This image was shot during a magical sunrise safari tour in Etosha National Park in Namibia. It started at about 5:30am when it was cold and pitch-dark (it is winter down there), and we could not see anything around us for a long time. I started quietly cursing myself for deciding to take this guided safari tour and not sleep in and then do a self-driving tour like the day before when we saw plenty of wildlife in broad daylight. But then we finally reached a waterhole, and - BAM! - saw a huge male lion... and all complaints and doubts flew out of the window (there were no windows on this safari jeep anyhow). The sun has not quite risen yet, but we could already see quite well, so we sat quietly and watched in awe (and shot, of course) this magnificent creature as he drank for a long while, and then finally got up and left with grace and gravitas as only true royals can do. At that point we thought the show was over, but our driver/guide knew better. He told us we had to wait, and indeed, in a few more minutes he pointed us in some direction and said another lion was coming. We could not see anything at first, but when I scanned the bush with my 100-400mm “monster” lens (it is not that big but it is 200-800mm full-frame equivalent!), I indeed saw something moving near the horizon. How our guy could see her (it was her, as we learned soon) with his naked eyes I have no idea.... In a few minutes the lioness came closer and we discovered that she was not alone, but with three adorable cubs! Yay! The group slowly made their way right at us (we were parked near the waterhole, remember?). And as on a cue, the sun finally got up above the distant hills and provided a wonderful warm contre-jour lighting. It could not possible get any better than that! I don't know how much time this magical scene lasted, the time stopped for us. I don't know how many photos I took... maybe a thousand? I just know that this is a scene I will never forget.
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Favourite from this FS. What an fabulous experience. I have found those early morning starts always to be worthwhile. I look forward to seeing more of the thousands you took. This for me was far and away the best in this FS.
just to see this scene and be so close would be a magic experience .. to be able to photograph it would take that experience into the stratosphere .. its perfect .. :)
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