ROLY-POLY
Heavy-eyed and dazed, he sits up, gazing intently at a hornbill’s morning feast, his own hunger long satisfied but curiosity stirring.
In the early morning light, he stirred, lifting himself with deliberate slowness, his powerful frame heavy with the night's indulgence. Around him, the bush was alive yet tranquil—the iridescent lilac-breasted rollers trilled their calls, and squirrels chattered as they scurried up the thorny acacia branches, oblivious to the hulking forms of the lion pride sprawled below. The earthy scent of dawn mingled with the sweet musk of their breath, rising from heaving chests still full from the hunt.
For a moment, his gaze met mine—heavy-lidded yet piercing—as he stretched his massive paws skyward, claws unsheathed in a lazy display of power. With a deep sigh, he shifted his bulk, resettling into the grass and drifting back into that tranquil, drowsy haze. The early sun cast soft light across his tawny mane, catching a brief glint as his eyes fluttered, slowly surrendering to sleep’s pull once more.
Another grunt escaped him as he repositioned himself, momentarily jarred from his slumber by the pressure of his full belly. He lifted himself into a seated position, dazed and blinking, just in time to catch sight of a hornbill foraging nearby. The bird pecked eagerly at seeds scattered beneath a young jackal-berry tree, undisturbed by the lion’s gaze. With one large, languid paw, he swatted at a persistent itch, nearly losing his balance before settling back into a comfortable sprawl.
With a final, rumbling sigh, he gave in completely, collapsing into a restful heap, his contentment evident in every relaxed muscle. That morning, he was the very picture of a satisfied lion, blissfully sinking into sleep beneath the African sky.
Meals of The Day
Lions are fascinating yet formidable hunters, known for their unique feeding habits and impressive appetite. Typically, they feed every three to four days, requiring an average of 5 to 7 kilograms of meat per day. However, lions can endure hunger for over a week, and when they finally feast, they don’t hold back—consuming up to 50 kilograms of meat in one sitting, almost a quarter of their body weight. This remarkable ability to binge-eat allows them to replenish energy reserves quickly after prolonged fasting.
As apex predators, lions primarily target larger animals, or "prey," such as zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo. Adult male lions consume approximately 7 kilograms daily, while lionesses need around 4.5 kilograms. Both, however, are capable of eating up to 15% of their body weight in a single meal. To put this into perspective, a male lion’s appetite would be equivalent to a domestic cat devouring 70 cans of cat food in one go! Known for their voraciousness, lions may even hunt when they aren’t particularly hungry, demonstrating an instinct to secure as much food as possible. It’s not uncommon for a lion to abandon one kill to chase down another, driven by the thrill of the hunt.
Lions are opportunistic hunters, adaptable to a wide range of prey. Though they prefer larger animals, they can make a meal out of smaller creatures like hares or birds if larger prey is scarce. This adaptability underscores their survival instinct in the unpredictable environment of the savannah.
Interestingly, the dynamics of hunting vary within the pride. Male lions often stay back, focusing on protecting the pride’s territory and warding off potential threats, including scavengers like hyenas. Yet, when the hunt demands extra strength—especially when facing formidable prey like buffalo or giraffe—male lions may join the hunt, displaying the cooperative and strategic behaviors that make lions such formidable predators.
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.
Sony A1, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS, FL: 200mm, S: 1/800s, A: F7.1, ISO: 5,000.
