*
…never quite forgotten.
Thrilling and chilling both: a wild lion, in broad daylight, proclaiming his eminence. And not a full-throated Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lion-roar (there’s no big show of fearsome canines); more a weaponized grunt that carries across the Mara grassland and rebounds against my sternum. And then in my skull.
It takes some moments to re-ground, and assure the nervous system we’re not in danger. We’re sitting in a big safari truck. The lion does not even look at us, nor appear to register our presence. We pass by slowly. He parades. Our guide tells us he is the senior male of the Marsh Pride, a group of lions made famous on British TV during the 1990s, when wildlife photographer, Jonathan Scott, documented their movements. This lion, we’re told, is calling to the junior male. Meanwhile the pride’s three lionesses are busy devouring the kill, a hartebeast. They don’t see us either.
But still that resonating roar.
Throwing the voice is part of a male lion’s M.O. A spot of leonine ventriloquy if you like. To make themselves sound bigger and deadlier, they may also choose a dried up river bed for some night-time roaring. The dirt bank of a donga provides a ‘sounding board’ to amplify the roar which may carry for several miles. Obviously the aim is to let other males know exactly what they’re up against should they dare to infringe territorial bounds.
We drive away, feeling somehow changed. Very small perhaps. It’s August 1999, the last of our seven years living in Kenya. When we return to England for good, what will we make of such days? Did they really happen? Sometimes it’s hard to be sure.
*
To hear that lion call for yourself, there’s a brief clip here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e0_4dwF9A4
Lens-Artists: Sound Donna at Wind Kisses choses sound for this week’s theme – however you care to interpret it. Please pay her a visit.
Those calls are impressive
They certainly are, I.J.
Seriously unforgettable, I would say!
Indeed, Sue.
What a chilling and exciting moment.
Definitely both 🙂
Not only was this cool. It was interesting, Tish. We all know lions roar, but to understanding how they use their voice to show their dominance near AND far was interesting. Your words so carefully chosen to allow us to feel we were with you is what I loved the most. My favorite sentence ..”we drive away, feeling somehow changed”. Powerful and I know very true. When we lived in Yellowstone, I had that same feeling.
I knew you had been in Africa as many of your posts have reflected it. I don’t think I knew you lived there. Seven years? What an amazing life you have had to experience time there. What did you do there? Thank you for this touching post, of real life.
I so appreciate your thoughtful words, Donna, and to have your recognition of fellow feeling. Living in Yellowstone must have been a truly momentous experience. The kind that over-write one’s psychic hard drive 🙂
And yes we lived in Kenya for 7 years and Zambia for nearly a year. Other half was working with African farmers (courtesy of UK aid programme) on various crop protection strategies. I spent my time there (learning a lot – understatement) and writing stories and short novels for Kenyan and ZImbabwean publishers’ children’s literature lists, and also children’s stories for Cricket/Lady Bug/Cicada Magazines in the US. All in all, those 8 years were a gift of an experience. We were made so welcome too.
I am humbled to know you here, Tish. What an amazing life, as I said. A purpose driven life is what I see. Your writings such a reflection of that. Thank you for the gifts you (and your other half) have brought to this place we all call home.- earth.
Am most touched, Donna. Thank you.
You wouldn’t want to upset him, would you?
I think not, Jo. Nothing more hair-raising than a cross lion.
I went to hear the roar. Our dog felt obliged to growl too, so it got to be quite stereophonic. I do love those big cats. NOT that I want to get personally chummy with them, but I respect them, find them beautiful and fear they might be lost to ever expanded farming.
Everyone should live in a different — preferably VERY different country — for at least a few years. It changes your understanding of the world and how it works, no matter what country you have chosen. If I were younger, Africa — maybe Botswana — might be next. I have to settle for the occasional howling of the coyotes in our driveway, the calling of birds and hawks — and the roll of thunder.
I love the way you notice the natural world and its denizens around your home, and I think it’s all grist to the honouring nature wheel. Though of course it’s hard to downplay the thrill of seeing wild big cats at close quarters.
I agree, too, about living in another country/culture. It completely changes one’s perspective, and in ways quite unanticipated. It changes the you in YOU.
Just thinking that you might enjoy DeWetsWild blog (if you’ve not found it already). Fabulous posts from the de Wet family in South Africa, documenting their visits to national parks. The wealth of wildlife is simply breathtaking:
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/2843343/posts/5105604065
Sounds like the lion and bird were conversing! One morning at the zoo, our male lion (who has since passed away at 18 years) started roaring. He seldom did roar, but what an exceptional sound that carried all the way through our small zoo.
It is quite something, that roar.
This of course is on my bucket list.
Loved this one Tish – and oh so true. It was interesting on our safari as we came upon a group of mostly young lions lounging under a tree. It was daytime and they were clearly resting or just hanging out. we never heard or saw a roar. That as opposed to later that night when we heard them roaring in the darkness, sending chills up our spines! Your closing image is fantastic!
Night-time roaring – The sort of sound that very much puts us humans in our place.
Many thanks, Tina. So pleased this post ‘struck a chord’ 🙂 🙂
A wonderful moment – one that will always be with you.
Thank you, Janet.
Wow, Tish! What an unforgettable experience you had! Your photos give us an idea of the sound you heard, and your text adds a fantastic recollection of the event. This is a great post.
Many thanks, Egidio.
I’ve missed your posts, Tish, my fault, not yours. I’m happy to have gotten back in time for an Africa post, beautifully narrated as always. ❤️
Well met then in my Africa post, Janet. I know you like these yarns 🙂
I do.
What a chilling sound and I loved the way the bird and lion seemed to be conversing in the video
Interesting interaction, isn’t it.
Oh wow. What an indelibly memorable experience.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Not only fabulous photos but a wonderful description of the sound of the lion and your experience of it!
Many thanks, Sarah.
Excellent post, from words, and experiences to photos.
Many thanks, Sofia.
Oh that must have been a moment! Having listened to the video you linked I understand the frisson of fear. There’s a clear message of who’s in charge.
Alison
Many thanks for those thoughts, Alison.
That is quite the subdued roar for this lion king.. thank you Tish for sharing.
Cheers, Gerry.
What a thrilling moment that must have been✨