This Week At Angama #8

30 March 2018 | This Week at Angama |

Reading Time: 4 MINUTES

A beading celebration aimed at empowering local women took unexpected centre stage this week but of course the lions refused to be left out of This Week At Angama

This week my plan was to focus on some of the lesser profiled characters of the Mara. Leading up to our annual Birding Big Day much focus has been spent on selecting a route that maximises habitats and species thus it made sense that birds would feature heavily in the build-up. Enjoy a rather colourful and different selection of photos…

Roller sitting

Lilac-breasted Roller – without a doubt one of the most beautiful and iconic birds of Africa. No matter how many photographs I take of a Roller I keep trying; it’s as if I am on a quest to take the ultimate Roller shot and I know I am not alone in this endeavour. [f 4.0, 1/1250, ISO 1250, +0.33]

rosy breasted longclaw

On 2 April members of the Angama team will take part in a Maasai Mara Birding Big Day, a 24-hour challenge to identify as many bird species within the Greater Maasai Mara Reserve as possible. Much time has been spent this week scoping out potential bird rich areas and planning our route and tactics. Stay tuned to hear the final number. [f 5.0, 1/640, ISO 250]

Waterbuck

Female Waterbuck have always been one of my favourite animals to watch and photograph – there is something so special about their ears, their woolly necks and their heart-shaped noses. [f 4.0, 1/1000, ISO 1250]

Beading ladies meeting

This week we celebrated the Ushanga Kenya Initiative championed by the Deputy President’s office partnering with the department of tourism and wildlife and the Anne K. Taylor Fund. The focus is job creation and empowerment of pastoral woman through beadwork. [f 6.3, 1/125, ISO 100, +0.33]

Beading ladies celebration

The event was attended by over 400 local women and presided by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, the Chairlady of Ushanga Kenya and the Deputy Governor of Narok County. [f 7.1, 1/640, ISO 160]

Beading ladies meeting and Perrin

11-month-old Perrin, son of Shannon and Tyler Angama Mara’s regional directors, proudly shows the Maasai mamas his new tooth. [f 7.1, 1/160, ISO 125, +0.33] – desaturated in post

Hyena Michelle

Michigan State University has undertaken hyena research in the Maasai Mara for over 30 years This collared individual was born in November 2012 and now aged 5 and a half is at his prime when it comes to hunting ability. Interestingly he has returned to his natal area – unusual behaviour for a dispersing male. [f 4.0, 1/100, ISO 2500, +0.33]

Hammerkop nest

We have been following the progress of this pair of Hamerkops since they started building their nest in December last year. It seems that now they are putting the finishing touches to the roof of this huge structure. [f 4.0, 1/100, ISO 2500, +0.33]

Giraffe trio

A small family of Giraffe feeding in the forest thickets alongside the Mara River. [f 4.0, 1/500, ISO 1250, -+0.33]

Coqui francolin calling

A male Coqui Francolin puffs out his chest, lifts his head up and calls with pride. [f 4.0, 1/800, ISO 160]

Waterbuck

I am a big fan of clean, crisp and simple images. What I was trying to show here is the fantastic cross section of this waterbuck’s horns – magnificent defensive armoury. [f 5.0, 1/400, ISO 125]

Helicopter topi herd

An early morning bird’s eye view of a very large herd of Topi. [f 5.6, 1/6400, ISO 2000, -0.33]

Lion close up

It is a privilege to be so close to a lion, to focus on its eyes and have a momentary look into its soul. This is one of the 6 youngsters from the Purungat Pride that frequents the southern regions of the Mara Triangle. [f 4.0, 1/1600, ISO 160]

Sunset and landscape

Another day in the Mara draws to a close. What struck me was the ray of light sliding across the Oloololoo Escarpment. [f 5.6, 1/400, ISO 1000, + 0.33]

AUTHOR: 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.

COMMENTS (6)
Fiona Tande
April 2, 2018

I look forward to reading this segment,gives me a glimpse into ‘a”week at Angama’ …and take me back to where my soul calls home. Keep up the brilliant work!

REPLY
    Nicky Fitzgerald
    April 2, 2018

    Thank you so much Fiona – we love these messages of encouragement

    REPLY
Linda Brewer
April 6, 2018

Thoroughly enjoyed the article and the beautiful photos. Look forward to more…
Thank you for sharing

REPLY
Dan Arnold
April 16, 2018

Had the opportunity to visit Africa but never the Mara. Next time!!

REPLY
    Nicky Fitzgerald
    April 17, 2018

    We look forward to welcoming you back to Africa and the Mara soon!

    REPLY
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