ABOUT "NADALA"
Nadala resting on a branch in an Acacia Tree in the early morning sun.
Nadala is a rising star of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, having recently moved into the area after crossing the border from the Serengeti in Tanzania. She is playful and confident, spending her time climbing trees and searching for good vantage points from which to get to know her new surroundings. At around two years old, perhaps she is also on the lookout for a mate to have her first litter of cubs with.
Nadala was the last of the individuals I photographed for this collection having already spent time with lions (Marsh Pride), cheetah (Kweli) and elephant (Edwin). I was desperate to include a leopard too. After hearing about Nadala, I set off to the main reserve to search for her. Some photos take days of preparation and patience and others happen in an instant. Not ten minutes into my drive, Nadala makes an appearance. She puts on a mesmerising show, shooting straight up this tree to assume her position in the early morning sunlight.