Green Season Botswana January 2016: Part Two - the Amazing Duba Plains; Leopards of Selinda and incredible scenic flight!

[SafariChick]

Yes that male was stunning in that light! And I loved the cubs in the prior post too!

[Marks]

Yes, that light sure is something. Masterful focus, too; he really stands out.

[madaboutcheetah]

As usual, you guys are much too kind!!! Thank You!!!

 

What can I say? Thank You, Vundi!

 

Next batch of images that I haven't edited yet - this male Lion took us to the pride that morning. He got up on the mound to see their whereabouts, I assume .......... Watch this space!

[marg]

@@madaboutcheetah...the males. Sons of the Skimmer male?

[madaboutcheetah]

@@marg - sorry, not sure ..........

[optig]

@@madaboutcheetah

 

I loved all of your photos, especially those of the cheetahs and the wild dog photos. I hope that you can recover slightly from your Botswana addiction and visit Kenya. I would love to meet you and swap safari tales with you.

[cheetah80]

What beautiful light on those lions! Some really really great photos here - enjoying this very much

[optig]

I am looking forward to visit Zarafa in combination with Selinda Explorers Camp. Perhaps, I will be visiting in combination with other parks, Hwange National Park and South Luangwa National Park. Despite the terrible cost of helicopter safaris, I do realize that whether in the desert or the wilderness that one does often, it is great for the novelty and the fact that one gets superb photographs.

[madaboutcheetah]

My "Lion King" moment .........

[marg]

The helicopter transfer is complimentary if you spend at least six nights at Zarafa/ Selinda and Duba. At least that was how it started to be in 2013.

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks @@cheetah80 @@optig and @@marg

 

Yes, that still holds true ..... yet, if anyone wishes to book an additional scenic helicopter flight - I'd say do it from Duba. I did a morning flight as seen in the images up front.

[bettel]

Amazing photos, simply breathtaking! I can't even decide what my favorites are

[Tom Kellie]

~ @@madaboutcheetah

 

Your “Lion King” series — so amazingly gorgeous that it exceeds anything which might be written.

A very big THANKS for sharing it with us.

Simply beautiful!

Tom K.

[Alexander33]

Okay, who could resist that magnificent male lion patiently tolerating the little cub? The ninth shot from the top of the two of them snuggling is a real keeper!

[SafariChick]

Gosh, those photos of the male with the cub are amazing, so tender and sweet - wow!!

[TonyQ]

Beautiful photos of the lion with cubs - very touching

[Julian]

So many amazing photos - the leopards ( and cub) , the wild dogs, the lions, the aerial photos. What a fantastic experience your safari must have been.

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks a lot @@bettel @@Tom Kellie @@Alexander33 @@SafariChick @@TonyQ and @@Julian ..... You guys are too kind!

 

Sorry for the lack of updates - will get back to the editing later today ........

[Caracal]

@madaboutcheetah - greatly enjoyed this report with the stunning aerial photos at the start setting the scene and the atmosphere perfectly for all the superb photos following.

 

I hadn't realised that leopards can have 3 cubs - until now I had always thought it was generally 1 but occasionally 2.

 

One of many special sightings so beautifully captured.

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks @@Caracal -

 

Today's feature - back to the Tsaro Pride (contd from the same sighting)

[madaboutcheetah]

Beautiful Duba .........

[michael-ibk]

You always have fantastic pics, Hari,but these Green Season ones are just delightful! Absolutely outstanding Lion pictures especially, from tender to gory. Aweseome!

[CaroleE]

@@madaboutcheetah

 

Great aerials! Loved the tree island with the water courses running from it. I was initially thinking wow they were flying low, then on further reading found you were in a heli.

 

Truly beautiful light in the lion shots in post #75. And the male and the cub series is just wonderful!

 

Fantastic trip report (part 1 and 2!) Stunning images as always.

Edited February 28, 2016 by CaroleE

[CaroleE]

 

I must say I'm happy folks on ST have come to terms with helicopter safaris. I recall when I went to Duba and mentioned we were going to use a helicopter to see game from the air, there was a surprising amount of pushback on disturbing animals. Just 4 years ago!

 

~ @@AKR1

 

Helicopter safaris are a concept which I'd never heard of until last week. That reflects how much more I have to learn.

Accordingly, I have no feelings about them, one way or another, as I've never reflected on them.

Following is how I came to learn that helicopter safaris exist.

While staying at Porini Lion last week, in Kenya's Olare Motorogi Conservancy adjacent to Masai Mara National Reserve, there was a self-described “highly professional international wildlife photography guide”.

He was from the country where I presently work and live, traveling with his girlfriend and a single client, who he frequently described as being “the most famous female wildlife photographer in...”, naming the country where I live.

The young lady was the very high maintenance daughter of a mogul near Hong Kong, obsessed with near round-the-clock blogging and uploading of images to her many fans back home.

The “highly professional international wildlife photography guide” used flamboyant gestures and oft-repeated loud comments to make his points to all within earshot.

All of this I mention because he made sure that all other Porini Lion guests were aware that the three in his party had just come from Lake Bogoria where, as he put it: “We rented a luxury helicopter to shoot flamingoes flying. By telling the pilot to get in close, the flamingoes fly away so beautifully. Our photos are much superior (sic) to flamingo photos taken on the ground.”

The quote is taken from my safari notebook entry after hearing his brash comment.

Certainly Safaritalk members wouldn't provoke helicopter pilots to take such reckless and inconsiderate actions to disturb feeding flamingoes.

Nonetheless, when I read your comment I thought it might be worth mentioning this, as it was a jolting first encounter with the concept of helicopter safaris, reflecting that not all share the same consideration for wildlife which is the norm in Safaritalk.

Having written this, I should add that @@madaboutcheetah's aerial images are absolutely lovely!

As it happens, several past comments by @@madaboutcheetah about the strong points of the Olare Motorogi Conservancy had a powerfully persuasive effect on my sudden decision to throw together a visit to Porini Lion immediately after returning from Sabi Sands, South Africa.

Tom K.

 

 

 

Very interesting read Tom. Highlights the unfortunately true saying that ''money talks''.

 

Hoping that this 'professionsl' guide continues in the same vein and then gets banned from places. Had a conversation in Zambia last year with our guide/trip organiser (he really is a professional film maker and guide, unlike the idiot you met) who has the opposite approach. His opinion is If you are disturbing the wildlife or your behaviour will change the outcome of a situation you shouldn't be doing it. If you continue doing so then you risk, quite rightly, being banned from a park/reserve.

 

Here's hoping camp/reserve managers/owners take a longer term view and punish and do not encourage this type of behaviour rather than just opting for the short term montary gains. If they don't they risk quickly losing other visitors who find this behaviour unacceptable..

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks Michael and @@CaroleE

 

Michael, I thought the green season light was fantastic - We had to work hard for sightings, but, in the end a great trip as always Botswana Rocks!