HOME Blog This Week at Angama #334

This Week at Angama #334

While Japheth is delighted by the spotted cats in the Mara, Andrew turns his gaze upwards in Amboseli
Above: Lorngaboli takes a leap of faith
Above: Lorngaboli takes a leap of faith

The Mara:

As the sun rises, casting a golden glow over the escarpment, the majestic silhouettes of elephants and giraffes emerge against the sky. Amidst this stunning backdrop, we’ve been fortunate to repeatedly spot the Angama lioness with her cubs. They are occasionally seen with the Owino male but don’t seem to be mating yet. She embodies this sentiment beautifully as she continues to nurture and protect her cubs in this wild and unforgiving ecosystem.

F 2.8, 1/1250, ISO 125 | Japheth Supeyo
F 2.8, 1/1250, ISO 125 | Japheth Supeyo
F 7.1, 1/800, ISO 400 | Japheth Supeyo
F 7.1, 1/800, ISO 400 | Japheth Supeyo
F 8.0, 1/640, ISO 640 | Jeremy Macharia
F 8.0, 1/640, ISO 640 | Jeremy Macharia

This week has been exceptional for sightings of the most elusive of the big cat family. Angama Guide Jeremy and his guests were thrilled to spot the Salt Lick female with her cub. They enjoyed a serene evening watching as the pair climbed up and down a tree where they had stashed a Thompson’s gazelle kill. The mother is doing an excellent job raising her cub, and we hope it will thrive into adulthood.  

F 5.6, 1/400, ISO 100 | Japheth Supeyo
F 5.6, 1/400, ISO 100 | Japheth Supeyo

We also encountered Nashipae, another leopardess, near the Mara River. Despite the heartbreaking loss of her cub to Shujaa last year, she was seen scanning for prey with unwavering determination before disappearing into the Maji Machafu stream.

F 10.0, 1/1250, ISO 800 | Japheth Supeyo
F 10.0, 1/1250, ISO 800 | Japheth Supeyo

Another thrilling sighting was the Salt Lick male, also known as Lorngaboli. Guide Robert and his guests observed him basking on a termite mound. After a while, he moved to a dried-up stream to quench his thirst, then made an impressive leap to the other side. These elusive felines are a true spectacle, appearing only when they choose to be seen, and this week, they have certainly put on a show. They add a mystery presence to the Mara Triangle, captivating all who are lucky enough to witness them.

F 5.6, 1/4000, ISO 4000 | Robert Kiprotich
F 5.6, 1/4000, ISO 4000 | Robert Kiprotich
F 5.6, 1/4000, ISO 3200 | Robert Kiprotich
F 5.6, 1/4000, ISO 3200 | Robert Kiprotich

We were fortunate to watch an elephant herd of nearly 150 members crossing the river for almost an hour. One of the bulls, feeling unsettled by some giraffes likely waiting for their turn to cross, charged them to clear the way. We've noticed that many of the bulls are currently in musth, and most of the cows also seem to be ready for mating. This bodes well for the tusk population in the Triangle.

F 2.8, 1/2500, ISO 160 | Japheth Supeyo
F 2.8, 1/2500, ISO 160 | Japheth Supeyo
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 2000 | Japheth Supeyo
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 2000 | Japheth Supeyo
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 3200 | Japheth Supeyo
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 3200 | Japheth Supeyo

A famous cheetah in the ecosystem, Siligi, had seven cubs in 2021, and two have made it to adulthood. These two boys have crossed from Serengeti into the Mara Triangle and are already hunting and thriving, showing us that they’re well adapted to the larger ecosystem. Their arrival signals significant changes are on the horizon for the Mara ecosystem as down by the Mara River, crocodiles are becoming more active, coinciding with migration herds seen crossing south at the Sand River. Resident wildebeest and zebra herds are also moving closer to the river, instinctively preparing to greet the larger herds migrating from the Serengeti in the coming weeks and months.

F 8.0, 1/1000, ISO 250 | Jeremy Macharia
F 8.0, 1/1000, ISO 250 | Jeremy Macharia
F 5.6, 1/2000, ISO 400 | Japheth Supeyo
F 5.6, 1/2000, ISO 400 | Japheth Supeyo
F 9.0, 1/1000, ISO 800 | Japheth Supeyo
F 9.0, 1/1000, ISO 800 | Japheth Supeyo
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 2000 | Japheth Supeyo
F 7.1, 1/2000, ISO 2000 | Japheth Supeyo

The avian population has also been spectacular to follow. Wilson Naitoi, another of Angama's Guides, observed a white-browed coucal devouring a frog in a somewhat graphic reminder of nature’s food chain. Guide Robert captured the elusive African fish eagle in full flight — a challenging feat given the bird’s incredible speed. –Japheth Supeyo

F 6.0, 1/1000, ISO 320 | Wilson Naitoi
F 6.0, 1/1000, ISO 320 | Wilson Naitoi
F 5.6, 1/4000, ISO 1250 | Robert Kiprotich
F 5.6, 1/4000, ISO 1250 | Robert Kiprotich

Amboseli:

After the cycle of a full moon has passed, it does not reflect much light allowing stars to