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The Great Migration
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Beverly Joubert: " The natural world has much to teach us about tolerance and cooperation. Migrating wildebeest herds on the plains of East Africa seem to move as a solid mass, trampling life-giving nutrients into the soil as they surge towards their next destination. When faced with a river to cross, the animals often pause and wait for a brave individual to take the plunge triggering the rest of the herd into frenzied motion. But this chaos is organised. Travelling in huge numbers provides safety, particularly for the herd’s youngsters. Wildebeest have even been recorded taking turns sleeping at night ensuring that there is always a sentry on guard to sound the alarm if needed. The grass that wildebeest eat along their seasonal route is returned to the earth in the form of dung that fertilises the mineral-rich soil of the Serengeti – the perfect illustration of an ecosystem in delicate balance.
There is solace to be found in the seasonal cycles of the natural world. These resilient rhythms continue in the face of a changing world, but eventually the planet’s life support systems will fail if we do not protect them. It is up to us to work together, to cooperate, and to be tolerant if we hope to safeguard our precious home for future generations. "
Sachin Rai: " Dive!
These guys will be in Mara soon and I guess I will miss seeing them this year in Mara. Or maybe not. Let’s see :). "
Marlon du Toit: " You see, once you start swimming you really have no other choice but to keep on swimming. You’ve left the known behind & you’ve entered into murky waters. It’s deep, dark & dirty. You also know you’re not alone. To your left, right, front & back you have more wildebeests with the exact same intention - survive the deep & get to the other side.
All you gotta do, is swim. Don’t look back. Don’t think of anything else. Just make it to the other side at all costs. There’s something in this. This instinctive behaviour. It’s a matter of survival. Those who doubt. Those who hesitate. Those who jump last. They are often the ones who find themselves in trouble. Jump in, and swim! " Marlon du Toit: " It’s not called the Great Migration for nothing. Unbelievable sight! " Marlon du Toit: " ’m trying to give you a sense of scale here. These animals will literally throw themselves off cliffs in an attempt to get down to the Mara River & to cross it. It’s beyond belief. The Great Migration in Kenya’s Masai Mara is something you’ll never forget. If you’ve not yet experienced it, best you put it at the top of your bucket list. If you’ve been, I bet you’d want to return. Captured 10 minutes from our very own @wildeyesa Mara Camp. " 
Zhayynn James: " At this time of the year the spectacle of The Great Migration is underway, with over a million wildebeest and nearly a quarter of a million zebras making the journey across from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara, following the rain. Unfortunately this year, thousands of wildlife photographers and I will miss witnessing and photographing this spectacle. But the journey of the wildebeest and zebra and their epic struggle to cross the Grumeti and Mara rivers, running the deadly gauntlet of predators, will continue nonetheless. I made this image in 2018 of a herd of wildebeest after they crossed the Mara river, and had to funnel through a narrow gap in the river bank to emerge out onto the other side. "
The great migration seen through a great artist's eyes during the pandemic crisis.
Daren Bader: " Last year around this time I was in Kenya promising myself I’d be in Kenya again around this year. The pandemic changed all that. We had hoped to see the wildebeest migration this year, but as Mick always says, you can’t always get what you want. Instead Moses, our guide from Kenya, has been sending us amazing pictures of this year’s migration. This painting is composed of two of the photos he took. Yes, that launching wildebeest is real! Watercolor and white gouache on tan paper, 10”x10”. Swipe for details and process. " |
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