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Gallery: WildlifePosted January 28, 2014181 views7 comments

This is from a crossing we witnessed on our first full day in the Mara Triangle in September.

This "monster croc" (they make'em BIIIG in the Mara) was hunting some of the animals crossing and made a number of kills in the space of 2-3 hours, stashing the victims below the surface before coming back for more hunting. Here he swims right into a bunch of crossing wildebeest...can imagine a number of words that would be uttered by these creatures as they see this guy in their midsts!

Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f5.6 | 1/1000 SS | ISO-220

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Thomas Haney on January 28, 2014 at 7:12 PM

A lot of drama in this shot, I would be interested in seeing it in B&W.

Registered on April 7, 2013, 138 Posts, 537 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on January 29, 2014 at 8:57 AM

This image really tells a story Morkel.
Did he get one?

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on January 29, 2014 at 9:15 AM

Hello Morkel

Thanks for sharing this Amazing encounter, Have seen videos of this type of crossing and always remember the Very Large Hunters!.
The Croc sure is large and Very Ugly but his Ugliness also gives him Great Character! Hope to see more of this encounter and Interactions!

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on January 29, 2014 at 9:25 AM

Hey Morkel,

Wow - great "drama in real life" shot! Not only did you document an incredibly interesting scene and interaction, but you did it with a really interesting composition. I quite like the strong diagonal formed by the line of their heads/horns and how the croc (and one lucky - I think - wildebeest) is isolated on the "other side" of that line. My only minor wish on this one would have been for a more DoF to sharpen up the wildebeest near the bottom of the frame (yep, tall order with a 500mm lens). But great as posted...

Cheers...thanks for sharing this one...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 29, 2014 at 3:34 PM

I really like it. I don't find any photo nits that get in the way of my being "wowed" by the size of that Mara croc.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on January 30, 2014 at 2:42 AM

Thanks for your feedback, gents.
Martin - he got several!

- would take one, drown it and then stash it underwater (probably beneath rocks and logs) and then come up and hunt again.

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on January 30, 2014 at 10:17 AM

Great story line n beautiful picture!
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments