The Mara one year ago - Pictures
 

Hi ,
I have almost completed my Kenya gallery with pictures of the 4 magnificent days we spent in the Masai Mara one year ago. (Still I have to built the gallery of Nakuru).

We where lucky and got to see a crossing (apart from many more great sightings) where you can appreciate how deep the river was in contrast with the actual situation.

http://www.pbase.com/africawild/kenia08

I hope you like them.

Paco.

Paco,

Brilliant stuff - I already saw some of your pictures before but I am still in awe.

Ciao,

Johan

Stunning photos, Paco! Thank you for sharing.

I certainly like them! Too difficult to pick favorites because so many are excellent. Loved the cheetah looking to the side in the rain, the cheetah about-to-kill, the last elephant photo, all the other elephant photos...etc., etc.

I’ve looked only at Mara, not even the Mara Lions Album yet, but there were a couple of cuties and a nice reflection lion shot. Where to begin? Everything’s migrating, wildes, zebra, buffalo. The shots from the balloon mean you had to have one of the best balloon safaris ever. You photographed raindrops on the cheetah, now that’s a new one. Those bateared fox are adorable. The serval perspective is lovely. Adorable jackal den and outstanding job on the cheetah hunt. Along with the great bird shots and eles,all this in 4 days!?

Paco, I can't remember when I last saw such a great set of photos. Everyone a winner. Thanks for sharing them.

Terrific pictures and a nice mixture of scenes and animals.

Great pictures of the Serval Cats
Thank You for sharing

Beautiful photos. Did you use the 200-400 alone or with a tele-converter? Some very nice lighting also. Thank you for sharing. I ended up looking at ALL of the galleries!!

Great photos, Paco! You were able to get the shots from a low perspective. How did you get those from a game-drive vehicle?

Fabulous lion album. They really are a happy family and active too. In the final shot, the little guy is airborne.

Always happy to see your wonderful pictures. Will await Nakuru.

Thank you all for the comments;

SCRUFFYPUMA, i did use the 1,4 converter for a few shots(the photo of the leopard,second one in the gallery is with the converter at 850mm) but most of the pictures are without the converter.

SHAYTAY, i try to sit always(if possible) at the lowest seat because i like low perspective.This time it was nice because we had a vehicle for ourselves ,so i could pick the seat and tell the guide always where to position the vehicle.This is a key factor to get the best opportunities.
Sometimes we also took advantage of animals been higher than the vehicle which is nice also.

Paco.

You saw it all in Samburu! Loved the gerenuk. You even got the Wood Hoopoe!

Paco: Thank you for the info, that leopard is beautiful. I will be traveling to Sabi Sands and Botswana in Dec. and have been trying to decide if I should rent the 200-400 f4. I have an 80-400 f4-5.6, but cannot use the teleconverter with it. Not cheap to rent, but if it would make the shot it would be worth it (can't do much about the photographer!) Hopefully, we will see leopards (and warthogs). Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks again.
Pat
Pat

Pat,

sorry for this late answer but i was away and had not look at the forum for a week.

I have no experience at all with the 80-400 but my opinion is that for Sabi Sand with 400mm you are well cover,you don´t need the converter unless for birds.
I went to Sabi Sand and Timbavati one month ago and didn´t almost use the converter.

In Botswana you can off road in most private concessions but not inside Moremi(i think) so it depends where are you going.
From my 2 trips experience in Botswana i think you would be happy to have more than 400mm sometimes ???

Before i got the 200-400 i did all my trips to Africa with the Sigma 50-500 (4 safaris ) and i was happy with the results (just an amateur) but the quality of the new lens is much,much, much better and also working in low light makes a big difference.

Remember also that this lens is big and heavy,you will need a good beanbag or other support.It can be handhold with good light but your arm will suffer a lot.

Good luck.

Paco.