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

[Tom Kellie]

Merops albicollis with Butterfly Prey

Two adjacent bushes were filled with fluttering white butterflies with dark veins. The foliage on the bushes had been

heavily damaged by insects. The original intent of pausing was to photograph the clustered butterflies in the early

evening's fading light. However, it was almost immediately apparent that the butterflies had attracted a predator

intent on an easy meal. Merops albicollis, White-throated Bee-eater, was present, rapidly swooping

down to snatch a butterfly which was eaten in an adjacent bush.

Bee-eater Buffet

Unsuspecting Flutterbys Awaiting Capture

Two Sets of Wings

Early Evening Meal

Don't Chew with Your Bill Open!

Merops albicollis with Butterfly Prey

Dorsal Plumage

[Tom Kellie]

Wow, that´s all of Easo Nyiro? Incredible, Looks nothing like the mighty river I remember. Great to experience Samburu again via your lens and words!

 

~ @@michael-ibk

 

Yes, it dwindled away to little more than a shallow brook.

The difference in depth, width and flow rate was substantial.

Presumably that's an annual occurrence to which local species have long adapted.

There would have been no physical obstacle to walking across the riverbed...aside from concealed crocodiles.

It encourages me that a Samburu veteran of your calibre is enjoying these images.

Thank you so much for your kind comment!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

You captured the giraffe really well and that coat is the most beautiful I have ever seen.

The zebra are so photogenic and it's almost dizzying to look at all that black and white. Three safaris in one year?

Lucky you! Great pictures and stories. Thanks.

 

~ @@KaliCA

 

Thank you so much! I'm so pleased that you liked those images.

Yes, it's one week from tonight that I fly from Beijing to Doha, Qatar and then on to Nairobi to begin the 3rd safari of 2015. The 4th safari will be in the beginning of October.

Reticulated giraffe coats have such a striking pattern. The shade of medium brown with a tinge of red is very easy on the eye.

I never tire of observing them. They're fairly easy to photograph as they remain at a sufficient distance for my large lens to include all of their massive form in the frame.

Grevy's zebra are definitely showstoppers! The intensity of their patterning must be one of natural selection's masterpieces.

With Appreciation,

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Svelte Pair

There were two Merops albicollis, White-throated Bee-eater, dining on dark-veined butterflies. Observing the two together

was useful as it highlighted individual differences. When it's asserted that animals don't reason but rather act upon

impulse and instinct, it brings to mind these two bee-eaters — one patiently waiting then swooping low while the

other nervously shuffled, fluttered then returned to the perch. The same species in the same situation yet

unmistakably different actions. Such sightings provide ample cause for reflection.

Hard to Swallow

Linear Perspective

Svelte Pair

[Tom Kellie]

Placid Dik-dik Pair

The evening light was diminishing as dusk approached. We'd thought that we'd seen all that we might see, when we

encountered this placid pair of Madoqua kirkii, Kirk's Dik-dik. The male was nestled on the ground, remaining there

after our arrival. The female stood, adorned with the customary flies but also a spider dangling from her mouth.

Small in mass as they were, there was a quiet dignity about the two dik-dik. Are there proportionally

enormous eyes capable of sharp vision in night's lightless gloom?

It's Been a Long Day...

Adorned with Flies and a Spider

[Tom Kellie]

Something in a Tree

As the initial Samburu game drive had been fulfilling, with daylight rapidly dimming down to dusk, it seemed like

time to return to the lodge for dinner and rest. However...there was a surprise awaiting...in a leafy tree, no less.

Anthony's keen ‘leopard eyes’ spotted a spotted form nestling itself into a comfortable position atop a tree.

With no other vehicles around, we stopped, pointing the super-telephoto lenses toward the spot.

Sure enough, a young leopard was ensconced there, its tail lazily twitching.

What's Up in the Tree?

Arboreal Perch

Well-concealed

[armchair bushman]

 

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.

I know I'm a little behind here. Haven't been on ST much recently. But I have to say: THAT LAST SENTENCE MADE MY DAY!

 

The bridge over the Tana River and Adamson's Falls are Meru highlights for me. I remember very well the long drive through miles and miles of endless grey Commiphora bush with not so much as a dikdik to stir one's attention. Strangely enough, I REALLY enjoy that part of the park.

[Atravelynn]

I want to dive into the Rojewero River or maybe just the Honey-Passion Sauce. Harlequin is an apt description of the ostrich feathers. Seeing your first monitor had to be exciting, and it appears you spotted it, so congratulations on that encounter.

 

The White-throated Bee eater with the butterfly is a portrait of beauty tinged by brutality, all on a small scale. Great catch!

Edited July 18, 2015 by Atravelynn

[Tom Kellie]

I want to dive into the Rojewero River or maybe just the Honey-Passion Sauce. Harlequin is an apt description of the ostrich feathers. Seeing your first monitor had to be exciting, and it appears you spotted it, so congratulations on that encounter.

 

The White-throated Bee eater with the butterfly is a portrait of beauty tinged by brutality, all on a small scale. Great catch!

 

~ @@Atravelynn

 

Thank you!

Great credit goes to Anthony on the monitor photos, for had he not instantly reacted to my abrupt request for a stop the photo opportunity would have been lost.

A reality of the super-telephoto lens is that it's seldom able to focus when the safari van is in motion. Thus in order to obtain reasonable quality images there needs to be a complete cessation of motion.

On the recently concluded safari there was an extended leopard sighting stretching longer than half an hour. Anthony drove in rough, grassy terrain, tracking at a distance the leopard on the hunt. Each time he would pause in order to facilitate shots.

The bee-eaters are mercilessly efficient. It's not personal with them, as no vendetta is involved — merely a refined taste for Lepidoptera. The actions, interplay and consequences were every bit as enthralling to yours truly as a much larger feline predator.

It's very nice of you to have visited and left me such encouraging comments.

With Appreciation,

Tom K.

[optig]

I can't believe I'll be taking my second safari this year in October. I'll be visiting Samburu National Park and Meru National Park as well as Laikipia Wilderness Camp.

[Tom Kellie]

A Leopard's Aloft

As both Anthony and I would far rather have no sighting and no images than to enter the too-close-for-comfort zone of a predator,

we maintained a respectful distance from the agile young leopard in the tree. These heavily cropped images were taken with the

400mm super-telephoto lens at about 6:40 pm, when daylight was rapidly fading in Samburu, in large measure due to the lofty

mountain ridge cutting off all vestiges of sunlight. The big cat's careful repositioning in the tree foliage showed how its eye

color was a nearly ideal match for the foliage — cryptic coloration of the highest order.

Panthera pardus in Arbore

Eyes and Foliage Alike

Well-concealed Stealth

Perch Repositioning

Lying in Wait

Dead Giveaway

Carefully Balanced on a Limb

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Leopard

[Atravelynn]

The dark sky makes the leopard seem a bit sinister, hiding in the tree and waiting to pounce.

[Tom Kellie]

The dark sky makes the leopard seem a bit sinister, hiding in the tree and waiting to pounce.

 

~ @@Atravelynn

 

That's exactly it, isn't it?

It was a sinister situation. The photos were taken at a distance in low light after sundown.

Yet there's more to come...much more!

Tom K.

[Marks]

Agreed, the leopard really stands out against such a backdrop of sky.

A handsome animal.

[SafariChick]

@@Tom Kellie I somehow started but did not finish your amazing report. I am getting back to it now and am just up to post 95 on page 5. I absolutely love the image that you dedicated to, among others, me! Thank you! The beauty of endemic Delonix elata flowers and Lamprotornis elata plumage - it is truly lovely!

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie I somehow started but did not finish your amazing report. I am getting back to it now and am just up to post 95 on page 5. I absolutely love the image that you dedicated to, among others, me! Thank you! The beauty of endemic Delonix elata flowers and Lamprotornis elata plumage - it is truly lovely!

 

~ @@SafariChick

 

I'm truly thrilled and honored that you liked it.

Of the tens of thousands of photographs taken on safari, it remains in the handful which stays in my mind.

There's a Zen-like aesthetic which is nonetheless African.

The sheer simplicity of the subjects brings out the intensity of Africa's innate beauty.

Thank you so much for letting me know how you felt about it.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Agreed, the leopard really stands out against such a backdrop of sky.

A handsome animal.

 

~ @@Marks

 

I'm delighted that you felt so.

I especially like prolonged observation of individual leopards as doing so typically yields a wide range of expressions.

That will be readily apparent in the next image sets.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Arboreal Predator

When the leopard we were observing after sundown shifted its perch to face northward, Anthony gently eased the safari van

into another position on the opposite side of the tree. As it was to turn out, it was a fateful decision. Low light was interfering

with photography, as the combination of substantial mountain shadows and sundown was limiting the clarity of every shot,

the time being near 7 pm. While we maintained a respectful distance from the tree, the 400mm super-telephoto lens

was able to capture a series of distinctive looks on the vigilant leopard's features.

Impassivity

What a Shade of Deepest Jade

Tireless Toiler

Under Surveillance

Tree Branch Camouflage

One Chance, No More

Arboreal Predator

Cryptic Cat

Preparing for the Evening Hunt

Pardon Me, Partner

Lion's Kinfolk

Saturnine

Once a Cub, Always a Cub

Indomitable

Outlier

Shall I Jump Down to the Ground?

[Tom Kellie]

A Female Leopard Strides Past

With the briefest of advance preparation, the female leopard we'd been observing went down from the tree. She began

striding along with striking determination. Anthony quietly repositioned the safari van in advance of where he felt she

might go. His intuition resulted in these photographs, showing her passing near the safari van. What is not shown is

that during this sequence at one point she looked directly up at us and tightened her shoulder muscles, as if she

was seriously considering a leap. When Anthony saw that, he immediately moved.

All-in-all a close range encounter with an active leopard unlike any other.

Down from the Tree Perch

Beginning the Night's Perambulations

Treading Lightly

Samburu Huntress

Determined Feline

Very Near the Photographer

Predator's Poise

Very Close Range Encounter

Striding with Purpose

Profile of a Female Leopard

Front Right Paw

Samburu's Red Soil, Dry Grass and Leopardess

Specialized Use Lower Rear Legs

White Tail Tip for Cubs to Follow

Heading Off in a Different Direction

[TonyQ]

That is a very beautiful leopard!

[Tom Kellie]

That is a very beautiful leopard!

 

~ @@TonyQ

 

Thank you so much for saying that!

She was an especially stunning leopard, seemingly in the prime of life.

Despite the dim light of early evening, her loveliness inspired additional photos until the light faded out.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Closest Approach

When the female leopard we were observing walked away, I'd supposed that we'd seen the last of her. Anthony repositioned

the van at a distance from where we'd last observed her. She emerged from bushes, walking more or less directly towards us.

There came a point where she looked directly up at the camera lens, her muscles tensed, at which Anthony gently moved

away. What particularly impressed me was her self-evident confidence, striding forward with no apparent concern for being

attacked. Does a healthy young female leopard go about her territory with a solid sense of confidence in her own abilities?

The Final Approach

Sidelong

Female Panthera pardus in Samburu

Like a Beacon

Considering Her Options

Less Than Three Meters Away

Whither Goest Thou?

Profil d'un Leopard

White-tipped Tail

A Long Night's Work Commences

Characteristic Walking Stance

[Earthian]

@@Tom Kellie

wow

great pictures. you must have been real close. in some of them she is looking right at you!

[Tom Kellie]

A Leopard's Departure

The final series of the female leopard we observed after sunset shows her heading towards a red earth track. She confidently crossed

the track, without any special precautions, before heading northward into scrubland for her nocturnal activities. At one point she briefly

paused to clean a paw, before continuing on her way with the assurance she's shown throughout all of the time that we'd observed

her. The prolonged observation intensified the respect that I feel for leopards, their solitary lifestyle

requiring a high level of of awareness and analytical intelligence.

Female Leopard in Very Low Light

Following a Steady Path

Out for an Evening's Walk

Unmistakable Leopard Pelage

Cleaning a Paw

A Leopard's Rosetted Coat

Heading Towards the Track

A Brisk Jog

Yawning

Onto the Track

Mid-Track

Unhurried Pace

Past the Mid-point

Leopard on Samburu's Red Earth Track

Nearly Across

As Quietly As She Arrived

Stepping Downward

Crossing Completed

Walking Near a Bush

Heading Northward

Lively Tail

Into the Night

[Earthian]

 

Mt. Kilimanjaro

The morning of the safari's fourth day was blessed with a

cloudless appearance of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The ‘Roof of Africa’

consists of three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira.

Uhuru Peak is the 5,888 meter summit on the crater rim

of Kibo, which remains dormant but may someday awake.

Mt. Kilimanjaro Uhuru Summit.JPG

Mt. Kilimanjaro Uhuru Summit

Kibo — Uhuru Summit.JPG

Kibo — Uhuru Summit

Western Upper Slope.JPG

Western Upper Slope

Eastern Upper Slope.JPG

Eastern Upper Slope

Mawenzi.JPG

Mawenzi

Mt.Kilimanjaro Summit Panorama.JPG

Mt. Kilimanjaro Summit Panorama

 

@@Tom Kellie

I wanted to comment after finishing the full report but after seeing your shots of the "shy" mountain, i couldnt resist congratulating you. Great pictures. Actually great pictures of everything that you have posted.