Waking up with a leopard and going to bed with a lion….

Today i have about an hour to reflect upon the morning with Fig, the hyenas, zebras and elephants…when i’m struck that each morning so far here in africa, i have woken up ready to explore, with an open heart and mind…no expectations whatsoever.  THIS IS EXTRAORDINARY!  The sunrise today lingers with me – a new day, where each animal on the savannah that stands at 5AM is grateful to be alive, to have made it through the night and yet not one bit complacent, as each moment could be the last.  Here on the savannah, conserving energy and being in the moment is critical to survival.  Somehow, that energy has influenced me!   I am appreciating that since i’ve arrived here in Africa, i wake up without a NEED or a WANT.  I wake up committed to being the best version of myself, grateful for my body, that carries me and houses me with such strength and fortitude, and to my mind that allows me to process all this information and communicate with the world.  In this, i’ve found my Spirit, my Spirit that just IS.  This is the gift of the Mara.

Sunrise in the Mara. How can one have expectations when surrounded by such beauty.
Sunrise in the Mara. How can one have expectations when surrounded by such beauty.

This afternoon’s drive brought us upon a relatively young bull elephant, determined to show his strength by learning down an acacia tree.

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Many times elephants will do this in the dry season because there is no grass to eat, but there is PLENTY of nutritious grass.  this is simply a case of testosterone overload.  boys will be boys :))

We carried on and were lucky enough to run into Handsome’s pride of lazing lions in the sunset.  Here they rested upon rocks that were warmed in the toasty savannah sun.

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We counted 11 in total and wondered if Handsome was nearby…

As we started to make our way back to camp, who else but Handsome mosey’s down the hill!  Wow – he is called Handsome for a reason!

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This dominant male lion has not aged a bit.  Most male lions mane becomes darker as time goes on, but his has stayed nice and sandy blonde!  what a gorgeous guy.  He even stops to pose for us!

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The power and might of these lions is a sight to behold.  these pictures do them no justice.  the front legs are enormous that end in gigantic flesh fearing paws and claws…truly the king of this savannah.

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I’ve found that with no expectations, things just happen and i just interact with them.  There seems to be less friction, less mucky space and simply open space and flow….

Here’s to waking up with leopards and going to bed with lions.

Goodnight.

 

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