This Week At Angama #8

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…

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

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]

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]

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

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

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]

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

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]

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]