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

[Tom Kellie]

Past the Murera River

Anthony drove through the Murera River at a shallow ford. Before doing so he paused for me to photograph

the standing waves — ripples — reflected on its surface. We all saw a startled bushbuck leap near tall

vegetation, far too fleet-footed for a photograph. An immense tree full of chattering birds struck as

being a ‘tree of life’, as that sector of Meru brings to mind the Garden of Eden,

although on this occasion we saw no flaming sword.

Murera Ripples

Tree of Life

Meru's Park-like Ambience

Where We Saw a Bushbuck Leap

Bounteous Palm

[michael-ibk]

Really like the ripples - a very peaceful photo.

[Tom Kellie]

Really like the ripples - a very peaceful photo.

 

~ @@michael-ibk

 

I'm touched that you would mention that particular photo.

Thank you!

The rippling standing wave was very noticeable as we approached the ford. The tree-shaded reflection made a striking pattern.

Odd as it may seem, what it immediately brought to mind was the mosaic pattern on the boardwalk at Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Anthony is obliging of my photographic whims, thus gently stopped to facilitate the photograph.

Such visual abstracts in Meru mean as much to me as any wildlife observed.

You certainly know that, as a Meru veteran. I'm honored that you're enjoying these images.

There is much more yet to be uploaded from this game drive.

Tom K.

Edited June 16, 2015 by Tom Kellie

[Marks]

The "elephant duo in copse" series was a real treat, though as usual it's rather difficult to single out a particular photo when the whole post is full of exemplary ones!

[Tom Kellie]

Palms, Quelea, Dense Bush

The farther that we drove into the dense bush the more lush vegetation we saw. The track was faint we few

signs of any having passed that way. Great flocks of Quelea quelea were small clouds passing from bush

to bush. Palms thrived, their massive fronds thrust upward from the rich soil. It was thrilling to have a taste

of what hunting must have been like for our ancestors in the Great Rift Valley. I told Anthony that I

was especially glad that he'd decided to explore such an out-of-the-way sector.

Exuberant Palms

Palm Thicket

Quelea on the Wing

Roosting Quelea

Quelea Flock

In Their Dozens

Where Wildlife Lurks

[Tom Kellie]

The "elephant duo in copse" series was a real treat, though as usual it's rather difficult to single out a particular photo when the whole post is full of exemplary ones!

 

~ @@Marks

 

Your very kind comment gives fresh encouragement!

Thank you so much.

I'm seated at my computer desk, the day's game drive notes beside me, going over photographs, one-by-one, asking myself which ones most clearly tell the story.

My hope is to provide Safaritalk visitors with a fairly true-to-life sense of what each game drive was actually like.

I know what it's like to dream of places without being in a position to go there, thus I want to shape this trip report so that they might ride along with me.

With Appreciation,

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Elephants Passing Giraffes

The three of us in the safari van simultaneously spotted an elephant train moving at a brisk pace through tall grass.

Anthony suggested that we photograph them passing the Reticulated Giraffe herd browsing beneath towering

Doum Palms. The ravishing beauty of the scene is one of the highlights of all of my visits to Kenya — unspoiled

by any development, as lovely as Creation's first morning. We then turned around to return to the Murera River

ford as Anthony felt the elephants were headed there to drink and bathe.

Meru Elephants and Giraffes

Meru Panorama with Elephants and a Giraffe

Meru-the-Beautiful

Meru's Distinctive Loveliness

Elephants Passing Several Giraffes

Elephants and Giraffes Glimpsed Through Doum Palms

Doum Palms with Traveling Elephants

[Tom Kellie]

Elephants Fording the Murera River

As a result of Anthony's skilled driving we arrived at the Murera River less than one minute before the elephant train

we'd observed briskly passing giraffes. The Sony RX1 R camera's Zeiss 35mm lens captured these images of the

elephants fording the river after having quenched their thirst. From our vantage point there was no sound beyond

the river's silvery tones. Had we been closer or had more finely tuned ears, there were surely sounds

of satisfaction to be heard in the cool, moist shadow of the trees.

Shaded River Crossing

Fording the Murera River

From One Side to Another

After Having Quenched Their Thirst

The Youngest Elephant Is Curious

[TonyQ]

@@Tom Kellie

Lovely sequence of the elephants crossing the river - good anticipation by Anthony and beautiful photos

[Peter Connan]

Lovely scenes thank you @@Tom Kellie!

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie

Lovely sequence of the elephants crossing the river - good anticipation by Anthony and beautiful photos

 

~ @@TonyQ

 

Thank you for recognizing Anthony's finely honed skill to anticipate and be present without in any way disturbing nature.

Throughout the entire game drive we never saw any other vehicles — all of our sightings were for us alone.

There's a transcendent passage about one minute before the close of the Largo of the Piano Concerto in C by Beethoven, in which the piano and a clarinet trade the melody and the harmony with one another.

Whenever I listen to it a shiver passes through my spine to hear such sublimely exquisite timing such that both soloists — keyboard and woodwind — are at precisely the right point at precisely the right time.

The epitome of the supreme genius and craftsmanship of the incomparable Beethoven and as fine of an example as exists of the wonder of flawless timing.

As with Beethoven, so with Anthony. On safari after safari, game drive after game drive, I silently watch him accurately anticipate the movement of wildlife such that photo opportunities are delivered to me with the effortless grace of a fishing bat.

It moves me to have you acknowledge Anthony's central rôle in making possible the sightings throughout this trip report.

With Gratitude,

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Lovely scenes thank you @@Tom Kellie!

 

~ @@Peter Connan

 

Thank you so much!

Were you to ever join me in Kenya for a safari with Anthony, there would be no finer area than Meru National Park.

It's not because of dramatic game sightings, but rather because of the sheer beauty of the landscape.

All game drives during both times I visited Meru were devoid of other visitors. It was as if we had the park to ourselves.

The vegetation is lush and varied. There's a tranquility which enhances the verdant setting.

I'm so pleased that you liked the images. There are more to come!

With Thanks!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

After Fording the Murera River

The safari van moved forward to as unobtrusive of a vantage point as possible, which suited

our needs while accommodating the elephants. Their feet and trunks were wet from dipping

in the Murera River. They moved onward with determination, heading toward a nearby spot

for a dust bath. Smaller elephants are spirited little travelers, keeping pace with

their mothers and the other family group members.

Young Elephants Pause to Drink

Tusks, Trunks, Tails

Taking a Swig of River Water

After Fording the River

Wet Feet, Wet Trunks

Disciplined Travelers

Heading to the Dust Bath

Peeking Through Trees

[Tom Kellie]

Elephant Dust Bath

With the discretion of a dormouse among falcons, Anthony repositioned the safari van near the elephant's dust bath.

After there brisk morning trek and a dip in the Murera River, they completed their ablutions with a vigorous dust bath.

We watched the younger elephants copying the adults in blowing a cloud of dark dust over their backs. Somehow

they lacked the skill if not the enthusiasm of those who'd taken dust baths for years. Loud sounds were made at

intervals. Expressing contentment? When they finished, they departed as promptly as

they had arrived, heading off to browse in parts unknown.

Dust Baths Are Like Holi

Refreshing Dust Bath!

At the Dust Bath

A Housekeeper's Nightmare

Elephant See, Elephant Do

Dust Bath Novices

A Swingin' Good Time!

Browsing at the Dust Bath

You Tell Me

Meeting of the Minds

Dust Bath Over, Time to Leave

[Atravelynn]

Bath time has never been such fun. You've shown the Murera River's beauty with or without elephants.

 

That was a wonderful elephant encounter!

[armchair bushman]

Aaah, I love Meru so much. The vegetation, rivers, and kopjes just do something special for me.
Thanks for rekindling my joy there Tom. I need to return soon.
The problem is, being at least a 4-5 hour drive from Nairobi, one really needs at least 2 nights to make a trip there worthwhile. Long weekends don't come round often enough!

[Tom Kellie]

A Close Approach

When I spotted a row of fungi on a fallen dead tree trunk, I requested a brief stop to photograph them. I've read

comments in student homework assignments suggesting that fungi are exclusively a humid climate phenomenon,

thus wanted to illustrate an example of them in a somewhat dry environment. Without any fanfare, an elephant

stepped out and approached us. No hostility. No sound. Yet evident interest and closer than typically occurs in

Meru. She posed long enough for these images before rejoining others, including a baby intently watching us.

We drove away, leaving them to consider what we might represent.

Fungi

Texture

Approach

Pose

Observers

[Tom Kellie]

Bath time has never been such fun. You've shown the Murera River's beauty with or without elephants.

 

That was a wonderful elephant encounter!

 

~ @@Atravelynn

 

Your kind words are a tribute to the refined guiding skills of Anthony Gitau, who made possible the images.

The Murera River is lovely, as there's no trace of trash or silting. Free-flowing and clear, hence a fine habitat for wildlife.

Not in this safari, but in October, 2014 Anthony and I jointly spotted not one but two leopards walking along the Murera River one morning.

The utter absence of other vehicles gave a rare sense of one-on-one interaction with nature on nature's own terms.

Meru is a park where the safari van's radio remains turned off. Eyes and ears are the tools of choice.

I'm so pleased that you liked the photos...who have yourself seen so much and taken so many superb images.

Many Thanks!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Aaah, I love Meru so much. The vegetation, rivers, and kopjes just do something special for me.

Thanks for rekindling my joy there Tom. I need to return soon.

The problem is, being at least a 4-5 hour drive from Nairobi, one really needs at least 2 nights to make a trip there worthwhile. Long weekends don't come round often enough!

 

~ @@armchair bushman

 

I'm very glad that these images are stirring up thoughts of Meru in a wildlife expert and safari veteran like you!

What you've expressed is comparable to my own feelings. I like Meru so much for the place itself, rather than for the hope of seeing any particular species.

The species light up the already lovely place. While I do indeed appreciate whatever I've observed in Meru, it was the landscape and vegetation which bewitched me.

The purity of it all...the absence of visitors...the timeless beauty...it all defies comparison with anywhere else I've been.

Truly a treasure for Kenya to preserve for generations of Kenyans yet unborn.

Thank you for your kind comment!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Observed Near the Murera River

We drove away from the Murera River and the elephants, headed southward within Meru National Park. The temperatures

were moderately warm under a slightly overcast sky. These images show the variety of species we observed during

our low-key drive, intentionally slow enough to observe. The Coeliades sp. Skipper butterfly

was an especially welcome sight as I'd never before seen one.

Ruffled White-browed Coucal

Vervet Monkey Beside the Murera River

Baboons in a Tall Acacia

Coeliades sp. Skipper Butterfly

Pensive Observer

[Tom Kellie]

Running Buffalo

After the event, Anthony commented that he's seldom seen such skittish African Buffalo. We'd slowly driven

down a track in tall grass, when a herd of buffalo saw our arrival and ran across the track as if predators were

in pursuit. The brief stampede included a number of newborn calves, whose presence may have increased

the herd's vigilance. We didn't want to alarm them, so slowed down. They stared at us with greater

intensity than one usually notices with buffalo. The charm of the calves and nobility

of the protective adults resulted in these images.

What's the Hurry?

Stampede!

Running Calves

Wary Buffalo Herd

Have We Been Introduced?

Giving Their Full Attention

Diversity

[Tom Kellie]

Female Lesser Kudu

As I've noted elsewhere, we joke that Anthony has ‘leopard eyes’ for his uncanny ability to spot leopards in the most

visually tangled and abstract settings. Perhaps I have ‘kudu eyes’ as on most safaris kudu stand out to me even

when nearly obscured by vegetation. Such was the case when I noticed three female Tragelaphus imberbis,

Lesser Kudu, a ways off the track behind bushes. I mentioned them to Anthony as they broke into a quick

trot away from us. Anthony shrewdly pulled the van forward to where they might be observed. He was right!

They were motionless, gazing at us long enough for a photograph before heading out of sight.

We always stop for kudu.

Startled Tragelaphus imberbis

Female Lesser Kudu

Watchful Trio

Three Meru Maidens

[Tom Kellie]

Birds Near Leopard Rock Lodge

Anthony made a short circuit towards the gate of Leopard Rock Lodge, where deep red bougainvillea were

in bloom. We spotted various birds during the brief detour, each of which charmed us in its own way. A pair

of Red-billed Buffalo Weavers, a Parrot-billed Sparrow, a Red-billed Hornbill, a Northern White-crowned

Shrike, a Grey-headed Kingfisher and a Ring-necked Dove were observed. Avian diversity during a

short drive is a welcome change from the few urban species I see every week.

Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Pair

Parrot-billed Sparrow, Red-billed Hornbill and Red-billed Buffalo Weaver

Northern White-crowned Shrike

Grey-headed Kingfisher with Acacia Blooms

Ring-necked Dove

Grey-headed Kingfisher with a Foliage Spike

[FlyTraveler]

 

 

 

Shaded River Crossing.JPG

Shaded River Crossing

Fording the Murera River.JPG

From One Side to Another

After Having Quenched Their Thirst.JPG

 

The photos on post #507 and 508 are among some of the most beautiful images taken on safari hat I have seen! Thanks for sharing @@Tom Kellie!

[Tom Kellie]

The photos on post #507 and 508 are among some of the most beautiful images taken on safari hat I have seen! Thanks for sharing @@Tom Kellie!

 

~ @@FlyTraveler

 

Your exceedingly kind words are highly encouraging!

I'm honored and moved that you liked those images.

That's a tribute to the sublime beauty of Meru National Park.

One feels overwhelmed by such a lavish display of nature's beauty in Meru.

Your thoughtfulness motivates me to continue posting more Meru images.

With Deep Appreciation,

Tom K.