This leopard was in an area of the Masai Mara that didn’t allow off-road driving. We watched from quite a distance trying to predict which way she would move. Several other vehicles were in the area and we decided to distance ourselves as much as possible from them. It was the right decision. When the leopard finally started to move she came right toward us, passing about ten feet from our vehicle and allowing me to get some nice close ups.

There are three kinds of zebras in Africa. This is a Grevy’s zebra, the largest as well as the most endangered of the three. Unlike other zebras, the Grevy’s stripes do not extend to the belly. The two birds are called glossy starlings. They are quite common throughout much of Africa.

I know someone who likes doves. It’s her birthday today, so this one is for her. It’s not just any ordinary dove… this is an emerald spotted wood dove. It was photographed in Olare Orok, Kenya, just north of the Masai Mara. Enjoy — and happy birthday.

We ran into this cape hare late one afternoon in Laikipia, Kenya. They are a nocturnal species and there was barely enough light left in the day to get this photo without using flash. Cape hares are common and found throughout much of Africa. They have also spread into some parts of Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

This photo was taken in the Masai Mara in Kenya. A heavy rain was about to get even haeavier just as these two giraffes were crossing the river. They seemed a bit surprised by the sudden downpour and looked in both directions as if searching for the best possible course of action.

Another of the many lion cubs we saw in Kenya. This little guy kept on walking up to our vehicle and attempting to roar (in actuality, it was more of a weak meow).  After delivering the message, he would retreat back to his mom, who was resting in the bushes.

While in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, we were lucky to see both species of African rhinoceros, the white and the black. The names are somewhat misleading, as the two species aren’t really distinguishable by color but by other physical traits. The white rhino is larger and has a wide, square upper lip as opposed to the more pointed or hooked lip of the black rhino. Because of this, they are sometimes commonly known as the square-lipped rhino and the hook-lipped rhino. Black rhinos are also more rare and are listed as critically endangered. One subspecies, the western black rhinoceros was declared extinct just last year.

First off, I just want to announce that I finally have a shopping cart function on the site. To purchase a print of any photo, just go to the appropriate gallery in the drop down menu and choose a size, mounting, etc. (in addition to the galleries, everything posted here in the photo of the day blog is also available at the same prices. The shopping cart isn’t yet working here though, so if interested, find the price in the galleries and then send me an email).

On to the photo of the day.

These two little bat-eared fox pups were only about a month old. They were playing around just outside their den at the end of the day while their mother was busy hunting.

One more mother and baby photo for Mother’s Day week. This mother baboon and her baby were looking for a little shelter from all the rain in Laikipia, Kenya. I liked the way the baby was sucking its thumb as it rode upon the mother’s back.

If you already received this post, I apologize. Again, issues with switching service providers. If not, here it is again.

Next up for Mother’s Day week is this fine looking African elephant and her young calf. We spotted them just down the road from the rhinos that I posted yesterday. Both the rhinos and the elephants make their home in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. On another note, I’m hoping that all my server issues have been resolved and everyone gets this post. Sorry for the problems yesterday.