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Jaws of Death
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Jaws of Death

by Hussain Nalwala

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 15, 2016185 views11 comments
i did Migration at Masai Mara in 2015. This was my 4th visit to see the Migration.

On the 2nd day we went to the river crossing to see if there is any activity and to our good luck with 45 mins of our reaching there thousands of Zebras started to move. We could see over 20 crocs in the river but still the Zebras decided to cross.

In this picture a young zebra is surrounded by crocs.

Camera Canon 5D Mark 3, Lens 200-400 mm at a focal length of 436 mm, ISO 400, F/8 shutter 1/1000 sec .

Please do put in your comments.

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on August 15, 2016 at 4:05 PM
Ain't no crocs like the Mara crocs, Hussain!
Dramatic moment, tought luck for the little guy. I can see this working with a tad more space in front as well?
Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Sandor on August 15, 2016 at 8:21 PM
Hussain: what a tumultuous scene. You can almost sense the fear as seen in the eye of this young zebra. The various poses of the crocs add greatly to the scene. Congrats! Richard
Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments
Comment posted by Hussain Nalwala on August 16, 2016 at 6:24 AM
Thanks Morkel and Richard for your comments.
Registered on April 18, 2011, 298 Posts, 339 Comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on August 16, 2016 at 8:11 AM
Four crocs against one young zebra. Feel sorry for the little guy, but the image is fantastic. Well done.
Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on August 17, 2016 at 12:32 PM
Hussain, this is emotionally difficult to view but your timing is exquisite, catching the looking back wide eyes of the youngster, just as the jaws of another croc are about to close on him from the other side!  Wow.  Detail looks nice and crisp, too.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Hussain Nalwala on August 17, 2016 at 1:28 PM
Thanks Jerry and Lon for your comments.

While I was there taking these pictures we all were feeling sorry for this poor baby who was surrounded with half a dozens crocs. The fear and helplessness was seen in his eyes. 

I have traveled a lot in Africa and India shooting wildlife.  I have seen many Cats killing Zebras and Gazelles but the way Crocs kill is just ruthless. They just tear the poor creature into bits in munites.
Registered on April 18, 2011, 298 Posts, 339 Comments
Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on August 20, 2016 at 11:15 AM
Those expressions are priceless, one needs a heart to be able to watch n photograph.
Jagdeep Rajput
Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments
Comment posted by David Bogener on August 22, 2016 at 3:10 PM
Nice light and timing.  The image definitely tells a story and elicits a reaction from the viewer.
Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments
Comment posted by Hussain Nalwala on August 23, 2016 at 6:41 AM
Thanks Rajput and David for your comments.

Over the years I have seen many hunts in the wild but nothing like this. Crocs are just ruthless. 
Registered on April 18, 2011, 298 Posts, 339 Comments
Comment posted by Joe James on August 24, 2016 at 9:59 PM
Hi Hussain - This is as dramatic a scene as they come.  You captured it perfectly and like the others have said, you can really see the fear in that poor zebra's eye.  Very well done with this picture.  Crocs and Hippos are the two African animals I fear the most and this picture just confirms that fear for me.
Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 30, 2016 at 8:22 PM
Congrats on the WP!
A sad but compelling scene, well-captured.
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments