Tsavo West, Amboseli, Meru & Samburu — January, 2015

[graceland]

Love the Hippo Pool. You must return next month and bring back more photos. They are delightful!

 

I loved the PKF as well. When in Zim at Lake Kariba I saw one really up close and personal. I was must mesmerized by its' beauty.

 

I must go look for it again!

 

Enjoy your weekend!

[Tom Kellie]

Desjardin's Grass Yellow Butterflies

At a shallow stream crossing we spotted an assemblage of yellow butterflies on the ground. They were

Eurema desjardinsii regularis, Desjardin's Grass Yellow Butterfly, a Pierid butterfly. There were also

several Belenois aurota, Brown-veined White butterflies present. Anthony and I were absorbed in

photographed the small organisms which enhanced the game drive with their elegant beauty.

Their focus was the moisture in the compacted soil, their tongues uncurled to sip the

life-sustaining moisture. We were elated to have observed them under such favorable

conditions — one of the smallest species on the safari yet a treasured memory.

Desjardin's Grass Yellow Butterflies

Butterfly Assemblage

Brown-veined White Butterflies

Yellow on Yellow

[Tom Kellie]

Early Afternoon Birds

The morning game drive concluded, the early afternoon heat filled our faces with dry warmth. We passed

over tracks devoid of life, save for a few birds. Understandably most species seek relief from the midday

insolation, reducing their activity in secluded areas suitable for shade and rest. These few birds were

moments of interest, showing that birds are highly adaptable to ordinary environmental conditions.

Shrike on a Bush

Quelea Flock

What's a Game Drive Without a Goshawk?

[Tom Kellie]

Murera Springs Eco Lodge Lunch

We returned to Murera Springs Eco Lodge late. Nevertheless the cheerful staff was ready to serve us lunch al fresco,

in a forested clearing beside two hammocks. Both Anthony and Ni tried the hammocks. Anthony's superlative driving

and guiding had resulted in a fine game drive, thus his rest was well-earned. Lunch in the afternoon filtered sunlight

was light and refreshing, for which we were grateful. With nothing untoward to disturb us, we ate

together with smiles before going our own ways for a quiet rest.

Table for Three

Peking University Medical Researcher at Work

After a Long Game Drive

Ready for a Late Lunch

Arboreal Ceiling

Salad and Roll

Anthony in a Hammock

Lunch al Fresco

Refreshing Fruit

XU Ni Showing the Campfire Pit

Growing at Murera Springs Eco Lodge

[michael-ibk]

Mmmh ... love the pictures of the lodge. I so enjoyed that place, and especially having lunch exactly at that spot. And the hammock!

[Tom Kellie]

Late Afternoon Birds

As we'd spotted birds during the close of the prolonged morning game drive, so we spotted birds during

the beginning of the evening game drive. A female Circus pygargus, Montagu's Harrier, was the second

observed during the safari. The contrast between the deep blues of a Superb Starling's plumage and

the light tones of the grass was striking. A Fiscal Shrike carefully perched atop

an acacia with especially needle-like spines.

Female Montagu's Harrier

Superb Starling in Late Afternoon

Spiny Acacia and Fiscal Shrike

[Tom Kellie]

Mmmh ... love the pictures of the lodge. I so enjoyed that place, and especially having lunch exactly at that spot. And the hammock!

 

~ @@michael-ibk

 

It means a lot to me that you've been there and know what a nice place it is.

Very few Safaritalk members have ever crossed paths where I go, aside from those who stayed in the Emakoko before I did.

The Murera Springs Eco Lodge was charming in all respects.

There's a very real possibility that I may be returning for a third visit when I'm in Kenya next month.

If so, you may be very sure that I'll think of you while there!

With Thanks,

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Oryx in the Late Afternoon

While Samburu National Reserve is home to numerous Oryx beisa, Beisa Oryx, Meru National Park also has

them. We'd been driving for less than half an hour when this solitary oryx appeared beside the track. As oryx

are wont to do, it walked with a plodding gait, passing several Yellow-necked Spurfowl resting in shade. When

it briefly looked towards the safari van, I pressed the shutter, wanting to preserve the memory of observing

such an improbable organism. Oryx are a favorite of mine — I photograph them whenever possible.

Oryx and Spurfowl

Black-tipped Tail

Oryx in Profile

Meru Oryx

[Kitsafari]

 

Oryx in the Late Afternoon

While Samburu National Reserve is home to numerous Oryx beisa, Beisa Oryx, Meru National Park also has

them. We'd been driving for less than half an hour when this solitary oryx appeared beside the track. As oryx

are wont to do, it walked with a plodding gait, passing several Yellow-necked Spurfowl resting in shade. When

it briefly looked towards the safari van, I pressed the shutter, wanting to preserve the memory of observing

such an improbable organism. Oryx are a favorite of mine — I photograph them whenever possible.

 

 

and she's a worthy subject for the pictures, @@Tom Kellie. I've yet to see an oryx in person, and would love to do so one day.

 

Lovely pictures of the butterflies and the dragonflies. I used to see so many of them when I was growing up but with the city so developed today, there are less and less of them and mainly the smaller species remain.

[Tom Kellie]

Meru is a State of Mind

Meru is a state of mind. Truly. It's not the abundant birds, the grazing mammals, the predators, the elephants,

the giraffes, the hippos or the rhinos which set Meru apart. Rather, it's the pervasive atmosphere of calm

infused with the palpable sensation that something might happen any moment. The event horizon

is marvelously near real-time throughout Meru, including in the splendid vegetation.

Meru Trees

A Meru Track in the Late Afternoon

[Tom Kellie]

and she's a worthy subject for the pictures, @@Tom Kellie. I've yet to see an oryx in person, and would love to do so one day.

 

Lovely pictures of the butterflies and the dragonflies. I used to see so many of them when I was growing up but with the city so developed today, there are less and less of them and mainly the smaller species remain.

 

~ @@Kitsafari

 

I hope that your first oryx will be sooner rather than later.

Whenever I've observed oryx, they've not been skittish. They gradually drift away, but without the panic of a fleeing warthog sounder in Masai Mara.

Their coloration and distinctive profile is such that oryx photographs are often noteworthy.

Singapore is a heaven for me, as the dragonflies in the Botanical Garden and in Sungei Buloh are lovely!

Nevertheless, they're not out in the open, easy to spot. They lurk in quiet glades.

I'm so pleased that you'll be marking you're 25th anniversary in South Africa while I'm in Kenya.

Our respective safari countdowns are now a bit over one month away!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Reticulated Giraffes in Early Evening

The evening game drive yielded opportunities to photograph Reticulated Giraffe with characteristic Meru vegetation.

The deep chestnut color separated with a honeycomb-like pattern is an arresting sight. Neither shy nor genial, the

giraffes we observed were fairly near the track, their appearance enhanced by the late afternoon sunlight.

Whenever it's my fortune to encounter Reticulated Giraffe, my camera lens has a workout!

Male Reticulated Giraffe with Superb Starling

Meru is for Giraffes

Such is Meru

Giraffes Have Right-of-Way

Two-by-Two

Patterned Like No Other

Trois des Girafes

Intertwined

Reticulated Giraffe Duo

Looking Back Before Walking Off

[Tom Kellie]

Three Female Gerenuks

Round a bend, turn a corner, pass beyond a tree and...three gerenuks! The living epitome of form following

function, Litocranius walleri, Gerenuk, is a species which is a highlight when observed on any game drive.

These three lithe demoiselles were walking together, with a retinue of small flies. We stopped to enjoy their

graceful beauty. That natural selection has produced such an exquisite animal is a wonder. Although

they walked off into the bush, we would have gladly continued admiring their comeliness.

Gerenuk in Tall Grass

Gerenuk Demoiselles

High-stepping

Gerenuk Trio

Form Follows Function

[Tom Kellie]

Meru Sunset

Even the most magical game drives come to an end, with sunset a reminder that effulgent day is part of a far

greater universe, wherein planets rotate and orbit around the blazing solar furnace. Our day in Meru National

Park began in drizzling rain but concluded bathed in soft golden light, tiny quelea huddled together

on a bush as stately giraffes walked in single file to an unknown nocturnal rendezvous.

Quelea quelea at Day's End

Red-billed Quelea Roosting at Sunset

Meru Sunset with Giraffes

Meru Sunset

[Tom Kellie]

University of Oregon T-shirt

After leaving the Murera Gate of Meru National Park we drove the short distance to the unpaved track passing

through cornfields to the Murera Springs Eco Lodge. These three children ran up to us, smiling and laughing.

The green and yellow University of Oregon T-shirt was a reminder of the wide distribution of consumer goods.

As my trusted Chinese conservationist friend had been attending the University of Oregon Environmental

Studies graduate program, I took this photo at 6:45 pm. before returning to a candlelit dinner.

University of Oregon T-shirt near Meru National Park

[Ben mosquito]

Thanks for all these wonderful photos from Meru, the gerenuks are particularly graceful.

The smiling children ........we look forward to seing them J- 33

Edited June 14, 2015 by Ben mosquito

[Tom Kellie]

Thanks for all these wonderful photos frome Meru, the gerenuks are particularly graceful.

The smiling children ........we look forward to seing them J- 33

 

~ Bonjour @@Ben mosquito

 

Merci beaucoup for your very kind words.

I'm so pleased that you've enjoyed the Meru images.

The gerenuks are sleek, with an elongated form both elegant and whimsical.

Those happy children are waiting for you!

Tom K.

[TonyQ]

@@Tom Kellie

Meru looks lovely - the oryx, reticulated giraffe are beautiful - but the gerunuk are wonderful.

I really like the Meru sunset with the different layers of colour.

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie

Meru looks lovely - the oryx, reticulated giraffe are beautiful - but the gerunuk are wonderful.

I really like the Meru sunset with the different layers of colour.

 

~ @@TonyQ

 

What sets Meru apart for me is the pace of life.

That's not to suggest that there aren't predator – prey interactions — there are.

Meru is the only place in Kenya where I ever observed two leopards walking together.

 

The characteristic species — gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, oryx — have an easygoing elegance.

The colors in Meru are the finest I've seen in Kenya, as a result of the shimmering luminosity.

Next month when I return to Kenya for the 9th time, I hope to revisit Meru.

Meru is the sort of park which tends to draw repeat visitors.

I'm very glad that you and @@Thursday's Child liked the most recently added images.

More will be added in the coming days.

With Appreciation,

Tom K.

Edited June 14, 2015 by Tom Kellie

[Tom Kellie]

Good Morning, Meru!

The exuberance we felt on beginning a second full day in Meru National Park was matched by the

pleasant morning air. Anthony drove down the seldom used perimeter fence track, as he and I enjoy

exploring such out-of-the-way paths. The lush vegetation was a tonic, bracing me for the day, as

plants are the foundation of Meru's charm, providing food, shelter and shade for wildlife.

Cleome hirta

Garlanding Fence Wire

Seldom Used Perimeter Fence Track

[Tom Kellie]

Log Beehive

The log beehive, ‘mzinga’, shown in these images was bound to a tree limb by wire. The tree grew

just outside of the perimeter fence, thus wasn't in the park, although the resident bees were

unfettered by notions of borders. Whenever I travel through north central Kenya I'm conscious

of such beehives, which are sometimes 2 or 3 to a tree. When I first saw one, I was shy

to ask Anthony about it, concerned that it might be a sky casket!

Attached to a Tree Limb

Removable Entrance Secured with a Stick

[Tom Kellie]

Second Day, First Sightings

Heading into an all-day game drive, there was a strong sense of anticipation. These images show the

first sightings of the day, all observed off of the main track, while driving through heavy bush with scant

evidence of previous visitors. The juvenile Circaetus cinerascens, Western Banded Snake-Eagle

and the Streptopelia senegalensis, Laughing Dove, were especially valued sightings. Driving on

less traveled tracks need not have dramatic predator encounters to be worthwhile,

as the sensation of going where few others go is satisfying.

Jaunty Stallion

Acacia with Weaver Nests

Don't Get Around Much Anymore

Yawning Buffalo

Juvenile Circaetus cinerascens

Streptopelia senegalensis

Solitary Reticulated Giraffe

Powerful Legs and Hooves

[Tom Kellie]

Elephant Duo in a Copse

With elephants, there are situations where one can't be certain how many are present. Despite their mass

and scale, they have an uncanny ability to be present in numbers in groves yet not readily apparent to the

untrained observer. We stopped for what appeared to be a single elephant browsing at the edge of a copse.

Almost imperceptibly a second elephant appeared with no more sound or hubbub than a gnat landing on silk.

Emerging from a Copse

More is More

Unhidden Hide

Dust Patina

Pupils Focussed on the Camera Lens

Sensory Perception

[Tom Kellie]

Silvietta brachyura

Serendipity is an occasional factor in safari photography. In this instance we'd paused to admire Halcyon leucocephala,

Grey-headed Kingfisher, perched near the track. It was apparent that a much smaller bird was actively moving near the

kingfisher. Silvietta brachyura, Northern Crombec, was an entirely new species to me. It's hopping without

using its wings was enthralling to watch, if only for a brief spell.

Northern Crombec Below a Grey-headed Kingfisher

Halcyon leucocephala with Sylvietta brachyura

Silvietta brachyura

[Tom Kellie]

Un Petit Martin-pêcheur

Meru National Park has a healthy population of Halcyon leucocephala, Grey-headed Kingfisher, as on

every game drive they're spotted. Not only are they frequently observed, but they're particularly obliging

models for the camera lens. When ‘like a Meru kingfisher’ comes to mind, I'm thinking of an animal

subject which is neither elusive nor anxious, remaining in one position long enough for ample portraits

to be made. With their vibrant scarlet bills, they're an ideal target for a camera's auto-focus.

Aptly Named Leucocephala

Red Achieved Without Lipstick

Perched Near Thorns

Oil Painter's Model