Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Moderated by: guardian

Visit the FM Store · Image Upload · Buy & Sell
FM Forum Rules
Rules: One new topic per day

FM Forums | Nature & Wildlife | Join Image Upload

2 3 end

suemcc
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #1 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Visits to the Mara River, in the Serengeti regions of Tanzania and Kenya, are invariably accompanied by the hope of seeing a “crossing”. The plains in these regions are dominated by wildebeest, which spend their time moving north and south in search of rich grasses on which to feed. However, their sheer numbers soon deplete the grasses available, forcing them to move on. In addition to the predators that feed on the herd, an incredibly dangerous time involves crossing the Mara River, which is loaded with crocodiles wanting to have a Beest Feast -- as well as the chances of tripping, falling, and drowning (which may be apparent in the shots below). Although we visited the northern region of the Tanzania at a time that is not noted for crossings, we hung around for about three hours at the river since a large herd of wildebeest looked as though they might cross. We were rewarded by a view of thousands of animals that had lept off a cliff (literally!), hit a sand “beach”, ran then swam across the river, then scrambled up a slick bank on the other side. We saw one wildebeest drown. Fortunately for the animals, we saw no crocs in the vicinity. All but one of these pictures were shot with a 1DmkIII + 500 IS lens while I was sitting on the bank, with lens braced against my knees. Comments and critique are welcome!
-- Susan

#1 Scrambling up the steep bank was extremely dangerous.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

#2 A wider view of the scene, taken with the 70-200 zoom lens.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

#3 The most dangerous time in this crossing involved keeping one’s footing on the rocks.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

#4 Coming out of the water was also a major struggle for many animals.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

#5 Slipping and sliding could mean death, even for adults.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

#6 A few months before we arrived, several thousand wildebeest died in a crossing that involved an unwise choice about location. Exiting the river was difficult, and the pileup of animals trying to get out resulted in innumerable deaths.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

#7 Coming off of the near bank in this crossing involved a mad dash to the water, not knowing what dangers might await ahead. Sincere and heartfelt thanks to Gero for help in the B&W conversion of this shot!!!

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 02:45 AM

gerov
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #2 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Very nice set Susan. Witnessing the wildebeast migration is something I've wanted to do for a long time, and your images here vividly portray the drama involved. While I think a croc or two might have added to the shots, I'll let it slide this time

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 03:05 AM

Levendis
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #3 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

D-day for wildebeest...

#7 is a beautiful shot...I'd imagine that #6 might have potential for a similar B&W conversion too, no?

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 03:07 AM

Mr Zoom
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #4 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Susan,

I'm with Gero on this one. You captured and narrated the drama masterfully, but a coulple of crocs would have been the icing on the cake

I enjyoed these very much and thank you ever so much for sharing them with us.

Ken

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 03:09 AM

ChillAloha
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #5 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

#7 is very nice - really artistic.

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 03:17 AM

suemcc
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #6 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

gerov wrote:
Very nice set Susan. Witnessing the wildebeast migration is something I've wanted to do for a long time, and your images here vividly portray the drama involved. While I think a croc or two might have added to the shots, I'll let it slide this time

Thank you, my bloodthirsty friend!!!!

Seeing a crossing was something I didn't expect on this trip - so I empathize completely. And would go back in a heartbeat!!!!
Sue
p.s. Thanks SO much for your help with that last shot - which is my favorite of the beests, and one of my favorites from the whole trip.

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 04:31 AM

AGeoJO
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #7 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Great images, Susan! I am planning of visiting the Mara River in Feb. next year

and hope to witness similar wildebeest crossing the river as well as a part of their migration.

Joshua

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 04:54 AM

mabidally
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #8 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Beautiful shots Susan. I really like No 1 with the slick mud. Captures the desperation and danger these anilamls go thru. No 7 is amazing, and many congrats to Gero too for the marvelous B&W conversion.This is nature at its wildest extreme.

I had the luck of witnessing one of these crossings in 2006 and it is an unforgetable event. Must try to fish out the archive of my old post on FM.

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 06:23 AM

Claude
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #9 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Wow, what a great experience you had! Very impressive captures, especially the 500L closeups. The b/w is a wall hanger

Claude

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 09:56 AM

RT v Genugten
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #10 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Beautiful scenery with a stunning B&W conversion!
Just the regular things of the wildebeasts on a regular day.... Amazing!

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 11:19 AM

Doug Bentlage
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #11 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Another amazing and powerful series Susan! Favorites are 1, 6 and 7, thank you for sharing this experience.

Doug

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 12:37 PM

camerapapi
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #12 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Absolutely beautiful shots and very well done. I like the b&w conversion.
I find them all spectacular.
William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 12:56 PM

seann robinson
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #13 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

i wanna go to africa!!!! thanks for the inspiration.

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 03:01 PM

DLP
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #14 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

What was your lens choice for #1 ? I like them all but the B+W conversion is my favorite. Thanks for sharing.

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 03:09 PM

Chris Willis
Offline
Image Upload: Off

p.1 #15 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Susan, those are great. I am really hoping that we will catch a crossing, either at the Grumeti River or the Mara River, when we go to Tanzania in July '09. I hope we get as lucky as you did, and these pictures are splendid illustrations of the brutal obstacles the wildebeests and zebra face multiple times per year as they cycle between the Mara and the Serengeti.

Chris
www.pbase.com/cwillis

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 04:23 PM

floris
Online
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #16 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

That last one is really lovely, fantastic emotion and dynamic feel in this one.

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 04:54 PM

alameda
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #17 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Wow and another Wow! Such wonderful shots. My heart rate increased by the excitement your shots carried. Steve W

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 06:14 PM

cbright
Offline
Image Upload: On

p.1 #18 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Oh, Susan! Fine images. Must have been remarkable to witness.

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 01, 2007 at 06:53 PM

suemcc
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #19 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Levendis wrote:
D-day for wildebeest...
#7 is a beautiful shot...I'd imagine that #6 might have potential for a similar B&W conversion too, no?

Thanks! Guess I could try B&W with many of these, but the dust in the last one begged for something different.

Susan

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 02, 2007 at 02:11 AM

suemcc
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #20 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

Mr Zoom wrote:
Susan,
I'm with Gero on this one. You captured and narrated the drama masterfully, but a coulple of crocs would have been the icing on the cake

I enjyoed these very much and thank you ever so much for sharing them with us.
Ken

Jeez you guys are just cheering for blood and gore, aren't you??! Well, I do have a series for you, coming up....

You'll know it when you see it (that and the warning...)
Susan

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 02, 2007 at 02:12 AM

suemcc
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #21 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

ChillAloha wrote:
#7 is very nice - really artistic.

Multo thanks! That's one of my favorite shots from the whole trip!

Susan

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 02, 2007 at 02:13 AM

suemcc
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #22 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

AGeoJO wrote:
Great images, Susan! I am planning of visiting the Mara River in Feb. next year

and hope to witness similar wildebeest crossing the river as well as a part of their migration.
Joshua

thank you Joshua - good luck, and I will look forward to some great images!!!
Susan

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 02, 2007 at 02:14 AM

suemcc
Offline
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #23 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

mabidally wrote:
Beautiful shots Susan. I really like No 1 with the slick mud. Captures the desperation and danger these anilamls go thru. No 7 is amazing, and many congrats to Gero too for the marvelous B&W conversion.This is nature at its wildest extreme.

I had the luck of witnessing one of these crossings in 2006 and it is an unforgetable event. Must try to fish out the archive of my old post on FM.

Thanks Mohammed - and yes, it's a pretty amazing spectacle, isn't it??!! We sat taking pictures for 30 minutes as hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of animals crossed the river, all hoping to be safe and all but one making the crossing safely. I was just amazed at our luck - I never imagined that we would witness a crossing at that time of year!!!! Would love to see your pics from 2006.
Susan

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 02, 2007 at 02:16 AM

Normcar21
Offline
[ X ]

p.1 #24 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

My congratulations to Gero for helping you draw out that monochrome shot of the wildebeest, it's a precious photo with a ton of character.

As for the Mara River crossing, I recently watched a video of that crossing that intrigued me immensely because it demonstrated how the "herd" force becomes a protection for the animals who cross, simply because the crocks cannot process the craziness of the herd crossing, whereas with the single animals that rush ahead usually end up being the next crock meal because the "herd" dynamic is non-existent.

Must have been a real pleasure watching the actual event in real time. Great stuff, as usual, Sue.

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 02, 2007 at 02:21 AM

Herderdog
Online
Buy and Sell: On

p.1 #25 · Tanzania: wildebeest crossing the Mara (7)

My oh my. Wow! You know we see this on TV, Susan---but I would imagine to see it in person would be a memory of a lifetime.
Your images are super--I think #3 is simply amazing--should be an award winner somewhere!

Edited on Dec 07, 2007 at 05:38 AM

Dec 02, 2007 at 02:57 AM


FM Forums \| Nature & Wildlife \| Join Image Upload 1 2 3 end