This Week At Angama #125

It’s easy to focus on what is traditionally accepted as the “exciting” part of a game drive, especially when you’re a photographer or film maker – the thrill of a hunt or a rare animal sighting are usually top of mind and with good reason. The pink-backed pelican below is an example of such a rare sighting here in the Mara. [f 5.6, 1/400, ISO 160, +0.33 – Photograph by Adam Bannister]

Photograph by Adam Bannister

But I’m learning to take pleasure in more than just the ostentatious displays and truly appreciate the little delights that Mother Nature offers. A big part of this newfound appreciation has been due to spending more time with guides while out on drives. [f 5.6, 1/2500, ISO 400, +0.33]

It would have been easy to simply dismiss the yellow-throated sand grouse as “just another bird” until I was told that they store water in their feathers during the dry season for their chicks to drink. The ingenuity in nature never fails to surprise me. [f 6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400, +0.67]

[f 5.0, 1/1250, ISO 400, +0.33]

I’ve been told of the salt lick which is still too wet for us to venture too close to. It’s not just where animals, like elephant, will gather to lick essential mineral nutrients, but also where the Maasai bring their cattle every month to do the same – man and nature sharing this incredible space. [f 5.6, 1/640, ISO 125, 0.0]

I am getting better at spotting animals and birds – but certainly nowhere near as good as the guides who have the ability to spot and identify animals from miles away.  One of my favourite finds this week was a new leopard close to the border territory. I’ll be honest and confess that at first, I’d assumed what I’d seen was the ears of a hyena sticking out of the tall grass. Thankfully, the guide I was with knew better. [f 6.3, 1/320, ISO 125, 0.0]

[f 5.6, 1/640, ISO 125, 0.0]

[f 5.6, 1/200, ISO 200, 0.0]

Photograph by Adam Bannister

I’ve always loved to drive, but it has been a display of the guides’ skills watching them navigate through situations that I was certain no 4×4 could possibly handle – and it has been nothing short of humbling to watch them do it with finesse, grace and an ever cheerful disposition, even if it has sometimes meant getting muddy or wet. [f 5.6, 1/250, ISO 250, +0.33]

Photograph by Adam Bannister

They continue to share their wisdom of animal behavior and plant knowledge: from learning that when a herbivore’s attention is suddenly fixated in a particular direction, odds are that predators are afoot, to discovering which plants can be used as a natural deaodorant. The learning never stops. [f 5.6, 1/640, ISO 250, 0.0]

[f 6.3, 1/800, ISO 320, 0.0]

I have, without question, enjoyed the first-hand experience of wildlife photography and filming, but as I’ve reflected on the past few weeks, I have equally enjoyed the chance to share the perspective of the incredibly passionate and knowledgeable guides, each with close to a decade or more of guiding experience. [f 6.3, 1/250, ISO 1250, +0.67]

[f 6.3, 1/500, ISO 125, 0.0]

[f 6.3, 1/250, ISO 125, 0.0]

To see the Mara through their eyes has been refreshing and downright fun and I honestly couldn’t imagine better individuals guiding me through the jewel that is the Mara. [f 6.3, 1/250, ISO 400, +1.33]

So to Alice, Neke, Sammy, Wilson, Fred, Robert, Douglas and the rest of the guiding team that I am yet to spend some time with – thank you for making this week (and every week) at Angama and the Mara, something truly special. [f 6.3, 1/500, ISO 125, 0.0]

And for our guests who are looking forward to visiting once travel restrictions are lifted – rest assured that when out on your game drive you’ll be in the best hands possible. [f 5.6, 1/250, ISO 250, +0.33]

This Week A Year Ago

Photography by Jeffrey Thige

June seems to be the unofficial leopard month, as this time last year featured several sightings of this incredible cat. [f 5.6, 1/500, ISO 250, 0.0]