Lions have a three and a half month gestation period. Judging from all of the mating lions I saw during the two trips, in three to four months there should be a large number of new cubs in Samburu and in the Mara! I can hardly wait to be back in Samburu on our Feb 10-29,2009 safari to Kenya and Tanzania. Details here.

Mating Lions
Canon 1D Mark lll: Canon 100-400 IS
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner

After mating, the male often leaps off to avoid a blow from the female, who may spin around and attack him when his weight is removed from her.

The Moment After
Canon 1D Mark lll: Canon 100-400 IS
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner

Cub Games
Canon 1D Mark lll: Canon 100-400 IS
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner

On our Safaris we stay in first class luxury lodges and camps.
For information and photos of the lodges and accommodations click here.

Important Safari Information:

Our tours are limited to 18 people, including the leaders. We have only 3 passengers per 9 passenger vehicle giving us plenty of space for our photo equipment. We can photograph through windows on BOTH sides of the vehicle and also from the top, which pops up to create shade so you are protected from the hot, equatorial sun. Compared to other tours that pack the vans with up to eight people, this is a huge deal!

As we leave the lodges, the vehicles separate and spread out. This allows us to have six guides out looking for wildlife. They each have radios to let each other know what they find. This way no one misses out on seeing the wildlife and with six great guides, you can hardly believe all of the wildlife they find. Our guides are amazing!
 

Our safaris really are the trip of a lifetime! I can hardly believe how fortunate I was to have been born and grown up in East Africa. Now that I am able to take people with me and share what I know about photography along with my personal experiences of Africa, I am thrilled so many clients return and say to me "that was the best trip I have ever been on" or "thank you for the vacation of a lifetime! I want to go again in a year or two!"

Loving Lions
Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon 100-400 IS
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner   

Cute And Cuddly
Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon 100-400 IS
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner   

Cheetahs with cubs were always a huge hit! The cubs were so cute and playful that everyone loved watching and photographing them. We encountered this family late one afternoon in the Mara, and photographed them until the sun disappeared below the horizon. Early the next morning we were the first group to leave the lodge on our morning game drive. We headed back to see if the cheetah family was still in the same area. We found them early, just as the sun began coming up. It was a thrill photographing the  cheetah family in such beautiful light.

Cheetah Family
Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon EF 400  f/5.6 L USM
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner   

Life can be extremely difficult for cheetahs, but the cubs seemingly enjoy every minute. They run, chase and jump on each other without a care in the world. Life is fun!

Cheetah Cubs Playing
Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon EF 400  f/5.6 L USM
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner   

Mom, on the other hand, must be ever watchful for danger. Cheetahs are not fighters so lions, leopards and even hyenas are often serious threats to them. While scanning the plains for possible danger, mom is also on the lookout for any gazelle that would make a healthy meal for her family.

  Ever Vigilant Cheetah Mother
Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon EF 400  f/5.6 L USM + 1.4
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner   

It is the elusive leopard though, that is the most sought after of the big cats. Leopards are mainly nocturnal, so often during the day, they lay hidden in or under thick bushes, making them very difficult to find. After a good meal they will sometimes lay out on a large branch in a tree, high above the ground.  They need to stay safely away from lions because lions don't like competition for food and will try to kill leopards and their cubs given the opportunity.

Leopard Stalking An Impala
Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon 100-400 IS
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner   

Our African photo safaris are not limited only  to big game.  Birdlife is also spectacular. In many of the parks there are three to four hundred species of birds. 

Vulturine Guinea Fowl
Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon 100-400 IS
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner

I was photographing an elephant at close range, when this Lilac Breasted Roller landed on the stump between me and the elephant. A stroke of luck? Perhaps. Note the elephants trunk in the background.

Lilac Breasted Roller
Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon 400mm  5.6
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner

Lake Nakuru is famous for it's flamingo population. Over two million birds line the shores of the lake at many times of year. It is definitely something that one must see to comprehend!

Flamingo Mating Dance
Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon EF 400  f/5.6 L USM
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner

Art Show Season is still in full swing!
Click here to see if I will be at a show near you . I would love to have you stop by for a visit or come to see my latest work

Another Mara River crossing!
Check back in my next newsletter to see if the wildebeest or the crocodile won this one!

It appeared inevitable that the wildebeest would be caught and killed! The wildebeest was moving quickly so when the croc lunged at him it had misjudged its speed and missed him by inches. It was indeed a lucky day for the wildebeest!

Wildebeest and Crocodile
Canon 1D-Mark lll: Canon 400mm  5.6
Copyright 2008, Paul Renner

Africa is famous for spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Each day our morning game drive begins before sunrise. On our afternoon game drives, we return to the lodge just after sunset. This gives us the best opportunities to photograph this incredible beauty.

 

I hope you will consider joining me on an African Photo Safari in the future. It will be your trip of a lifetime! Why not next year?

For more information, prices and itineraries click here.

Enjoy each day,
Paul

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