Tihlo

SONY A1, FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II, FL: 130mm, S: 1/1000 s, A: F5.6, ISO: 400

The cub warily eyes me as I steady my shot of the pride at rest.

Tihlo means “eye” in Tsonga.

He was observant. He had watched me for some time as we moved very slowly, inching forward to get a full perspective of the pride at rest.

His keen eyes followed intently as we continued to approach his pride. The adults continued to ignore our presence, but it was the young cub who remained intrigued, sniffing the air to try to decipher our scent and purpose. Resting behind his father's majestic form, he studied our every move as we came to a stop.

His playful nature had been evident earlier, when he ventured away from the pride for a while, practicing his hunting skills and exploring the boundaries of his new world in this pristine African bush. Among all the cubs, he showed the most courage, fearlessly approaching his father when he had enough and touching his nose with a playful paw. This simple gesture seemed to symbolise acceptance - the passing of the torch from one generation to the next. His father, the epitome of strength and leadership, acknowledged his son's boldness with a warmth that hinted at future greatness.

As the day wore on and we remained still in the same place, the cub's curiosity waned, replaced by a need for rest. With a sudden yawn and a playful sneeze, he settled back onto the warmth of the soil, his brief interaction with us now over and his mind drifting away quickly into a slumber.

Some Lion Facts

These majestic creatures typically form prides of 10 to 15 members, led by a dominant male or group of males. Known for their thunderous roars, which can be heard up to 8 kilometers away, lions have distinct roles within their pride. While females do the majority of hunting, males patrol and protect the territory. Female lions reach two-thirds of their adult size by age two, and both sexes require substantial amounts of meat daily—females needing about 5 kilograms, and males, 7 kilograms or more. Lions are formidable hunters, capable of reaching speeds up to 81 kilometers per hour when pursuing prey like zebras and wildebeests. Despite their 'king of the jungle' reputation, most lions actually inhabit savannahs and grasslands, with a lone population of forest-dwelling lions remaining in Gir Forest National Park, India. In the wild, lions live an average of 12 years, though in captivity, they can live up to 25 years.

Raw Africa Collection

Welcome to Africa - the wise, the restless, and 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 to 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.