Part 1…Outstanding day in Kruger National Park…Lions making magic!

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With countless vehicles at the site, we had to take these distant photos through the windshield. We were thrilled to get these shots of the male and female during a mating session.

We keep our expectations in check upon entering Kruger National Park. A long time ago, we accepted the reality that we may not see much on any given day. We always have a one-year Wild Card to enter the park at no additional cost and can return anytime for more photo ops and hopefully more interesting sightings.

After the first 20 minutes of driving after entering the Crocodile Gate, we commented that it might be one of those days with few fascinating sightings. How wrong we were!

A majestic male with his thick mane surely attracted the female in estrus.

Suddenly, we spotted a grouping of vehicles and knew something exciting was happening nearby. Tom maneuvered the car as close as he could, and we saw the mating pair of lions under a bush, as shown in today’s photos.

Lions’ mating in the wild involves a fascinating, intense, and somewhat brutal process deeply rooted in their biology and social structure. Here are the key particulars:

1. Courtship and Readiness

  • Estrus Cycle: A lioness enters estrus (heat) multiple times yearly, usually lasting 4–7 days. She becomes sexually receptive and signals this with increased vocalizations, restlessness, and scent marking.

  • Male Interest: Males can detect this readiness through scent (pheromones in her urine) and behavior. One or more males may follow her closely during this period

  • Lions have very short mating sessions over many hours, if not days.

2. Mating Process

  • Frequency: Once the lioness is receptive, mating happens frequently — up to 20–40 times a day, often every 15 to 30 minutes. This continues for several days, ensuring successful fertilization.

  • Duration: Each copulation is very brief, lasting only 10–20 seconds.

  • Pain Response: The male’s penis is barbed, which causes pain when he withdraws. This pain triggers the female’s ovulation — a necessary part of feline reproduction.

  • Aggressive Behavior: After mating, the lioness often roars, snarls, or swipes at the male due to the pain. The interaction can look violent, but it is a natural part of the process.

He was handsome and appeared to be healthy and well-fed.

3. Monogamous Period

  • During the mating phase, the pair usually isolates themselves from the pride to focus entirely on mating. They do not hunt or eat much, and the physical toll can be significant.

4. Male Competition and Infanticide

  • Coalitions of males (usually brothers or close allies) often take over prides. If they succeed, they may kill existing cubs sired by previous males to bring females back into estrus.

  • This infanticide, though brutal, is part of the natural strategy to pass on genes quickly within a short dominance window (typically 2–4 years).

The female was submissive, rolling around on her back with paws in the air.

5. Pregnancy and Cubs

  • Gestation: Around 110 days (3.5 months).

  • Birth: Lionesses give birth to 1–4 cubs in seclusion and keep them hidden for about 6–8 weeks before introducing them to the pride.

6. Evolutionary Strategy

  • The high frequency of mating and the barbed penis are evolutionary adaptations to ensure ovulation and conception.

  • Mating many times also reduces sperm competition from rival males.

Lion mating is short, frequent, and physically demanding. It’s marked by a raw intensity that mirrors the pride of life’s competitive, often violent dynamics. These behaviors ensure that only the strongest genes are passed on in a harsh and competitive environment.

She looked exhausted.

After considerable time at the sighting, unable to get any closer, we took off on our planned itinerary toward Lower Sabie, where we stopped at the Mugg & Bean for beverages. Continuing with diets, we didn’t eat breakfast but instead ordered their delicious coffee while we sat on their veranda enjoying the views over the Sabie River.

Over the next several hours, we encountered many more exciting sightings, which we’re looking forward to sharing over the next several days.

It’s been a busy morning here in the bush. Tom awoke me early this morning to let me know that Norman was here, after we hadn’t seen him in over a week. He’d cut up some apples to keep him busy until I got outside moments later. I was thrilled to see him once again. He was alone without the family, but hopefully, soon we’ll have an opportunity to see his and Nina’s new baby.

They were together when we drove into the park and again on the opposite side of the road when we left several hours later.

Shortly after Norman left, and I was showered and dressed for the day, a huge band of mongooses stopped by. Immediately, I cut up a good-sized batch of paloney, which they devoured in seconds.

Zebras and several kudu families stopped by. Once it settled down, I baked 36 keto blueberry muffins since there wasn’t load shedding and I could use the oven.

As always, we’ll head out to Jabula for entertainment and dinner tonight. We’ll be back with more Kruger photos tomorrow.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 16, 2015:

Our favorite bird, Birdie, lives in our yard with his significant other. He waits for us when we open the blinds in the morning and looks at us as we have dinner each night. Fr more photos, please click here.

Romantic Lion Couple Mating Ritual…MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN…

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It was a perfect morning. The Romantic Lion Couple appeared casual and at ease under the shade of this tree. But, the air was filled with passionate tension.
Billows of fluffy clouds scattered the ocean blue sky. The air was fresh and cool washing a chill over us as we wriggled our butts in the vehicle into in our usual blanket-covered seats with cushy down pillows for back support. 
Dozing off and on, they both were oblivious to us such a short distance away.
Bundled in our parkas, hats on our heads, we were all raring to go. The bush breakfast behind us, our bellies full, “the tire pressure was checked” and a slight buzz of caffeine permeated our eager brains, anxious for another treasure in the bush. 
The female, occasionally opened an eye, checking out his next move.
It didn’t take Anderson long to fulfill our hopes of more wonders, as he suddenly stopped the Land Cruiser with a slight jolt, quickly grabbing his powerful binoculars. Quiet and intense, he searched the horizon, seconds later saying, “We’re on the move!” 
 Although he appeared relaxed, he was well aware of the task at hand, politely awaiting the perfect opportunity.
Minutes later parked 25 feet from this tree, we practically held our breath to remain quiet, keeping our hands and cameras inside the Land Cruiser, willing to wait however long it took for the events to unfold. 
“She likes me.  She really likes me!”  He looked at us as if seeking approval to move along.
There were two or three other safari vehicles for Anderson to maneuver around to get as close as possible. His ability to graciously position us to the best vantage point always pleased us. Once again, we expressed our gratitude to him, this time in whispered tones.
“I think it’s time to get this show on the road!”
Determined to eventually continue on to Tanzania (me, the most excited about that prospect), seeing these two lions gave me a sense that if we would choose to watch this all day, I’d willingly forego Tanzania. 
To be witness to the beauty of procreation in the wild with the majestic lions was not to be missed. Nothing could drag us away.
 Actively engaged in mating before our eyes.
One might assume that to observe this fact of life in the flesh was based on our own voyeurism. Not the case. We watched this event with the same enthusiasm and interest we’d felt watching the hunt, the lion in the tree, the lion family living in the culvert, the elusive rhinos, and more.
I must admit, we all made a few rather hilarious comments in whispered tones as the activities unfolded, none of which will be shared here. We are human after all. David was videotaping while Tom particularly launched a few hilarious zingers which now were on David’s video to later be removed (or not). 
Afterward, he moved back to the tree in his usual spot, perhaps contemplating his next move.

We all had to cover our mouths with our hands to muffle our laughter. Anderson laughed along with us, although most assuredly, he’d heard such comments in the past.

Settling in for what could prove to be a long wait, once again we all became quiet and entranced in the beauty of nature, our environment, the gift of the opportunity to see such life, and death, around us over these few days. 
 He went back for another round while she quietly cooperated.  Anderson explained this process could go on for hours. We’d anticipated he might bite her, growl, or be aggressive in some manner. But, he quietly and gently pursued her, an exquisite sight to behold. We decided to move along to leave to Romantic Lion couple with privacy and for us to continue with our plans to drive to the border of Kenya and Tanzania.
We were pleasantly surprised when The Romantic Lion Couple wasted no time in giving us exactly what we’d hoped to see, as evidenced in these photos, Mother Nature at her finest, creating life.  
Their tree on the left, we drove away, with those same smiles on our faces knowing that for some magical reason, we had a safari that couldn’t have been more perfect, more fulfilling, more life-changing than the 21 1/2 hours we spent with Anderson in that sturdy Land Cruiser, bouncing too high heaven, feeling lucky, so lucky!
After 40 minutes, we were all ready to move on. Tanzania here we come, flies and all (story and photos shown in yesterday’s post on October 14, 2013).
And we’re still not done…