Marabou Storks - the bigger picture (Leptoptilos Crumeniferus)

Annually, in July & August, approx 1.5 million wildebeest migrate from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in Kenya. Their final hurdle is to cross the river Mara. Unfortunately, in 2007, their arrival coincided with heavy rainfalls resulting in a very swollen and fast moving river. This, combined with the sheer volume of wildebeest piling into the water and crocodile attacks, resulted in drowning on a larger scale than normal. The photos were taken about 800 metres down river from the crossing point and about 6 weeks later. I estimated that I could see at least 200 carcasses on this bend alone. The smell was overpowering but for the various scavengers (most of which were Marabou Storks) it must have seemed like a birds paradise.