Mara River Crossing

ne of the last greatest wildlife spectacles on earth is the migration of the wildebeests in Africa. The high point of the journey for onlookers is their crossing of the Mara River, which stands between them and the greener grass they know awaits them on the other side.

The wildebeests gathered on one riverbank in great numbers waiting around and jostling while watching for the first animal to cross. This was far more serious than it first appeared. Waiting in the bush along the riverbank on each side were hungry lions, well aware of the great amount of moving food. In the river swam the hungry crocodiles, as well as other predators, awaiting a bountiful food supply.

When we arrived the first animals had already made it safely across, followed by a line of other animals. The launch point was quite narrow, however, but no animal dared to try another route. They continued to follow one at a time.

Finally some of the later animals lost their patience and began running and leaping over the earlier animals, landing with huge splashes in the river; sometimes landing on top of other animals and breaking their backs.

This animal was especially graceful.

There were so many people, that the animals eventually stopped crossing, being more afraid of the crowds of people than the lions and crocodiles. Some zebras came to drink at the river, but without a leader, would not jump in to cross. The driver/guides tried to get the tourists back into their vehicles hoping that the animals would begin to cross again, but they did not. The people could not see from where their vehicles were parked and complained loudly. The drivers drove away, and soon our drivers did also.

A lioness sits quietly in the grass.

During our afternoon drive it began to rain hard. We replaced the rooftop pieces, and kept looking. We were rewarded with a good view of the saddle-billed stork, standing perfectly still in a stream, waiting to catch its dinner. Our driver positioned the Land Rover parallel to the stream. We slid back the windows on the side away from the rain and photographed through the open window.

Saddle-billed Stork, ephippiorhynchus senegalensis

This stork is one of Africa’s most attractive birds. The yellow portion of its bill is the “saddle.” The bare red “medal” on its white breast is normal.

It was raining so hard we were glad to return to camp. There would be no sunset photography tonight.

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