Early one morning we were out searching for subjects when we came across a vehicle with a cheetah on top of it, using the higher elevation to look for prey. I kept thinking how lucky the folks in the other vehicle were to have such an exciting experience…
Nikon D4, AF-S 70-200mm 2.8 VR II
After a few minutes the vehicle started it’s engine and the cheetah jumped down and her cub came running to play with mom…
Nikon D4, AF-S 70-200mm 2.8 VR II
They romped and played in the tall grasses for a few minutes before mom stopped and stretched with a big yawn…
Nikon D4, AF-S 500mm f4 VR with tC-14E II
She then turned and looked at us and came running…
Nikon D4, AF-S 500mm f4 VR with TC-14E II
and jumped right up on our vehicle, looked around and then plopped down…
Nikon D4, AF-S 70-200mm 2.8 VR II
I was beside myself with excitement at the privilege of having this up close and personal experience with a wild cat! She sat there for several minutes and then jumped down and headed off in search of prey. We heard someone calling to us and another vehicle came up and told us that they had photographed us with the cheetah on our car. Turns out they were staying at the same camp so, I gave Chris a card and reader so she could download the photos…
Photo by Chris from Germany
Photo by Chris from Germany
Not only did we have an amazing experience but, thanks to a wonderful and generous german tourist we had photos of us with the cheetah. Thanks Chris!
Amazing. Great pictures of the cats.
Thanks Gary.
What an honor to experience such a beautiful being up close. We are all connected in the scheme of life.
Indeed it was an honor and I agree that we are all connected and it’s those precious moments that bring it home.
I am deeply disturbed by the photos of the tourists poking out through the top of the Land Rover to take a picture of the wild animal less than 3 feet from the lens. Was the guide out of his ever loving mind to permit this dangerous behavior? Or has the wildlife of Africa become so habituated to humans that they are tamer than an ordinary house cat?
In most circumstances you would be totally right in thinking this is crazy behavior however, there is a family of cheetah that has been jumping on vehicles for generations and each subsequent generation learns from their mom and they too will jump on vehicles. While, yes, they are wild, they have become habituated to this behavior and it’s as safe as anything in the wild. Thanks for your concern.
congrats buddy, it is such a jaw dropping moment for you. encounters like this are really dream for every wildlife photographer.
Wow, amazing stuff. That must have been awesome. Great photos.