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Maasai Mara - September 2011

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Post  Laikipia Wed Oct 12, 2011 11:47 am

Second attempt at this - the system crashed and Shocked everything vanished ...

After Sarara we moved to Rekero Camp in the Mara. A short flight and on to camp, via a short game drive with my camera still in my bag, bad move, always be prepared!

Within a few minutes we came across this serval
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Serval13

On the move
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Serval14

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Serval15

View from our tent on the river bank - wildies Laughing
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Wildie11

Secretary Bird - just the strangest looking bird ever!
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Secret11

Chilling
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Hyena11

A little grooming
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Hyena111

Not sure who these are - not the Marsh Pride we were around the Rekero area.
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Liones12

Relaxing with the flies ....... which must drive them mad
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Liones13

A few more to follow but posting in case it crashes again ........

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Post  Laikipia Wed Oct 12, 2011 11:56 am

Towards the end of our first afternoons game drive we came across a caracal - wow, what a stunning cat and I've never been able to get photos before so was very excited ...... hence a few on this thread! They have the most beautiful ears with long wispy bits.

He/she was very relaxed with us being around and we just sat and watched for a while.

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Caraca15

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Caraca16

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Caraca17

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Caraca18

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Caraca19

The end of day one at Rekero ............ Very Happy

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Post  Doogs Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:51 pm

WOW Stunning, stunning, stunning photos Lai, Pai Maasai Mara - September 2011 71418

Fantastic captures of both the Serval and Caracal, how wonderful and how lucky you were to see them both. We got a call about a Caracal but unfortuntely couldn't find it after much searching. We did see one in 2009 but it was too quick and we didn't get any photos No Yours are brilliant, they are such beautiful little cats Maasai Mara - September 2011 853843

Have to agree on the Secretary Bird, very unusual and they always make you :) when you see one !

Nice one Lai Pai Wink Maasai Mara - September 2011 768480
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Post  Laikipia Wed Oct 12, 2011 2:37 pm

Thanks Doogs, we were so chuffed to find the caracal and be able to watch it, we were slightly upset about the serval, our driver was trying to cut in front of it, presumably so I could get some photos, but we told him to stop, the poor serval was on the move and obviously trying to find a bite to eat .......... sometimes you just have to accept you see the animals and don't always get the photos you would like Very Happy

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Post  whitestarling Wed Oct 12, 2011 6:38 pm

Maasai Mara - September 2011 768480 Brilliant Photos of the Caracal, and Serval. I think the last one of the Caracal is an absolute stunner, the face, and eyes are just perfect. Good for you stopping the driver with the Serval looking for food. True animal lover, and the picture is still in your mind if not on Camera. I've met a lot of Secretary's that are odd Birds Maasai Mara - September 2011 40683
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Post  Laikipia Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:14 pm

Thanks WS - it was a plus that we saw the serval anyway and totally unexpected so as you say one to remember.

I've got to admit I was particularly pleased with the carcal photos - such a stunning cat.

Maasai Mara - September 2011 40683 WS - you're jocolor somehow we should have expected that one Maasai Mara - September 2011 71418

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Post  Doogs Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:33 pm

I Agree with WS that the last Caracal picture is stunning WOW

Good on you both for telling the driver to back off the Serval :)

Mmmm, I'm a Secretary, hope I don't meet WS and he thinks I'm an 'Odd Bird' !!! affraid lol!
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Post  Laikipia Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:24 pm

Thanks Doogs

Be affraid WS be very affraid

Lai Pai lol!
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Post  littlewid Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:32 pm

Gorgeous pictures Lai Pai, i'm loving the Serval and the caracal too, the serval is really rangy isn't she. They are stunning little cats. Glad you got to see both of them Lai Pai.

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Post  Laikipia Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:36 pm

Some more from our time in the Mara at Rekero, first thing in the morning.

The jackals, hyena and vultures were all there together. Fascinating to watch them all interacting and trying to get a bit of the kill. I am not showing photos of the kill!

Behind the jackal an African white backed vulture and to the right a Hooded vulture
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Jackal10

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Jackal11

Ruppell's Griffon vulture
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Vultur10

Hyena on a kill - the jackals are so cheeky and daring, always running in and snatching what they can.
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Hyena_10

Once our driver had backed away after Clawed had given a small but very much a warning growl, and we had suggested Clawed on my knee was not the way to 'get the shot' he was very chilled, this was before the take-over.
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Clawed10

No way was he going to raise his head again for a photo - he was Sleep
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Clawed11

More to follow - doing this a few at a time so I don't lose them again.

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Post  Laikipia Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:54 pm

We headed to the Musiara Marsh to find the Marsh Pride.

These are members of the Marsh Pride but I can't say who sadly
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Marsh_10

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Marsh_11

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Marsh_12

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Marsh_13

Pregnant or just well fed ???
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Marsh_14

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Marsh_15

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Marsh_16

We had breakfast out on the riverbank (just turn right out of Governors Camp and drive along a little) with a lot of hippos - they look like they are smiling
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Hippos10

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Hippos11

They are very appealing somehow I think
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Hippos12

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Post  Laikipia Thu Oct 13, 2011 1:05 pm

After breakfast we went to find Honey's boys. This is before one of them was killed, does anyone know if this has been confirmed?

All 3 were there, lying under a bush, and not for moving, I was only able to photograph two very badly, but I am happy that we saw them when they were all together and looking well.

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Honeys10

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Honeys11

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Honeys12

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Honeys13

Unknown leopard - our driver didn't know who this was, any ideas? She/he was not for moving!
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Mara_l10

More later ...................

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Post  Doogs Thu Oct 13, 2011 2:06 pm

Oooh more wonderful photos Lai Pai, thanks so much - you have definitely gone for quality instead of quantity this year Maasai Mara - September 2011 71418

I must admit to finding the whole jackals / vultures / hyena scenario rather fascinating to watch as well. They are all trying to get in ahead of each other to get something to eat, can be quite comical at times !

Loving that you saw Honey's Boys, this is the first year we haven't seen them No Beautiful pictures of them looking relaxed & chilled. Unfortunately it has been confirmed that one was killed by a Lion Sad It's so sad as they were such a great team. The two that are left will definitely be at a loss without their 3rd brother Crying or Very sad

No idea who the Marsh Lions are (I get very confused who they all are unless it's White Eye, Romeo or Clawed for obvious reasons ! Laughing ). Lovely photos of them Maasai Mara - September 2011 71418

Now your leopard, I think it might be Pacha - here's one of mine, check the markings above his right eye (left as you look at the picture) they look the same as your leopard's Maasai Mara - September 2011 71418 What do the rest of you think ? Such a beautiful boy, lovely shot Maasai Mara - September 2011 853843

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Pacha_15

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Post  Laikipia Thu Oct 13, 2011 4:48 pm

Good call Doogs. I have a few more of him below, one from the side, which may help?

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Mara_l11

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Mara_l12

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Mara_l13

I think you're right Doogs Maasai Mara - September 2011 768480

This may be a long thread now, I have a few of Notch and his boys .......

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Post  Laikipia Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:04 pm

No visit to the Mara would be complete without seeing Notch. We found him in the afternoon, after he had had a very busy morning mating with this lioness. By all accounts he is still a very fit lion, those who saw him in the morning came back to Rekero at lunchtime with tales of his morning activity.

Completely flaked out ...........
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Notch_10

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Notch_11

We came across the jackal pups at their den - adorable and very mischevious
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Jackal12

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Jackal13

Maasai Mara - September 2011 Jackal14

On the way home we found 3 of Notch's boys - sleeping!
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Notch_12

I am not sure they ever do anything but sleep - they certainly weren't bothered by us and didn't even look up!
Maasai Mara - September 2011 Notch_13

That's all from Rekero on to Naboisho tomorrow .......... cheers

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Post  Doogs Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:47 pm

The more I look at your pictures the more I'm sure it's Pacha Maasai Mara - September 2011 853843

Notch I love you Notch I love you Notch I love you absolutely great to see him, thanks so much Lai cheers
I Agree with you that he's a very fit lion - must be all that exercise !!! :tmi: Embarassed Laughing

Jackal and her pups are very cute Like a Star @ heaven

Great photos Lai Pai cheers
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Post  Laikipia Fri Oct 14, 2011 8:45 am

Thanks Doogs, and thanks for checking out Pacha, I think you are definitely right.

We were quite pleased to see Notch just chilling, somehow we felt watching him and the lioness would have been a bit personal Embarassed Shocked

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Post  Doogs Fri Oct 14, 2011 1:27 pm

Oh I would have definitely watched !!! Shocked Embarassed :o lol!
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Post  Laikipia Fri Oct 14, 2011 1:36 pm

Having seen it before Doogs, it's blink and you miss it Shocked What a Face Embarassed

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Post  Doogs Fri Oct 14, 2011 1:54 pm

We came across 3 or 4 mating pairs this year and sat with each of them for at least ½ an hour - no action from any of them Maasai Mara - September 2011 40683

We have been lucky to see some 'action' on previous safari's and you're right - blink and you miss it lol!
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Post  whitestarling Fri Oct 14, 2011 11:15 pm

WOW Lai Pai so many wonderful Photos to look at, havent had time to take them all in yet so I will post again when I've time to look at them all properly, but I do think your both right, and thats Pacha
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Post  littlewid Sun Oct 16, 2011 10:36 pm

Gosh how did I miss the rest of these pictures Lai Pai. Loving the Hyenas and the Jackals and the vultures, stunning pictures plus the Hippos too Very Happy

So lovely you got to see Clawed before all the trouble, I bet you will treasure those pictures forever, just like the ones of Honeys boys, so very sad if one has definiately been killed, just like Clawed and Romeo you thought they would go on forever.
Dear old Notch, just love him and i'm so pleased you got to see him and his sons too. You really were so very lucky to have seen them all but good for us to as we have your glorious pictures to keep looking at.

Thanks Lai Pai

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Post  Laikipia Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:30 am

Thanks Littlewid and WS. Yes, I was just saying to Pete yesterday how lucky we were to have seen all 3 of Honey's boys looking fit and well and of course Clawed. I will definitely remember them with happy memories and think just how lucky we were.

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Post  littlewid Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:26 pm

Bless them all Lai Pai, they are thousands of miles away and yet never far from our thoughts and hearts.

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Post  wilderness Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:13 pm

Such fantastic pictures! Very Happy Thanks all of you. Must have been a great trip!
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