Reverse Crossing.

Animals (and nature in general) can teach us so much. I admire how they don’t play to the gallery and do what they have to do to survive. While in the Mara we would follow a big cat in a convoy like a VIP. I wondered whether it felt important with all the attention it was getting. I liked how the rangers were chonjo ensuring we keep a safe distance from the animals so they don’t feel harassed.

Climate change is probably the biggest problem that the human race has created. Weather patterns have gone crazy and I feel especially for farmers. They would predict the rainy seasons like clockwork when I was a kid. Nowadays it’s a game of hit or miss. We have shortages when the market is ready and have plenty when the market demand is low. We better do something about it over and above hosting huge global conferences. A good beginning is for each of us to plant trees where and when we can. I hope to do that next week in my favorite small town by the mountain.

I do not know of any benefits of climate change. Well apart from carbon credits which I’m yet to fully understand. All I hear is the devastating effects it has on the planet. But I was somehow a beneficiary of it during my photo safari. Maybe it was part of the orders from above that I spoke about last week. Not only did the weather behave perfectly, rain in the evenings and sunny daytimes, but it threw a huge surprise our way.

Going in September I was not hoping to witness the wildebeest migration. I was wrong. Thanks to distorted rain patterns it started raining in September a few days before we arrived. While the bulk of the migration happens in July and August, they didn’t find much food this time round. I was told by our guide that they didn’t last very long. Another lesson from animals. They don’t hold onto stuff. They took a trip to eat, food was scarce so they decided to go back. Let’s loosen the grip on things as we go through life folks. The shortage of grass was made worse by the burning of the plains in anticipation of the rains which had delayed.

The skies opened in September just in time to welcome us to the Mara drama. On our first game drive, we were informed that the wildebeest herds were returning from the Mara triangle side to where we were. I couldn’t believe it. We will witness the migration at this time of the year and it will be them coming to us. A front-row seat to the action would be a dream come true. Only that it’s a dream I didn’t dare have. How cool is that?

The plains had started turning green just from a few days of rain so the urge for the animals to return was strong. It was so strong that they risked crossing the Mara River again for pasture. The grass was greener on the other side literally. With that resolve and decision made ours was to position well to capture the crossing with our cameras.

We witnessed four crossings over the next few days and there were more in other places. The animals crossed over in huge numbers. Everyone in the Mara at that time got more than what they paid for. As one who looks for deeper meaning or lessons in life’s occurrences, I tried to imagine the thoughts of these animals and how we would draw parallels from them.

One thought that came to mind was of a recent conversation with a pal about how some of our agemates are stuck abroad and desire to come back after many years but cannot because they won’t have much to show for it. They are afraid of what people will think. Another one was how long we take to come out of the bad decisions we make in life. Why? Again, what will people say or think? Sadly many of us live for the gallery. We buy things we don’t need, with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like. How absurd.

I imagined the animals in the Mara (including even cheetahs that don’t like swimming) did what they had to do for survival. They prioritized their well-being despite the dangers of crossing the murky waters hiding crocs below or how scared they would look trying to swim across. Focusing on our goal diminishes the obstacles we face and gives us extra courage to pursue and persevere.

In life, we will make mistakes. It’s an occupational hazard of living. But how fast and best we make amends will make the difference between success and failure, or even survival just like is the case with animals. Folks allow me to encourage us to reduce the importance we giving people’s opinions of us and just get on with the program to live our best life. Be courteous of course but do what you need to do to not just stay alive but live the life you desire and deserve. If that means taking a few steps (or swims) back so be it. Changing our minds may be the best decision we take sometimes.

Photo courtesy of @seemuchphotography. She’s really good. Check her out on IG.