Ann Aveyard Wildlife Photography

07/09/2026

Some more images of Osoti, as he greeted the lionesses of the Hamerkop Pride. 🦁

Make sure you view these in sequence, as they tell the story of the encounter.

First, you’ll see Osoti running over to meet the pride, followed by a rather affectionate greeting as they come together. But it doesn’t take long before she decides that enough is enough and firmly tells him to behave!
A little later, all seems to have been forgiven, and there he is surrounded by the females.

I love a sequence of photographs like this. A single image captures a moment, but a series can tell so much more about the interactions and relationships between individual lions.

Canon photographer Canon UK

06/09/2026

An update on Faulu…

Earlier I shared the wonderful news that I had been told by a reliable source that Faulu had been seen alive and well. Unfortunately, I now need to add a little caution to that update.

A female leopard has been seen mating, and those at the sighting initially believed they were certain it was Faulu. However, the video footage is distant, partially obscured and the leopard cannot be confidently identified as Faulu.

Even those who were there are now acknowledging that they cannot be 100% certain.
I desperately hope it is her, and I’m keeping everything crossed that we get positive confirmation very soon. But until there is a clearer sighting, I don’t want to say with certainty that Faulu is safe.

I’m sorry for the premature good news — I was so relieved when I was told she had been seen, and I genuinely believed the identification had been confirmed.

For now, we wait and hope. 🤞🐆❤️

I’ll update you as soon as I know anything more definite

06/09/2026

There is a very distressing video circulating at the moment showing a leopard being killed by a crocodile in the Talek River in the Masai Mara.

I won’t be sharing the video. It is incredibly gruesome and upsetting, and I don’t feel it needs to be shared any further.
The identity of the leopard has NOT been confirmed, but inevitably my thoughts have turned to Faulu.

Over the years I have built a very special connection with this beautiful little leopard. With her slight stature and those stunning eyes, she is unmistakable to me. I have been fortunate enough to see and photograph her on so many of my visits to the Mara, and she is always one of the leopards I hope to find when I return.
Losing any leopard is devastating, but if it were Faulu, I would find it especially heartbreaking.

I know that what happened is part of nature. Life in the wild can be incredibly brutal, and the crocodile was simply doing what crocodiles do. Understanding that, however, doesn’t make it any less difficult to see — particularly when there is a possibility that the leopard involved is one you have come to know and care about over many years.

So rather than sharing that distressing video, I’m sharing a photograph of Faulu — and hoping very much that she is safe.

06/09/2026

Osupat and his sons

I’ve been lucky enough to photograph Osupat, a well-known male lion in Olare Motorogi Conservancy, and two of his three sons — Oltau and Osoit.

Osupat was previously part of a coalition with Nyekundu, but after Nyekundu disappeared, he was left on his own.

His three sons, however, were growing into young males. Rather than dispersing and going their separate ways, Olodo, Osoit and Oltau have remained with their father, forming the rather unusual sight of a father-and-sons coalition.

Male lion coalitions are more commonly made up of brothers or unrelated males, so this is a particularly fascinating family group to follow.

I only have photographs of Osupat and two of his sons, but I thought I’d share their story because knowing the individuals behind the photographs makes encounters like these even more special.

I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on this remarkable family to see what the future holds for them.

05/09/2026

When did getting the shot become more important than the animal?

There’s been a lot of discussion this week about influencers at the US Tennis Open disrupting play and ignoring basic tennis etiquette.

And honestly, it made me think about safari.
Because I see the same thing happening in the wild.

The pressure to get the photograph, the video or the social media moment can sometimes take priority over simply respecting the animal and the people around you.

Driving too close. Crowding a sighting. Blocking another vehicle. Pushing for that perfect angle, regardless of whether it blocks another vehicle or disrupts the sighting. Making noise to get an animal to look at the camera.

All for the shot.

But wildlife photography isn't about making the moment happen.
It’s about being patient enough to let it happen.

A wild animal doesn’t know — or care — how many followers you have. And a safari sighting doesn’t belong to the person with the biggest lens or the best social media account.

We are guests in their world.

So yes, get the photograph. Film the moment. Share the experience.

BUT not at the expense of the wildlife. Or the people sharing the experience with you.

These photographs are a perfect example of why I believe in waiting and watching. We didn't need to create these moments — we simply gave the lions space and let their natural behaviour unfold in front of us.

For me, responsible wildlife photography is simple:
Respect the animal. Respect the guide. Respect the other vehicles.

And remember what a privilege it is to be there.

Because no photograph is worth disturbing an animal for.

05/09/2026

Osupat - Some say he’s the most handsome lion in the Masai Mara… what do you think? 😉

Photographed on safari with , with as our spotter and Bill Kupai as our guide.

Canon Photographer

Mara Predator Conservation Programme

05/09/2026

Have you ever seen a lion pull this face?
It’s called the flehmen response — and no, he’s not snarling!

When a male encounters a female, he may curl back his upper lip, open his mouth and inhale, drawing in scent molecules from the air. He’s using a specialised organ, called the vomeronasal (Jacobson’s) organ, to analyse chemical signals, including those found in the female’s urine.
This can help him determine whether she’s receptive and ready to mate.

So that rather funny-looking face is actually a very important part of lion behaviour and communication.

The male lion is Osupaat and he is mating with a lions from the Hamerkop Pride in the Olare Motorgori Conservancy. Mara Predator Conservation Programme

Canon Photographer Canon UK

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04/09/2026

Only a few spaces left on next year’s photo safaris!

All my 2027 safaris are now fully booked, apart from June, where I still have a few spaces available.

If you’ve been thinking about joining me in the Mara, now’s the time!

Photographic Safari in the Masai Mara, staying at Governors' Camp with wildlfie photographer, Ann Aveyard, as your host and guide.