This past week has been an emotional rollercoaster. After four and a half years and with the imminent birth of my first child, it is time for me to say goodbye. During my time at Angama, I have written 162 blog posts and on each occasion I have sat at the computer, staring at the flashing cursor on a blinding white screen and wondered, how was I going to sum up yet another magical week?
This series has become an archive of imagery and storytelling. It has become a resource for those who want to stay connected to the Maasai Mara landscape and along with other photographers and guides who contribute to it, helped communicate to the world the importance of conserving this ecosystem. We have followed the trials and tribulations of individual characters and revelled in their glory; we have captured the floods, the fires, the fights, and the frenzy. And we have documented the beauty and tranquillity of the grasslands and celebrated its abundant life.
Daybreak in the Mara Triangle and the gentle rumble of vehicles can be heard as guests head out on safari. Enthusiastic guides, expectant visitors, gorgeous golden light and the air of potential. As visitor numbers start to increase, so do the numbers of hot-air balloons that rise. Gently, effortlessly, they drift across the landscape. Last night’s drizzle has left droplets sprinkled over the spiderwebs. Nature is always at play.
Wildlife photography allows us to merge creativity and animal behaviour. It’s often a challenge and an opportunity to be creative and showcase ‘everyday’ Mara scenes in unique, memorable and beautiful ways.
An in-camera double exposure of three giraffes walking across the horizon allowed me to have some fun. Another journey, this time with a vibrant backdrop, provided the perfect opportunity to show the beauty of the area, and the positioning of an evocative animal in its environment.
With regards to the environment, there can be no greater icon of the Mara than the balanites, or desert date trees. Sculptural and elegant, they instantly provide countless opportunities for a neat composition. Whether it’s at sunrise, sunset, or in the middle of the day, the simple trees dotted across the landscape will never let you down.
Over the years I have watched the elephant population grow steadily across the Mara Triangle. Under the careful stewardship of the rangers, these majestic animals enthral us on every drive. This specific part of the Mara is a haven for elephants — they love the soft juicy grasses and the abundance of water. Large herds of extended family units can be seen peacefully moving across the clearings. The backdrop of the Oloololo Escarpment immediately provides context and adds depth.
We are seemingly in the midst of a cheetah revival in the Triangle. As spoken about in last week’s blog we have been seeing two brothers and a pregnant female. This week, we have heard rumours that she may have given birth. As eager as we all are to see newborn cheetah cubs, we have to remember just how vulnerable this time is for them, respecting the mother and her space. If we give her time now, we will be rewarded in the months to follow.
In addition, there has been a fourth cheetah seen — another female who also looks like she may be nursing. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with her as she hunted two impala herds. She was unsuccessful on both occasions and we left her in peace, knowing that her catching a meal was far more important than us getting photographs.
I feel buoyed to be leaving Angama timed with the recent improvement in leopard encounters. One of the roles I was initially tasked with was to document the leopards and to work on ways to improve sightings. It was hard work and much time spent in the field and with guides, but we are really starting to see the fruits of our labour. Stay tuned, as we hope the Mara Triangle continues its trajectory in becoming a premium leopard-viewing landscape.
Lion sightings, which you may know are my favourite, have been great this week. One of the focuses over my last week here has been to touch base with as many individual lions and prides as possible. During a four-day photography workshop with a guest, we managed to find, and photograph 46 different individuals from six different prides. Not bad considering the total population of lions in the Mara Triangle is around 100.
We are seeing a lot of mating activity lately and some fantastic behavioural sightings, especially on the recently burnt areas — which have turned into a grazing lawn for nice-sized herds of zebras, wildebeests, eland and gazelles.
The Lamai male and one of the sub-adult males were found in the long-grassed south-western areas. They had stolen a kill from the Sausage Tree Pride and were scrapping over the remains.