So really, it was the devil that made YOU do it – as opposed to describing the sentiment of the lioness. 😮 Where you in any danger? Or where you behind a fence or in a vehicle?
No real danger, actually, but it was still scary. I was actually in the field with these lions, but there were staff people there who knew them well. Nevertheless, it was a bit unnerving to be so close. Perhaps I will post a picture of one of the staff at the breeding farm. She is about 5 foot 3 inches and a lion comes up and literally stand up and wraps its paws around her.
You note that someday she will smile at you and welcome you to sit by her side…. That picture has the look of welcoming you INside…. 8-o lol
gail williams
This is just what I am studying right now. Daniel 7. Thanks you for great photo’s from all over the world that I may never get to see. I love the photo’s. Keep traveling and teaching.
Teresa C.
Ummm, how close? And was it you she was signaling?
This beast is GORGEOUS! Thank you so much for sharing your world travels IN PICTURES with us, Skip! I love the photos!!! Lets me pretend that I can leave this wretched body for a time and travel with you!
Oh, and I can totally relate to me in the morning before coffee and serenity to just sit and think (or watch the snow fall as in this morning’s case!) Yes, Judi, I hearya!!!
Michael C
Is this the beast that crouches at the door? Ready to pounce should we take a step closer? The beast that we can choose to turn and remove our presence from?
Or, as our broken tradition dictates, are we compelled by our innate and irresistible desire to pet this lovely appearing creature only to be devoured by it upon contact?
No devil. We are the adversary to God and his Torah. Just us failing to appeal to hatov rather than our yetzer hara.
Rather than death, choose this day life and live.
Simple, it would seem. That ra inclination in us is a ravenous opponent to face daily during every moment. However, Torah seems to clarify that it is something we CAN do. The utterly amazing gift of free will makes it so.
This moment . . . I choose life! I have confidence in Him for the next moment and the next and the next . . .
Should that I occupy the fools role, His chesed somehow moves me out of shame and back on His path.
The beast that crouches at the door, seems to me, like the HaSatan figure that prowls around Yeshua in Mel Gibson’s film the Passion.
Michael C
I have never been on safari or in the raw with wild animals such as this one, only separated, although very close, by a chain link fence. (Even then observing the rather dismal way the fence was supported and ‘secured’ made me a bit queazy!)
I would think being this close to the wild would give a sense of invigoration of life. A new view and respect for life and death, being so near both simultaneously.
In one second horrifying, the next invigorating as in cheating death. An experience that tends to get the adrenaline flowing, the blood flowing and, all in all, life flowing from within. Very world altering in many aspects.
Teresa
You are a BRAVE soul. That would have terrified me!!!!
Michael and Arnella Stanley
Perhaps Skip knew that this lion was from the tribe of Judah and kept Kashrut. Human flesh is not kosher thus no fear (but a lot of trust).
My friend in South Africa has two fully grown male lions in the yard around his house. Better than an alarm for security.
Sherry
Skip, I love the photo. So much more interesting than just another lioness looking at you passively. After reading and enjoying all the comments, I’m afraid this is rather mundane. I am an artist, and I would really love your permission to use your photo as a studio reference photo for a painting. I don’t paint in realistic style, so you are in no danger of my painting being mistaken for your photo. But I love the expression. That’s real communication!
Skip that must be an awesome camera!
Yes, it’s a good camera, but the lion was quite accommodating – and close.
So really, it was the devil that made YOU do it – as opposed to describing the sentiment of the lioness. 😮 Where you in any danger? Or where you behind a fence or in a vehicle?
No real danger, actually, but it was still scary. I was actually in the field with these lions, but there were staff people there who knew them well. Nevertheless, it was a bit unnerving to be so close. Perhaps I will post a picture of one of the staff at the breeding farm. She is about 5 foot 3 inches and a lion comes up and literally stand up and wraps its paws around her.
You note that someday she will smile at you and welcome you to sit by her side…. That picture has the look of welcoming you INside…. 8-o lol
This is just what I am studying right now. Daniel 7. Thanks you for great photo’s from all over the world that I may never get to see. I love the photo’s. Keep traveling and teaching.
Ummm, how close? And was it you she was signaling?
About 6 feet. And yes, she was not happy with me.
May I use the word LOL? 🙂
I think he really means business.
SHE. and yes, she does. Invasion of territory is no laughing matter.
Skip, do you have a death wish!!?
Not at all. But it is so wonderful to think that someday she will smile at me and welcome me to sit by her side.
This reminds me of myself, in the morning…before coffee. 🙂
This beast is GORGEOUS! Thank you so much for sharing your world travels IN PICTURES with us, Skip! I love the photos!!! Lets me pretend that I can leave this wretched body for a time and travel with you!
Oh, and I can totally relate to me in the morning before coffee and serenity to just sit and think (or watch the snow fall as in this morning’s case!) Yes, Judi, I hearya!!!
Is this the beast that crouches at the door? Ready to pounce should we take a step closer? The beast that we can choose to turn and remove our presence from?
Or, as our broken tradition dictates, are we compelled by our innate and irresistible desire to pet this lovely appearing creature only to be devoured by it upon contact?
No devil. We are the adversary to God and his Torah. Just us failing to appeal to hatov rather than our yetzer hara.
Rather than death, choose this day life and live.
Simple, it would seem. That ra inclination in us is a ravenous opponent to face daily during every moment. However, Torah seems to clarify that it is something we CAN do. The utterly amazing gift of free will makes it so.
This moment . . . I choose life! I have confidence in Him for the next moment and the next and the next . . .
Should that I occupy the fools role, His chesed somehow moves me out of shame and back on His path.
The Lion of Judah, the Root of David is my hope.
Amen and Amen! So very well put, Michael. Thanks. BTW, have we discussed you writing some stuff for my website? Please, let’s do that.
Writing what? I’m not sure what you mean.
Actually, I suspect that the beast that crouches at the door looks a lot more passive (deception) and perhaps a lot more human (like one of us).
I think you are right. But I just couldn’t resist the observation of a ferocious beast face to face!
The beast that crouches at the door, seems to me, like the HaSatan figure that prowls around Yeshua in Mel Gibson’s film the Passion.
I have never been on safari or in the raw with wild animals such as this one, only separated, although very close, by a chain link fence. (Even then observing the rather dismal way the fence was supported and ‘secured’ made me a bit queazy!)
I would think being this close to the wild would give a sense of invigoration of life. A new view and respect for life and death, being so near both simultaneously.
In one second horrifying, the next invigorating as in cheating death. An experience that tends to get the adrenaline flowing, the blood flowing and, all in all, life flowing from within. Very world altering in many aspects.
You are a BRAVE soul. That would have terrified me!!!!
Perhaps Skip knew that this lion was from the tribe of Judah and kept Kashrut. Human flesh is not kosher thus no fear (but a lot of trust).
Ah, but kosher doesn’t apply to animals.
Of course, but it was said tongue in cheek…much better than your cheek on his tongue!
Too funny! Beautiful picture, surely you used a zoom lens!!!
I would like to tame that Kitty and then use him as a watchdog arount my house!!
Lowell
My friend in South Africa has two fully grown male lions in the yard around his house. Better than an alarm for security.
Skip, I love the photo. So much more interesting than just another lioness looking at you passively. After reading and enjoying all the comments, I’m afraid this is rather mundane. I am an artist, and I would really love your permission to use your photo as a studio reference photo for a painting. I don’t paint in realistic style, so you are in no danger of my painting being mistaken for your photo. But I love the expression. That’s real communication!
Go for it. When its done, send me a photo of your painting.