Baboon Mother and Child. A human observer doesn't have to strain to completely understand and relate to this loving moment between a mother and her young child. I see my own children in this moment, when they would stop their world of play for the reassurance of a loving cuddle.
#zimbabwe #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconseTrvation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #mammals #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #ethicalwildlifephotography #primates #savannah #baboons #Chacma

A Tender Moment Before Killing
This lion pair had just finished their "honeymoon" / mating cycle, and their "appetites" were clearly shifting toward food. They were beginning to take interest in the wildebeest and warthog around them, but still remained close and loving toward each other. #zimbabwe #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #ethicalwildlifephotography #predator #bigcat #bigcatsofafrica #lions #africanlions #Löwen #africansavannah #Zimbabwe #Africa #bigfive

All Zebras Here! Certainly no small and succulent impalas to be found. Predators who don't want to fight a big tough herd can just move along.
#Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #mammals #ethicalwildlifephotography #zebras #impala #herdanimals #mutualism #symbiosis

Does any other creature on earth match an elephant's joy at a watering hole? Who knew a moment to hydrate could be such an immersive, full body experience? #elephant #africanelephant #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #tierwelt #mammals #ethicalwildlifephotography

Frightened but Fierce Mother Baboon


A very large troop of over 100 baboons had come to a watering hole. They were disconcertingly humanlike. Parents were playing with kids, couples were lounging together, and young adults were flirting to various degrees of success. The gathering seemed jubilant and I was enthralled watching.

Suddenly, two terrified screams rang out: a large baboon was chasing and attacking this mother in an attempt to kill her suckling baby. Male baboons who join a troop may seek higher status by mating with a powerful baboon’s partner, usurping that baboon’s position. Killing the baby stops the mother's lactation cycle and ovulation can begin.

Each of the male’s vicious attacks met with ferocious response from the mom, shrieks from the baby, and some tenuous backup from other males, who seemed to want to help but were unsure of what to do. I assume that baboons have politics too, and fighting a high status male may not be the way to go. In this way, they were disconcertingly human-like too.

The happy news is that when the troop finally moved on, mom and baby were alive and well. I’m still rooting for them from afar and hope the babe is doing okay!

Mama bears may be tough cookies, but don't ever mess with a mama baboon.
#zimbabwe #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #mammals #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #ethicalwildlifephotography #primates #savannah #baboons #Chacma

Lion, King of the Grassland
I'll agree that "King of the Jungle" is a silly misnomer since they don't live in one. But I'll anoint them King of the Savannah because, out of the zillions of species who share the African grasslands, lions are the only ones I saw relax. They aren't looking over their shoulder for the scarier animal to come along (unless it's an even stronger lion!).
#zimbabwe #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #mammals #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #ethicalwildlifephotography #predator #bigcat #bigcatsofafrica #lions #africanlions #Löwen #savannah

Spotted Hyena
I'm not sure why hyenas get such a bad rap. They're truly beautiful, no to mention multitalented- they can both hunt and scavenge well. As hunters they can easily kill an antelope or a wildebeest. As scavengers, they will clean up the whole animal, even the bones. They are affectionate and protective with their clanmates, are great communicators, and take great care of their babies. #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #mammals #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #ethicalwildlifephotography #hyenas #spottedhyenas #predator #scavenger

Old Elephant Bull Paying Respects at a Friend's Gravesite

This moment was among the most profoundly moving and memorable experiences of my life- yet it was so gentle, so quiet, had I been distracted I would have missed it.

The longer tale, if you are so inclined: I spent many days near a single watering hole on Hwange, Zimbabwe, where an elephant skeleton lay nearby. Many young elephant families passed through, without giving the bones much attention. But one day, an older bull elephant, walking slowly, stopped at the bones. His ears lowered and his trunk stooped in solemn reverence. He grazed the bones with his trunk and then massaged the skull for a very long time- elephants who mourn at the bones of their loved ones favour the skull, which I assume is more individual and recognizable. It was extremely hot, and other elephants, mothers with their babies and lone bulls- charged toward the watering hole, eager for a drink and a bath. The bull was surely hot and parched- but unrushed, every part of him connecting with the bones before him.

I asked a local, a former guide, if he knew who the elephant was who died. He was also an old bull, so old his last set of teeth had worn out completely, and he lived at the watering hole, soaking grasses to make them soft enough to eat. He died nearby of natural causes last year. This old bull, the visiting mourner, was very likely a good friend, maybe even a travelling companion.

There are detractors who say we can't know for certain that the behaviour at these boneyards really is mourning behaviour. I can't help but think that such detractors have never witnessed first hand the palpable emotions of a grieving elephant. #elephant #africanelephant #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #tierwelt #mammals #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #animalsareamazing

Baby Elephant at a Watering Hole
What little kid can resist splashing in the bath? That expression of exuberance and joy is so recognizable across species- seeing this little guy frolic made me nostalgic for my own kids' bath times.
#elephant #africanelephant #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #babyanimals #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #tierwelt #mammals