If You Meet a Lion on the Road
Conservation doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens in community, in compassion, and in connection. Christine Mittermeier
©kathykarn
I’m on the road this week. I am reposting a lion story from Nov. 2023 to round out my focus on lions this month.
One of my readers made my day with a review of her new phone case.
Rating: 5/5 stars
I love that my kids pick up my phone now and before they use it to play games and zone out, they are struck by the beauty of the Lion and are awed by nature! This somehow restores some balance for me.
She asked me if I knew the name of the lion. Unfortunately, I do not, but I will never forget the morning we encountered him. Here’s the story behind the shot.
We set out before dawn for a morning game drive in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with my good friend and Maasai guide, Joseph Mutemi. A dramatic golden light lit up the landscape when the sun breached the horizon. We noticed a black back jackal trotting through the long grass. These small scavengers often signal a kill in the area. We drove on hoping we might find whatever he was interested in.
A black backed jackal ©kathykarn
Joseph suddenly stopped the Land Cruiser to point out something in the dust – a lion print! My heart rate increased with anticipation. A lion in this light would be awesome!
©kathykarn
Before I even put that wish out to the universe, we saw a large male lion ahead sauntering along the road. Imagine being out for a morning drive and meeting a lion on the road. It is thrilling! He carried himself with all the confidence of the King of the Beasts.
©kathykarn
His pace was slow and steady, he seemed detached, lost in thought. Perhaps he was remembering the action of the previous night or was he dreaming of sleeping off his feast with a long nap?
©kathykarn
Whatever occupied his mind, the lion continued towards us and walked around the truck as if we didn’t exist. If you look closely at his lifted back paw, you can see the perfect design of his print.
©kathykarn
Joseph skillfully turned the truck around and raced towards the swamp at the bottom of the hill, putting us between the lion and his destination. I leaned out of the Land Cruiser madly snapping off photos hoping for a good image. The lion lifted his magnificent head, we locked eyes – Click, got it!
©kathykarn
Without changing direction, he strolled by us again and melted into the swamp. Anyone passing by would never know a 600 pound predator was lurking in the grass. It was a perfect lair for rest, recovery, and …. ambush.
©kathykarn
A percentage of sales in my online store goes to support protecting wildlife like this lion in Kenya . Check out the store for other images of African Wildlife on phone cases.
