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Lion and (if you look carefully) three cubs, gorging on a kill, an adult Wildebeest (aka White-Bearded Gnu), in Amboseli National Park, Kenya; late 1970s. Lions are majestic and powerful, but to me they frequently looked merely workmanlike and even grubby in the wild. In terms of beauty I think the spotted cats win it hands down, i.e. the Cheetah and, even more so, the Leopard. Outside Africa of course, the most fabulous cat of all is the Tiger, but to me the Leopard is a very close second.
Our approach to big cats was always in vehicles of course and was secure, despite occasional tales of Lions trying the get in through the open roof hatches of game viewing vehicles. Having made a kill and eaten, the big cats often spend a lot of time doing not much at all. Close approach was often possible in these circumstances, and I loved winding my window down and gazing deeply, on and on, into the depths of their amber eyes.
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FATman Photos 
What a treat! Of course, all the lionesses eat from their kill first 😉
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Undoubtedly!!! 😉 !!!!!!!
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It must have been quite an experience to see something like that. Did you see the actual “kill” or just the meal after?
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No, only the meal after, my friend, not the actual kill. But later on, when I worked as safari guide, I saw many kills – but never carried a camera! 🙂
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Powerful image… I love the expression here!
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Yes – maybe its an “I’m standing no nonsense!” expression – no one messes around with these pussy cats! While I was working on safaris, I remember hearing of a tourist who got out of a vehicle near to lions, thinking them asleep and docile, only to instantly meet her death.
I’m glad you like the picture, my friend – and all good wishes to you for your operation tomorrow, I hope very much that all goes well! Adrian 🙂
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Omg… So tragic!! Not wise to do what she did, but it’s so sad and unnecessary.
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Oh… One more thing; thank you for thinking of me. Big hug!
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Yes, you take good care of yourself. Be calm, remember the treatment is inevitable, take it in your stride – I’ll be thinking of you. A 🙂
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To me these are the kind of images that take me to the edge mainly because of I don’t get to see this kind of nature to often. I love them eating there lunch and how they took the time to invite you. I hope you were polite and said thank you when lunch was over and offer to pay the check
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Haha! you don’t risk saying much to adult male lions like this one, they tend to be somewhat mean! Now the cubs are a different matter, but even they are not small.
The one Big Cat I might really talk to is a Cheetah, they would not attack people and have in fact been kept as domestic pets – one of my fantasies? … sitting in my armchair, with a Cheetah – impossibly regal and austere, and still as a statue – sitting by my right knee. Now there would be an after dinner conversation piece! 🙂
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