photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Lynda S. | profile | all galleries >> East Africa 2007 >> A cheetah mom takes her cubs to lunch... tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

A cheetah mom takes her cubs to lunch...

This was pretty awesome morning in the Maasai Mara. Our safari director, Daniel, spotted a cheetah and her three 8 1/2 month cubs on the side of the road, across from a Thompson's Gazelle and a herd of female impala with one buck leading it. Daniel told us the cheetah mom would hide her three cubs over by a mound, and then wait for an opportune moment to dash across the road for a nice lunch. We all agreed we wanted to wait with her - watch the three hour story unfold in these pictures.....
previous pagepages 1 2 3 4 ALL next page
This mom was showing her young cubs how to hunt
This mom was showing her young cubs how to hunt		 Leading the cubs to a high grassy knoll, mom told the kids to take a nap
Leading the cubs to a high grassy knoll, mom told the kids to take a nap		 The kids followed her behind the mound
The kids followed her behind the mound		 There's the other two, our driver, also named Daniel, says there are two boys, and he's not sure on the third one.
There's the other two, our driver, also named Daniel, says there are two boys, and he's not sure on the third one.
Across the road to the left was a crossing of zebra
Across the road to the left was a crossing of zebra		 Just beyond the zebra was a herd of female impala, with one male at the head
Just beyond the zebra was a herd of female impala, with one male at the head		 And, last, was a lone gazelle. Daniel thought the cheetah mom would go after the gazelle as it was all alone
And, last, was a lone gazelle. Daniel thought the cheetah mom would go after the gazelle as it was all alone		 Also setting the stage was two other vehicles in front of us
Also setting the stage was two other vehicles in front of us
After about an hour, the zebra left. Mom got up and very quietly changed positions, positioning herself to give chase.
After about an hour, the zebra left. Mom got up and very quietly changed positions, positioning herself to give chase.		 Around 12:00 two topi wandered onto the stage. The cheetah remained hiding across the road.
Around 12:00 two topi wandered onto the stage. The cheetah remained hiding across the road.		 After about 1/2 hr, the topi left. A few minutes after that a lone 'boy' wandered onto the scene, the male buck gave chase.
After about 1/2 hr, the topi left. A few minutes after that a lone 'boy' wandered onto the scene, the male buck gave chase.		 At 12:47, a female wandered too far away from the rest and the cheetah mom saw her chance to strike!
At 12:47, a female wandered too far away from the rest and the cheetah mom saw her chance to strike!
previous pagepages 1 2 3 4 ALL next page

comment | share
Lynda S.01-Nov-2023 21:39
Thanks Kent, much appreciated!
Kent Dellaire31-Aug-2023 01:46
Thanks for the timeline shown in a series of photos. I don't think I've ever seen this done before. It was a perfect subject for this to happen, and simultaneously show what's going on in the neighborhood. You have my vote.
ss 13-Aug-2009 21:07
Excellent adventure. Poor impala, but great to see the nature as it is.
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment
click on thumbnails for full image