 2023 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

eyelaser
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

A couple of weeks ago I returned from an extraordinary short safari to Kenya. There was one animal and one alone that I was hoping to see and photograph. Since I was a child I had hoped to see and photograph a melanistic leopard. I had seen the marvelous images taken in southern India and thought that is where I needed to go. But, about 2 months ago I was approached to join two other photographers and go to Kenya where a female black leopard they call Giza (means Shadow in the native language) was being seen. I hesitated for about a minute before signing on.
She had been seen mostly at night but was starting to make early morning and late afternoon appearances.
My first sighting of her was at night...it was magical...it got better from there. Hope you enjoy.
Eric

1 Tail up...notice to everyone that I'm not hunting
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-BhNzssQ/0/99922e3e/X2/i-BhNzssQ-X2.jpg

2
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-67m9h8Z/0/a321837a/X2/i-67m9h8Z-X2.jpg

3 Against a thorn tree
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-P2rgDV4/0/5997487f/X2/i-P2rgDV4-X2.jpg

4 In her habitat
https://photos.smugmug.com/Black-Leopard/i-WTn3HKh/0/2e11a31b/X3/A1A01790gizahabitatpixlrA-X3.jpg

5 Her mother...a regular colored leopard that carries the gene for melanism
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-jVftb7P/0/111b1232/X2/i-jVftb7P-X2.jpg

6 Giza on point
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-QJt4bm7/0/0aa9918b/X2/i-QJt4bm7-X2.jpg

7 On the move
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-g38nB44/0/e68cde9a/X2/i-g38nB44-X2.jpg

8 A young male leopard, possibly a brother from another litter that regularly stole her kills
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-rbBvJFJ/0/990dfbb1/X2/i-rbBvJFJ-X2.jpg

9 She was an incredible huntress...we saw 4 kills in five nights
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7ZTQTSb/0/5704926d/X2/i-7ZTQTSb-X2.jpg

10 Her favorite prey are dik-dik which is about a 10 lbs antelope
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-KKpLdd6/0/a459ae78/X2/i-KKpLdd6-X2.jpg

11 Late afternoon drink in a puddle from the dried up river
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-QKKLjpS/0/f6d50c7e/X3/i-QKKLjpS-X3.jpg

12 On the rocks...still, she's pretty neat
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-WwhrtV3/0/8c513991/X3/i-WwhrtV3-X3.jpg

13 Those eyes....with the sand bank behind
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-ncRbWMZ/0/5ac20b94/X3/i-ncRbWMZ-X3.jpg

14 Finale
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-rCpVfTV/0/bc8ea913/X3/i-rCpVfTV-X3.jpg

Feb 24, 2023 at 10:50 PM

Karl Witt
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

Sooo happy for you my friend that you shared this encounter. Really awesome of those who invited you to join them as well. The markings in the black are special, I have not seen them like this before. Masterful work in the extreme variances in light and lack of it, these look great Eric.
Your Holy Grail has been delivered

Impressive, each and every one of them ....
Karl

YGMV ..... where is the VOTE button on your thread??

Edited on Feb 24, 2023 at 11:20 PM · View previous versions

Feb 24, 2023 at 11:11 PM

Nisha
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

WOW!!! A dream ❤️ Magical collection, this is AWESOME 😍

Feb 24, 2023 at 11:15 PM

dclark
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

Wow!! Superb.
You not only saw her, you got some great shots.
Those eyes against her black fur seem to glow.

Dave

Feb 24, 2023 at 11:22 PM

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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

That is just nuts. As if you weren't the big cat master already, and now you do this. Congrats and thanks for sharing.

Feb 25, 2023 at 12:33 AM

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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

Not often does one get the joy of realizing their dreams . I can only image how wonderful it was. So happy for you.
These shots are amazing . She certainly provided some great moments for you. So well done Eric, congratulations!!

Birdie

Feb 25, 2023 at 12:57 AM

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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

Eric what a lucky guy to see this beautiful cat, but you sure delivered some great images. You sure had great guides to get that close so often to a very rare cat. The crowds that would follow such a cat must be huge when word gets out. The eyes are magical. I hope that last shot is a big print on your wall. A beautiful low look coming right towards you beautifully exposed with just the right amount of light.

Dave

Feb 25, 2023 at 07:35 AM

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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

After reading the description I started to view your wonderful images Eric. The first amazed me with the wonderful background and the clear Leppard pattern coming through. The the second and those eyes! The rest are just as good showing the habitat and behavior. Fantastic photography and documentary work my friend.

Morris

Feb 25, 2023 at 08:36 AM

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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

Congratulations !! Incredibly cool shots ! I don't think I have ever seen shots of a black one before. I can only imagine what great memories were made from that trip.

John

Feb 25, 2023 at 08:45 AM

Al Trujillo
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

I bet your face hurt for weeks after smiling so much at this encounter! What an experience that must have been!! Thank you for sharing these wonderful images of such an incredible creature!

Feb 25, 2023 at 09:01 AM

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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

Wow ! What a sight ! I can't even imagine the rush that must have brought. Congratulations !
Gary

Feb 25, 2023 at 09:12 AM

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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

Insanely awesome, what else is left say after all the other comments?
YGMV

Feb 25, 2023 at 09:48 AM

G.E. Smith
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

Eric - These are incredible. Congratulations on getting your Holy Grail. Loved every image, but the last one is over the top. What an intense stare and those eyes. Great, great job.

Greg

Feb 25, 2023 at 09:55 AM

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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

unbelievable images. you must be so proud. voted!

Feb 25, 2023 at 10:05 AM

Genes Home
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

What a gorgeous girl!

and your photos are simply outstanding. Great job, and super decision to grab the trip on no notice.

Feb 25, 2023 at 10:46 AM

Bobg657
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

What an incredible group of sightings Eric, especially love the night drive shot with the dik dik! Voted!

Bob

Feb 25, 2023 at 11:02 AM

Tom In Arizona
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

Hi Eric...

Such a great series of photographs to showcase this elegant cat. Childhood dreams can certainly come true. Congratulations, and let us know (better yet, show us) what else you've been thinking about since you were a child.

Tom

Feb 25, 2023 at 11:39 AM

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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

Eric, these are absolutely incredible on all accounts, and your dream come true to boot. I echo what Morris said regarding your exposure and post processing for the underlying coat pattern. Perfectly done! YGMV.
All I can say is congratulations on a lifetime memory accomplished so perfectly!

Mary

Feb 25, 2023 at 12:55 PM

Lil Judd
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

Congratulations Eric

So very happy for you to get this opportunity

The shots are wonderful of the beautiful Giza and her mother & brother.

What an experience. I loved all of them

Lil

Feb 25, 2023 at 12:58 PM

eyelaser
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · My Holy Grail...The Black Leopard

Karl Witt wrote:

Impressive, each and every one of them ....
Karl

YGMV ..... where is the VOTE button on your thread??
Thanks Karl...the photography is tough for mirrorless unless her eye was visible....low contrast fur makes it very difficult to get accurate focus. Glad you liked them.
---------------------------------------------

Nisha wrote:
WOW!!! A dream ❤️ Magical collection, this is AWESOME 😍
Thanks Nisha, still smiling

---------------------------------------------

dclark wrote:
Wow!! Superb.
You not only saw her, you got some great shots.
Those eyes against her black fur seem to glow.

Dave

Thanks Dave...and yes, they glow and in person they are truly mesmerizing.
---------------------------------------------

vbnut wrote:
That is just nuts. As if you weren't the big cat master already, and now you do this. Congrats and thanks for sharing.
Many thanks....to have this opportunity was amazing. One never knows how long this cat will still be around so I (and our guide) was very worried up until the moment we actually got to see her.
---------------------------------------------

birdied wrote:
Not often does one get the joy of realizing their dreams . I can only image how wonderful it was. So happy for you.
These shots are amazing . She certainly provided some great moments for you. So well done Eric, congratulations!!

Birdie

Thanks Birdie...I could not imaged how I was going to feel once I actually saw her. Goosebumps and many head shakes at our great fortune.
Eric

Feb 25, 2023 at 02:00 PM

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