Wildlife photography requires patience and persistence. You might drive for an hour or so without even seeing any animals. When you see them they may be too far, or they are not doing anything. Things can get boring waiting for the animals to interact or do something worth photographing. However, things can happen without notice and they often don't last for long. A group of Lions may just lay in the shade. You watch them for hours to no avail. Yet, a yawn can take place quickly and be gone as quickly. There is no time to lift up your gear, find the animal in the viewfinder and shoot before the best moment of the yawn is over. So what stands the photographer to do? You are not going to like my answer but first here is an image:

Did I mention that wildlife photography also requires persistence? Here is my advice. I do not look at the animal without looking at them through the viewfinder. I follow them through the viewfinder and will wait no matter what. Yes, get comfortable ... I am constantly looking at them through the viewfinder. I am ready at any moment, fleeting as that moment may be.

Just be ready. A camera on your lap is not being ready. Ready means eye to the viewfinder. You never know what may happen. Patience and persistence may pay off. At times they don't pay off because nothing happens but you have to be ready for when something does happen.

Which image would you prefer to be looking at, one of a Zebra just standing there or one of these? Have your camera up to your eye, watch and be ready.