FIRE IN THE SKY - by Hax

Although April and May are considered the ‘Green’ season here in Kenya, it is nevertheless a very special time to come on a Photographic safari. I write this, because I have just complete one of my Photographic safari where the clients took back over a thousand shots each on what has been a truly extra ordinary experience.

Serian is based on the Mara river just below the Oloololo Escarpment and is about sixty kilometers from Lake Victoria. The consequence of this is that we are affected by the Weather patterns on the lake. This time of year the mornings are beautiful and fresh and the light is clean and crisp whilst the afternoons develop some spectacular cloud patterns with the inevitable thunder and rain on the Serian area. In the evenings the Lightning and the setting Sun provides some very amazing skies and I have to say that from a photographic point of view it make for some interesting effects and I have collected a few hundred over time.


One morning we had a very early start of 5.30 (its a struggle, but worth it!!) to be able to make it out to the plains for sunrise at 6.40. The morning is sweet and you experience not only stunning colours in the sky, but also the singing chorus of the birds and game waking up for the new day.


In addition, its the beginning of the birthing season now for so many of the game. We were able to photograph Lion cubs, Cheetah cubs, lots of tiny Elephants and plenty of Zebra, Impala, Topi young. Their rustic colours making a striking contrast to the rich greens of the grass and trees.

Throw in the heat of the mid day that sends the Elephant for a swim forcing the hippos out,. All in all, this time is a very special time for photographers who want to explore the subject rich environments of the Masai Masa.

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN! - by Hax

Last evening, whilst out looking for a spot to have a sundowner, Mark Gilks, Serian’s manager and I had a very special surprise. Walking across the grassy plain towards us were three very familiar residents to the Serian area returning after a substantial absence. Three young male Cheetahs that we have affectionately come to know as ‘The Three Brothers’.

They had a sense of purpose in their walk so we decided to pack the cold box back in the car and follow them. They were hunting. Mark scanned the horizon for any potential prey. In the distance we saw five Eland. Being the largest in the world, they weren’t at risk, but off to our right in the distance were a family of four Ostriches.

Deciding they could be a potential target Mark and I drove towards them and strategically placed ourselves to watch the event unfold. We parked under a tree between the Ostrich and the oncoming Cheetah and cracked open a cold beer while we waited.

As the light faded the parent ostrich soon spotted the oncoming cats. Instinctually the two juvenile birds knelt down in the long grass. If we hadn’t seen them doing it, we would never had know they were there; they blended seamlessly into the grassland in the fading light. The parents followed suite, with the hen Ostrich, kneeling some ten meters or so in front of her family.

After what seemed like an eternity, the Cheetah walked slowly towards us and the hidden Ostrich. Suddenly the male Ostrich couldn’t take any more. He sprang up quickly, followed by the two juveniles, and ran off into the distance. Once satisfied that her family were a safe distance away, the female stood up and followed them. The Cheetah seemed completely unfazed about this, and continued to walk towards us. Eventually they arrived at our car. One of the brothers spent time smelling the rear wheel whilst the other two came round to the tree on my side and were so close now, I could have reached out and touched them! The two of them proceeded to spray the tree to mark their territory. Needless to say, through the open window, I felt a few drops land on my face!

As uncomfortable as it was, I could not help smiling to myself it was their way of having the last word. Mark and I acknowledged the experience as one of those special bush moments, as we watched then disappear into the long grass and fading light.

Written by Photographer and Filmmaker Hax