“Remember you belong to nature, not it to you”
-Grey Owl
One of the big attractions to the Masai Mara is the warm colours early in the morning and as dusk approaches.
However, sometimes when I am looking at a scene or taking a photograph, I imagine how it could be portrayed in black and white. In the cases below, I think it helps to define the animal better and portray a greater sense of emotion.
Mum! A giraffe calf rejecting mum's affection.
On Patrol. One of the Enkoyonai pride males out on patrol one morning. It was good to see them finally awake!
The Huntress. This female cheetah was pregnant and hunting at first light. Her target was a scrub hare, a smaller meal than normal but less challenging than a gazelle.
Hanging Around. Fig's daughter, Faulu, in March 2022. We found her resting in a tree with a young topi kill and surrounded by hyena. A genet cat was also high in the tree and was obviously troubled by the leopard close by, but was unable to escape. Fortunately after some time the hyena began to disperse. Faulu took the opportunity to get down and head to nearby bushes for safety, leaving a very relieved genet cat.
Devotion.
Sunburst. We were so lucky to find this herd of elephant crossing the plain at sunrise. Sometimes there aren't any clouds or colour in the sky at sunrise. This was one of those days but I think it works well in black and white.
Twins.
The Bond. We found Fig crossing an open plain at first light. When she was close to some trees she began to call and Furaha came out, obviously relieved to see her mum after a night alone. This was to be the start of an amazing morning with mum, daughter and father Goldenballs.
The Protector. Mum keeping watch over her month old cubs.
Vogue. Fig striking a pose.
Big Head. Mum cleaning her day old calf.
Blow Dried. One of the males of the Enkoyonai pride. It's incredible how well kept these cats can be. He is definitely the prettiest and less tough of the two boys.
Inquisitive. Baby elephants know to stay close to mum. She is their primary source of food, protects her from predators and provides much needed shade from the sun. But that doesn't stop them being inquisitive, including about the strange thing hanging out for the vehicle!
Safe Spots. This was one of Figlet's first times up a tall tree and she was a little uneasy. Here she wedges her bottom in the V of the branches to be more secure, In a few more days she didn't know what all the fuss had been about!
Sneaky Peek.
And Relax..... This female had two very young cubs that she was keeping in a den down by a river bed. It is a difficult period for her where she has separated from the rest of the pride to give birth and doesn't return for several weeks in order to keep her cubs safe. She will normally have to hunt alone. Her cubs are very vulnerable at this age and we had a very scary moment when buffalo came close to the den.
Being The Adult. Furaha looks all serious whilst mum, Fig, plays around behind her.
Mini Me. It's quite hard getting some perspective on how tall giraffes actually are. However this newborn could easily pass under mum's tummy and yet it was already close to six feet tall!
Taking A Break. Fig in one of her favourite vantage points, a ditch overlooking the plains, takes a short break from looking for potential meal opportunities.
Fast Food. These cheetah cubs were taking any opportunity they could get to get some breakfast!
Staying Close. This day old giraffe still had the umbilical cord attached. They are very vulnerable to predators at this age, so he either stayed close to mum, who also gave him shade from the glaring sun, or hid in the long grass as she fed. One of my favourite ever sightings.
Through The Tall Grass. One of those shots I love because it gives a sense of how big those skies are.
Simplicity. A male giraffe with few hairs on his horns, worn down by fighting.
Why Does It Always Rain On Me?
White Lines No.2. The cheetah sat on the termite mound at first light, with the sun rising behind her. I significantly under exposed the image to just capture her outline.
My Rock.
Grace. Whilst they may be big and strong, lions are also graceful as they pass through their lands.
White Lines. A cheetah back lit, as the sun rises behind. I significantly underexposed this image to emphasise the light catching the outline of her fur.