Niyam's African Adventure (August 2013)

[africapurohit]

Suddenly Alex called us to head for the river bank - it had started! The first things I remember were the dust and noise - unlike anything I have experienced before. In the vehicle, I was still working out how to best position myself for photography when I was told we were going to experience this on foot! There was a total of seven guests from the three Serian vehicles and Alex had already staked out the best positions for viewing, without disturbing the crossing wildebeests. I remember getting out of the vehicle and standing there in a trance in complete awe of what I was witnessing, while keeping close to Niyam! I wasn't even sure of where to point my camera until Alex called me to get into a position close to him. There were seven lines of wildebeests crossing at the same time and the opposite bank was acting as a bottleneck! It was like a swarm of insects clambering up a wall - and all this while the sun was rising on the horizon!

 

[africapurohit]

It was all quite chaotic with me juggling three cameras while shooting handheld on foot, but I hope the following photos (there are a lot!) help to share this experience. The rising sun combined with the dust from the descending bank created a magical atmosphere..

 

 

[pault]

Amazing - the crossing, the time of day, and (I can only imagine) the experience. Well done to Alex for getting you in position and shooting - fantastic shots. The first and last in your latest post are the most incredible spectacle. Wow! The two before that are just great photographs. You couldn't have set that scene up any better if you had divine powers!!!

[graceland]

I saw a wildebeast crossing with Serian's guides in the Mara. Somehow they have an instinct about where to be and how to position themselves - most likely taught by Alex!

As we watched (in the vehicle though) so many other vehicles were lined up jockying for positions. I was so happy to be where I was and with Daniel, our guide.

 

These photos are amazing; and how lucky you were to have Alex guide you on foot to watch!! I would love that. How you managed to stand still and take those photos is beyond me; I would have been too excited!

 

This was a great pre-New Years Eve show for me!

[africapurohit]

Thanks @@pault and @@graceland. It was so surreal standing there on the bank of Mara River witnessing this at 6:45am and it was exclusive to our little group from Serian Camp - there was no else there! I have seen crossings before, including many filmed on documentaries but nothing like this. Even Alex was absolutely amazed by what was happening and he's seen it all before. I remember having two cameras strapped around my neck and another ready to grab on the car seat. Regarding standing still - all I can say is thank god for image stabilisation!

[twaffle]

Gobsmacked! What a sight and so beautiful with the morning light and dust.

[africapurohit]

I really struggled on where to focus the camera, so my photos are from all over the place without any real order! Varying angles, positions, focal lengths and cameras!

 

[africapurohit]

The main reason for the wildebeest wallpaper on the opposite bank was many heading into dead-ends, where there was no exit, forcing them to line the bank looking for an exit.

 

[Game Warden]

Fabulous images there mate.

[Sangeeta]

Amazing crossing and even more amazing photos! Surreal is a good word for this. I saw a pretty sizable 'double' crossing (2 lines in each direction) and thought myself blessed, but seven?!! The sheer number of animals here is mind-boggling.

 

I wonder how much of this will be equally seared into Niyam's memory! Some first safari this turned out to be and what a fabulous 'denouement'. Super job, AP

Edited December 30, 2013 by Sangeeta

[Atravelynn]

You succeeded in your struggle to focus. These are exceptional shots and to think you were on foot!

[Kitsafari]

hurrah, Niyam is back! and what a stupendous crossing. 7 lines! i feel for the wildebeests - jumping or sliding down that steep cliff, swimming across the river and then trying to climb that steep slope almost vertically (from the angles of some photos). but what a fantastic crossing for you and niyam to witness. i feel jealous already. epic pictures.

[AKR1]

Amongst the finest crossing experiences with photographs to match. What an amazing spectacle for Niyam and you. How fortunate for you that Alex chose this particular crossing point where there were no other vehicles and a truly massive herd ready to plunge into the river. And then you were perfectly positioned to take it all in.

Edited December 31, 2013 by AKR1

[madaboutcheetah]

One word - Phenomenal!!!

 

More words ............ Happy New Year!!!

 

Best wishes,

Hari

[michael-ibk]

Just WOW!

[africapurohit]

Thanks all!

 

The crossings continued for around 2 hours before there was a pause - most likely caused by an increasing number of vehicles arriving at the scene. It is difficult to estimate the numbers of animals that crossed but at least 30,000 must have crossed during the busier first hour. Amazingly, we only witnessed 2 deaths - both were stray calves taken by crocodiles. The crocodiles kept a distance from the fast-moving lines of wildebeest and only tried to pick off stragglers that left the main columns.

 

At one stage Alex guided me down a hippo path, allowing me to get closer to some of the descending wildebeests but still remain hidden. By now, Niyam was also standing on the bank with his own camera. Originally he was quite cautious and wanted to remain in the vehicle but the excitement of the occasion drew him out.

 

Here are some images of the descending gymnasts starting with a head-first landing and ending with a flying wildebeest!

 

The Flying Wildebeest

Edited December 31, 2013 by africapurohit

[Maki]

@@africapurohit - beautiful images! What a great sighting.

Thanks so much for sharing.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Maki

[TonyQ]

@@africapurohit

Wonderful experience + some wonderful photos -especially with the early light and the dust

The number of animals is extraordinary - I really feel for them - it is amazing there were only 2 deaths

 

(The video early is good for getting a feel for the size of the herd)

[africapurohit]

Thanks Maki and TonyQ - more photos and some video of the crossing still to come!

[Zim Girl]

These pictures are absolutely breathtaking!!

They put me right at the scene, I can only begin to imagine what it must have been like to actually experience it. Fantastic!

[Geoff]

Super sighting & some good images that I know you'll be revisiting when you've done your photo processing courses.

[africapurohit]

Thanks Zim Girl and Geoff.

 

Some more photos of the crossing.......

 

[africapurohit]

The last set of photos of the crossing. The first photo shows one of the rocky exit points - these wildebeests like to do things the hard way!

 

 

 

[africapurohit]

Here are some short video clips of the crossing taken with the 5D Mark iii - best viewed in HD at 1080p. These clips were taken when things were calming down but still provide a good representation of the occasion. I was quite impressed by the audio picked up by the 5D Mark iii.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYby6uIXnWE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98HuFF1zaYM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WanOW1sHJg

[Super LEEDS]

Awesome.