An 80-year-old adventurer and member of the Sandy Photography club has had the ‘holiday of a lifetime’ with a prestigious big cat photographic safari.

The Comet: 80-year-old Mary Slevin visited Kenya on a photographic safari. Picture: Mary Slevin80-year-old Mary Slevin visited Kenya on a photographic safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

Mary Stelvin explored a Kenyan Safari and snapped pictures of cheetahs, lions, elephants and hippos.

Mary told the Comet: “The trip is a unique experience as it’s based entirely around wildlife photography.

The Comet: Sandy photographer Mary had the 'trip of a life time'. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy photographer Mary had the 'trip of a life time'. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

“There were 12 of us in the group with varying levels of photographic expertise. We were out every morning by 6am to catch the early morning light, not getting back to camp until after sunset.

“Travelling in three jeeps driven by excellent Masai guides, their knowledge added greatly to our experience and we explored over a wide area, guided by the GPS system.

The Comet: Mary saw a zebra giving birth in the wild. Picture: Mary SlevinMary saw a zebra giving birth in the wild. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

“Each day presented its own highlights, spending a long time following the big cats – leopards, cheetahs, and lions of the Marsh Pride which has just featured in Sir David Attenborough’s TV series ‘Dynasties’.

“Nothing prepares you for the excitement of the real thing! We came across a zebra giving birth, an event never seen before by the guides, and on the last day followed a small pack of African Painted Wolves, the first time they had been sighted in the region this year.

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

“I have always had an interest in travel and wildlife photography.

“A previous shorter safari in Botswana had whetted my appetite for a more intensive experience, which this trip certainly provided!”

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

Mary says she has learned a lot about her photography since joining the Sandy Photography Club.

“I have gained very much from the leadership and expertise of Carlos Santino – the club’s founder – and the support of other members.

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

“I am still editing my pictures and processing my many memories – the expanse of the horizons, the shimmering heat of the day and the cold of the night, the closeness and indifference of the wildlife to our presence, the daily variety and excitement, and the fantastic photographic opportunities.

“This 8 day trip was certainly a holiday of a lifetime!”

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

To find out more about the Sandy Photography Club, go to sandyphotoclub.uk.

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Mary said its was the 'trip of a life time'. Picture: Mary SlevinMary said its was the 'trip of a life time'. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin visited Kenya on safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)

The Comet: Sandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary SlevinSandy Photography Club member Mary Slevin, 80, has explored her photography skills with a Big Cat Safari. Picture: Mary Slevin (Image: Archant)