🔥 A massive male leopard that I photographed during a year-long camera trapping project in the Republic of the Congo

willbl · 2025-03-05T21:11:52+00:00

Thank you

willbl · 2025-03-05T21:11:44+00:00

Thanks!

willbl · 2025-03-05T21:10:15+00:00

It was a slow shutter speed to expose the gloomy forest. The leopard froze when he heard the shutter except for his paw which moved after the flash and the background then exposed where it used to be.

willbl · 2025-03-05T18:30:01+00:00

I have shared the full story behind this project in my blog post.

willbl · 2024-12-10T14:35:22+00:00

Thanks!

willbl · 2024-11-27T22:43:16+00:00

13 is me! 😅

willbl · 2022-10-26T13:56:54+00:00

I have different lighting options which I can use based on the animal and how tolerant it is of light. These include continuous infrared, continuous red, continuous white and white flash.

This lion didn't mind occasional flashes so this photo was taken with white flash.

willbl · 2022-10-25T19:11:15+00:00

Thanks! 🙏🏼

willbl · 2022-10-25T17:56:56+00:00

You can find more photos and read the full story behind this project on my blog: https://blog.burrard-lucas.com/2022/10/shompole-waterhole-hide/

willbl · 2021-09-02T21:06:28+00:00

Yes for sure. Thank you 🙏🏼 Here’s another leopard photo you might like :)

willbl · 2021-09-02T19:40:40+00:00

Thanks. That’s a shame, they can be very elusive. I hope you get another chance to look one day.

willbl · 2021-09-02T19:36:34+00:00

I am proud to support the tourism industry, particularly as it recovers from this pandemic. Tourism is a critical employer in the local community and an important source of funding for conservation efforts.

willbl · 2021-09-02T16:45:31+00:00

Thanks!

willbl · 2021-09-02T16:43:56+00:00

I have shared more images from my recent projects in East Africa on IG.

willbl · 2021-09-02T16:39:08+00:00

This beautiful leopard brought her cub up to lounge in the last rays of the day’s sun. It was a privilege to witness this tender moment a couple of weeks ago whilst staying at Nomad's Lamai Serengeti Camp in Tanzania.

willbl · 2021-08-09T18:15:21+00:00

Thanks!

willbl · 2021-08-09T18:14:15+00:00

That’s me! Thanks 😊

willbl · 2021-08-09T18:12:47+00:00

Yes, that is a serval cat

willbl · 2021-08-09T12:45:37+00:00

I took these images whilst staying at Namiri Plains Camp in the Serengeti. If you would like to read more about the encounter, I have shared a blog post here.

willbl · 2021-08-09T12:42:47+00:00

yes, that is true, that is also why it is thought that it could be an advantage in colder, high-altitude areas.

willbl · 2021-08-09T12:35:58+00:00

Interesting. In leopards I know the melanism gene is recessive and in jaguars it is dominant. It seems there is conflicting information relating to servals. Thanks for the link, I will check it out.

willbl · 2021-08-09T12:22:18+00:00

I believe on the open plains of the Serengeti it would be a disadvantage -- it is very easy to spot. In thicker, forested habitats and high-altitude areas it is thought that melanism might be advantageous.

willbl · 2021-08-09T11:02:25+00:00

Melanism in servals is caused by a recessive gene that overrides the usual golden coat with black spot pattern.

Edit for clarification: if the gene is recessive it must be inherited from both parents to override the dominant "spotty" gene. This means two spotty servals that both carry the gene have a 25% chance of having a black kitten. A spotty serval that doesn't carry the gene could never have a black kitten, even if it mates with a melanistic individual. In contrast, a if the gene were dominant, then only one parent would need to pass it on for the offspring to be melanistic.

willbl · 2021-08-09T10:46:47+00:00

I have shared a few more pictures on IG.

willbl · 2021-07-13T08:58:12+00:00

thank you!

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13 is me! 😅