I just returned home from Tanzania after a wonderful safari adventure. My group and I enjoyed many sightings including some four cat days (Serval Cat, Cheetah, Lion and Leopard). During our trip we visited Ngorongoro Carter, Ndutu and the Serengeti. Each area unique and with its own appeal. On one outing we watched as a pregnant lioness (that had eaten way too much) pant and moan near a small stream of water. We were so worried about her as she looked near death. Our guide assured us she had only overeaten, and she was not ready to die any minute. Of course, we only semi-believed him. The next day we watched as she playfully rolled over and started to walk around. Turns out our guide was right; it was just the big meal she had eaten in her condition <smile>.

We saw huge herds (in the millions) of Zebra and Wildebeest across the vast lands of the Serengeti. They dotted the landscape for as far as the eye could see. It was impressive. Just like what I saw on TV as a child while watching safari programs. I enjoyed photographing the Zebra one afternoon, as they were packed in very tightly and made for some interesting abstract shots. I also did some high-key Zebra shots that I liked.

I saw my first Eagle Owl and got a few pics I liked. I also had multiple chances photographing Lesser and Greater Flamingo in early morning light. One of our photo sessions included some time with a Leopard that had a kill in the tree, it was feeding on it as we rolled up. After about a half an hour we saw him climb down the tree as we all snapped away hoping to get the perfect shot. We saw another Leopard up a tree on a different day. Our guide told us (and produced the photo to confirm) that the large male Leopard we were watching had killed and eaten another Leopard in 2019; it was most likely a territorial dispute that led to the killing.

We saw large prides of Lions including my favorite “large maned” brothers that I photographed two years ago. On one of our sessions, we were treated to watching the largest of the two brothers as he found a mate hoping to pass on his genes. We photographed lions on the kopjes and up in the trees. This is something we don’t see very often in the Mara - lions up trees or on rocks. One of my favorite shots from the trip was this beautiful female (shown below) laying across a large branch all by herself.

It was a treat to see some Bat-eared Fox kits. One of the fox I photographed had a vampire/bat look to it that I liked. In addition to variety of species that we saw we had the chance to watch and photograph a successful Cheetah hunt. At first it seemed almost pointless to watch as a female Cheetah walked across the Serengeti with two of her young tagging along. They didn’t try to hide their presence they were right out in the open. They took the approach of sorting through the different herds looking for any young or injured animals along the way. Persistence paid off when the adult female chased and captured a young gazelle. Janice Rosner, who was in my vehicle that day caught one of the best shots of the capture, well done Janice!

Some of the group had what we fondly called Weaver Fever. They could not get enough of the weaver’s weaving their nest. There were so many weaver nests to photograph but the nest below caught my eye and I joined in on the Weaver Fever. I shot through some branches to create the ethereal look, I call it “Dream Weaver”. As much as I enjoyed watching the weavers build their nests, I had even more fun watching the baby baboons climb a tree and jump off over and over again. We captured them in mid-air as they plummeted to the ground. It was hysterical.

On our way back to camp we spotted a Cheetah with one small cub walking near the road. There was a dazzle of Zebra in the background and we watched as they kindly escorted the cheetah out of their area. They knew that a full-grown Cheetah wouldn’t try to go after a Zebra on her own and her cub would be of no help as he was slightly lame and he was also too small to be of any help. It was fun to watch and photograph.

Overall, it was a great adventure. I literally have thousands of images to sort. I am just too far behind in emails to work on images, so here are just a few to start with. The group was outstanding—one of the best, we all enjoyed each other’s company. I was sad to say goodbye to Tanzania once again, but I know that I will return in the future. Plans are underway for Donna Bourdon to lead a group there for me March 25th-April 3rd in 2023, March is a great time to visit Tanzania, it’s less crowded and it is still calving season and there are still huge herds around.

I have jut booked a Mara/Samburu trip for 2023 and a Mara/Amboseli trip for 2023. I have not had a chance to list them but if you are interested please contact me.

I have just updated my 2023 Workshop Schedule for those interested.