2013-09-24 Maasai Mara, Kenya

Rains have come in full swing in the Mara and clouds fill the sky throughout the day. As a consequence, the Wildebeests’ migration is now returning towards the Northern Mara from the Mara Triangle, giving way to frequent river crossings. The Crocodiles are back in action after resting for most of September. We saw different crossings, a lovely Hyena den with small babies, Narasha and her cubs making a hunt. The plains are filled with Thomson’s Gazelle fawns and Warthog piglets and the Cheetahs are taking advantage of this relatively easy prey. Our last afternoon before leaving to Nakuru and Amboseli was the highlight of the last few days. We looked for the female Leopard with one remaining cub. We searched until the late afternoon, when all other vehicles had left. We had almost lost hope when she finally appeared from nowhere, as Leopards often do. While we were with her, from upstream we heard the screaming of the Guineafowl, some distance away. We wondered why would they scream as the Leopard was with us. She also noticed the noise and started heading to that area and when she reached, the cub finally came out. We were completely alone so the cub was quite relaxed, greeting mum repeatedly and asking her to suckle. It was fantastic to watch this intimate moment in the life of such an elusive cat.