Today was our second full day trip through the crater. We did not encounter any new animals today, but we did find a number of favorites, and saw some new behaviors.
The highlight of the day was stumbling across the same mating pair of lions as yesterday (I have added a video to yesterday's blog), along with one of the rival suitors (12+ other vans were following one of the trio, or racing ahead anticipating the direction they would take). She was walking down the road. He was following a short distance behind. The rival suitor following a short distance behind that. Due to good work by our driver, and some really, really good luck, at one point, the lioness took a rest in the shade of our vehicle, while leaning against it. Later, the male came up to her - she moved to the shade of the next vehicle and he rested in the shade of ours. These are truly large and powerful beasts. It was impressive to watch from such a close distance. Much of the time, they were too close to photograph. Then they went off toward the river where there were no roads. It was one hour of high-intensity low-speed pursuit, followed by a lack of resolution.
We also saw many of the usual suspects: zebras, pumba(!), buffalo, elephant, rhino, gazelles, wildebeest...
A lot of pictures today. Many on the lions.
An early stop at the hippo pool. This is one of two places where you are allowed out of your car - but you (or your guide) needs to exercise appropriate discretion. This is not fenced off from the rest of the park, and hippos do get close.
A panorama of the crater
Morning pumba!
Some ostriches can wander for up to three days after losing their heads.
Just kidding! He has a head.
View from the crater floor.
Female ostrich with feathers ruffling in the wind.
Pumba!
We initially thought these to be rocks. Then the buffalo on the left raised his head.
View from crater floor, with an infinite line of zebras walking by.
Zebra scratching ear on rock.
View from the crater floor.
Lion in pursuit of his lioness.
This car belongs to me!
Stops to rest and enjoy the breeze. And look like the king.
A handsome beast.
Now your car belongs to me.
Showing much determination.
The lioness parked in the shade of our jeep. This picture includes a photo of Jana's phone directly above the lioness's head. She swears that her whole body was inside the car.
This is how close we were. This is the male lion's mane.
The king lying up against our jeep, resting.
Lioness at next jeep, resting her head on the running-board. The driver stupidly moved the jeep. Disturbing the animals in this way is not allowed. It also startled the male.
She took off towards the river. He followed. Under direction of the Ranger, we had to keep moving.
Pumba!
Male and female zebra doting on their foal. There can never be too many baby zebras.
Pelican caught something.
View of the horizon from the crater floor.
Flamingos in flight.
A particularly dashing Thompson's gazelle.
A menagerie on the plain.
Late-afternoon pumba!
Returning to camp on the rim, we were greeted by a troop of baboons.
A panorama of the crater
Morning pumba!
Some ostriches can wander for up to three days after losing their heads.
View from the crater floor.
Female ostrich with feathers ruffling in the wind.
Pumba!
We initially thought these to be rocks. Then the buffalo on the left raised his head.
View from crater floor, with an infinite line of zebras walking by.
Zebra scratching ear on rock.
View from the crater floor.
Lion in pursuit of his lioness.
This car belongs to me!
I own this one, too.
Now your car belongs to me.
A good-looking animal.
The highlight reel:
This is how close we were. This is the male lion's mane.
Pumba!
Male and female zebra doting on their foal. There can never be too many baby zebras.
Pelican caught something.
View of the horizon from the crater floor.
Flamingos in flight.
A particularly dashing Thompson's gazelle.
A menagerie on the plain.
Late-afternoon pumba!
A couple of ugly vultures. The one on the right is the stuff of nightmares (you may need to zoom).
Returning to camp on the rim, we were greeted by a troop of baboons.
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