Big Cat photo shoot

Nigel and I have just come back from the most fantastic day in a  long long time.

Linz (of Crafty Pastimes) and her hubby Gary arranged a visit to a big cat wildlife park not normally open to the public for an encredible day of close up big cat photography. It was incredible. We spent hours getting up close and personal with the many big cats and getting the chance to take incredible photographs.

We started off with the three male lions, all brothers. They were called Manzi, Kafara and Tiny. The staff fed them and so we watched them feeding and then grooming and just posiing. They were utterly spectacular and we arrely see lions. Marwell, our local animal park, has no lions any longer. These three boys were awesome beasts, very very handsome and we were so very close to them. What an incredible start to the day.

We moved on to the Bengal tigers - a trio of beauties, one male Nias and two females Puna and Indy. I hope I have added all of their names correctly as I was just so over-awed by it all that their names have largely all blurred together, Their markings were stunning and again they were fed titbits to encourage them to move around and interact, enabling all of us to get great photo opportunities. When they stood on their hind legs against the fence you got a real idea of how huge they were. The girls also played in their pool which was fab. The sun came out (It has been terrible weather but didn't rain at all when we were there and in fact it was hot in the sun for much of the day) and lit up their coats.

We saw the huge - and very chilled and sleepy - Amur (Siberian) tiger Tamir and then went to see the Amur leopards Artur and Xizi, perhaps the most endangered of all.  The male was the one cat you were not allowed to get too close too and we were given strict warnings about how far he could reach out of the cage and what he could do. He was stunningly handsome though. We moved on to his mate - or who they hope will be his mate - and she was much calmer and equally as beautiful.  Having watched them feast it was time for us to have a buffet lunch before continuing on.

During the afternoon we had the chance too see the snow leopard pair called Mizi and Ranschan who were beautiful and very affectionate with humans. These are rare animals indeed and David Attenborough called them the spirits of the forest. We were priviledged to see them so close.

We moved on to the cheetah Pepo and I think that was one of my favourite parts of the day. The sunw as out, he was more actuve than he usually is apparently and he was just so gorgeous. Being so close with no bars or mesh in the way it was like taking pictures in the wild.

We carried on to two more tigers and this was perhaps the most special part of the day ofr Nij and I.

The two tigers were Bruno and Padi and Bruno is very very special to us. Twelve years ago next month Nigela nd I had a very special interaction with Bruno. We were able to stroke him, lie next to him, cuddle him and play with him. He was then at Paradise Wildlife Park and now he has retired he is here with Padi his mate. We were so thrilled when we realised Bruno was here.

He looked a much older gentleman and Nigel is sure he remembered him as he purred and came straight up to him. (He then turned his back and sprayed - but heck - maybe he was just remembering Nigel and marking him as his. ) It was just wonderful to see him again. We watched them both for ages and Padi played in and out of her pond too,

Our final stop was Malawi the Serval (nicknamed Hissing sid as he does LOL) and although much smaller still beautiful. We could also see our Bengal cats very very clearly int he spots and the body shape and the movement. In fact they are now breeding Servals with bengals as pets.

It was an incredible day - very very special and we have just downloaded the pictures. I managed 980, nigel just over 200 (which is a LOT for him) and I have to say his are awesome. I have a few good ones, but to be honest I am too tired to go through them tonight so the pictures here are just a couple I have selected, not necessarily the best. I'm gonna be scrapping big cats for a while!

Thanks so much Gary. Linz and all the staff at the park for an utterly incredible day xx

Comments

[val]

Oh karen, what a fabulous day, I'm green with jealousy!!!! :) Looking forward to seeing lots more photos xxx

[Tina]

Stunning photos Karen, I hope mine are as good. It was nice to meet you and Nigel today. Wasn't it just the most amazing place?

[Heather]

What a wonderful day you have had WOW! What I would give for a say like that, you lucky lot :-D So pleased for you and looking forward to seeing all the photos and pages to come xx

[Lori]

Oooh! Fabulous photos from what must have been a fabulous day! I'd have been so tempted to just tickle those big furry tummies!

[KEP]

What wonderful pictures you shared. It sounds like you had an awesome day.

[anna]

wow amazing pictures

[Joy]

What incredible photos. It sounds like an awesome day.