And it was all yellow! Safari animals enjoy explosion of stunning springtime flowers
By Mikey Jones
An avid photographer has captured a range of safari animals enjoying an explosion of stunning springtime yellow flowers.
Villiers Steyn, 36, captured lions, cheetahs and elephants on a game reserve in whilst leading an eight-night safari in Mashatu, Botswana late last month.
PIC BY Villiers Steyn / CATERS NEWS
While on the safari he experienced four inches of rain over a two-day period, which transformed the arid land of Southern Africa’s Lowveld region into a sea of yellow.
PIC BY Villiers Steyn / CATERS NEWS
Villiers said: “No one can believe my photos.
PIC BY Villiers Steyn / CATERS NEWS
“I don’t think anyone has seen these well-known, charismatic animals in such a colourful backdrop.
PIC BY Villiers Steyn / CATERS NEWS
“After they say ‘no way’, they all say ‘we want to see it too.”
PIC BY Villiers Steyn / CATERS NEWS
Villier has been visiting Botswana since 2003 but said he has never seen it look as beautiful as when he captured these photos.
PIC BY Villiers Steyn / CATERS NEWS
He added: “At first the sea of yellow looks unreal, almost fake – like someone has dumped a gigantic pot of yellow paint in the valleys between all the small hills.
PIC BY Villiers Steyn / CATERS NEWS
“And amazingly enough, just when you think you’ve seen the best of it you come around a corner and see even more flowers, growing on top of flowers.
PIC BY Villiers Steyn / CATERS NEWS
“On every game drive we spent time searching for and photographing all kinds of animals, great and small, in the flowers.
PIC BY Villiers Steyn / CATERS NEWS
“Some, like baboons, ostriches and elephants, ate the flowers, while others, like cheetahs, simply enjoyed the open spaces in which they grow.”
PIC BY Villiers Steyn / CATERS NEWS
The wildlife photographer and safari guide said his favourite animal to photograph were the herd of elephants.
PIC BY Villiers Steyn / CATERS NEWS
He added: “I love the photo of the small herd feeding in the yellow flowerswith the fluffy white clouds and blue sky above, as well as the close-ups of them picking the flowerswith their trunks.”
PIC BY Villiers Steyn / CATERS NEWS
For more information about Villiers’ safaris, go to www.atclosequarters.com
