Perhaps the zebra on the left had bad breath. Perhaps he told a bad joke. Whatever the case, the zebra on the right was clearly not having any of it. This shot was taken during the short rains in Kenya, when the males are busy fighting for dominance and mating rights.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm (at 290mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/800th of a second

A quick break from the Caribbean to get back to the rest of the wild world. These two lion portraits were taken seconds apart in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. The light was challenging and the subject matter was a bit gruesome as a pride of lions feasted upon a zebra. Every so often, however, one of the lions would move into a decent position and allow me to make use of the high-in-the-sky backlight.
Top Photo — Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/320th of a second
Bottom Photo — Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/500th of a second

Anyone who has been on an African safari knows that warthogs can be vastly underrated and under appreciated. Sure, they aren’t the prettiest on the savanna, but they make up for it in personality. This one appeared to be directing traffic as a herd (or dazzle) of zebras passed by.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/2000th of a second

Okay, one more cutest-on-the-African-plains contender before switching continents. Lion cubs are certainly worthy of being on anyone’s short list. This little guy was photographed just north of the Masai Mara in Kenya.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 270mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/320th of a second

After yesterday’s post of the baby elephant, someone mentioned that certain big cat babies also challenge for cutest animal on the African plains. I wholeheartedly agree. I especially like baby cheetahs. Here’s one curled up with its mom as the setting sun lights up the tall grasses of the Masai Mara in Kenya.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 360mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/200th of a second

Just a straight on shot of a baby giraffe in mediocre light. But there aren’t many things on the African plains as cute as a baby giraffe. This one was photographed in the Masai Mara of Kenya. Mom was nearby eating the leaves off the top of a bush just to the left of frame.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/500th of a second

Cape buffalo are pretty much the curmudgeons of the African plains. They are considered one of the big five (along with leopards, lions, elephants and rhinos) but they’re the one of the five that nobody really cares too much about. Probably because they are pretty common. And look like cattle. I’ve always loved the George Washington-esque horns atop their heads. And the way that they stare you down as if they can’t believe you would dare come any closer. This one, however, didn’t seem to care too much about anything at all.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 380mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/160th of a second

The grey crowned crane, or crested crane, is certainly one of the more interesting looking creatures to be found in east Africa. It is a large bird standing three and a half feet tall and weighing in at almost eight pounds. It spends the entire day foraging for a variety of both plants and animals, including seeds, grains, worms, frogs, snakes, fish and eggs. This particular crane was winding down its day before heading to a tree to rest and sleep for the night.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 00-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/200th of a second

These two bat eared fox pups were getting to know each other a little better. Of course, they should have been quite familiar with each other as they were most likely from the same litter. We came across them late one afternoon in the Masai Mara of Kenya.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 360mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/100th of a second