Maasai Mara Migration Safari 2018

Opportunity can often come in the most unexpected forms. Often overlooked this secretary bird in great early morning light created a strikingly moody image. 

I suppose it was bound to happen. Going on a migration safari without any migration. Well during 2018 it happened. Prior to arriving I heard that the herds had unexpectedly moved on after a stay of only a few weeks. To say that we were not disappointed would be untrue. It is after all one of the world’s wildlife spectacles and when travelling halfway across the globe to see millions of wildebeest without many around certainly left its mark. However, not all was lost. The Mara is a wildlife hotspot and we did manage to see one very small group of wildebeest crossing the Mara river as well as the vast variety of predators and other wildlife making this region their home

There are already safaris planned for 2019 both for independent travelers, guided private photographic safaris and cost effective scheduled photographic trips. And its not only during the migration season either. The Mara out of season is largely devoid of people while still home to spectacular numbers of wildlife and we are indeed hosting a few safaris over that time. Do get in touch now if you wish to visit this remarkable region.

Other wildlife was spectacular as usual. Below some images from our safari.

The only crossing of the safari. A small group of wildebeest crossing the Mara river. 

Dramatic backlighting on a Giraffe at sunset. 

A leopardess walking through the grassland. 

The big cats are always a hit!

We found these two males, part of a three male coalition early one morning. The third brother is out of sight.   

Quintessential Mara. 

Possibly the most difficult thing to photograph are the vast herds. This group of Topi were part of a vast herd, most of which were out of sight.  

Backlit Topi. 

Birdwatching in camp in-between drives is spectacular. Schallow's Turaco unusually out in the open.

Another campsite special. The male Brown-throated Wattle-eye. 

Images on safari.  

Lessons from (or to) the locals.

Al fresco breakfast. 

Its possible to avoid the crowds.

Getting the shot.

Getting up close with Cheetah. 

Wanna go? Get in touch? 

Maasai Mara Migration

The cloud cover and dramatic filtered light made for great wide angle attempts, something fresh from the normal tight images of crossings. 

2015 was the 12th year I have visited the Migration since my first visit in 2004. The place just never seems to disappoint and indeed this year was no exception. Sightings are consistently amazing and below follows a few images with some thoughts behind the shot.

A slightly more conventional crossing image.

This is the type of image that everyone wants from the Mara. The problem comes that too often the wildebeest is viewed from above and the image is taken from a high angle. Here we were fortunate to get the action from a relatively low angle. Not going in too tight, although not too wide made this image work. But what clinched this for me is the leaping juvenile against the depth of the herd.

A Martial Eagle taking off with its recently caught Banded Mongoose 

Some images are made and some are just taken. Here is a good example of the latter. For years I have been looking for an image of a Martial Eagle mantling over a Gazelle fawn, something that does happen from time to time in the Mara. When we found this eagle sitting in the grassland during mid morning, I thought my luck was in. Parking a way off all camera setting were checked and we slowly approached. When it took off it wasn't a Gazelle but a Banded Mongoose. Still a great bit of action. 

Cheetah with Thompson's Gazelle fawn. 

The Mara is probably the best place to witness Cheetah kills. I have been unlucky in the sense that most of this action I have witnessed happened whenever all photographic light have disappeared. This morning was the exception to the rule as the Cheetah made her kill in great subdued morning light.

A mother Leopard keeping a watchful eye on a distant Hyena as her cub seeks comfort close-by. 

We were really fortunate to find this mother with her three month old cub on afternoon. And typically the only sightings were obscured my grass. Only when darkness fell did the leopards move into the open. The light was all but gone but the great low light capabilities of today's cameras allowed us to photograph them.

Leopard cub.

Next morning we were back at the leopard den looking for an image in great light. Being first on the scene we found the cub again in the thick grass. Fortunately whenever another vehicle appeared the cub would dash for the den and keep an eye on the approaching "danger".

Lion cubs in playful mood

Birds of the Mara

We all head for the Mara because of the fantastic predators and the legendary migration. But the excitement doesn't stop there. Here are just a quick selection of pics of the birds of the area, and believe me this doesn't even start to do justice to whats around.

The many kill sites creates the perfect area to observe the antics of up to five different species of cultures.

The enormous Kori Bustard strolling along the plains.

While a Saddle Billed stork puts up a display for the cameras.

A Highly unusual sighting of the normally forest dwelling and secretive Black Sparrowhawk out in the open with its kill.

And not to be outdone by the heavies, beauties such as the Purple Grenadier (above) and my personal favorite, the Brown-throated Watlle-eye (below) also put in regular appearances.

More of the Mara

Some pictures just have Mara written all over them!



Birding the Mara.

One may be forgiven to think that when you are in one of the world’s wildlife hotspots why take the time to look at birds. Well even when looking at the feathered variety the big game is never too far.




Quintessential Cat
One wouldn’t like to be caught one the wrong side of this glare. For the most part of its life an average lion remains inactive for the major part of its day. However when hunger awakens them they mean business and it all start with a determined stare.



On the hoof.

In single file the herds move past on a journeys that never actually starts or ends anywhere. Mating only occurs on the day when female wildebesst comes into oestrus.
When the herds reach the northern limit of their march male wildebeest joust and jostle amongst one another in order to secure dominance and their access to mate. In a march stretching thousands of miles much of the rutting takes place on the hoof. Even at a gallop one male takes the opportunity to ascertain his dominance over another.




Thief

Probably not even properly cold this fresh Thompson’s gazelle carcass is stolen from a Cheetah by a Spotted Hyena.