We thought this leopard was climbing to a resting spot for an afternoon nap. She was actually getting into position to pounce on unsuspecting impala that would soon be grazing below. The pounce, of course, happened after we had already left and returned to camp for lunch. The consolation prize for our impatience was a bunch of nice portrait shots of Africa’s most elegant cat. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 220mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.

There are about 17 species of genet (I say about because there’s some disagreement as to the exact number of species vs subspecies). They are all native to Africa, although a few have been introduced into parts of Europe. They are also all nocturnal. This common genet was photographed in Botswana one evening when it came to visit us at dinner. Good thing I always carry my camera when I go to dinner. You never know what may come creeping around, attracted by the smells coming from the kitchen. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 240mm) ISO 640, f/4 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-900 flash units.

This lone meerkat seemed to be enjoying a few moments alone in the late afternoon just before the rest of the troop arrived back home from their foraging. Photographed in the Makgadikgadi Pans of Botswana. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 19mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/640th of a second.

You can see why the African wild dog gets is nicknamed the painted dog. They are quite spectacular. I’ve only seen them twice and only on this occasion in Botswana was I able to spend a good deal of time with a large pack. Unfortunately, African wild dogs are endangered due to habitat fragmentation. A problem which leads to conflict with humans, transmission of infectious diseases and high mortality rates. Here’s hoping conservation efforts can save the species from further decline. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 150mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/160th of a second.

A lion cub finds a nice spot to rest on top of his/her father. Photographed in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve of Botswana. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 330mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/320th of a second.

This black-backed jackal allowed me a pretty close approach, and seemed more curious than anything else when I crouched down in the dry grass to get a lower level perspective. The light would get really soft at the end of the day in the Kalahari desert of Botswana — basically due to the sun getting very low (and huge) on the horizon because it was so flat and there were no hills or trees to obstruct its descent. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 210mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/400th of a second.

This one is a rarity. The brown hyena, or as it’s also called, the strandwolf. I’ve only seen two. The other was in the burrow below this guy. They can only be found in the southern tip of Africa, mainly in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. I took this photo in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana. The light was very low, much darker than the picture indicates and I was forced to use a high ISO of 6400 and wide aperture to squeeze out just enough light for the shot. Moments after I released the shutter, both disappeared into the burrow. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens, ISO 6400, f/2.8 at 1/40th of a second.

A young meerkat waits for the rest of the group to get back to the burrow before calling it a night. Photographed at Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 155mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/4000th of a second.

Sunrises in the Kalahari Desert can be pretty colorful because it is so flat and the sun sits right on the horizon. I found myself running around each day trying to find anything to photograph during both sunrises and sunsets. On this occasion, a black-backed jackal was kind enough to stop by and pose for a portrait as the first bit of light of the day was filtering across the landscape. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/400th of a second.

Meerkats are always on the lookout for any possible danger. This gang of them seem to have all directions under heavy surveillance. A group of meerkats can be called a gang, a mob or a clan. I kind of liked the former for this particular group. Photographed in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana at a place called the Makgadikgadi Pans. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 35mm) ISO 400, f/13 at 1/400th of a second.