This week the Isle of Man Photographic Society was treated to a wonderful presentation on the Masai Mara in Kenya by one of our members, accomplished photographer Diane McCudden, CPAGB, BPE*.

Diane is particularly good at nature, wildlife and people pictures and her experience shone through in her presentation.

Her visit to the Masai Mara National Park some years ago was illustrated by many very interesting and varied images, accompanied by traditional vocal music of the area.

We saw the comfortable tented accommodation that she and her husband used, complete with flushing bathroom facilities.

And the not-so-comfortable Jeeps that the group were transported round the park in, under the careful eye of their guide, John.

She noted that many of the local Masai tribesmen had British names. Their tent was not fenced and at night they could hear wild animals close by, and woke to find footprint evidence in the morning.

Nearby was a well-filled river, with crocodiles and hippopotami. Meals including breakfast were served outside and no-one came to any harm.

Diane captured many photographs of the famous Marsh Pride of lions, male, female, and young.

We also saw leopards, cheetahs, gazelles, and perhaps most impressive was the migration across the Mara river of thousands of wildebeest.

They leap into the crocodile-infested water, to swim across in search of greener pastures, and on the other side, the slippery muddy river bank is so steep that many animals fall back, breaking their limbs and never make the trek successfully.

Diane’s images flowed into each other so smoothly that it was almost like watching a video.

We also saw hippos, buffalo, elephants, zebra, jackalls, giraffes, Secretary birds and of course the ever-present scavengers, hyena, circling vultures and storks.

Diane had some fascinating photos of the Masai Mara people, no longer ’warriors’.

Their houses are built from sticks and mud, living with their animals and cooking and sleeping on the floor.

They wear vivid coloured clothing, often red, multicoloured beads, and sometimes a headdress made from lion fur. They pride themselves in how high they can jump.

When president Jeremy Broome-Smith thanked Diane, he said it had made him ever more determined to go and see for himself.

The next meeting, January 29, promises to be equally interesting.

Member Antony Hamilton will show us pictures of his visit to the Camino, in northern Spain, and member Tony Curtis will entertain us with some of his photographs. Meetings start at 7.30pm at Thie Ellyn. Full details on our website www.iomps.com

Ruth Nicholls