Lions are the past-masters when it comes to both standing out and blending in – this week’s photo challenge from Ann-Christine at Lens-Artists, which sent me rifling through the old Africa Album for some good examples. These were all taken in Kenya’s Maasai Mara back in another lifetime. The header shot shows both leonine proclivities – the art of showing off and of disappearing in foot-high oat grass. I think there are at least three lions in this shot. In the following close up you can see one of them – just right of the lioness’s left ear. Probably a male.
But what about this next shot – can you spot the second lion? Course you can, now you know what to look for:
*
And here’s a different kind of concealment – the whole pride in a gully; their concentrated gaze suggesting thoughts of dinner and where they might find it.
Tish Farrell 
I love the post. And I’m sure you can imagine my interest and admiration for the lions. The photos too, seem excellent captures. But the scans are lacking. Maybe you could do better by reproduction; that is to photograph the old pictures with your digital camera.
I thought you’d spot these big cats, Shimon. I have tried photographing originals, not very successfully, but then I think it would need some sensible setting up for the shots. The scanner, which was a very good one, was on the blink by the time I started scanning these negatives, and we have not replaced it.
The photos are so beautiful, it pains me to see them represented poorly. But I understand the difficulty.
Beautiful photographs….such amazing animals. Thank you Tish. 🙂
Thank you, Janet.
Good take on the theme, Tish!
Thank you, Sue.
😊
This is the behaviour of my cat. He’s a very large Tom and he likes to hide under shrubs or in tall grass watching the world unfold around him – unseen unless you’re looking for him. I think in his heart he’s a lion on the savannah 🙂
Love that image, Joanne – a cat who is really a lion 🙂
Theo has no issues with self-esteem 😏
This is beautiful.
Were you ever able to spot a leopard? I think they are great masters at concealment.
Only one truly good view – on a night drive at Elmenteita. Dominic our guide raked a spotting light along a ridge, and up from the grass popped a big leopard face. He fixed us with his yellow eyes.
You were lucky. I think I only got to see a leopard once at the Lake Nakuru National Park
I think that particular one, or its descendent, is a permanent fixture – often to be found in a candelabra euphorbia 🙂
You did good on this challenge. Thanks.
Thank you, Beverly.
This may be one of the most unique entries for this challenge that I’ve seen and such a wonderful one. I really enjoy reading about Africa and seeing it through your eyes and len(ses).
janet
Thank you very much, Janet. Always happy to oblige with Africa snippets 🙂
Also very clever at blending into the bush are elephants – for such big animals I was amazed at how suddenly they could disappear. Not been so close to notice this in lions, but your photos illustrate it well.
You’re right, Jude. Elephants can be remarkably sneaky. They have a melting away facility.
Majestic and masters of concealment – thank you for a wonderful entry!
Thank you, Leya.
It’s the lion you can’t see that you should be worrying about!
Absolutely!!!
Very nice shots. 🙂 I’m actually diving into my Kenya archive, which I thought was entirely digitalized but no. Negatives weren’t. (OMG) So this is a tedious process but I am finding never printed gems. (Future post material)
Kwaheri sassa Memsahib.
Scanning is certainly a v. time-consuming process. But way-hay – you’ve found treasure. Looking forward to the posts 🙂
Labour-intensive indeed. But I’m almost through. Will let you know. Have a lovely week-end Tish.
Happy weekend to you too, Brian.
And a happy week ahead now. 🙂
Many thanks, Brian. To you too 🙂
Took me a minute but I did find the third beastie in the first photo. and the laying-down one in the other shot. 😀
They are a cunning lot 🙂
Yep, they’re not as clever as they think, I can see them and I know what they’re up to!
Can’t pull any wool (or feline fur) over Gilly’s eyes then 🙂
Fun choice Tish-I was amazed by them on our safari.
Thanks, Tina. One can only be in awe of a lion 🙂
I like the pride in the gully the most and the photo right after that has the coolest blending-in dark glow – nice take on the theme
Thank you, Yvette.
😊✌️🌸
Your lion photos caught my eye now that I have found my way to the land of lions. I am happy to report that I have now managed to see two lions, one male and one female and hope to see more when we return to the parks on Saturday. None of my images are as good as yours as our couple was traveling through the bush, but it was still magnificent to finally experience these gorgeous creatures in the wild for myself. Hugs from SA.
Wonderful lions – however you see them. Have a splendid time in SA.