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Every now and again I am moved by someone else's images and this is just such an occasion. The Desert Lion Conservation Project in Namibia are the guardians of the desert lions that roam the Skeleton Coast National Park and they were there to capture these rare images. 

The mists that are a frequent phenomenon on the West Coast of Africa are as a result of warm westerly winds that drift over the cold Benguela current. They occur at almost any time of the year and as this scene depicts hides a plethora of activity that we only glimpse every now and then.

Here you can see a very puzzled lioness trying her level best to get at a delicious meal while the porcupine knows that this could be its last day on earth. Those spikes are an almost impenetrable defence and this porcupine used them to his best advantage.  In the series of really fabulous photos this is just one of them, the final one shows the porcupine strutting off over the dunes, to live another day.

Desert Lions have tremendous challenges to survive. Not only is food scarce but water is also very limited. They are a hardy bunch these lions and have come up with very innovative ways of feeding that include catching unsuspecting marine animals that aren't that sure footed on land.

Thanks to the Desert Lion Conservation Project who monitor the lions closely they are still around. These guardians of a dying breed of lion are true wildlife warriors without who these lions would probably be no more.

If you'd like to know more about the Desert Lion Conservation Project then you can go to their website where you can read all about their work. You can also donate to their work here.

I am forever grateful that they have allowed me to use their images as my inspiration for this wonderful artwork that was selected as a Finalist in the Africa Wildlife Artist of the Year 2024.