This Week At Angama #83

6 September 2019 | This Week at Angama |

Reading Time: 5 MINUTES

When it comes to wildlife photography, sometimes you have to allow for a little poetic license

 The wildebeest have come to the Mara
And undoubtedly this can only mean drama
The sound they will make
Chaos left in their wake
Enjoy This Week At Angama

Male Lion

[f 6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400, -0.33]

 

There once was a lion in the grass
Whose prowess none could ever surpass
He could see the beast coming
In fact he was running
If only he could get off his @&$

Wildebeest Running

[f 4.0, 1/5000, ISO 500, -0.33]

 

The wildebeest picked up a few of his friends
Just how many? Well, that really depends
They kept heading north
Known as the Migration henceforth
But this is a journey that never ends 

Wildebeest and car

[f 16.0, 1/400, ISO 400, -0.33]

 

People came from all over the world to see
Because long ago it was probably free
They sat in their cars
Cameras mounted on bars
A remarkable sight you’d agree 

Wildebeest herd

[f 7.1, 1/500, ISO 500, -0.33]

 

The group of wildebeest got so very large
With so many around they began to recharge
The direction was confused
The people sat amused
Because no-one knew who was in charge 

Wildebeest in mud

[f 9.0, 1/125, ISO 100, -0.67]

 

Then all of a sudden they ran through the mud
All you could hear was the deafening thud
They kept on going 
With no respite showing
Sadly, this could only end in shed blood

Zebra reflection

[f 6.3, 1/640, ISO 100, -0.33]

 

Right here in the Mara reflections abound
Lucky for me, my photography was sound
I looked for the stripes
There weren’t many types
“But they all look the same” – now that was profound 

Zebra Bum

[f 4.0, 1/1600, ISO 800, -0.67]

 

This stubborn zebra just couldn’t care less
She wouldn’t let me pass with any success
I patiently waited
Whilst she masticated
When will she be done? I can only guess

Crocodile in water

[f 5.6, 1/1000, ISO 400, -0.33]

 

Later on down by the great Mara river
In anticipation, the crocodile began to shiver
He’d been waiting so long
Would he still be so strong?
All he craved for was some tasty wildebeest liver

Vehicle in Migration

[f 5.0, 1/1250, ISO 500, -0.33]

 

Meanwhile, on the banks of the river they waited
For a crossing to see, they would be elated
They sat for so long
Their humour was gone
Oh what tomfoolery we have created

Lion Mating

[f 9.0, 1/1600, ISO 500, -0.33]

 

The king of the Mara simply couldn’t care
Whether the Migration was here or over there
His mind had wondered 
The kill he had squandered
Instead, it was time to plan for his heir

Lioness

[f 5.6, 1/2000, ISO 400, -0.33]

 

Another lion moved in close
So fat he was completely gross
He snuck up on the beast
He wanted a feast
Who would be alert the most?

Lion buffalo kill

[f 7.1, 1/400, ISO 400, -0.33]

 

All at once it happened so fast
Awestruck and amazed, my guests sat aghast
The lion ran it down
And pulled off its crown
Sadly this tree meant I couldn’t see past

Vulture in flight

[f 4.5, 1/6400, ISO 400]

 

Next the vultures arrived on the scene
It was their turn for their fill of protein
They started to land
With wings out fanned
Seeking out some leftovers to clean

Vulture blurred flight

[f 45.0, 1/40, ISO 400, +0.33]

 

Some say photography should be an art
So perhaps I should tell you right from the start
I slow the shutter down
And look like a clown
That’s fine, as long as it appeals to the heart

Warthog kill

[f 5.0, 1/1250, ISO 400]

 

You may know that it is exceptionally rare
Despite its impressive dental-wear
To see a big pig 
With meat for his gig
A poor photograph would make me despair

Leopard in Tree

[f 5.6, 1/500, ISO 320]

 

High up in a tree she lay sleeping
Her rosettes were very in keeping
She blended of course
Showed little remorse
We knew she was probably peeping

Francolin

[f 4.5, 1/1250, ISO 500, -0.33]

 

There was a young bird from the marsh
Whose call was so very harsh
Her friends called her Francolin
But she did prefer Jacqueline
If only she could get rid of her moustache

View from Angama Deck

[f 5.6, 1/160, ISO 800]

 

This is the view from Angama
Probably the best in the Mara
When you visit
Whether sunny or moonlit
You will need to reapply your mascara

THIS WEEK A YEAR AGO

Marabou Stork

[Photograph by Jeffrey Thige – f 5.6, 1/1250, ISO 400]

 

While it’s true the marabou stork
May rather closely resemble an orc
He plays a crucial part
Right from the start
Be careful who you call a dork

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 (3)
Francis Bagbey
September 6, 2019

A fun issue of TWAA! Very creative! Well done!

REPLY
Lynne Keenay
September 8, 2019

Excellent news letter this week. So many memories for us shown in the photos. And yes my mascara ran for some time after! Thank you showing us this.

REPLY
James Fitzgerald
September 12, 2019

Well done Adam – Very brave and great fun! Nice pics too – loved the blurred vulture!

REPLY
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