Lions--Oh My!!

Falling down on my photography documentation while we were observing lions--from horseback mind you. This is the only place in South Africa, and possibly all of Africa, that the tracker doesn't head the other direction when spotting lion tracks. It has taken Phillip and Gerti years to understand the lions and train the horses to allow safari riders to observe them. It continues to be clear that the horses really are nervous about the lions, unless the lions are down wind from them. Today was my first lion experience. We were observing a female feeding on an impala when we glanced over to the left and noticed a second lion watching us. They are large, quiet and very quick. He was lying down, but had his head poking up--just taking in the picture of eight horses with riders. The goal became to back away quietly, so the "watching" did not escalate. Ok, so how to move that many living organisms without looking like you are in a hurry, so he isn't triggered. We moved in small increments and then were still. Just so you know, the worst thing you can do when a lion is attacking is run. (Just in case you might need that tidbit.) By the second move, he was standing up and watching us. Yes, this was a step towards attacking. We moved in three increments and were then on the road. The horses were remarkable how they respond dependably in such a tense situation. They are often continuing to graze. None of the riders panicked, everyone was very calm, and followed direction to the letter--all incredibly important in this situation. While reflecting on the event, it might be compared to someone holding a hostage at gunpoint. How to get the hostage (us) free without triggering the gunman (lion.) One of the trackers assured me that it was way less risky than crossing a street in NY city. I guess it is all what you are use to. Another unbelievable animal sighting!