I am asked often, “Why do you keep going back the Massai Mara in Kenya?”
The pictures below could answer that question without any words, but I love the Mara because of the Big Cats.
Although the changes of the western world are affecting this amazing wild place at an alarming rate, being there during the migration time is like no other wild life area anywhere in the world.
This year’s miracle was a cheetah, named Shingo, with 6 cubs! Why is that a miracle? On the average, a cheetah usually has between 3-5 cubs, and only 5% of the cubs will survive. That is only 1 out of every 20. Most fall prey to predictors when the mother is out hunting. At the time I photographed these cubs they were about 4 weeks old. They were spotted, and it was reported that all 6 were still alive.
Cheetahs are on the endangered species list and their numbers are under 10,000.
The cheetah’s main defense is their speed and being able to blend into their environment.
or NOT
Mother was hunting, but was not sucessfull during this attempt.
She was successful the next evening.
One advantage of returning to the same place is developing relationships with your guides and drivers and staying in contact with them. Several weeks prior to arriving I am usually in contact with them every few days to find out what is happening so I can plan my time and focus on capturing special moments.
This is also why I venture solo to the Mara, much of the time. When I know I am seeing something very special, I want to spend as much time as possible observing, experiencing, documenting and capturing it. I spent the majority of my time over 10 days, following this cheetah and her cubs. Not only did I capture some great moments but I experienced something very rare. The magic of the Mara and Africa is that every time I go back I see something different and more amazing than the prior trip.
Photographer or not, Africa is a place everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Beautiful shots, Piper. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes in the holiday season, and in the New Year as you embark on your new journey.
Love the first photo Piper. She is obviously a great mum to bring up so many cubs. Only every seen that many cubs once before and that was in the Mountain Zebra Park in South Africa, which has no Lions or Hyenas, hence a lot easier to raise a large litter.
Thanks for sharing such a great moment. Safe travels
More great pictures from you! I love the Big Cats too! Thanks for sharing, I look forward to your emails telling of new posts!
Like you I am drawn to Africa. Not sure why, but maybe because I am from the dry prairies? I need to make an effort to go there relatively soon. It looks like such an amazing place!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and of course safe travels always!
Nice clicks Piper. Looks like you had a successful trip! Have a Happy!
Great pics of Shingo and the cubs. They are really starting to grow now!
Gorgeous photos. That must be amazing getting to see those cheetahs up close and personal like that.
Will it was fantastic to see the 6 cheetahs. One of my favorite animals. This was truly a miracle since the mortality rate for the cubs is 95%. I just received a photo of the cubs and they are all still alive!! I love to photograph African wildlife but I also like to just sit, watch and be in the moment.
Piper, read about you in Rangefinder magazine then looked at every image on your website. Fabulous!! I, too, was in the Mara in Sept- Oct and saw the mother cheetah and 6 cubs. We got wonderful photographs of them! Yours are so special.
Our guide has been going there regularly for 35 years, and had never before seen 6 cubs. We realized we were indeed witnessing something incredible, and savored the moment.
I would be very interested in a trip to Ethiopia with you. I am a professional photographer from TX. Some of my Africa photos are on my website gallery. Please send information about the next trip.
We also went gorilla trekking in Rwanda, and it was one of my life’s greatest adventures.
I am so honored to have found you, and look forward to following your work.