Vultures and the Wildebeest

A Lapped Faced Vulture finds the highest perch

from which he can see the on-coming herd of Wildebeest.

Steve Schwarze, friend and acknowledged  Bird Expert tells me

that Lapped Faced Vultures "see" rather than smell their intended prey from large distances.

The first of an estimated 10,000 Wildebeest approach the river.

After a short hesitation they plunge into the Croc infested waters.

On the opposite shore line, several hundreds of opportunistic Vultures 

 (there are 50 in this picture)

have gathered, in the knowledge that a good meal awaits them.

Some of the antelopes missed the narrow Hippo trail

and now face this vertical shore line,

where Crocs and Vultures await them.

Of course, most of the Wildebeest crossed the river successfully 

There are Wildebeest from Mara's shore to the horizon.

and your intrepid photographer knows no rest