Skies like this are one of the reasons I like to go to East Africa during the short rainy season. Male impala grazing on the plains of the Olare Orok Conservancy of the Masai Mara in Kenya. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 1600, f/2.8 at 1/800th of a second.

Gazelle’s don’t get a lot of attention amidst the other big ticket items on an African safari. In fact, I just did a search and in over ten years of doing this blog, I’ve only posted a gazelle twice — and one of those times was because a leopard was eating it for dinner. I think it’s about time I show them a bit more love. This male was looking quite regal as he gazed into the distance (perhaps surveying the plains to avoid becoming dinner himself). Photographed in Lewa in Kenya. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/3200th of a second.

The gerenuk is sometimes called the giraffe gazelle. You can see why with that elongated neck. And as if the neck isn’t enough, the gerenuk regularly stands on its hind legs to reach even higher for food — usually the leaves of acacia trees. I photographed this male and female pair in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (with 1.4 teleconverter for 550mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/800th of a second.

This family of spotted hyenas was hanging out by their burrow in the rain, perhaps just heading out to hunt/scavenge, or returning. There are several species of hyena in Africa. The spotted is by far the most commonly seen. Their coloring and spots can vary greatly, even within a single family like this, and will change as they age. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 330mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/640th of a second.

Crowned cranes are one of the avian highlights of any safari to East Africa. This particular crane allowed a close enough approach for some nice head shots. I kind of liked this three quarters from behind angle highlighting the namesake crown. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/160th of a second.

These two male zebras were going at each other during rutting season, trying to prove dominance for mating rights. Photographed at Ol Pajeta Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/800th of a second.

This little lion cub was alone with his mother and very curious as to the strange looking beings in the safari vehicle. But not too curious. After a few playful approaches, the cub grew tired and returned to his mother who was resting in the bushes. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second.

Leopards seem to be most safari aficionados’ favorite big cat. And for good reason. They really are fine looking specimens. This one stopped for just a moment to look toward camera. They can be notoriously aloof toward safari vehicles (which is a good thing) but will occasionally acknowledge your presence, if just for a quick, disinterested glance. This lovely lady was photographed in a private concession just outside the Masai Mara in Kenya. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/250th of a second.

This mother cheetah appears to be giving her cub some sage advice. We watched these two — and a second cub — for about an hour as they settled down for the night in the tall grasses of the Masai Mara in Kenya.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 350) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/200th of a second

The black rhinoceros is classified as Critically Endangered. Several localized sub-species of the black rhino have already gone extinct. Thankfully, places like Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya are doing a great job to save both the black and the slightly less endangered white rhino. I look forward to getting back and photographing them again some day soon.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 340mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/125th of a second