Meru, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Kenya — October, 2014

[Tom Kellie]

A guided tour held much for me.

Tabitha showed eco-features,

Which were designed with subtlety,

Respecting the local creatures.

Blue Cook’n Lite

Dining and Reception Areas

Mid-Camp Gathering Place

Murera Springs Flow

Camp Manager Tabitha

Heating Morning Shower Water

[Tom Kellie]

Waiting for Anthony I think,

About the fragile beauty here.

With tea and fresh fruit juice to drink,

The day commences with good cheer.

Place Setting for Two

Fruit, Tea and Juice

Breakfast Table View

Murera Springs Breakfast

[Tom Kellie]

Bigmac Africa is ready,

Formalities are underway.

Anthony is calm and steady,

I'm thrilled that we've come here today.

Anthony at Meru National Park's Murera Gate

Murera Gate in the Upper Left Hand Corner

Visitor Park Entry Fees

Fire Danger Rating

Anthony Arranging for Park Entry

Bigmac Africa Safaris at Meru National Park

[Tom Kellie]

A poster at the gate stands out,

Explaining a game warden's role.

The duties that it tells about,

Make one glad they're out on patrol.

“I Am A Game Warden”

 

[Tom Kellie]

Distance runners are Kenya's pride,

To see runners is no surprise.

Running in green slippers outside,

May well be novel I surmise.

Running in Green Slippers, Carrying a Mobile Phone

Friends Run Together

[Tom Kellie]

The safari's first sighting — Wow!

Passer gongonensis above,

On a wire looking at us now.

Game drives like this are what I love.

The Safari's First Sighting

Passer gongonensis

 

[Tom Kellie]

It would be rather hard to miss,

This Go-away-bird so nearby.

To photograph as close as this,

One hardly has to even try.

Native Dancer

Discombobulated

Hunt and Peck

Corythaixoides leucogaster

Shades of Steel-Grey

Distinctive Barred Plumage

Long Tail Feathers

[Tom Kellie]

Blooms scarcely qualify as prey,

Yet this Go-away-bird attacked,

Hapless flowers as if to slay,

Although stout defenses they lacked.

A Single Flower

Grasping a Flower With Its Bill

Open-billed Dining

Slicing Off a Blossom

Attacking Flowers As Prey

[Tom Kellie]

Nanger granti, or Grant's gazelle,

Is the first mammal that we spot.

If it were tired, how could one tell?

Lovely, whether weary or not.

The Safari's First Mammal Sighting

Ever Vigilant

Nanger granti

Effective Cryptic Coloration

The Tan Shades Predominate

[JohnR]

@@Tom Kellie I like your open bill go-away bird. Very striking.

[Peter Connan]

Once more i stand in awe.

 

Your poetry is always beautiful, your attention to detail wonderful, and these new hand-written notes just so eloquent!

 

Thank you.

[mapumbo]

Really enjoying this TR. Keep them coming please, Tom.

[Tom Kellie]

This national park is so still,

Without any frantic bustle.

Scattered trees all appear tranquil,

Their dry foliage doesn't rustle.

Bird Haven

After Passing Through Murera Gate

Life After Death

 

[Tom Kellie]

They're Plocepasser mahali.

A White-browed Sparrow-Weaver nest,

Egg-theft raid would be sheer folly,

A closer look too stern a test.

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver

Plocepasser mahali

Nest Sentinel

 

[Tom Kellie]

A herd in chocolate brown tones,

African buffalo at rest.

Precious down-time for weary bones,

Letting them be is surely best.

Resting Together

The Horns Have It

Buffalo Tagalong

Dark Brown, Not Black

Not Every Moment is Glamorous

Unexpectedly Expressive Countenance

[Tom Kellie]

This buffalo calf was by far,

The loveliest one in the herd.

That morning its face was the star,

Charming without bleating a word.

Star of the Show

 

[Tom Kellie]

There's a surprise when this dove flies,

As rufous feathers line its wings.

Showing that required many tries,

Such photos only patience brings.

Male Oena capensis on an Acacia Branch

Namaqua Dove Back Plumage

Oena capensis in Flight

Light-Dark Plumage Contrast

Female Oena capensis

[optig]

@@Tom Kellie How did you know that I just adore poetry? I'm a big poetry buff. I wish that you'd publish a book of your photos along with your poetry and notes.Your'e a brilliant poet as well as photographer.

[optig]

@@Tom Kellie I just love poetry. I wish that you would post your photos and poetry along with your notes

[Tom Kellie]

Well, ladies, may I have this dance?

Your feathered finery looks smart,

Are you young ostriches, perchance?

In any case, you've won my heart.

Lady Ostriches

Eyes Left

[Tom Kellie]

A look that's unmistakable,

Distinctiveness that's apparent,
This landscape is remarkable,
Meru's grandeur so transparent.

Hyphaene thebaica

Spreading Tree with Perched Fiscal

Proceeding with Caution

Both Habitat and Forage

Sausage Tree with Passing Zebra

Meru Landscape with Giraffe

Meru's Signature Look

Doum Palms, Giraffe, Zebra, Meru

[Tom Kellie]

Spotted circling far overhead,

Scanning for carcasses below,

This Bateleur feasts on what's dead,

Hunting while soaring to and fro.

Juvenile Bateleur

Chestnut-backed

Feather Fingers

Terathopius ecaudatus

[optig]

@@Tom Kellie I'm now getting nostalgic about the three days which I spent in Meru. It is simply a gem of national park which should be visit more often. it has everything and of course I appreciated the lack of other vehicles.

[Tom Kellie]

No insincere wheedling occurs,

Amongst feeding eagles like these.

The carrion each one prefers,

Is served raw, without wine or cheese.

Aquila rapax at a Carcass

Zebra with Scavenging Tawny Eagles

Pausing While the Zebra Passes By

Moderately Anxious Scavengers

Aquila rapax Trio

[Tom Kellie]

A palm-nut vulture's tree-top perch,

Is a widow's walk with a view,

Of distant plains its eyes will search.

Such height provides privacy, too.

Palm-nut Vulture

Gypohierax angolensis

Black and White Wings Displayed

Preening Vulture

Front View of Gypohierax angolensis