First off, before the best bits, I should say that there’s a bug in the Word Press system, so dear followers and followees, please check your SPAM for any comments from me or other afflicted bloggers and (only if you want to of course) upspam them. Otherwise, on most blogs, my comments are currently going straight to SPAM. It’s a cunning way to stop us from talking to each other. Curses on the joyless little bug that is doing this.
Now for some late afternoon views of big cats and other animals in the Maasai Mara. This photo shows just how easily lion conceal themselves in quite short grass. Here, as sunset approaches they are becoming watchful, although they could scarcely care less about us watching them. Soon it will be time to go hunting.
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Just to the right of the lioness is another lion. It makes you appreciate how intrepid are the Maasai who daily have to graze their herds, and also fetch firewood and water out on these plains. (For more about this you can read my short story ‘Flight’ HERE. It was one of the Bath Short Story Award winners and tells the story of a Maasai girl’s life in this extraordinary land.) Doubtless the herders keep an eye on where particular prides are spending their sleeping hours, but even so, walking into a laid-out lion seems a distinct and chilling possibility.
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Funnily, it’s that vast grassy plane – with it’s lone tree, that keeps drawing me in tonight Tish – just mesmerising, and seeing how the lions so easily conceal themselves, I imagine it’s teeming with myriad wondrous creatures getting ready to feed at dusk.
Thanks so much for your comments, Meredith. While I’m here, I’m not sure if I’ve made a recent comment on your blog or not, but can you check your spam. At the moment I can’t comment. Thanks.
Dear, your reply came through fine, though if a comment had been spammed in the past I’m afraid I’d not have caught it – I’ve been getting 30-40 a day and haven’t checked each individual message – just trashed the lot! Sitting up at the computer’s been a bit of a trial … 🙂
Glad the comment worked after all. I gather Akismet are on the case. Can well understand why you wouldn’t check the spam.
Beautiful Tish. Great subject for the challenge!
Thanks, Tina. Yes, all those lovely golden lions.
A fabulous set of photos in a wonderful place.
Thanks so much, Robin. I’ve just unspammed you by the way. Are you still having problems commenting on some/most sites? Akismet don’t seem to be coming up with any answers.
When the sun is hanging low over wild Africa at the end of a hot and dusty day, there’s a peace and tranquility in the air that is wonderous to experience, and you’ve captured it beautifully here Tish.
That’s a very big compliment coming from you guys with your stunning pix. Thank you.
We’re just lucky to be in the right place at the right time some of the time Tish, but thank you ;-)!
Amazing photos!
Thanks very much, and for looking
dear Tish,
it must be a great experience to BE or at least to FEEL like a PATHFINDER (in Africa or elsewhere)! Thank you for using this term also metaphorically in your comment at http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/kant-snowden/
your frizz
You’re so welcome, Frizz. I was so lucky to meet many pathfinders in Africa, in both the physical and metaphorical sense. At its most basic, you need pathfinders there because it’s often so hard to find places. Life may be tough in many African countries, but I was impressed that the people I met had, apart from their material perspectives, a strong grasp of the poetic/metaphorical/metaphysical world in a way that we seem to have lost. A story, a song, a dance are always a celebration, not simply something to pass the time. And this is also why Frizztext is such a great blog too.
Congratulations, Tish!
I have nominated youir blog for the WordPress Family Award.
More about this nomination is at
Thank you for visiting my blog today. I appreciate the time you took to stop by. May your day be filled with joy and peace.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Hi Tish, you have some beautiful photos here!
I read your short story “Flight” and was moved to tears. Your writing is fresh and poignant. Thank you for sharing this story with the world.
Thank you so much for your very kind and encouraging comments. They are much appreciated. And thank you too, for reading ‘Flight’.
I have always wanted to see the African plains. Now I feel I have! And they are as magical as I imagined!
Thanks for coming on safari. What a lovely comment.