Of course, what most people come to see when they travel to the Mara are the lions. As the wildebeest, zebra and other game come through, these kings of the
savannah are out in force.
I got particularly close to a pride this year after there was a kill just behind our camp.
It turned out that the pride had killed in another pride's territory and the next morning there was a vicious chase right through the middle of our camp as two males saw off a group of 10, including a number of very young males.
This beautiful adult male, whom we dubbed Eric the Red, shot right past my tent in hot pursuit of the invaders.
There was a huge commotion amongst the staff at the camp as they shouted and banged saucepans loudly in an effort to 'shoo' the lions out. Two
Masai warriors, paid to 'guard' us, set off after the lions, armed with their spears.
Here are two of the invading pride that got
separated from the others in the fray. Thankfully the pride managed to regroup by the end of the day. The younger lions would have certainly been killed by the older two had they not got away.
Now's the time to look out for osprey. These magnificent birds often stop off at lakes or ponds in this area as they make the 3,600 mile journey to West Africa. The first time I saw one hunt was truly breathtaking.
Bit of a shock to learn on my return from Kenya that one of my places to photograph wildlife has been turned into a golfing range.
Secretary birds are said to be named for their crest of long quill-like feathers, which make them look like a 19th century secretary with quill pens behind his ear. Although I have heard that the name is a French corruption of the Arabic 'saqr-et-tair', which means 'hunter bird'.
Leopards are always impressive and this one is no exception. During the trip I was lucky enough to see some four week old leopard cubs too, but unfortunately I didn't get any photographs as it was too dark.
Of course, what most people come to see when they travel to the Mara are the lions. As the wildebeest, zebra and other game come through, these kings of the savannah are out in force.
Today I got back from Kenya where I have been following the world's largest animal migration as it crosses the Masai Mara. Each year more than 1.4 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra and gazelle, relentlessly tracked by Africa’s great predators, migrate in a clockwise fashion over 1,800 miles in search of rain-ripened grass. 
Whilst Robert's away he's asked me to keep you abreast of gallery news. So as he stalks lions across the savannah, I've been in bonny Birmingham running a trade stall at this season's leading retail home and gift exhibition. 
Nature's sanitation squad: yellow-billed oxpeckers feed on ticks on buffalo. It is amazing how these normally aggressive beasts tolerate the birds, as they do get into some awkward places.
