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

[FlyTraveler]

 

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.

 

 

The photos of the dust bathing elephants and the running buffalo are great, as well Tom! We are the ones who should be honored to be able to share the beauty of Meru NP through your photos...

[Marks]

The photos of the dust bathing elephants and the running buffalo are great, as well Tom! We are the ones who should be honored to be able to share the beauty of Meru NP through your photos...

I will second this sentiment. I'm really enjoying the lesser kudu in this most recent batch of photos.

[Thursday's Child]

@@Tom Kellie

I'm really enjoying your report & photos. The photos of buffalo in post 521 remind me of animals seen in cave paintings - I think it's the way they are running, the dust and the reddish colour of the track.

[Tom Kellie]

The photos of the dust bathing elephants and the running buffalo are great, as well Tom! We are the ones who should be honored to be able to share the beauty of Meru NP through your photos...

 

~ @@FlyTraveler

 

I'm so moved to read your generous comment.

Considerable fresh writing and uploading is about to commence, following an employment-related pause.

Meru is truly one of the loveliest parks I've ever seen.

Thank you so much!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

 

The photos of the dust bathing elephants and the running buffalo are great, as well Tom! We are the ones who should be honored to be able to share the beauty of Meru NP through your photos...

I will second this sentiment. I'm really enjoying the lesser kudu in this most recent batch of photos.

 

~ @@Marks

 

Your kindness in saying so is highly encouraging.

The lesser kudu have an evanescent grace which is a joy to see.

Three weeks from tonight I'll return to Kenya for a 2-week safari.

If fate brings me through the path of any kudu, I hope that I'll be agile enough to snap off a few images.

Many Thanks!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie

I'm really enjoying your report & photos. The photos of buffalo in post 521 remind me of animals seen in cave paintings - I think it's the way they are running, the dust and the reddish colour of the track.

 

~ @@Thursday's Child

 

That's really true, isn't it?

They do have they primitive look, especially given the terra-cotta dust color and their motion.

I'm glad that you mentioned that — Thank you!

Of all the buffalo I've seen in Kenya, that herd was without doubt the most skittish.

The presence of several fairly young calves may partially have accounted for their curiously standoffish behavior.

I greatly appreciate your time in looking through the trip report. Much more will be added within the coming days.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Merops albicollis with Dragonfly

Upon noticing the tail streamers, it was clear that Merops albicollis, White-throated Bee-eater, was perched on thorny

branches beside the track. We stopped for photos as this migratory species is especially attractive. The surprise was

the hapless dragonfly in its bill. As a great admirer of dragonflies, I was sad to see its fate. How swift and skilled a

bee-eater is to be able to spot, swoop and snatch a dragonfly in flight. Two masters of winged

aerobatics brought together by life's inevitable predator-prey relationships.

White-throated Bee-eater with Dragonfly

Dragonfly as Prey

Now...How to Eat This?

Merops albicollis with Prey

[Tom Kellie]

Elephants Great & Small

The elephants we observed in Meru National Park were neither shy nor aggressive. They weren't numerous,

neither were they scarce. When they appeared, they were typically active, rather than standing together

under a shade tree. An especial large tusker passed by trees filled with abandoned weaver nests. Almost

immediately after we encountered a lone female with her petite newborn remaining near her feet. Despite

the shrubbery foliage in the images, they convey the quiet, low disturbance approach which Anthony

and I prefer. As ever, a baby elephant is cause for a photo stop...and a smile.

Yes, Elephants Are Discreet

Meru Majesty

Pachyderm of Passage

Meru Habitué

Not Very Big

Glimpse of a Newborn

Few Wrinkles Yet

Directly Behind Mom

[Tom Kellie]

Reticulated Giraffe and African Elephant

After enjoying the sight of the newborn elephant scrambling after its mother, we drove a bit further. Having both

Loxodonta africana, African Elephant, and Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata, Reticulated Giraffe, within the

same camera frame was a welcome happenstance. Both animals remained stationary sufficiently long for

a set of joint portraits. Two emblematic Meru species with weaver nests, conveying the ease

with which wildlife may be observed in Meru National Park.

Two in the Frame

Nature's Paddock

Such Are the Sights of Meru

Reticulated Giraffe and African Elephant

[Tom Kellie]

Eastern Chanting-Goshawk and Weaver Nests

The prevalence of Melierax poliopterus, Eastern Chanting-Goshawk, throughout the safari was striking. From Tsavo West

to Meru they were observed, typically in prominent perches affording unobstructed vantage points. The sharpness of the

gaze of this bird was impressive. What did it see? Was it looking for anything in particular, or waiting for whatever might

suddenly appear? Chanting-Goshawks appeal to my love of fearless intensity of purpose.

Backward Glance

All-seeing Chanting-Goshawk

Prominent Perch

[Tom Kellie]

Falco tinnunculus

Upon spotting this male Falco tinnunculus, Common Kestrel, it was apparent that a special photo opportunity was occurring.

Despite our proximity, the kestrel did no more than glance downward at us, continuing its surveillance of the area. The

beauty of its plumage was more than matched by the sheer power of its flight when it took wing. The consequences

of natural selection have shaped this species into an organism of extraordinary grace and athleticism.

These images are one of the highlights of the entire multi-day safari.

Common Kestrel in Meru National Park

Falco tinnunculus

Male Common Kestrel Dorsal Plumage

Undercarriage

Departing Kestrel

[Tom Kellie]

Three Graces

We'd seen three female gerenuk on the preceding day. This trio was off the track near shade. The attendant flies

around them were numerous. Do the gerenuk notice the flies or are they completely habituated to their presence?

Unlike in Samburu, the gerenuk we observed in Meru seem to walk more and pause less.

Perhaps we happened upon them between bouts of browsing.

Gerenuks with Attending Flies

Three Graces, Meru-style

[Tom Kellie]

Sky Sentinel

This inquisitive Melierax poliopterus, Eastern Chanting-Goshawk, attracted our attention, perched high atop a dead snag.

It peered around, including looking upward. What might attract such a raptor's attention in the empyrean? With keen

vision, did its eyes spot what was unseen to the observers below, despite their large telephoto camera lenses?

The presence of numerous Eastern Chanting-Goshawks suggests that they're one of

Kenya's signature raptors, and an especially beautiful raptor at that!

Lofty Perch

Sky Sentinel

What's Up There?

[Tom Kellie]

Pippa's Grave

Anthony asked if we were interested in visiting the grave of a cheetah named Pippa, which had been returned to the wild by author Joy Adamson. The grave marker covers both Pippa and one of her cubs. We stepped out of the safari van for a short break, during which I was photographed with the Sony RX1 R camera beside the grave marker. As a child it was Mrs. Adamson's books which popularized East African wildlife. Pippa's grave is located in a quiet area, off of the main track, with plants growing around it.

Side-View of the Grave Marker

Pippa's Grave

Pointing to Pippa's Grave

At Pippa's Grave

Translucent Orbs

[Marks]

As usual, awesome photos that encompass the entire scale of the wildlife you've seen, from dragonflies to elephants. Something I appreciate but failed to comment upon earlier is your tendency to title your photographs. It makes them that much more personal.

[Tom Kellie]

As usual, awesome photos that encompass the entire scale of the wildlife you've seen, from dragonflies to elephants. Something I appreciate but failed to comment upon earlier is your tendency to title your photographs. It makes them that much more personal.

 

~ @@Marks

 

That's just about the kindest comment I've received in weeks.

I'm so moved that you wrote that. It's so encouraging to have a professional wordsmith notice that.

Thank you very, very much!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Aquila rapax

This set is truly a series, as in this instance we spotted and remained with a single subject through several

minutes. What appeared to my untutored eyes be Aquila rapax, Tawny Eagle, was perched in shade when

Anthony spotted it. As we stopped it flew off, landing on a nearby snag branch. The eagle stared at the

camera lens, scanned the area, scratched and stepped forward to stretch its talon. These images reflect

the pleasure we shared while observing in silence, save for the faintest sound of breeze-rustled foliage.

Sheltered in a Tree

Flying to a New Perch

Staredown

Sharp Talon Visible

Scratching Post

Bird of Prey

[Tom Kellie]

Rojewero River Birds

Approaching the Rojewero River crossing required us to slow down as the track goes over a small

causeway which is covered by shallow flowing water. A hamerkop was fishing alongside two

sandpipers, slowly walking in the shallows where algae mats and biofilm slicks were visible.

The hamerkop defied expectation by flying towards us, rather than away. In such a remote,

unsullied setting, the birds pursue their lives without discernible negative impacts of

encroaching settlement and development. I was glad to see them there, free and healthy.

Hamerkop and Two Sandpipers

Three Birds in the Rojewero River

Rojewero Hamerkop

[Tom Kellie]

Rojewero River Crossing

This series was taken from both sides of the open-topped safari van as we made a slow progress across the

shallow causeway spanning the Rojewero River in Meru National Park. A lone hamerkop is visible on a rock

on the downstream side. Palms, sedges, acacias and vines are among the riverine species lining the river.

We heard monkey calls and birds despite the water's glistening tones. Although George and Joy Adamson

raised Elsa the lioness to the west on the Ura River, the Rojewero retains a

similar wild and pure feeling — definitely a Meru highlight.

A Hamerkop in Midstream

Flowing in Gentle Cascades

The View Upstream

Sedges and Riverine Vegetation

The Classic Rojewero River

Rojewero Upstream Daydream

A Lovely Rojewero Afternoon

Rojewero Crossing

Rojewero Causeway in the Lower Right

[Ben mosquito]

Tom your "Elephants Passing Giraffes" serie embody the spirit of Meru. Alone in the wild, timeless place.

[Tom Kellie]

Equatorial Crossing

We were driving southward through a forest with almost no foliage. We saw no game and almost no birds,

aside from a few Pin-tailed Whydahs. Being immediately past noon, the sunlight overhead brought

temperatures well above 30ºC. Anthony slowed and stopped at a small sign indicating that we were

crossing the equator going from north to south. To commemorate the occasion, a few portraits

were made, reflecting the different characters and temperaments of the three safari partners.

Equatorial Rock Star?

At the Equator

Anthony Gitau at the Equator

[Tom Kellie]

Tom your "Elephants Passing Giraffes" serie embody the spirit of Meru. Alone in the wild, timeless place.

 

~ @@Ben mosquito

 

Je vous remercie beaucoup pour vos mots d’encouragement.

As you truly know Meru, your very kind comment means so much to me.

You're so right — Meru does have a wild, timeless feeling.

I'm so pleased that you like it as much as I do.

Here in Safaritalk there are several members who share our appreciation of lovely Meru.

Many Thanks!

Tom K.

Edited June 29, 2015 by Tom Kellie

[elefromoz]

@@Tom Kellie, I'm way back at Post 20 something but I have to stop right here and say that I too shar(ed) your hesitation in posting a trip report, or any comment for that matter. The "old- timers", nothing to do with age I hasten to add, on this forum have experienced and contributed so much, have such a huge knowledge base and long history with Africa (and beyond) and don't even get me started on the stellar photography, my hand was shaking as I posted my first photo! I appreciate your humble "fear that your trip reports tepid contents might be little more than marginal interest to those weaned on freshly killed bushmeat", that made me smile. But here we are, and what a lovely, soothing read.

 

Your report would be transforming for those who simply "don't get" wildlife and safaris, every photo tells the whole story of time, place, purpose, challenge and emotion.thank you

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie, I'm way back at Post 20 something but I have to stop right here and say that I too shar(ed) your hesitation in posting a trip report, or any comment for that matter. The "old- timers", nothing to do with age I hasten to add, on this forum have experienced and contributed so much, have such a huge knowledge base and long history with Africa (and beyond) and don't even get me started on the stellar photography, my hand was shaking as I posted my first photo! I appreciate your humble "fear that your trip reports tepid contents might be little more than marginal interest to those weaned on freshly killed bushmeat", that made me smile. But here we are, and what a lovely, soothing read.

 

Your report would be transforming for those who simply "don't get" wildlife and safaris, every photo tells the whole story of time, place, purpose, challenge and emotion.thank you

 

~ @@elefromoz

 

Upon returning to continue posting entries in this trip report I read your very generous comment.

Thank you so much for taking time to read in this trip report.

I fully shared your trepidation about posting in Safaritalk, as it was and remains uncertain how much value my postings might have to those who understandably might prefer more advanced and sophisticated sightings and insights.

Several kind members encouraged me when I was starting, which reinforced my courage to tackle the challenges inherent in writing a trip report.

Please know that your very kind words are most welcome, as positive reinforcement is the milk of creativity, no matter how jejune.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Tana River

We crossed Adamson's Falls Bridge at a stately pace so as to facilitate a few shots of the Tana River below.

Kenya's longest river, the Tana tumbles down through rocks at Adamson's Falls before continuing towards

the Indian Ocean. Baboons and Egyptian geese were beside a small backwater. No other activity was

observed as we arrived in early afternoon, just after midday. The sand bars on both

sides of the river were noteworthy for having no apparent trash.

Tana River, Adamson's Falls on the Left

A Small Sand Bar

Tana River Backwater with Baboons and Egyptian Geese

Kora National Park and the Tana River

Looking Eastward on the Tana River

Tana River with a Sand Bar