Crew Mobiles
Roving | 09.10.2008 | Mara time: 5:09 PM
Mic-ing up
Andy adjusting Jackson's radio mic - beneath his shuka and necklaces, the microphone tends to pick up every rustle.
Lion | 09.10.2008 | Mara time: 3:09 PM
More drama. A herd of wildebeeste have just walked almost onto the two Graces. They spotted the lions at the last moment and lined up to stare at them. The lionesses did their typical cat thing, looking as if they were not interested anyway, and turned their backs. This meant they didn't notice one of the wildebeestes limping along at the back. It had a lucky escape. The last of the big herds seem to be passing, heading for the river crossings and Tanzania.
Lion | 09.10.2008 | Mara time: 2:56 PM
Hot cats.
The lions must be wishing the girls had chosen to wait in the shade. I wonder whether they have come out here to hunt or to persuade the fellas to leave them alone. Or maybe both. It must be almost impossible to hunt with these two in tow.
Lion | 09.10.2008 | Mara time: 11:51 AM
Slo Mo
Everything the lions are doing at the moment is in slow motion because of the heat. It's almost as if they were sleep walking. One male (the one without a scar) has left the girls to renew his scent marks on the bushes. Scar has come to lie next to the lionesses and been greeted by Joy. She is older and I think will soon be ready to mate. I wonder whether there will be fireworks then between the boys.
Lion | 09.10.2008 | Mara time: 11:48 AM
Stars of CCTV
One of the males with Joy.
Roving | 09.10.2008 | Mara time: 9:58 AM
Time out
Camera man, Scott Tibbles, catches up on his correspondence in the shade while the leopard lies low.
Roving | 09.10.2008 | Mara time: 9:48 AM
No job too loud
Anybody looking for a sound man? I can recommend mine - he makes great coffee, kindly helps me to eat my cake ration, removes his footprints from my windscreen when asked, and today he even spring-cleaned my car for me.
Lion | 09.10.2008 | Mara time: 8:44 AM
Joy walks past our car on her way to Bila Shaka. A very unlucky leopard then had its morning spoiled when all four lions turned up under her tree. They are all there now but we have to return to camp because of a problem with the camera. Frustrating.
Lion | 09.10.2008 | Mara time: 7:45 AM
Morning glory
Plenty of excitement already this morning. Two of the three Graces, Beauty and Joy, were together at first light. One male with each of the girls. There was quite a bit of growling, everyone very tense. At least one of these girls must be coming into season.
BBC Camp | 08.10.2008 | Mara time: 10:44 PM
In the shadows
With those lions less than a kilometre from camp, it's reassuring to know that our Askari (guards) are out there watching. This was taken while the show aired - powerful lights illuminate the backdrop.
BBC Camp | 08.10.2008 | Mara time: 5:46 PM
Jackson calling
Here's Jackson commentating LIVE, earlier today, on the webcam views. There'll be another Sound Safari tomorrow at 1pm - learn about the Mara from our Masai guide.
Roving | 08.10.2008 | Mara time: 3:20 PM
Over reaction
Andy Hawley, the Big Cat sound man, has just told us that's he's allergic to cats! Guess that slipped through the health and safety net. He assures us he doesn't intend to stroke any...
Lion | 08.10.2008 | Mara time: 3:04 PM
Strange behavior
Red is up and off on her own. Oddly she is making contact calls as if for a lost cub.
Roving | 08.10.2008 | Mara time: 2:43 PM
Something to smile about
Leopard spotter, Jacob Lelesara, managed to find our cats after they'd given us the slip.
Roving | 08.10.2008 | Mara time: 12:44 PM
On the road...
Tash Breed, our Leopard team camera car driver, hot on the trail of one of our leopards, following a tip-off from one of the team wildlife spotters.
Cheetah | 08.10.2008 | Mara time: 12:14 PM
Boys zone
Male cheetahs form coalitions which enables them to defend their territories against other male cheetahs. This guarantees them mating rights to any female cheetahs in their area. These 3 males are laying up near our camp.
Lion | 08.10.2008 | Mara time: 10:24 AM
The pride are still out in the sun. They were roaring earlier so perhaps there are other lions around which we can't see. Warthogs are grazing in the area but so far have not come close to the lions. A cub has tried to stalk one - no hope.
Lion | 08.10.2008 | Mara time: 9:25 AM
Close encounter 2
We have our uses - the lions are already looking for shade.
Lion | 08.10.2008 | Mara time: 8:10 AM
Close encounters
The three cheetahs are still around and have passed quite close to the pride but the lions either did not notice or did not care. The pride is out in the open looking for game quite close to the BBC camp.
Lion | 08.10.2008 | Mara time: 8:09 AM
Family pride
From a cameraman who is missing an important birthday today.
Lion | 08.10.2008 | Mara time: 6:42 AM
Pride near camp
The pride are all safe and well this morning, playing in the gorgeous early morning light like they so often do. Those tents in the background are our production tents!
Lion | 07.10.2008 | Mara time: 10:02 PM
Red resting by night
Just so that John and Sammy don't feel so disheartened. They can now see that our Marsh Pride lionesses like to rest at night as well as the day!
Lion | 07.10.2008 | Mara time: 8:11 PM
Ben Aviss joins the Night Crew Boys
Lion Team Producer, Ben Aviss, has swapped shifts and joins us night crew boys, Mark,Luke and Andrew for an evening. His only job is to turn the aerial once in a while. Some people get all the easy jobs...
Lion | 07.10.2008 | Mara time: 7:33 PM
No action but still smiling
John and Sammy can still manage smiles despite a rather uneventful day spent watching sleeping lions. Fingers crossed for more action tomorrow during the day. I'll be back soon... now the sun has gone, Red has started moving. More night action to follow
© MMIX