HOME Blog This Week at Angama #209

This Week at Angama #209

After last week’s failed attempt to focus on something other than lions, Adam gives it another go – and is mostly successful
F 8.0, 1/1600, ISO 400, -0.33 | Adam Bannister
F 8.0, 1/1600, ISO 400, -0.33 | Adam Bannister

This week, on each drive, I purposefully sought out animals and scenes that showed the diversity of this extraordinary ecosystem. Yes, of course, I bumped into lions (how could I not), and yes, they performed fabulously in front of the camera, but I am proud to say that in this edition of TWAA, we captured the variety that reveals why this reserve is considered by many to be the greatest in Africa.

f 6.3, 1/100, ISO 400, -1.0
f 6.3, 1/100, ISO 400, -1.0
f 8.0, 1/800, ISO 500
f 8.0, 1/800, ISO 500

We experienced some of the most dramatic and intense rain storms in months. After a very dry December and a drier than normal January, we welcomed these showers with open arms. Rain in these parts is considered a blessing and the wildlife responds well to the sudden injection of energy.
 
From the north, the clouds start to develop; by late afternoon the skies have turned dark and then the heavens open. Within hours, the streams are running, the river is flowing and the grasslands have turned into wetlands. 

f 8.0, 1/1600, ISO 400, -0.33
f 8.0, 1/1600, ISO 400, -0.33
f 5.6, 1/1600, ISO 500, -0.67
f 5.6, 1/1600, ISO 500, -0.67
f 6.3, 1/500, ISO 640, -0.33
f 6.3, 1/500, ISO 640, -0.33
f 10.0, 1/20, ISO 160, -0.33
f 10.0, 1/20, ISO 160, -0.33

However, as quickly as the water arrives, it is soaked up just as fast. Within hours, the water disappears. The landscape immediately transitions into a thing of beauty, a remarkable green flush, and an explosion of vibrant colour.

f 6.3, 1/500, ISO 200, -0.33
f 6.3, 1/500, ISO 200, -0.33

For me, the animal which seemingly most enjoys the rain is the elephant. They appear to become even more joyful with water between their toes, and on their backs.

f 4.0, 1/125, ISO 640, -0.33
f 4.0, 1/125, ISO 640, -0.33
f 4.0, 1/250, ISO 1000, -0.67
f 4.0, 1/250, ISO 1000, -0.67
f 4.0, 1/250, ISO 1000, -0.67
f 4.0, 1/250, ISO 1000, -0.67

Incredibly, we are also seeing mass birthings of wildebeests in the Mara Triangle. Traditionally, these babies are born in the far southern throws of the Serengeti, some 300km away. This year, we have also seen a large number of zebras remain behind and now most of the adult females are nursing youngsters.

f 6.3, 1/800, ISO 320
f 6.3, 1/800, ISO 320
f 5.6, 1/800, ISO 320, +0.67
f 5.6, 1/800, ISO 320, +0.67

We had the most fantastic leopard encounter — the big male who frequents the Military Drift area. We found him by following the beady eyes of a dazzle of zebra. They were staring intently at the base of a big tree. We circled around it and were greeted by this magnificent cat.

f 6.3, 1/1000, ISO 320, -0.33
f 6.3, 1/1000, ISO 320, -0.33

The colours of the mara seem so vibrant after the rain, and the birds are no exception. On the left, a freshly washed lilac-breasted roller stands out against the most striking of green backgrounds. Like a jewel, a delicate malachite kingfisher waits patiently above a recently flooded drainage line on the right.

4.5, 1/500, ISO 800
4.5, 1/500, ISO 800
 4.0, 1/1600, ISO 320, +0.67
4.0, 1/1600, ISO 320, +0.67

As is customary in the Mara, there are a few sightings each week that are packed with heightened drama. Witnessing moments like these keep people coming back for more. Safaris are addictive and this week I was fortunate to be present for two sensational moments — both on the same drive.

We found the six Nyati Males still following and mating with a lioness from the Owino Pride. The mating was intense and tensions ran high as all six males were determined to participate.

f 4.0, 1/2000, ISO 400, -0.33
f 4.0, 1/2000, ISO 400, -0.33
f 4.0, 1/1000, ISO 640, -0.67
f 4.0, 1/1000, ISO 640, -0.67
f 5.0, 1/800, ISO 640
f 5.0, 1/800, ISO 640

You could almost smell the testosterone. It was inevitable that someone would get injured as tempers started to flare.

f 6.3, 1/400, ISO 320, -0.33
f 6.3, 1/400, ISO 320, -0.33
f 6.3, 1/400, ISO 320, -0.33
f 6.3, 1/400, ISO 320, -0.33
f 6.3, 1/400, ISO 320, -0.33
f 6.3, 1/400, ISO 320, -0.33

Finding cheetahs on a game drive is always very special. But finding two hungry male cheetahs on the prowl, with a dramatic storm building in the background — well that is the stuff of dreams. 

f 6.3, 1/320, ISO 400, +0.67
f 6.3, 1/320, ISO 400, +0.67
f 6.3, 1/640, ISO 320, -0.33
f 6.3, 1/640, ISO 320, -0.33
f 6.3, 1/1250, ISO 320
f 6.3, 1/1250, ISO 320

They managed to successfully locate, chase and kill a male oribi. They fed at speed and fought for every last scrap. As the meat started to run out, the intensity of the fighting increased.

f 6.3, 1/800, ISO 400
f 6.3, 1/800, ISO 400
f 6.3, 1/800, ISO 400
f 6.3, 1/800, ISO 400

This Week Three Years Ago

f 4.0, 1/400, ISO 250
f 4.0, 1/400, ISO 250

It’s fascinating to see how the weather changes and shifts from year to year. Three years ago we were writing about how the rains had come to an end and how the landscape was starting to dry up. Now, in 2022, the rains have only just started. But will they continue, or have we seen a short and explosive spell? Time will tell.

Filed under: This Week at Angama

Tagged with:

Lions of the Mara , Maasai Mara , Mara Triangle , Wildlife Photography

About: Adam Bannister

A South African-trained biologist, safari guide, author, filmmaker and photographer, Adam is, above all else, a gifted storyteller. After spending the past 10 years working in some of the world’s most beautiful wild places – the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa, Rajasthan in India, Brazil’s Pantanal, and the rainforests of Manu National Park in Peru – he is delighted to share his stories of one of the loveliest game reserves of them all, the Maasai Mara.

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