Kenya: Masai Mara…The Mara Triangle 2

Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve has been dubbed one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and when you witness the great spectacle of tens upon tens of thousands of wildebeast gathered together it’s easy to see where it earned it’s title.  We booked our adventure around the annual migration for this reason…

Nikon D4, AF-S 500mm f4 VR with TC-14E II

However, there are many other wonderful (and sometimes strange) creatures to focus on as well.  Our second day in the Mara proved to be very productive with a good variety of subjects to train our lenses on.  We began with a beautiful sunrise…

Nikon D4, AF-S 70-200mm 2.8 VR II with TC-20E III

and a group of early morning balloons passing like ghosts against the colorful background…

Nikon D4, AF-S 70-200mm 2.8 VR II with TC-20E III

A Black-chested Snake-Eagle was out early hunting for snakes and allowed us to approach closely.  We waited, with our lenses focused on the bird, until something caught it’s eye and it took off…

Nikon D4, AF-S 500mm f4 VR with TC-14E II

Lions are more readily found and photographed in the Mara than some of our previous locations and we found a handsome male with a wildebeest kill…

Nikon D4, AF-S 500mm f4 VR with TC-14E II

He would pause to look around between bites, his face wet with blood…

Nikon D4, AF-S 500mm f4 VR with TC-14E II

You could tell by the way he was panting that he was getting hot but, and his belly looked full he wasn’t about to leave his kill…

Nikon D4, AF-S 500mm f4 VR with TC-14E II

So, he grabbed it and began dragging it towards a tree in search of shade.  It was amazing to watch him wrestle the large carcass.  What incredible strength…

Nikon D4, AF-S 500mm f4 VR with TC-14E II

We left our lion in peace so he could take his midday nap and went in search of more subjects.  A Masai Giraffe was at a water hole getting a drink.  They are such tall, graceful animals and, getting down to take a drink of water is a big ordeal for them.  It’s not only awkward spreading their legs to get low enough to reach the ground, they are very vulnerable when in this position…

Nikon D4, AF-S 500mm f4 VR with TC-14E II

Water holes are great places to find wildlife.  While we were photographing the giraffe, a group of zebras showed up and waited their turn to get a drink…

Nikon D4, AF-S 500mm f4 VR with TC-14E II

There were lot’s a babies in the Mara and we were fortunate to have the opportunity to photograph a Topi nursing her calf…

Nikon D4, AF-S 70-200mm 2.8 VR II with TC-20E III

We saw a number of Secretary birds but, they were often too shy to get within photographable distance.  But, once they were on the hunt it’s another story.  We simply watched where it was headed, moved into position and waited for it to come closer…

Nikon D4, AF-S 500mm f4 VR with TC-14E II

Every afternoon brought storm clouds and rain, unusual for this time of year.  This afternoon was no different except that the rain was minimal and at sunset, the clouds parted giving us a beautiful sunset…

Nikon D4, AF-S 70-200mm 2.8 VR II

And so ended another wonderful day of wildlife photography in the Masai Mara.  We turned our vehicle towards camp and like a horse to the corral, off we went with visions of a hot shower, a Tuskers (African beer) a delicious dinner and an evening of reviewing and editing images.  Stay tuned.