HOME Blog This Week at Angama #289

This Week at Angama #289

It was a week filled with graphic Great Migration river crossings, plus new signs of life from the Angama Pride lioness
Above: Retreat, retreat, retreat
Above: Retreat, retreat, retreat

At the moment, there is excitement everywhere you go in the Triangle and it is easy to lose track of time. Between the ongoing river crossings and the mega herds towards the south, the Triangle is abuzz with great sightings.

F 8, 1/1600, ISO 640 | Robert Sayialel
F 8, 1/1600, ISO 640 | Robert Sayialel
F 7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400 | Titus Keteko
F 7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400 | Titus Keteko

Driving towards the southern part of the Triangle, there are huge herds of wildebeest and zebras from the Salt Lick area towards the border. However, not everyone is happy about their arrival. The elephants try to avoid the herds — and the chaos that comes with them — at all costs, as they invade their usually peaceful home.

F 8, 1/1000, ISO 400 | Robert Sayialel
F 8, 1/1000, ISO 400 | Robert Sayialel

We're still witnessing some incredible river crossings as more herds brave the waters determined to get to the Triangle. Main Crossing is by far the most croc-infested point along the stretch of the Mara River that cuts through the Maasai Mara.

F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640 | Sammy Njoroge
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640 | Sammy Njoroge

My colleague, Sammy, captured the moment a zebra foal and its mother made their way across the treacherous river. Zebras are very caring and protective mothers that form strong bonds with their young, however, in this case, she stands no chance up against the jaws of a crocodile. The foal desperately tried to fight back but it was a feeble attempt as the croc's jagged mouth eventually goes to work, swallowing entire pieces whole.

F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640 | Sammy Njoroge
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640 | Sammy Njoroge
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640 | Sammy Njoroge
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640 | Sammy Njoroge
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640 | Sammy Njoroge
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640 | Sammy Njoroge
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640 | Sammy Njoroge
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640 | Sammy Njoroge

The U-Crossing point has fewer crocodiles but still provides dramatic scenes of the Great Migration. In fact, there is always danger lurking in the shape of crocodiles, basking in the sun in clear sight of the approaching herds.

F 10, 1/2500, ISO 1600 | Titus Keteko
F 10, 1/2500, ISO 1600 | Titus Keteko
F 10, 1/2500, ISO 1600 | Titus Keteko
F 10, 1/2500, ISO 1600 | Titus Keteko

At one point, a trigger-happy crocodile approached the cautious wildebeest herd standing on the bank and lunged at one of them. This attempted attack caused a stampede from both the wildebeest and zebras back up the riverbank.

F 9, 1/2500, ISO 3600 | Titus Keteko
F 9, 1/2500, ISO 3600 | Titus Keteko

Eventually, the urge to cross the river just becomes too much. All it takes is the first brave individual to take the plunge and the rest undoubtedly follow suit, despite the looming danger. This is what an experienced crocodile would be waiting for — the deep water is where they are the most successful. This time, a young wildebeest nearly made it out but then a crocodile made a vertical lunge knocking its prey back into the river. Once it had the wildebeest by its head, it was never to be seen again.

F 7.1, 1/2500, ISO 1100 | Titus Keteko
F 7.1, 1/2500, ISO 1100 | Titus Keteko
F 7.1, 1/2500, ISO 1100 | Titus Keteko
F 7.1, 1/2500, ISO 1100 | Titus Keteko

Nearby, another wildebeest almost made a clean escape only to be caught by the tail. Once a crocodile's jaw snaps shut, it rarely lets go of its prize. A tug of war — between life and death — saw the wildebeest at one point nearly pull the croc clean out of the water. Despite the slippery uphill bank, the wildebeest managed to break free and made its way safely to the top of the ravine.

F 5,6, 1/2500, ISO 4500 | Titus Keteko
F 5,6, 1/2500, ISO 4500 | Titus Keteko
F 8, 1/2500, ISO 4500 | Titus Keteko
F 8, 1/2500, ISO 4500 | Titus Keteko
F 7.1, 1/640, ISO 640 | Eric Lemaalo