Even though, I titled this post “The Young and Innocent” that doesn’t mean I think the older animals are not innocent. They are. When predators kill to eat that does not make them monsters. It makes them survivors.
I love all animals and to see a young antelope being torn to shreds does not thrill me. What I do enjoy is watching the natural behavior of both birds and mammals. I especially appreciate it when there is no human interaction. I love witnessing the miracle of birth for any species. I also enjoy seeing them nurse and care for their young. Hunting to feed their families is a necessity. I admit that the inevitable cycle of life can sometimes be brutal to watch but there are also times that it can warm your heart to the core.
This very young Topi photographed above still has remnants of its umbilical cord. The name Topi is Swahili, though I think it is spelled differently. These young Topis are basically helpless, against predators. About every big cat prey on them. The photo above shows how truly adorable and harmless they really are— they are the epitome of innocence. Their only defense against predators is their ability to blend into the grasses where they forage.
Often, you will see young fawns curled up in the grasses, left to sleep while their mother’s feed. I have watched an entire pride of lions walk right past a sleeping fawn not three yards from them. If it doesn’t wake up, it has a good chance of survival, once it moves it is an easy target and will be snatched up quickly.
This one was an easy target for this lioness. The adults are unable to help and just watch as they know there is nothing that can be done…so sad.
This young Elephant captured my heart. He was protected by the herd and placed in the center of a circle while it fed. The Elephants were very proud and caring of their newest baby boy.
Warthogs’ aka Pumbaa are also very much desired eating for many of the large cats. Their young are called piglets as they are part of the swine family. I refer to Pumbaas as the bacon of the Mara and their little ones-” bacon bits.” I know it may seem like a cruel nickname, but it is not meant to be cruel, just real. The adults are fierce and try their best to protect them, but I have photographed a lot of Leopards with these piglets in their mouths.
I actually had a chance to touch a piglet in Namibia. One of the places we stay at there was an orphan piglet on the premises that the owner was caring for... it was so cute. The skin is softer than I expected and full of small hairs.
Jackal kits playing
Jackal kits playing
Jackal kits are so playful and cute. There was a den near our camp with six young kits. We stopped a few times to photograph them in the early morning light as they romped around biting and jumping on each other. They looked and acted just like puppies.
The adults can be brutal. My vehicle watched as an adult Jackal sniffed out a Gazelle giving birth. Once the Jackal found the mother it chased her relentlessly as it tried to force the baby out of the terrified mother. The Gazelle had two legs of the baby already showing and did her best to ward off the hungry, persistent Jackal. In the end the Jackal left, and the light was so poor we couldn’t see any more. I hope she got away…
A young Giraffe sitting in the soft grasses, it looks so peaceful.
Lion cub, I was fortunate enough to get a full frame head shot of this adorable, curious lion cub as he approached our vehicle.
This young Cheetah caught this baby Gazelle within seconds. Cheetah use their long tales to help[ them maneuver at high speeds. Their “tear lines” actually help to cut down on glare.
This very young Cape Buffalo had trouble standing the day we saw him. Our guide said he was still very young. We watched as he nursed then sat in the grass to rest. He was so cute.