Ants on hillsides

Why migrate I wonder????

As I looked at this Crocodile basking lazily on the banks of the Mara river,  I couldn't help but think he's smiling. It sure looks like he or she is and likely, because he can't believe his good fortune. Dinner in the form of either wildebeest or Zebra will continue to cross his "crib" in numbers up to a million over 4 weeks.  I don't think he pauses to probe the depths of animal psychology and the subtle signals that propel these magnificent beasts back and forth across the river. It just is... and means a full tummy and time to work on his tan.

I did however -- ponder deeply on the subject as I enjoyed the peaceful sun drenched day on the magnificent Masai Mara.

Two things are so amazing that you tingle and/ or gasp at the enormity and complexity of it all.

Firstly - the sheer number of Wildebeest. Essie, my intrepid and dare I say lovely companion on the adventure, remarked that they looked like "Ants on Hillsides" as we rolled the Land Cruiser through a valley with views stretching on to forever. There are more beasties here than The Don has alternative facts.

This next part was super interesting -- the zebras you see here (about 300 in the herd) had just come from the river bank behind me. One Zebra finally and tentatively decided to cross. Moments later he was spectacularly chomped by a Crocodile while the others looked on in horror (even though their expressions didn't really change) .  " Ouch"  -- and then "fuck this" seemed to be the consensus and they all moved 100 meters down stream to where you see them in the photo above.

Once the shock of a lost brother or sister fades, one brave Zebra moves forward and after 5 minutes or so puts his or her hoofs tentatively in the Mara River. The other Zebras all hold their breath and wait glad it's not them. So why this Zebra? Punishment for hogging the grassland? Does he get his pick of the mares if he makes it over? What reward awaits this intrepid Equine? And why bother to cross at all? Seriously - there is space and grass for days on both the Tanzania side and the Kenya side. It's bizarre.

Also bizarre was when the lead Zebra ( lets call him Johnathan Livingston Zebra) decided not to cross, and again --  they all turned and made there way to yet another crossing site 100 meters down stream. What (other than the unavoidable obvious) prompted JLZ not to cross? And why did no other Zebra or Wildebeest step up and offer a second opinion? "Hey Zachary - ya know the grass on this side is spectacular this year -- how about we chill here?" "Are you kidding Zelda - the grass is always greener ..... blah blah blah"

I'm thinking that if hungry Crocodiles infested the streets of Nairobi I would consider alternative routes on my way to work as well. That part makes sense to me but again -- why migrate at all?


Below - a couple pictures of the day....

Essie, hungry as usual scans the horizon hoping to see a Mcdonalds or Burger King.  But nothin' but Wilde and other beests as far as the eye can see.

These Heartbeests  herd there was a party and grazed right over. Look at how vast it is. Yes I got lost many times.....

Perfection the form of a Grant's Gazelle. You get a further sense of the size of the Mara here. 1500 sq kms!!

I'm going to guess that we were able to see 200 elephants during the day ... just awesome!!! And again - vast!!!

Jake & Yvonne

Many thanks for the very generous donations from my friend Barry and my daughter Stevie. This money will be a big help for now and Jake's future. Thanks very much!!!

Thanks reading .... Layno!!!