Talk about a leap of faith – these phenomenal images show how a very lucky wildebeest nearly became lunch for a hungry crocodile.
But despite coming terrifyingly close, it managed to time its jump to perfection and hop over the croc’s snapping jaws.
The images were captured by Vernon Cresswell on the Mara River in Tanzania in August. He explained: ‘We spent two full days searching for river crossings and soon after lunch, on the second day, we noticed a nice build-up of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles along the banks of the Mara river in Tanzania.
‘We positioned ourselves in an area I thought would attract the most action. Thousands of wildebeest started approaching the banks of the Mara river. We sat and waited patiently.
‘After an hour, the lead wildebeest decided it was not safe to cross. Like programmed toys, these animals went back south into the open area. We were disappointed, but I noticed a few zebra and wildebeest trying to cross an area of the river on our opposite side. One by one these animals crossed. Interestingly, they had not noticed a large crocodile approaching the area where they had decided to cross. We were roughly 150m away, so I quickly moved my bean-bag, repositioned my camera and made a few settings adjustments.
‘I needed to ensure my shutter-speed was quick enough to capture a sharp image if there was any action – something I hoped for. No sooner had I got myself ready, the croc made his move – I just kept my finger on the shutter button!
‘I think I was extremely fortunate to capture the sequence, in particular the one I call Leap of Faith, because it literally was! Being prepared, anticipating animal behaviour and having the right camera settings made this shot extra special.’
So close: The wildebeest, photographed crossing the Mara River in Tanzania in summer, timed its jump perfectly – but only just. The crocodile’s snapping jaws were just inches away from turning the mammal into a tasty meal. The images were captured by Vernon Cresswell. He explained: ‘We spent two full days searching for river crossings and soon after lunch, on the second day, we noticed a nice build-up of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles’
At first, Vernon said the herd of animals weren’t interesting in crossing – they had realised it was unsafe. He was disappointed, he said, until he spotted a few zebra and wildebeest defying convention and marching out alone. He said: ‘One by one these animals crossed. Interestingly, they had not noticed a large crocodile approaching the area where they had decided to cross. We were roughly 150m away, so I quickly moved my bean-bag, repositioned my camera and made a few settings adjustments’
He added: ‘No sooner had I got myself ready, the croc made his move – I just kept my finger on the shutter button!’ The above image shows just how close the vicious reptile came to a hearty meal
Vernon explained that it wasn’t just the wildebeest that got lucky. ‘I think I was extremely fortunate to capture the sequence, in particular the one I call Leap of Faith, because it literally was!’, he said. ‘Being prepared, anticipating animal behaviour and having the right camera settings made this shot extra special’
Too slow: The crocodile, jaws still wide open, is left disappointed after the wildebeest flies through its mouth and on to safety on the other side of the river
Rough crossing: The three herbivores reach the safety of the other side of the Mara river in Tanzania after one of them experienced a heart-stopping close-call
Lethal: The croc’s savage teeth can be clearly seen – even from a distance – as the wildebeest flee across the river. Wildebeest, also called gnus, belong to same family as antelopes, goats, sheep and cattle. They often graze in herds with zebra in an attempt to boost their protection against predators