This Week At Angama #126

3 July 2020 | This Week at Angama |

Reading Time: 5 MINUTES

Fortune in life – both good and bad – is never guaranteed. Sometimes everything works in your favour, and other times, despite your best intentions, things go awry. Every day, we see this truth play out in the landscape of the Mara

Every day, whether bird or mammal, big or small, carnivore or herbivore, the goal is the same – survival. A good day for a jackal is a very bad one for an impala, and vice versa. [f 3.5, 1/500, ISO 200, -0.3]

Hippos
[f 7.1, 1/1600, ISO320, -1]

Starling with insect 
[f 6.3, 1/1250, ISO 250, -0.67]

Terrapin 
[f 5.6, 1/250, ISO 160, 0.0]

Elephant

A game drive could lead you to a kill, which for some is a heartbreaking part of life in the savannah. That very same game drive could also lead you to the discovery of new life, like the ever-adorable lion cubs. [f 5.0, 1/125, ISO 200, -1.33]

Jackal with impala head Photograph by Adam Bannister

[f 5.6, 1/400, ISO 205, +0.33]

Lion cubPhotograph by Adam Bannister

[f 8.0, 1/1000, ISO 320, -0.33]

Adolescent crane 

[f 7.1, 1/1600, ISO 320, -0.67]

Crested crane crown 

And yet the kill (as counterintuitive as it may seem) plays the role in sustaining a life, or several. And the arrival of an apex predator means a future risk for lives of others.

Nothing is set in stone, not even for the apex predator, as I’ve watched new male coalitions move in and take over territories that belonged to other once mighty males. The circle of life is a bitter-sweet one – and yet somehow, because of this, is ever beautiful. [f 7.1, 1/1250, ISO 320, -0.67]

Standing lion looking left 

[f 6.3, 1/160, ISO 400, -2.33]

Lion 2Photograph by Adam Bannister

[f 5.6, 1/2000, ISO 250, -0.33]

Lioness Adam BannisterPhotograph by Adam Bannister

The migration draws ever nearer and the excitement continues to grow as more small herds of wildebeest start to appear. A chance encounter recently saw a small herd of zebra cross the Mara River at one of the main crossing points. A lone wildebeest contemplated making the risky crossing, but chose instead to wait and see how things played out for the zebra. [f 5.6, 1/1000, ISO 200, 0.0]

Zebras

Almost immediately, several of the awe-inspiring Mara crocodiles made their presence known – as though daring the zebra to test their luck because they knew the odds were against them.

After several aborted attempts, the zebra decided to take a chance and made their move. The current was strong and their struggle to stay afloat was painfully evident. The crocodiles, on the other hand, were right at home, cutting through the water with effortless precision.

Yet despite several close calls, luck favoured the zebra and they all made it across safely – including two stragglers who I thought were goners for sure. The solitary gnu decided that perhaps the day’s good fortune had been depleted and opted to stay on his side of the river. A wise choice if there ever was one. [f 7.1, 1/1600, ISO 320, -0.67]

Lion and Smoke Photograph by Adam Bannister

[f 5.6, 1/1250, ISO 250, -0.33]

Topi and smoke

This week continued to be an introspective one for me as I drew comparisons to life in the Mara to life in general – about making choices, taking more risks and hopefully thriving as a result or at the very least surviving to try again another day. [f 5.0, 1/4000, ISO 200, -0.67]

Snake Photograph by Adam Bannister

[f 5.6, 1/800, ISO 125, -0.33]

Wide of elephants Photography Adam Bannister

Wherever you are in the world – I hope the beauty and unique experiences of the Mara continue to inspire you. [f 7.1, 1/250, ISO 160, 0.0]

Starling Photograph by Adam Bannister

[f 5.6 1/320, ISO 160, -0.67]

This Week One Years Ago (TWAA #74)

Elephant FacePhotograph Adam Bannister

Even when young, the elephant is a formidable beast and a vital part of the cycle of life in the Mara. [f 5.6, 1/640, ISO 250, +0.33]

AUTHOR: Mwikali Ndambo

From writing to chocolate making – Mwikali is happiest when using her creativity and working with her hands. Photography gives her the chance to do both in order to tell and share stories of the world around her as she assists in hosting the Angama Photographic Studio.

COMMENTS (4)
Francis Cocke Bagbey
July 3, 2020

Zebras Rule…..that day!
What snake was that?

REPLY
    Nicky Fitzgerald
    July 4, 2020

    Hi Francis
    Strangely enough it is a puff adder. We seem to get 2 colour variants in the Mara – this is the more yellow one.
    Warm regards
    Nicky

    REPLY
Tina
July 4, 2020

Adam , your photography has truly inspired me – thank you !!!

REPLY
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