Kenya, Through My Photographic Lens
Revisiting Kenya was always on my bucket list. On my first trip to Kenya in 2012, I could not capture many wonderful moments of the wild as I was getting familiar with different shooting techniques. I realized then that to be a wildlife photographer, one has to be ready every moment. I also learnt that patience was key for the finest photographic moments.
From Big Five to the Special Five
In June 2019, I set out to Kenya, with my friend and a well-known conservationist, Dileep Anthikkad. Our earlier escapades in the wild had given way for many tips and trades shared by this master of the trade.
From Nairobi it was quite a long and bumpy drive to Samburu. The effort though was worth every moment we spend in Samburu. While Masai Mara boasted of the Big Five, Samburu had the Special Five which are the Beisa Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy’s Zebra, Gerenuk Antelope and Somali Ostrich. We were fortunate enough to see and capture all these rare animals during our three-day stay in Samburu. We also had an advantage of getting to capture some lovely shots of elephants and a few beautiful birds as well.
From Samburu to Masai Mara was an equally long and tiring drive. However, we managed to take a break in Naivasha for just a night. As luck would have it, we got to view the spectacular flock of Flamingoes, Goliath Storks, the Fish Eagle, Pied King Fisher and plenty of cormorants. We reached Masai Mara in the afternoon and after a short rest set out in search of the Big Five. I wanted to see the Rhino and Leopard which I had missed sighting during my previous trip to Kenya. The local Masai guides who had extensive knowledge of the region played an important role in helping me reach my dream of seeing the big five and capturing them with clarity to gratify the eager and avid photographer in me.
The first day started off with the sighting of a couple of male lions who were resting after a sumptuous meal. Cheetahs, Elephants and Cape Buffaloes were easily sighted and so were some raptors and a few other birds.
The Pride of the Moment
The second day started off with sightings of Hyenas, Black-backed Jackals and Vultures feeding on a kill. As we moved on, we saw a lioness and her cubs. A quick diversion and I experienced one of the best wildlife moments of my life. The new born of the Enkoyonai pride was being introduced to the pride. It was like watching a movie right in the middle of the wilderness. The pictures that I shot of that moment speaks so much more, than any words I can pen to describe my emotions.
Later that afternoon we spotted a leopard in the bushes. I couldn’t get good shots as it was hidden behind the bushes. As I was twisting and bending trying to get an angle to shoot, my guide exclaimed, “We have to move quickly, Sir! There is something you would love to see.” He was moving full throttle and I knew it would be something really exciting. As he took a turn, I spotted the prize attraction, a Rhino!
How lucky I was, I thought as I captured this great being on my camera. I thought to myself that it was a pity that we humans are the only threat this beautiful and majestic Rhino.
The Moments that make it all Worthwhile
As we moved further, the leopard was the only one left among the big five that I had not yet captured. It also started raining by then. We could see a big group of vans stationed near some heavy bushes. We rushed to the spot. A leopard and a cub were behind these bushes, someone said. We waited patiently for over three hours and then our guide, James steered the van right to the edge of the bushes and there, so close in the clear land ahead, we could see the Leopard and the cub.
My camera went berserk, clicking as many pictures as I could manage for almost 45 minutes, capturing every emotion shared between the mother and the cub. Those moments will be etched deeply in my memory and my camera bore witness to this special bonding of the mother and the cub.
The next day presented us with one of the best mating moments of the King and Queen of the jungle I have ever seen on top of the rocks. We spend around four hours watching them in awe as they enacted out the best expressions of ecstasy, especially for us, or so it seemed. The final day was the day of the Cheetahs. We followed a pride for almost a whole day witnessing three hunts. Most were failed attempts. I felt happy for the impalas that escaped but, at the same time I was equally grieved that I missed a great hunting shot. However, my photographic luck won over, as at last the Cheetahs managed to bring down a Wildebeest quite late in the evening.
The Mara Sunset
On our way back to camp each day, we witnessed spectacular sunsets. No other sunset compares to the Mara sunset.
As the sky lit up like a burning flame, a lone Giraffe stood along the horizon. As she walked right in front of the setting sun, I felt my heart well up with emotions and I got the perfect shot. This was the most beautiful moment I had ever experienced in my life.
A wonderful week of being close to nature, a week that made us one with nature like never before. We left Kenya with memories and images of the wild that will remain with us forever.
