For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Leopard in Kruger Park

Leopard are very hard to spot especially at this distance which is usual. See if you can find him first before going on.....
....there he is, having an afternoon nap.
For more information on them, please follow this link: Leopard
He was so far away, I am surprised that I managed to get any pictures to show you.
Gaelyn and I were happy to see this one on the first day in Kruger National Park. What luck!!

42 comments:

Philip said...

I tawt I saw a Puddytat you did you did, next to a cheetah this is my second favorite Big Cat great shots Joan :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Philip. Such a pity it was so far from the road and this was about the best I could do with my 300mm lens. At least you can see it is a leopard and not just a speck. LOL!! My favourite is the cheetah as well. :)

Diane said...

I see you have double listed this post. Comments on the other post. Diane

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

The leopard is my favorite animal. Quick and stealty but strong and magestic. I would love to see one in the wild like this.

Gaelyn said...

Oh how I remember that day! Your pics sure came out better than mine.

Tomorrow I'll have a ZA post.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joan: Wonderful captures, that is one animal I will never see in the wild. I did enjoy it at the wildlife park.

Anonymous said...

Jy't 'n goeie oog, Joan! Ek moes die eerste foto vergroot om die luiperd te sien!! Baie interessante info oor die luiperd op jou 'link'. ☺

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I dont know what happen there Diane!! I must have been drunk or something. LOL!! No, just kidding. I copied some articles over to Nature and did not remember to put it on Draft instead of Schedule. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You HAVE to go to Kruger for a week Jonker. I think the kids would love it just as much as you do and it is really worth driving all the way for.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I did have the advantage of a bit of a longer lens Gaelyn. :)

I look forward to your post.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Tom. So when are you and M coming over for a visit? :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Dankie Ida. Hulle is nie baie maaklik om te vind nie.Ek wou nie weer dieselfde in hierdie een insit nie. :)

Wendy said...

So cool! Now I have to look up this park, I'm quite curious, are the leopards wild?

Andrea said...

WoW!
I love them!
(Of course I didn't change the idea to meet you)

Craver Vii said...

That is so funny how cats can get comfortable enough to sleep anywhere... even in a tree!

Good eye; nice pics!

troutbirder said...

Magnificent creature. And beautiful. Nope I didn't spot him at all. Perhaps I've been looking in the bushes for little itty bitty bird too long. :)

Mary said...

Just like an over-grown house cat snoozing away :-) Beautiful animal!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Leeloo. Yes, these are all wild animals found in a huge game reserve we have here. It is wonderful to see them roaming free.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Andrea. Good. I am glad the plans have not changed. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I would think laying on those huge branches are most uncomfortable Craver. I think I prefer my bed anyday!! :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You have to adjust your eye to spot leopards TB. :) Now you can imagine when I had guests with me all the things I had to look out for. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Mary. It is like a friendly house cat. :)

Sciarada said...

Buongiorno Joan, this pics give me the sense of leopard's freedom

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Sciarada. It is wonderful to see them like this.

Unknown said...

Leopards are very hard to spot... Hahaaaa... good one. ;o)

These photos are awesome. I LOVE the big cats Joan, and am endlessly fascinated by your shots of them. Someday I would love to be able to shoot them too. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. So, I guess that means SA is on the bucket list. ;o)

Shelley said...

Incredible! And what a sleeping position he's in - looks like he's covering a couple levels of branches. Enjoyed these shots!

Päivin päivät said...

Such wonderful pics again, Joean! So great to be here again. I have lots of interesting stories to read and beautiful pictures to see in your blog.

Greetings from chilly Finnish summer!
Päivi

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! I did not realize what I had said Krista!! That was brilliant of you to pick up on it. :)

I love the cats too but of all of them, the cheetah remains the best of all to me.

I hope you do sometime get to come here and I will take you to see all these wonderful animals. I have met so many of my fellow bloggers now, it is wonderful to get to know them personally.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I am pleased you enjoyed this post Shelly. Someone posted a picture of their domestic cat sleeping curled up in their birdbath which was cute, so I guess they just make themselves comfortable anywhere. :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Hello Päivi. Where have you been? Missed you and am glad you caught up on my posts.

It is really strange weather all over. Now, the middle of June, we are having our first bit of winter as it has been unseasonable hot here. I know about 2 weeks ago people from New York were saying they still had snow. I hope it warms up by you soon. :)

Becky said...

What a wonderful opportunity Joan. You are right, they are very difficult to spot. Good shots though.
B.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Becky. Like this one, they can be laying right out in the open and you can still miss seeing them, they blend in so well.

Unknown said...

Fantastic captures, love this post! I've seen one leopard in Kenya and another in Tanzania, but in MalaMala I came across them everyday, they were so many!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Jose. I must sat that I am lucky to find them on every trip I do. Those in Mala Mala are so tame. It is probably because of all the filming they do of them.

Unknown said...

Joan that would be so fun! I will certainly keep this in mind for a future travel plan, South Africa seems very different from the Yukon but in some ways the same. In no way is it MORE different than in the wildlife area. I would have SO MUCH fun shooting all of these critters!

(even the bugs! lol)

Oh Joan, speaking of wild and crazy animals, wait until you see what I shot this weekend. i was so brave. LOL! I will try to get a sneak peak posted soon.

Rambling Woods said...

They really blend is so well. I so admire these big cats and are so concerned about their future..what an honor to see one...Michelle

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You are welcome anytime Krista. Our wildlife is concerntrated in some areas because SA is so small and is very built up. This is nice in a way as when you go to places like Kruger National Park, you can see all the species within a few days.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It is beautiful to see them Michelle and an absolute pleasure to see them in their natural environment.

Becky said...

Lucky you to see these beautiful cats in person! I thank you so much for sharing your wildlife with me!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You are most welcome Becky. I am pleased you enjoyed the post. You are right, it is such an honour to be able to go to these places and see the cats in their natural habitat.

myonlyphoto said...

Joan not just the leopard look good, the tree is nice site too. Thanks for sharing again. Anna :)

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You are welcome Anna. :)