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
#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. http://www.stanford.edu/~suemcc/tanzania/wildebeest/2899.jpg
#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!!! http://www.stanford.edu/~suemcc/tanzania/wildebeest/2771.jpg
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
