Lion pride stalking, chasing and taking down a Puku antelope.

africaddict · January 18, 2012

Here's that same Nsefu lion pride (check out last months posting here: (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=211564)
some 8 days later on another beach raid along the Luangwa River.

*Please note that these images whilst not of super high quality are all about telling & documenting a story.
The light was fading fast and it was fortunate that it was the D3s I had at my disposal.

All images taken along a stretch of the Luangwa River, Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia Nov 2011.

5.31pm
Just like some unruly street gang they start out by first harassing this large croc.

D3s 500VR 1/400s f/5.6 ISO3200 40% crop.

5.44pm
The "gang" now focus their attention on this hippo and thought they were a chance until it heads for the safety of the river.

D3s 500VR 1/500s f/4 ISO3200 20% crop

5.54pm
The gang is now getting really ticked off and want to take out their frustration on a lone female Puku (antelope) drinking down by the riverside.
In typical lion hunting formation, one female heads around in a large arc under the cover of a raised sand bank and comes in behind the hapless puku and draws it toward her awaiting sisters.

D3s 500VR 1/160s f/4 ISO3200 20%crop

5.55pm
The trap has been sprung with this female now running for her life with 2 females on either side of her as evident by the dust clouds on her left & right.
With light levels getting low, and S/S being vital, I now switch up to ISO6400.

D3s 500VR 1/320s f/4 ISO6400 F/F

.......drawing closer.

D3s 500VR 1/250s f/4 ISO6400

Seconds later the puku turns 180 deg's and now thinks it's a chance down towards the water.

D3s 500VR 1/400s f/4 ISO6400 F/F

Inexplicably it turns away from the water and now is on a path with the 3 pride males "MGM", Metro, Goldwyn & Mayer (so named for their joint leadership of the "Hollywood" pride) who are only some 200M/YD's away.
As the action has progressed further around the point we must quickly reverse our vehicle and play catch up!
Note the Grey Heron completely indifferent to the proceedings!

5.59pm
Having raced around the point we unfortunately missed the take down but arrive to find
it has now run straight into the clutches of the alpha (collared) male "Goldwyn" sealing it's fate.

D3s 500VR 1/160s f/4 ISO6400 almost F/F

6.03pm and light levels now ridiculously low!
Looking on at his 2 other bros with a warning glare not to get any closer to HIS prize!

D3s 500VR 1/100s f/4 ISO6400 F/F

6.04pm and the setting pink sun made for a dramatic sky.
Metro, his brother now sits back and hopes at some stage to be "invited" to the feasting table.

D700 70-200VRII 1/60s ISO4000 @200mm 20% crop

C & C most welcome

Cheers
Marc