Staring Back
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA, AFRICA - August 11, 2019: These two cheetah siblings watched us without moving a muscle.
Cheetah Siblings
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA, AFRICA - August 11, 2019: They had been recently been ousted by their mother and remain very close to one another as they transition into being self-sufficient. We heard them at night, calling for their mom. It was kind of sad.
The Sleek Lines of a Cheetah
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA, AFRICA - August 11, 2019: A cheetah stands in profile which demonstrates the sleek lines of this animal. Built for speed, it is one of the fastest animals on the planet. Also characteristic of the cheetah is the tear marks which, from a biological perspective, help reduce the glare of the sun, - like the undereye black paint the football players use today.
Two Sisters
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA, AFRICA - August 11, 2019: There is a Zulu tale that explains why cheetah have "tear stains" on their faces. Long story short, while a mother cheetah was out hunting, a lazy man stole her cubs, because he wanted to train them to hunt for himself. When the cheetah mother returned and found her cubs missing, she cried relentlessly. A leader of the tribe heard her wales and came to investigate. He then discovered what the lazy hunter had done. The lazy hunter was forced out of the tribe for his actions but not before he was required to give the cubs back to the grieving mother. The cheetah mother was overjoyed to have her cubs returned, but the tear stains remained permanent marks on her face.
Cheetah Sisters in Black & White
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA, AFRICA - August 11, 2019: The two cheetah sisters have been weaned from their mother and are on their own for the first time. For the first few months, they will be inseparable until they learn how to survive on their own.
On the Hunt
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA, AFRICA - August 11,2019: A cheetah demonstrates his ease and agility.
Camouflaged
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA, AFRICA - August 11,2019: A cheetah rests, camouflouged by the grass, but remains vigilant for prey.