NikonGear'23

Images => Nature, Flora, Fauna & Landscapes => Topic started by: Anthony on May 14, 2017, 19:26:43

Title: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: Anthony on May 14, 2017, 19:26:43
Every year over a million wildebeest migrate through the Serengetti and Masai Mara, following the rains which bring the new grass.  They are accompanied by Zebra and various species of antelope, and the local predators await their arrival.

One of the obstacles they must cross is the Mara River, which runs in Northern Tanzania and in Kenya.  There are several established crossing points, and great herds of wildebeest congregate at these before deciding whether to cross.  Sometimes they decide to cross, sometimes they decide to move elsewhere.  Nobody can predict what they do, but once a decision is made, they all follow it.  The crossing is dangerous, in some places there are treacherous currents, and often crocodiles await. 
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: Anthony on May 14, 2017, 19:27:36
Some more.
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: Mike G on May 14, 2017, 19:30:57
Brilliant series Anthony, and I didn't see David Attenborough anywhere.  ;D

And of course the catchphrase "I'm a Gnu how do you do" leaps into ones mind.  :D
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: BW on May 14, 2017, 19:39:05
Impressive display of stamina, determination and strength. I would love to witness this mass migration once. I guess its hard to choose just a few pictures from this, and even harder to go thru them all. You did a great job!
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: golunvolo on May 14, 2017, 20:02:50
Fantastic Anthony, what an experience that should be live. Your images capture the wild strength. Thank you for sharing​ it with us!
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: Fons Baerken on May 14, 2017, 20:42:31
Wonderful series .
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: Thomas G on May 14, 2017, 20:45:27
Awesome series, seriously. Worth coming back and looking again. So many details.
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: Hugh_3170 on May 15, 2017, 05:56:35
Great series Anthony - thank you for sharing these. 

My favourite is the last one in your first posting.  It combines both the numbers and mass of the animals and their energy, whilst being close up.
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: elsa hoffmann on May 15, 2017, 07:44:09
thanks for sharing - probably one of the most sought after event for photographers - really nice series.
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: tommiejeep on May 15, 2017, 08:14:30
Anthony, great series.  I agree with Elsa on a sought after experience.  I missed my chance a few years back due to bad health so I think I've missed it for good  :(
Really appreciate your sharing your experience  :)  The first image is the classic image , with good reason  ;D
Tom
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: David Paterson on May 15, 2017, 10:21:12
Terrific - thanks for posting these. The entire series is excellent and the best half-dozen or so would stand comparison with wildlife images anywhere, by anyone.
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: Anthony on May 15, 2017, 11:50:48
Thank you all for your kind comments, I am glad you enjoyed them.

Mike, David Attenborough wanted to come along, but I told him there was no space left.  As for gnus, the phrase "a gnother gnu" sprang to my mind  (for non-Brits, this is a cultural reference from the 1950s).

BW, you are right, we saw five crossings, sometimes 5,000 wildebeest at a time, so I have lots of photos.

For information, these were all shot on the X-T2 with the Fuji 100-400.  I had only taken delivery of the camera a week before departure, so I was taking a bit of a chance.  But as we were limited to total baggage of 15 kg (including hand baggage) on an internal flight, weight saving was crucial.

Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: Akira on May 15, 2017, 13:08:58
Simply overwhelming.  I lost words...  "Thanks for sharing" which is the only thing I can say at this moment...
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: DougB on May 15, 2017, 16:54:47
Outstanding series++
Thanks for sharing

That would be a scene that you would be so memorized that you "might" forget to raise the camera to your eye ;D
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: marco on May 15, 2017, 17:17:23
Simply stunning Anthony there is so much to see in these and in my mind i can make 5 incredible photo's out of one there is so much to see must have been quite the experience to be there and watch these migration..
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: Jakov Minić on May 15, 2017, 17:46:01
Anthony, fabulous!
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: elsid on May 15, 2017, 19:07:11
Anthony, I was daydreaming all day today that I was in a safari in Africa.
Excellent pictures.
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: Peter Connan on May 15, 2017, 19:50:44
Beautiful series!
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: John Geerts on May 15, 2017, 20:35:27
Fascinating superb series, Anthony!
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: armando_m on May 15, 2017, 20:42:39
Very very nice series Anthony !

Really like the images when a lot of the wildebeest can be seen coming toward the viewer
Title: Re: Wildebeest crossing the Mara River
Post by: Anthony on May 16, 2017, 14:21:27
Thank you all, your comments are much appreciated.