The Kicheche inbox has been groaning for a fortnight now with cwt. of Fig images. (Particularly from those who sent them at 10MB resolution or Tiff files!!) As important as the beautiful imagery are, the many heartfelt words touched us all and particularly those at Bush Camp.
There are acres of prose across social media covering her but permit me a few words about these photographs.
1. Thomas Weder – We all know this cat and many know this termite mound but few have seen this magnificent pose: menace, curves, concentration and poise all in one image. She would approve. Well done Thomas, our favourite. Thomas wins three days sole use photography vehicle.
The rest are in no order, but all equally brilliant:


3. Grace and Peter Mason – To catch any leopard in the rain is hard currency, but to capture the shake upon a saturated acacia makes this a masterpiece. But there is more here, this is the most tolerant leopard ever and despite the rain it is almost like she still wants to give value when most would retreat either from the weather or squadrons of vehicles (never seen in a Conservancy).

4. Helen Coleman – Perfect: light, shade and subject. You want a glorious study of a relaxed cat, this is it, thank you Helen.
5. Victoria Young -December 2020 firstly thank you for travelling from the UK Victoria at this time, you were rewarded by a couple of days of a cat creche you are unlikely to forget, but I bet Fig carrying was a first.

6. Barry Chapman – What a gloriously peaceful study of this lady as she pauses to drink. Magnificent composition, colours and poise.

7. Jackie Downey – The tenderness, the familiarity, the gentle chiding and the tongue make this a typical but wonderful study of our queen. The low angle makes it especially effective.
For a video study of Fig watch the film below (thank you Rachel Chapman) and for a more comprehensive gallery enjoy the carousel below.