The Lion Lady® - Photographs of African Wildlife by Sharon van Sinderen Lyon

"Your pictures are fantastic. Having shot wildlife in Africa, I know how difficult it is to take a picture like the cheetah kill. Most amazing. Yes we are in love with Africa. I hope they build a rocket plane quickly as I was not in love with the length of time in the air. Enjoy your trip. Good luck with your web site and we would love to see your exhibit."

Jim

"I'm sending you your cover…….Your photos are really beautiful, everyone I spoke to enjoyed them immensely."

LouAnn

"Thank you so much for your advice and I will take it. Thank you so much for giving everyone a wonderful and passionate role model. I love your story and I hope that many more like me will continue to learn and grow from it. Thank you again."

Amanda Province

"Upon visiting your site and navigating through it over and over again I offer you my greatest admiration. I myself am a big game enthusiast photographer born in Africa, Zimbabwe to be precise. I have traveled throughout game parks in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana but never have i been to the place i so long, the masai Mara and Serengeti. I am currently in the UK studying, and I'm planning to go on a trip to either Kenya or Tanzania to bring back the passion i so dearly miss, photographing animals in the wild and enjoying the African experience. From your experience i was hoping that you could assist me in choosing accommodation in what you would say is the best place to capture the animals in the month of July. I am only 19 years old and have been taking picture from the age of 16. My current gear include a canon EOS 300D, Tamron lens 28-300mm, and sigma lens 75-500mm. I have just recently gone fully digital as my previous camera was an eos 30, which i regret selling as i have had so many good times with it!"

Wayne Vali

"When I visited your website I was surprised about the excellent pictures taken by you. I already thought about downloading some of them and make a calendar for 2005 for me. All the best for your new adventures, when you are nearby, just let me know."

Volker

"Sure you can remember me. I was the in charge tourism at the HQ TANAPA. Currently, In charge of Arusha National Park. …….I am very happy to hear from you this moment….I will be happy to see you in Arusha National Park. That I will be praying to God for your blessed journey, you are one of the few people on this earth who most of their lifetime devoted to safe wildlife and environment……….what I appreciate is your efforts."

Lufungulo

"I'm so glad to hear from you!!! Thought you had dropped off the face of the earth when I didn't see any new updates to your web page even after last year's trip to Africa!! I'd been looking forward to the pix!! How was last year's trip (the one I couldn't go on)? And now you're there again, you lucky dog! Guess things are going REALLY well for you! I still dream of going back and will, one of these years, make that a reality……..Maybe Africa next year. …….Dang girl, why don't you just move to Africa?!! Sounds like you're spending more and more time there, but then there's an incredible amount to see! It would probably take a lifetime to cover the whole continent! You're getting your wonderful pictures more and more exposure it sounds like, and that's great! Looking forward to checking out your new website."

Nancy

"I always look forward to your updates, I remember your first trip to Africa, look how far you've come in your adventures, what a free spirit you have…. I'd like nothing more than seeing Africa........ Your passion in your faith is always uplifting and refreshing, you are blessed and I'm thankful to know you. Have a safe trip, I'll look for that updated website.

Tim

"Thank you so much for your inspirational and heart-felt presentation to our club. We all agreed that it was one of the most enjoyable programs we have ever had. Much success in future trips."

O.C. Lioness Janet Squatrito

”I wanted to thank you again for your website - which is fabulous - and the personal contact. Both were extremely helpful in reaching the decision to go with Africa Dream Safaris. Thanks again and happy holiday.”

Walt

“Wanted to drop you a line about my safari in Tanzania. I got back a couple of days ago. The trip was truly amazing - a life transforming experience of sorts. My only regrets are that the trip was too short, …… I definitely plan to go back to the Serengeti next year The folks I met were wonderful - the tears were flowing when we had to say good-by - especially on the airstrip when we had to say good-by to our guides. You really get attached to those guys. The support guide for my group was Harrison Mremi and from talking to Harrison I know that he was with you during one of your trips with Thomson's. He said to say hello to you - he described you as one tireless, tough lady and told me a bit about your long days on the plains watching cats. Our lead guide was Leonard Butler. Both of them were outstanding - as was everything else about the way Thomson handled things. Thanks again for helping me figure things out - Thomson is a great company and you are an excellent ambassador for them. I hope you make it back to Tanzania soon. Thanks again for all your help and for your contagious passion for Africa. Keep in touch.”

Walter R. Turner
Oakland, California

"Just thought I'd drop you a line to say that you have a wonderful Website. I was browsing the Web for destinations in Africa (I have been on three safaries to S. Africa) and came across your site. It was nice to see a site created by some one with such a passion for both wildlife and Africa. It is an intoxicating continent!”

Tim Lewthwaite

“I was in Kenya two years ago and am planning to go back to Africa in 2004. after reading some of your journals I couldn't help but feel as if I was writing them myself. I can't get enough of Africa. photography is also a passion for me.“

Greg

"My compliments to your wonderful website. I have read through it on several occasions and found the information invaluable in planning my recent safari to Tanzania. You not only inspired me to go to Tanzania but to put together my own website upon my return describing my experience….. I really enjoyed reading your two journals and looking at your pictures. You took many amazing shots. I too am completely hooked on the Serengeti after only spending 6 nights there and am already planning my next trip. I am definitely envious of your over 100 plus days spent in Tanzania. That is an incredible feat. I look forward to your journals and pics from your subsequent trips. Hopefully, you will find the time to post your 2000 trip (33 day...wow). Anyways, thank you for sharing your experience and pictures.”

Mike

”Just a quick email to say many, many thanks for having the Jumbo Wana song on your website, you saved my life! I have been at work now for 13 hours working on a show that we are doing tomorrow featuring Kenya and someone mentioned to me that they sung a song "called jam/jum something or other" you really couldn't get more vague! So when I came across your site I was and still am overjoyed. I can now go home and to bed, resting easy in the knowledge that I have found that song. By the way, where do you record this, was it out in Kenya. If you get this message before Weds 10am tune in via our website below as you 'sound' like an expert. Once again many thanks.”

Jessie Aru
Journalist/Presenter: "A Bit of Culture"
Manchester

"I've really enjoyed reading about your safari adventures! I'm in the early planning stages for a safari to Africa in February of 2003. The duration would be about two weeks. Searching for a safari operator that will make the most of the experience is very difficult. I see that you have traveled with the Africa Dream Safaris group the last several years. Is there others operators you would consider or has Thomson fulfilled every expectation. I'm looking for a small group or private safari in Tanzania. I came upon your site and hoping to find some information from your experiences. I would very much appreciate any info you could provide.”

Chris

" My name is Sarah Schmidtke and I am a sophomore at Concordia University in Irvine, California. I ran into your website yesterday while looking for trips to Africa. First off, your website is amazing. The photographs that you took during your adventures in Africa are just breathtaking. I was just sitting here in my dorm room absolutely speechless while scrolling through every photo. The reason that I'm emailing you is because recently, I have become very interested in photography. More specifically, landscape and wildlife photography. There aren't very many places here in Orange County (or in my hometown of Valparaiso, Indiana) that inspire me to take pictures so my parents suggested that maybe I should travel a little bit to see what's out there. My attention was caught on Africa when I got a book from Christmas called, "Last Wild Places" written by National Geographic. In it, I was captivated by the photography and I decided that I wanted to visit the Serengeti. So yesterday I was just surfing around the internet looking for something that would catch my eye. I ran into your website and as I was reading it, I realized that what you are doing is exactly what I want to do whether as a career, or just a hobby. I just bought a book on the basics of photography and I'm doing my best to learn although I'm not too happy with my camera. As I said, it's hard to get some kind of inspiration around here so I've been looking into maybe taking a trip to Africa. I just want to thank you for your website. I was a little frustrated with trying to find what I wanted and then I ran into your site. It is truly an inspiration and a motivation for me to keep looking for my chance to visit Africa. And maybe take some fantastic pictures myself! Thanks again and thank you for taking the time to read this email. I know that I just came out of nowhere but I was just inspired to write you! God bless your journeys and keep up the excellent work!”

Sarah Schmidtke

”Hello my name is Sarah Gibbons and I am 15 years old. I have been on your website for giraffes and it was brilliant. I really liked it.I love animals especially african ones like lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, rhinos and chimps”

Sarah Gibbons

“I visited your website ( www.sharonlyon.com/) today about trips to Africa. I see you got love for Africa and its animal. It is good to see people like you raising funds to protect wildlife. Keep the spirit going”

Emmanuel

"Hello. I recently stayed at the Clarion Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland and admired all your wonderful wildlife photos. I purchased a photo of a Leopard…… I really loved all your wonderful photos and realized they were all from Africa……..Also, do you have a web site that displays available photos? Can they be purchased online? Please let me know. Thank you."

Debbie DeStasio

"Last year we stayed in Ocean City and saw your photography exhibit at the hotel. There was a photo of two lion cubs, one had a scar across its nose. At the time we inquired at the hotel about purchasing the photo, but really did not have a location for it. We are redoing our foyer and are interested in obtaining the photo. We will be at the hotel again this year on February 1, 2 and 3 and would like to take the photo home with us."

Hilde

"I was doing a Google search on "giraffe photographs" and came upon your website. You have so many great close-up photos of animals on the Serengetti! I'm currently teaching a ten-week course in Dreamweaver at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education in Cambridge, MA. One of my lessons includes teaching the students how to insert images and link them to other pages. I thought an African animal theme would make the lesson interesting for most people. I wanted to know if I could receive permission from you to use one of your giraffe photos as one of the images to use in the lesson…. It won't be used for commerical purposes; I only want to use it for teaching purposes in a non-profit learning environment. I would note credits to your photo and have students link the credit to your site (although right now none of their pages are uploaded on any server). Please let me know if it's ok to go ahead and use the image. Many thanks in advance."

Patricia Carney
Web Designer and Instructor

"Your pictures are beautiful! I am in awe.I received them yesterday. I immediately showed them to my students and they wanted to buy them! Thank you so much! We read your bios and the kids really thought they were interesting. It's amazing how many animals you were able to get close-ups of. I had to explain a little about cameras and lenses because of course, they were just flabbergasted…..Again, thank you. It all really helped to explain. We are using a "photo safari" (around Comanche) as a reward for getting a certain number of points in reading. I believe your photos will help them understand that better. You are a dear!”

Christine

"I am not sure if you remember or not, but we met at the Dar es Salaam airport last January. My name is Kari from Bethany Beach and I was returning back to the states from safari with my University of Delaware class. I stumbled upon your website when I just by chance linked to it from Thomson's Safari page. Anyway, just thought that it was a rare coincidence and wanted to say hello as well as compliment your page and your photos. It's nice to see someone speak out on the impact Africa can make on one's spirit. Good-luck with future trips!”

Kari Purse

"Before any more time goes by, I just wanted to let you know how surprised, happy, and delighted he was to get as a Christmas gift the photo of the lion that he admired last summer. He hung the picture in the spot I selected -- it looks spectacular -- it's in a spot where we see it constantly. My husband even talks to the lion from time to time -- he really enjoys it! We hope you had a wonderful holiday.”

Ronnie and Ken Thomas

"Just a short note, as you must be inundated with mail? Congratulations on your site, when I have more time I will study in detail. I know exactly how you feel about Africa, I am originally from the UK, now living in Australia, but in between I lived in South Africa for 12 years..........Africa gets in your blood, there isnt a day goes by that I dont think of the Kruger Park (be it a little commercial)or Chobe, or play Ladysmith Black Mombaso(pre Neil Simon)…………..Once again congratulations, and good luck on your next trip”

Dave James

"The photos of the animals were beautiful and I enjoyed my favorite pastime African Animals. I am from Amherstburg Ontario origianally and haven't experienced this many photos of wild animals in Africa on any website Thanks it was great.”

“I looked at your website and all your absolutely beautiful pictures. They really capture my attention. I could look thru all your pictures for hours on end I think You are truly quite the photographer. Your photos are stunning. Congratulations for all your adventures!”

Patti Flanagan

"Do you know where I could get a copy of this song on tape? My sister and I just visited Africa in July. My sister's birthday is next week and I really want to give her a copy of it. Just let me know how much it is and I can mail you a check today. I am located in San Francisco.”

Leigh