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- Title: Common Wildebeet Undertake Mara River Crossing Of The Great Migration
- Views: 14
- Added: Feb 11, 2026
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- Filesize: 2.51MB
- Pixels: 1920x943
- Description: Image captured in Northern Serengeti, near Singita/Mara River Post, with view of Masai Mara in Kenya over the horizon. This was attempt no.3 to see the crossing having, having failed over the previous two days. Thousands of wildebeest and Zebras spent all day analysing different crossing points, changing their minds and instinctively panicking over any suspicious movement in the water. The collective state of tension and anxiety was accompanied by the occasional smell of death travelling down river, then followed by a bloated corpse. This was our last chance before heading back to Central Serengeti that day. We found a spot around 7am, almost the same place we had failed previously. I wasn't totally confident and asked my guide that if nothing happens in the next few hours, lets move off as I would like to see some hippos and crocodiles. I sensed a token acknowledgment of my request, however, I also sensed his confidence in his own judgement. The herd picked a fast moving rocky part of the river, the same sense of uncertainty hung in the air with numerous attempts abandoned at the last second. Just after 1pm I recall sitting down in the vehicle, to fiddle about with camera settings grab a snack, and suddenly the guide started the engine and slammed into gear, I realised it's now happening while rolling around in the vehicle trying to prepare my camera. The noise, sense of relief, and chaos of this spectacle was unforgettable. At one point, I recall putting my camera down and watching two calves who were separated, they were almost there but fighting with all their strength against the current to get over some rocks. They vanished from view, but a minute later I saw one of the calves running up the bank to join the herd. Interestingly, the Zebras displayed more critical thinking, waiting till enough Wildebeest saturated the waters before making their move. This continued for 15 minutes with thousands crossing before two large Nile Crocodiles appeared. There was one Wildebeest destined to be the sacrifice, taken away between a set of giant jaws. Unfortunately, this was the signal for thousands still queued up to abort mission, and scramble to safety up the bank.
- Owner: J.Kal0925
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- Date Created: 0000-00-00 00:00:00