A photographer has captured rare close-up shots of a caracal kitten. Braeme Holland, 54, took the pictures in the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Cape Town, South Africa, in September 2021 and again three months later in December. “I have always wanted to photograph these generally shy elusive cats, and to see a 3-month-old kitten in rather close proximity and in its natural environment was a rare treat,” Holland said. “To be honest, the caracal population in Africa is stable but almost extinct in other parts of the world such as India and Pakistan,” Holland added. “I had heard that people had sightings of them, so went in search for them and was rewarded. “I spent several hours with them, observing and photographing them. “I was very excited as this was my first experience I have had with these beautiful creatures. To be honest, I couldn’t believe my good fortune.” Epoch …