p.1 #1 · The wonderful Kafue NP and my first Zambian Cheetah since 1993!
I recently returned from a magical time in Zambia's beautiful Kafue Nat Park, first @ Busanga Plains, (often called Serengeti's cousin) and Musekese, further south.
A few highlights were seeing a Serval mum with her 2 kittens, Wild Dogs and their 10 pups, a Leopard mum & her 2 young cubs and finding Cheetah again in Zambia after a long wait of 33 yrs, since I first came to Kafue in the dark days of 1993 when poaching was rampant.
I fly out again for South Luangwa today for 21 nights, during my fav time of the year, late OCT into NOV for the build up to the wet season, with new life about to begin and majestic storms with lightening against glorious animalscapes!
Catch up in 4 weeks.
Looking for love in all the wrong places!
A male leopard is on the trail of a female after hearing her calls just moments ago.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z400TC f/2.8
f/4
1/1600s
ISO500
A long time between drinks!
Finding my first Zambian Cheetah since 1993 with the extra bonus being 3 bros! :love:
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z400TC f/2.8
f/5.6
1/500s
ISO2000@ 560mm
Early morning thirst quencher.
A pair of females from the Papyrus pride with 2 of their 8 young cubs.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z400TC f/2.8
f/5.6
1/1600s
ISO2000
Early morning on the wetlands of Busanga Plains.
The misty fog had nearly cleared to reveal the beautiful wetlands of the Busanga Plains with large pods of Hippo and bountiful bird life.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z70-200 VRII f/2.8
f/5.6
1/1600s
ISO1600
Feeding time!
An adult from the Lengwe Wild Dog pack is about to regurgitate some food for their 10 x 10 wk old pups.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z400TC f/2.8
f/5.6
1/2000s
ISO1800
Serval kitten playtime!
My guide Lexson & I found this family before Sunrise spot lighting 3 pairs of eyes, deep in the tall yellow grass.
Without the aid of lighting, one would have zero chance of ever finding this family trio! o_O
It's a very rare treat to not only find a pair of Serval kittens but having mum right there with them has happened just one other time in my 56 trips over 45 yrs visiting East/Southern Africa.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z400TC f/2.8
f/2.8
1/500s
ISO2000
A 14 wk old male Leopard cub poses for me after feasting on an Impala his mother *MSF5 had taken down the day before.
Having the father *MSM10 right close by was also a special treat as you rarely find the father near his cubs especially with mum present.
*MSF & MSM (MusekeseFemale & MusekeseMale) represent the research names in numbered sequence.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z400TC f/2.8
f/4
1/1600s
ISO1400
On the hunt
Three females from the Papyrus pride set off @ sunset to begin their hunting session. With 8 young cubs to feed, they need to keep that "milkbar" on tap!
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z400TC f/2.8
f/5.6
1/800s
ISO3200
A young male Sable w/forward facing dagger-like horn. Fortunately it did not block his left eye.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z400TC f/2.8
f/5.6
1/1600s
ISO500
"Bazooka" a magnifcent now 16 yr old senior citizen male Leopard that is legendary around Musekese.
Not the sunken eyes, generally a sign that he's in his final year.
Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z400TC f/2.8
f/4
1/1600s
ISO280
2 Lioness mothers from the Papyrus pride with 8 young cubs between them!
since I first came to Kafue in the dark days of 1993 when poaching was rampant.
