This picture was taken recently in Lope National Park in Gabon. The park is made up of a unique savanna-forest mosaic which is quite unique in the area. The animals that live here are generally forest species, but some of them use the savanna as well. Phil Henschel, a panthera biologist, and I were trying to sneak up on this female Bushbuck (who had a calf with her) from a hundred yards away. We moved too fast (these antelopes have great eye sight) and they ran away into a marsh. Phil and I decided to sit down and wait to see if we could see them emerge from the marsh. For half an hour we saw no movement except a Forest Buffalo that was running around like it was mad. All of a sudden we look to our right (even though the marsh was to our left) and the same Bushbuck mother and her calf came running right at us, with the forest buffalo chasing them. They came to a halt a mere 12 feet away, which is when I snapped this photo. Sometimes things just happen in a really weird way!
As always, just click on the image for the wallpaper sized image or use this link Bushbuck Female in Gabon Wallpaper.
As always, most of my photographs are only possible because I have received a lot of help along the way. For this image, I would like to thank Phil Henschel and Laila Bahaa-el-din!
*If you are interested in purchasing any of the pictures displayed in this post, please check out my fine prints page for pricing.*