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!!

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42 comments:

  1. PhilipJune 10, 2010 at 12:28 AM

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

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  2. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 10, 2010 at 2:39 AM

    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. :)

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  3. DianeJune 10, 2010 at 2:40 AM

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

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  4. Firefly the Travel GuyJune 10, 2010 at 3:03 AM

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

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  5. GaelynJune 10, 2010 at 5:04 AM

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

    Tomorrow I'll have a ZA post.

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  6. This Is My Blog - fishing guyJune 10, 2010 at 5:08 AM

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

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  7. AnonymousJune 10, 2010 at 6:05 AM

    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'. ☺

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  8. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 10, 2010 at 6:30 AM

    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. :)

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  9. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 10, 2010 at 6:31 AM

    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.

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  10. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 10, 2010 at 6:32 AM

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

    I look forward to your post.

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  11. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 10, 2010 at 6:33 AM

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

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  12. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 10, 2010 at 6:35 AM

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

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  13. WendyJune 10, 2010 at 7:18 AM

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

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  14. AndreaJune 10, 2010 at 9:32 AM

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

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  15. Craver ViiJune 10, 2010 at 10:37 AM

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

    Good eye; nice pics!

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  16. troutbirderJune 10, 2010 at 2:45 PM

    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. :)

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  17. MaryJune 10, 2010 at 6:28 PM

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

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  18. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 10, 2010 at 11:04 PM

    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.

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  19. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 10, 2010 at 11:04 PM

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

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  20. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 10, 2010 at 11:05 PM

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

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  21. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 10, 2010 at 11:07 PM

    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. :)

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  22. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 10, 2010 at 11:07 PM

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

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  23. SciaradaJune 11, 2010 at 2:19 AM

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

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  24. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 11, 2010 at 3:40 AM

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

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  25. UnknownJune 11, 2010 at 7:32 AM

    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)

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  26. ShelleyJune 11, 2010 at 2:13 PM

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

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  27. Päivin päivätJune 11, 2010 at 3:23 PM

    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

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  28. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 11, 2010 at 7:00 PM

    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.

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  29. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 11, 2010 at 7:03 PM

    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. :)

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  30. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 11, 2010 at 7:07 PM

    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. :)

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  31. BeckyJune 11, 2010 at 7:13 PM

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

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  32. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 11, 2010 at 8:10 PM

    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.

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  33. UnknownJune 12, 2010 at 11:23 AM

    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!

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  34. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 12, 2010 at 8:19 PM

    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.

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  35. UnknownJune 12, 2010 at 11:00 PM

    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.

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  36. Rambling WoodsJune 13, 2010 at 12:42 PM

    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

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  37. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 13, 2010 at 11:36 PM

    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.

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  38. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 13, 2010 at 11:36 PM

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

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  39. BeckyJune 14, 2010 at 8:36 PM

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

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  40. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 14, 2010 at 8:40 PM

    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.

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  41. myonlyphotoJune 15, 2010 at 9:14 PM

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

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  42. SAPhotographs (Joan)June 15, 2010 at 10:01 PM

    You are welcome Anna. :)

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