One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Mas...
p.1 #1One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Congratulations to kdacharya for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 6 votes - View Previous Winners
Hi All,
Early November my friend called me to say that there was an open space in his group for Laikipia, Kenya, the home of the famous black leopard and if I was interested, I could join. I immediately confirmed, however, since I was going to go to Kenya, I also added a few days in Masai Mara, where I got amazing light. I also was able to get close and personal with the last 2 Northern white rhinos in the world, that are alive, which will be the subject of another post.
as usual comments, critiques are welcome
© kdacharya 2025
1 - Giza's hynotic gaze
© kdacharya 2025
2 - giza approaching
© kdacharya 2025
3- Masai Mara sunset - reminded me of The Lion King
© kdacharya 2025
4- now here's the lion king
© kdacharya 2025
5- Giza's kill stolen by her cub, Zawadi
© kdacharya 2025
6- Vulturine guineafowl
© kdacharya 2025
7 - leopard on a tree, giving me the look
8 - amazing Mara golden light reflected by the grassland, with the lionesses preparing to hunt
© kdacharya 2025
9- Black on Black
© kdacharya 2025
10- black and white, no pun intended
© kdacharya 2025
11- Greater blue-eared starling
© kdacharya 2025
12- Rhino in the sunset. He was a testy guy, but the sighting was unique with nobody around, except my guide and I
Edited on Dec 26, 2025 at 09:04 PM · View previous versions
Dec 21, 2025 at 11:19 PM
p.1 #2One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
a few more
13- 4 bat-eared fox kits. a first for me
14- antelope in golden light pursued by flies...
15 subadult giraffes at sunset
16- how close would you like to get? Giza's asking me.
17 - black and brown
18 - crouching lion hidden jackal.
Edited on Dec 22, 2025 at 08:54 PM · View previous versions
13- 4 bat-eared fox kits. a first for me
14- antelope in golden light pursued by flies...
15 subadult giraffes at sunset
16- how close would you like to get? Giza's asking me.
17 - black and brown
18 - crouching lion hidden jackal.
Edited on Dec 22, 2025 at 08:54 PM · View previous versions
Dec 21, 2025 at 11:20 PM
p.1 #3One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Seriously, this is next-level stuff! 🔥 The light is unreal, and those moments are just incredible – especially that black leopard series and the Mara golden hour shots. Great job capturing those! 👏
Dec 22, 2025 at 03:10 AM
p.1 #4One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Stunning photography, beautifully done.
John
John
Dec 22, 2025 at 04:59 AM
p.1 #5One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Beyond National Geographic 
Dec 22, 2025 at 04:59 AM
p.1 #6One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Congrats and an overall enticing set, KD!
Douglas
Douglas
Dec 22, 2025 at 06:35 AM
p.1 #7One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Wonderful images KD. There are so many jaw droppers that's it's hard to call out the best.
Happy Holidays,
Morris
Happy Holidays,
Morris
Dec 22, 2025 at 06:50 AM
p.1 #8One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Incredible sets.
Dec 22, 2025 at 07:09 AM
p.1 #9One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Thanks so much
It was one of my most rewarding experiences
xManticore wrote:
Seriously, this is next-level stuff! 🔥 The light is unreal, and those moments are just incredible – especially that black leopard series and the Mara golden hour shots. Great job capturing those! 👏
It was one of my most rewarding experiences
xManticore wrote:
Seriously, this is next-level stuff! 🔥 The light is unreal, and those moments are just incredible – especially that black leopard series and the Mara golden hour shots. Great job capturing those! 👏
Dec 22, 2025 at 07:24 AM
p.1 #10One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Exceptional series KD sir. I was going to say I like 2,3,5, 7, but then the list was going on and on... Lovely set!!!!
Dec 22, 2025 at 07:31 AM
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p.1 #11One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Thank John
Appreciate it
johnohio wrote:
Stunning photography, beautifully done.
John
Appreciate it
johnohio wrote:
Stunning photography, beautifully done.
John
Dec 22, 2025 at 08:30 AM
p.1 #12One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Dragonfire wrote:
Beyond National Geographic
thanks so much. it was a trip of a lifetime
Beyond National Geographic
thanks so much. it was a trip of a lifetime
Dec 22, 2025 at 10:33 AM
p.1 #13One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
A very productive trip with an excellent set of images to show for it.
Dec 22, 2025 at 01:10 PM
p.1 #14One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Well KD, these are just great, I think I was probably there about the same time as you (12/1-12/10?)
Happy holidays!
Bob
Happy holidays!
Bob
Dec 22, 2025 at 05:06 PM
p.1 #15One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
douter wrote:
Congrats and an overall enticing set, KD!
Douglas
thanks Douglas. the stars were lined up for this trip.
Congrats and an overall enticing set, KD!
Douglas
thanks Douglas. the stars were lined up for this trip.
Dec 22, 2025 at 08:01 PM
p.1 #16One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Words fail me !!!! Wow .
Birdie
Birdie
Dec 22, 2025 at 08:38 PM
p.1 #17One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Numerous wows for me here KD! What a spectacular outing you had, those black cats and spotted ones are eye candy my friend.
Some really nice use of the light here, some beautiful scenery as well. Gosh that Rhino shot is sweet
And with stiff competition the Blue Eared Starling photo is stunning!
Happy for you for these experiences, wishing you many many more this upcoming New Year!!
Karl
Some really nice use of the light here, some beautiful scenery as well. Gosh that Rhino shot is sweet
And with stiff competition the Blue Eared Starling photo is stunning!Happy for you for these experiences, wishing you many many more this upcoming New Year!!
Karl
Dec 22, 2025 at 09:23 PM
p.1 #18One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Stunning sets my friend !
happy holidays
Ronny
happy holidays
Ronny
Dec 22, 2025 at 11:05 PM
p.1 #19One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
morris wrote:
Wonderful images KD. There are so many jaw droppers that's it's hard to call out the best.
Happy Holidays,
Morris
thanks Morris. the light in Africa is something else
Wonderful images KD. There are so many jaw droppers that's it's hard to call out the best.
Happy Holidays,
Morris
thanks Morris. the light in Africa is something else
Dec 23, 2025 at 05:10 AM
p.1 #20One more item checked off the bucket list-Giza the black leopard and Masai Mara's amazing light.
Cracking set KD
Thank God sanity prevailed and Mpala (for a small fee) finally granted access.
Thank God sanity prevailed and Mpala (for a small fee) finally granted access.
Dec 23, 2025 at 06:13 AM