WILDLIFE. NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY.
The Lioness Does Not Like to Repeat Herself
Monthly Challenge — Animal Pairs and Groups
It’s been another tough day in Africa. Another long day of looking after the animal kingdom. The lion and his lioness might have had a fight or two but are now too exhausted to argue anymore.
It was late in the afternoon when we set out for the game drive in the massive Serengeti. One of the most famous national parks in the world. Being known for the biggest animal migration on earth, the Serengeti has more to offer than just massive herds of zebras and wildebeest crossing the Mara River.
With an area so populated with game, talking of antelopes, zebras, and other animals always being hunted, countless predators are roaming around as well.
This lion couple wasn’t as undisturbed as it appeared in the first image with countless cameras zooming in on them.
But seemingly unimpressed by the number of spectators, these two put on their very own show.
I must have missed the beginning of the build-up but it must have been a major dispute. A difference of opinions in a very important topic.
The lioness wasn’t having any of it and was walking ahead as if she had enough and just wanted some lone time. The lion king wasn’t gonna accept it and followed her. He left a few meters in between but made sure she knew he was there.
Right behind her.
The lioness walked up the rocks in the middle of the flat and open savanna when she felt his eyes right on her back.
She knew she had to make a clear sign to tell him where her boundaries were and to make sure he understood he had crossed the line long ago.
Without a warning, she turned around and growled. But not a soft one. It was a loud one to be heard from far. The lion king made a small effort in responding but his growling wasn’t even nearly as loud and as convincing as hers.
He knew he was wrong.
And he knew he had to accept her decision for tonight.
He stepped down. With the tail between his legs, he waited until the queen was out of sight.
She had climbed on top of the boulder looking for shade under the old acacia trees.
She sat down and only once she looked at him, he dared to come closer. He wasn’t gonna touch her. He knew that would have been too much. But he just sat there.
He sat there as a way of showing the rest of the animal world he was protecting the lioness. Even though he knew, his queen didn’t need protection. She was surely stronger than him.
However. It’s his job. To protect the family. So he will just sit there, quietly. Looking across the vastness of the savanna.
And there they were. Not talking because they had spoken about everything. Not shouting because there was nothing to fight about anymore. They were just sitting together while keeping a safe distance from each other.
They weren’t looking at each other but much rather facing in the same direction. It’s what you should do to keep a strong relationship alive. To have the same dreams and plans for the future.
Even while you’re still a little upset with each other.
“The wildest lion becomes tame in the presence of a lioness.” — Anonymous
This is a response to the July photography challenge by Randy Runtsch.
Thank you for the inspiration.
More of my wildlife stories:
Join my email list here if you would like to read more photo essays or sign up for the Medium membership to receive unlimited access to my and other writer’s stories out here (I will receive a commission fee in return).
