Pamoja
Sony A1, FE 7—200mm F2.8 GM OSS II, FL:159mm, S: 1/1000s, A: F7.1, ISO: 640.
The soft nuzzle and touch of the female lioness reassures the little cub of the pride’s togetherness.
Pamoja means “together” in Swahili.
She gently nuzzled one of her cubs as the pride lay together, savouring a long afternoon of rest. Family time was important, and the lioness had settled with her growing cubs on the edge of where the pride lay. One by one, and in turn, she licked her cubs lovingly, her display of affection unceasing as the sky continued to slowly turn amber, signalling another African dusk had arrived. They lay patiently, enjoying the bonding as she stared occasionally into the distance between her affections. Some of the pride members had begun to stir as the approaching coolness of night reminded them of the hunt to come. Nearby, another large female moved over and lay down, flicking her ear as if to swish some flies away. She entertained the rubbing affections of one of the cubs that had sauntered over to her, pressing his face into hers, chewing at her chin, and then collapsing onto its back, resigned to catch a little more sleep.
But there was no more sleep. The sun was beginning to set, and the pride had begun to stir. The large females now began to awaken, yawn, and roll one by one, slowly raising themselves and rubbing or touching against some of their now more alert kin in anticipation of the hunt to come. With one last look at me, the cub turned, emulating his mother, stretching and then slowly ambling behind her as they returned to the rest of the members of his pride, eager to learn from the nights’ hunt to come.
Raw Africa Collection
Welcome to Africa - the wise, the restless, the life giving.
This soulful land of dreamers gives rise to the underbelly of a beautiful gentle beat that is only heard by those who listen for it. This photographic journey explores, profiles and captures what I hope is the heart and soul of Africa's true wilderness kingdom. From its deep bush to its dry savannah and desert, Africa remains a place where life is represented by timeless vistas that are distilled into moments to treasure.
