Nap time. Just like the cats that hang out in our homes, lions like to sleep: A lot, up to 20 hours a day. We came upon these females snoozing away in their amusing poses in Chobe National Park, Botswana. The whole pride was scattered out underneath the trees, including a large male.
My first interest in lions was brought about by a song whose opening lyrics are included in my heading. I was 10 and my 17 year-old sister had fallen in love with a navy man whose deployment had taken him off to the coast of Africa. I must have heard the song 50 times, or at least enough to burn it forever into my memory banks. I was a little young to fact-check Nancy, but that was okay, I loved the song. Actually lions do most of their hunting at night or during storms when their prey are more vulnerable. Also, not many live in the jungle. They prefer the more open savanna lands of eastern and southern Africa.
This was one of the males that was responsible for protecting the pride. We often hear how lionesses do most of the hunting and ‘bring home the bacon’ (warthog), to the king of the jungle. This is true, but one look at this male persuaded us that his life as protector was far from easy. Check out the large scar running down his side! He earned his food.The sun was going down when we came on the pride sleeping in the sand, obviously taking advantage of its warmth. There were at least 10 lions enjoying the last rays.There were two males with the pride. This one seemed to be saying, “Mind if I join you?” Note the female’s swishing tail. More cat language.Apparently the answer was yes.The setting sun lit up the lions’ eyes. Peggy and I were thinking, “These are kitties we do not want to disturb.”
Would you?
Female lions are excellent hunters. This photo suggests one of the reasons why. In addition to impressive teeth, they can run up to 50 miles per hour and weigh upwards to 350 pounds. We had just watched this lioness hunting. Her yawn suggested that perhaps it was nap time.Shortly after we took this photo, she made a brief dash after something we couldn’t see and she didn’t catch.Settling down (before the yawn), she was still on high alert.Checking in various directions…Which included eyeing us!We came across a lion that was working its way through a young elephant in Chobe. Malibu storks waited patiently for the lion to leave.Another lion invited herself to the meal…Check out the ears on the lion that had been enjoying its meal. If you have a cat, you know that means “I don’t think so.” A lightning fast paw may follow.So she stalked off past another safari vehicle that had also stopped to watch the action. Is that a hungry look she is focusing on the occupants?Which brings us to this magnificent fellow that I have already introduced in another post. He was about to give himself a bath. Note the size of his paws.Like any cat, it started with his tongue!First, he had to get his washcloth wet, i.e. lick his paws.He was quite thorough. And washed each side of his face. I thought this could have been titled: “Oh no, not another blog about me!” A close up…And then he washed the other side…Finally, he was ready for his portrait.
While we are on the post featuring big cats, I have one more:
We were driving down one of the roads through Chobe National Park when we came across these interesting tracks. Our guide explained that a leopard had killed an antelope (probably an impala) and dragged it across the road. The fact that there were no tire tracks over the trail suggested it was very recent. We stared into the bush to see if we could spot the leopard and its meal. No luck. In fact, we would be lucky to see a leopard on our trip at all, the guide noted.The next evening as we were heading out of the park, he got a call and told us he had a treat, not explaining what. It turned out that a leopard had been spotted. We found it quite striking.It didn’t seem particularly bothered by our presence, but it did roll over and face away from us…A final shot. Next post: The striking fish eagle and a visitor from our trip up the Nile a year ago, the Egyptian goose.
We couldn’t have asked for a better show, G. It’s on to Homestead and Florida City today. We will be glamping in the park at Flamingo on Tuesday-Thursday.
That first photo looks so much like Dixie Rose when she was taking her ease. I have a pile of photos of her in variations of that pose: cats are cats, for sure.
What’s that fuzzy thing hanging in front of the windshield in the other safari vehicle? Might it be a microphone for picking up sounds?
I’m so glad you got to see the leopard. That one brought a laugh, too — and a lot of memories. Do you remember the Brown twins — elderly women from San Francisco who always dressed alike? They were famous for their leopard skin coats and hats, among other things. I never see a leopard without thinking of them.
It might very well be. Do you think it was to record the sounds of nature? We heard some great ones along the way like elephants trumpeting and hippos booming! Also, it appears that the vehicle was enclosed. Ours was open air!
It was fun to see the parallels with cats, Linda.
I think you are right on the microphone. The windows on the vehicle appeared closed and that would have allowed them to be ‘one with nature.’
The twins came to San Francisco in 1973, Linda, but Herb Caen often mentioned them in his columns. I read Caen seemingly forever. Were you familiar with his column in the Chronicle? He started with the Sacramento Union.
I read Caen for years, even after I left SF. Those were the days of good columnists. We had one here in Texas who wrote for the Houston Post and then the Chronicle for well over fifty years — Leon Hale. He was so good that I bought a couple of his books. Homespun stuff, but great insights and history.
Homespun stuff is a good observation. Caen was always strong on human interest and observation. Art Hoppe was another columnist with the Chronicle that I read faithfully. I read both for years as well. It was like a different era.
My favourite photos from this set are those of the sprawled sleeping cats because they look so much like domestic cats. So silly and wonderful. I can see the appeal of sleeping on warm sand, too. You make such a good point about the male lions earning their keep, that I had not thought of. Being a warrior is tough and dangerous – just look at the face on the guy taking a bath. Wow. He has seen lots of skirmishes.
I was going to point out the old guy’s face but figured readers would come to their own conclusions, Crystal. Thanks. 🥹Is it fair to say a cat is a cat is a cat?
Oh, I’m so glad I backtracked to this post. Amazing shots! (I can tell your new camera is getting a workout). I especially loved the “cats” dozing in the sand. And the male giving himself a bath before having his portrait taken. So wonderful. And a treat to see the leopard. You and Peggy had an amazing trip. 🙂
The first thing I did after returning from our South African trip was to purchase your book The Bush Devil Ate Sam which I totally enjoyed. Now I’m enjoying reliving our trip of a life time.
Thanks Curt , your fellow South Africa traveler Gary Rickey
I would just like to say that I am a little jealous that you got to witness so many lions doing their wonderful lion thing – out in the open so you could clearly see them. Fabulous!
Alison
Wandering through Time and Place 
I love seeing these posts Curt even as I am green with envy. What a fabulous tour.
Every day was packed with wildlife, Ray. We loved it and realized just how lucky we were to be experiencing it.
Aren’t they magnificent!!
We couldn’t have asked for a better show, G. It’s on to Homestead and Florida City today. We will be glamping in the park at Flamingo on Tuesday-Thursday.
Hope you’re having good weather.
So far, G!
Wow, you sure had a great showing of lions + a leopard.
Especially the bath. Grin.
Wonderous.
Thanks, Cindy.
That first photo looks so much like Dixie Rose when she was taking her ease. I have a pile of photos of her in variations of that pose: cats are cats, for sure.
What’s that fuzzy thing hanging in front of the windshield in the other safari vehicle? Might it be a microphone for picking up sounds?
I’m so glad you got to see the leopard. That one brought a laugh, too — and a lot of memories. Do you remember the Brown twins — elderly women from San Francisco who always dressed alike? They were famous for their leopard skin coats and hats, among other things. I never see a leopard without thinking of them.
I had the same question about the thing on the vehicle. Looks like a microphone boom.
It might very well be. Do you think it was to record the sounds of nature? We heard some great ones along the way like elephants trumpeting and hippos booming! Also, it appears that the vehicle was enclosed. Ours was open air!
It was fun to see the parallels with cats, Linda.
I think you are right on the microphone. The windows on the vehicle appeared closed and that would have allowed them to be ‘one with nature.’
The twins came to San Francisco in 1973, Linda, but Herb Caen often mentioned them in his columns. I read Caen seemingly forever. Were you familiar with his column in the Chronicle? He started with the Sacramento Union.
I read Caen for years, even after I left SF. Those were the days of good columnists. We had one here in Texas who wrote for the Houston Post and then the Chronicle for well over fifty years — Leon Hale. He was so good that I bought a couple of his books. Homespun stuff, but great insights and history.
Homespun stuff is a good observation. Caen was always strong on human interest and observation. Art Hoppe was another columnist with the Chronicle that I read faithfully. I read both for years as well. It was like a different era.
My favourite photos from this set are those of the sprawled sleeping cats because they look so much like domestic cats. So silly and wonderful. I can see the appeal of sleeping on warm sand, too. You make such a good point about the male lions earning their keep, that I had not thought of. Being a warrior is tough and dangerous – just look at the face on the guy taking a bath. Wow. He has seen lots of skirmishes.
I was going to point out the old guy’s face but figured readers would come to their own conclusions, Crystal. Thanks. 🥹Is it fair to say a cat is a cat is a cat?
indeed
Oh the beasts are so proud and beautiful! I read this and sang the upper part in The Lion Sleeps Tonight! How marvelous your travels are! Thank you!
And thank you, Wendy. We have always loved wandering and with a particular focus on the natural world.
Oh, I’m so glad I backtracked to this post. Amazing shots! (I can tell your new camera is getting a workout). I especially loved the “cats” dozing in the sand. And the male giving himself a bath before having his portrait taken. So wonderful. And a treat to see the leopard. You and Peggy had an amazing trip. 🙂
Then I am glad you backtracked as well, D! The large cats were fascinating, and, from a distance, fun. It was a bucket list journey, for sure!
The first thing I did after returning from our South African trip was to purchase your book The Bush Devil Ate Sam which I totally enjoyed. Now I’m enjoying reliving our trip of a life time.
Thanks Curt , your fellow South Africa traveler Gary Rickey
Well thanks, Gary. Much appreciated! It was a great trip with good folks. The blogs will continue to roll out! Glad you enjoyed “The Bush Devil!”
I would just like to say that I am a little jealous that you got to witness so many lions doing their wonderful lion thing – out in the open so you could clearly see them. Fabulous!
Alison
Our guide knew where they were and would drive right up to where they were. 🙂 Fascinating! The camera did the rest. –Curt