Mating habits of Simba (lion)
From time to time, in my photo safaris in Africa, we are lucky enough to discover lions mating, and this is always a superb photo opportunity as well as a terrific education. The following photos were made in the Samburu region of Kenya.
The Lioness is the Boss
The lioness seems to control the mating. When she is ready, she and the male of the Pride remove themselves to a location away from the rest of the Pride. The mating is a 7 day endurance event. The mating itself takes place about 360 times over that period … say, maybe every 10 to 20 minutes. During the mating neither of the two hunt or eat … they mate, then collapse in exhaustion, then mate, then collapse in exhaustion, etc.
Showtime
I'm ready ... Here I come, Big Guy!
Snuggle, snuggle
Mating begins
The earth moves - grand finale
Collapse - renew energy - short nap
Pro Photo Tip.
This Tip is mostly common sense, but you would be totally amazed how many serious, experienced, professional photographers forget to do this …. much to their sorrow after the fact. In most situations, you may get one chance to do it right!
This situation is what I call a “stake-out”. We were initially alerted to the presence of these lions by the ground shaking roar emitted at the moment of climax. Thanks to the experience and talent of our guide (I always work with the finest professional guides I can find in any location for a whole variety of reasons — if you wonder why, email me) we tracked and located this pair of Simba in action. Here is the key element of the “stake-out”: You have found the subject and you are waiting for the action.
What this means is that you have time to prepare properly to “make the photograph”. In reality, the screw-up comes when the photographer is so excited thinking about the upcoming action that he/she forgets to prepare. Here’s how to prepare, and remember why you are doing these things — You are Making the Photograph, not Taking it:
1. You have your subject, so the first thing to do is concentrate on the Most Important element in your image — The Background. Find the best angle and view in order to increase the drama, eliminate visual distractions and emphasize the subject. Change your position and camera angle until you get it right.
2. Select your lens or focal length (on a zoom) to exclude or include the elements you want in the image.
3. Select your aperture to control the depth of field that is right.
4. Make a test image and make sure the shutter speed is what you want, for freeze action or blur. Your choices will be influenced by whether you are on tripod or hand held.
5. Adjust your ISO with the aperture and shutter speed in mind, PLUS, think about the quality of the file you will be producing. Lower ISO’s tend to produce the better quality and higher ISO’s tend to produce various kinds of visual noise.
6. Histogram time — given the Exposure you have selected (ISO, aperture, and shutter speed) make sure you are metering the light right. This means are you placing the image properly (properly means where YOU want it, not where the camera automatically wants it) in the histogram? Special attention to endpoints (left and right). Off the histogram to the left means blocked up shadows, and off the right means blown out whites. Make Exposure Compensation adjustments.
7. Another test image, and consider the White Balance. Set it, or at least know how you will be adjusting it in post processing.
Now you are set and ready. In the field, it is in “Stake-outs” where you are likely to have the opportunity to do all these things. But remember, every image you make may be a true “money-shot”, The shot of your lifetime. Would it not be a shame to produce an average and ordinary image when you had the time to create something really special and didn’t?
Comments always appreciated.
I am a photographer, not a biologist, so if you find errors in my description of the Simba mating process, or if you care to expand upon my description with your own stories, or comments regarding the preparation please do so below. Tell me what you think.
Mzungu
Hi Roger,
I am exhausted thinking about it…ahhhh…those were the days!! Good explanation…I am calling Jan home…:-)
Tom
Good memories, eh Tom? Are you ready to hop aboard my Kenya safari in September? Or Tanzania again in May? You know you want to go experience the wonder of Africa again.
Mzungu
I had the good fortune to be with Roger at this memorable event. Unfortunately I made some of the mistakes Roger talks about – after all the preparation I decided at the last minute that a 2x converter would give me a closer view. In my rush (the converter cover jammed) I didnt re-evaluate shutter speed, ISO etc, nor the loss of the background with my closer reach. As a result I had few really good shots and came away with a good lesson and a memorable experience but having missed some wonderful shots.