Up close and personal

Asiatic Lion, sofspics
By sofs
@sofssu (23662)
June 20, 2016 11:43pm CST
It is very rare to come so up close and personal with some wild cats. I have to thank my lucky stars for such an encounter as this one. I have been on many safari's and jungle rides.. all I wish for is one good shot of the animal I meet.. I guess its the same for anyone who loves to photograph. I just wanted to share my happiness and excitement on getting this shot right. This guy was staring right into my eyes as I took the picture from a closed vehicle. The driver of our vehicle was good enough to get me as close to the animal as possible. The majesty and the beauty of these Asiatic lions are seen to be believed, though they don't smell pretty. Their habit of marking territory leaves them smelling rather terrible. However, I would give anything to get some pictures this close. Do like photographing wildlife or just going to a zoo or a sanctuary to look at them?
15 people like this
15 responses
@JudyEv (326770)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jun 16
This is a great photo. No wonder you are so pleased with it. It's a beauty.
3 people like this
@sofssu (23662)
21 Jun 16
@JudyEv I am pleased .. sighting of such animals is rare by itself. He was so majestic and but seemed kind of bored.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
21 Jun 16
Wow, this one close-up shot of a fierce lion , done so well . And look that , it's as if he is in a pensive mood and sad . I think i can also take this shot if i am on a safari vehicle like what you had .
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
@sofssu It's good he isn't much disturbed by the car you are in .
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
22 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD Initially he was roaring and anxious but he kind of settled down.. later when the female came into the scene he became aggressive. The driver quickly moved off.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
21 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD He seemed pensive in one shot and completely bored in another. He gave a big yawn.! The thing about getting shots right on a safari is you could have just a few minutes. I had less than one before he moved off.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
21 Jun 16
I'm dabbling into photography but have never had the chance to take photos of wildlife. Given the chance, I'll definitely take it. it isn't everyday that you get that opportunity to capture in photographs such majestic creatures.
2 people like this
@sofssu (23662)
21 Jun 16
@allen0187 I am also just dabbling there.. This isn't a prefect shot.. but I am happy that I got it right in a few seconds.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
@sofssu It is a beautiful shot in my opinion and given the circumstances, it is more impressive.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
22 Jun 16
@allen0187 Thank you so much. Some encouragement goes a long way.
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
21 Jun 16
It's a perfect shot! This is my first time to see a wild cat! I am too scared to get close to wild animals so I can't be their good photographer.
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
21 Jun 16
@sofssu Maybe if in that safe place too. I am just too scared of wild animals, I really don't know why.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
22 Jun 16
@salonga LOl Because the are WILD animals.
@sofssu (23662)
21 Jun 16
@salonga He was so beautiful that I was admiring him more than being afraid of him.. I am sure you would too. Moreover you are in the safety of a highly armored vehicle.
1 person likes this
@wiLLmaH (8801)
• Singapore, Singapore
25 Jun 16
This is a great shot @sofssu! Now I want more to go to a safari in Subic for this kind of experience. Do you fed them too?
1 person likes this
@wiLLmaH (8801)
• Singapore, Singapore
27 Jun 16
@sofssu i saw some like this tour that they have a tong to feed them fresh meat. I think that is in Korea.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
27 Jun 16
@wiLLmaH Hmm.. that would be a different experience, a different level altogether..
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
26 Jun 16
@wiLLmaH Oh no we cant even put our hands out of the vehicle.. You just have enough space to point your lens at the animal. At least that is how it is here.
• United States
22 Jun 16
oh my! i got goosebumps jest seein' the photo! what a wonderful 'xperience to've gotten such'n opportunity. i prefer 'em out'n the wild. the zoo here leaves much to be desired, all i can feel fer the critters there's great pity 'n anger fer their poor housin' conditions.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
22 Jun 16
@crazyhorseladycx You will love those safaris. We are the caged one there while the animals roam free.
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Jun 16
@sofssu 's such should be :) shame we can't get folks to do that outside'f those places, eh? so'd they'd jest leave the critters be.
• United States
22 Jun 16
@sofssu 'tis all that chain link'n concrete that gets to me :( i've been to zoos though where they've gone to great efforts to create each critters native environment 'n 've done such beautifully. i'd love to go'n visit this place, see'm actually out'n the wilds.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
21 Jun 16
That is an amazing photo. But, I don't really want to get that close to lions, ever. I am happy to enjoy their beauty in photographs taken by such talented people as you.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
21 Jun 16
@Rollo1 Talented, I am not there is much to be desired in that picture.. ( I posted an unedited version too) I was just happy to have my hands steady and get that shot right lol.
@springs (923)
• India
22 Jun 16
I love to go to a safari. Really amazing to watch wild animals in their free zone. I went to a safari in south Africa that was really awesome. Your picture is too good. Are u a professional photographer.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
22 Jun 16
@springs LOL not really.. I am just dabbling with photography. Its just a hobby. It is amazing to watch these guys in the wild isn't it? Thanks a ton for that gracious comment.
@skysnap (20154)
21 Jun 16
I like taking wildlife photography. It's safe for some people I assume.
1 person likes this
@skysnap (20154)
21 Jun 16
@sofssu true
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
21 Jun 16
@skysnap Its safe if you are in a secured vehicle and you follow the rules.
@LadyDuck (460454)
• Switzerland
21 Jun 16
This photo is beautiful, the lion looks so sweet, I believe it's an old animal, he does not look very dangerous.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
21 Jun 16
@LadyDuck He is old but I am sure he is not sweet.. he acted differently when his mate was around.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (460454)
• Switzerland
21 Jun 16
@sofssu Wild animals act to protect themselves I believe. I have seen lions acting like big cats with humans.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
22 Jun 16
@LadyDuck These are in the wild and have no contact with humans.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
21 Jun 16
You really did get close to him, didn't you. That's a great shot.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
22 Jun 16
@jaboUK Thanks to our vehicle driver .. He was really good to us and waited patiently until I got my shots right even with the other animals.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
21 Jun 16
I like seeing them in the wild, if in a zoo it has to be one of the humane ones with TONS of space
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
22 Jun 16
@Jessicalynnt I agree with you completely. This guy is in the wild in a secure national park,
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (19056)
• United States
21 Jun 16
I love going to the zoo.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
21 Jun 16
@JESSY3236 I love going to the zoo too.. I grab every opportunity to go there now that my children have grown up and i don't get so many.
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
21 Jun 16
wow, that is so up close shot
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
21 Jun 16
@ridingbet It is indeed.
@tzwrites (4835)
• Romania
21 Jun 16
Oh wow very cool shot! You are lucky to be able to get close to wild animals.
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
21 Jun 16
@tzwrites Thank you. I was lucky indeed. I have been there so many times not once have I had this kind of opportunity.