Dear all,
Just returned safely from an exciting photosafari to Kenya. It was a marvelous time and has surpassed all my wildest expectations. The Maasai mara plains were flooded by 100-thousands of wildebeest and zebras. They were everywhere! The predators and scavengers had the time of their lives and were feasting because of the abundant presence of food. Everyday brought new highlights and it felt like being in photographers' paradise. The organisation of our private photosafari was perfectly arranged by Sunworld safaris, our guide James Nganga was outstanding, and Mara Bush camp is a fantastic place in the heart of the wildlife reserve with excellent food, beautiful safari tents, and a fantastic staff. I realise that this text is full of superlatives, but to be honest, it's true.
But now ........ returned home with about 3000 photos and it will not be easy to select them. Next month, I would like to share with you a photographic coverage on the highlights in 10 chapters. Today we start with part I: leopards.
These elusive predators prefer riverine biotopes. Despite their beautiful patterned fur, they are not easy to spot as they spend most of their time in dense shrub areas and trees. In the direct vicinity of Mara Bush Camp a female leopard has its territory with her two one-and-a-half-year old cubs. We had four leopard sightings in 9 days and the last occassion gave the best photographic results as it happened in early morning light, there were not too many vehicles around, and the cat showed us some typical behaviour. Can one imagine a better start of the day?
Next post will be on another big cat, the king of the savannah.
Best regards,
Dirk-Jan
