Camels,Cakes, and the ever illusive lightning; Indisposed in Kenya

[dlo]

I hope Chris had some decent binocs to check out the flamingos from afar. I love running giraffes. Nice to see the elephant show at Amboseli was on for your visit. About time we get to the cake!

 

Nope no binocs at all! We kept borrowing from the guides, poor safari etiquette I know. I looooove elephants but I think I showed great restraint in not posting to many pictures of them, probably won't show the restraint with a few other things. It seems you love cake even more than me!

 

 

@@dlo I'm curious about the gerenuk at Amboseli. I've only visited Amboseli twice - 1973 and years later 1996 - but I don't recall seeing them on either occasion or even thinking that I was likely to. Are they fairly common there?

 

If they were running then the nearside giraffe was using underhand tactics to win the race. Looks to me that he's barging the other off course!

 

I agree with @@Atravelynn - bring on the cakes!

 

PS What was that last baboon nervous or excited about? (Sorry but someone had to make a comment!)

 

So for us the gerenuk were common. I would imagine double digits for sure. It was the first time we got "relatively close" though as they ran at first sight when we saw them at Ngwesi years ago. We saw several running giraffe and it is a seriously cool sight.

 

!973 in Amboseli! That would have been amazing, you must have so many stories and I'm sure the wildlife would have been amazing back then. Count me in if you were ever to do a very late trip report! Either that or beer and cake watching life go by at the local waterhole.

 

Hmmm that baboon! We were driving by some abandoned buildings and they had taken over residence. He was sitting in front of the locked gate basically acting as security. From here everyone is free to insert their own comments!

 

 

@@Caracal I did see gerenuk when I visited Chuyulu Hills last year and stayed at Ol Donyo Lodge. So obviously there must be gerenuk in Amboseli.

 

Would they extend as far as Tsavo West?

 

I also did not know about Gerenuk in Amboseli, very cool you saw them, and Lesser Kudu as well!

 

Lots of Lesser Kudu as well and more up north as well though my memory is as blurry as yours so they might have been Greater Kudu!

[Patty]

I've seen gerenuk in Tsavo West.

[dlo]

Super busy day today with lots of good sightings.We roll out of bed turn the corner and we have lions on the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Typical sleepy lions at this point but now its time to get up and one youngster decides he's pretty curious about us.

 

 

 

 

My not sunburned this time and bald dome is just about ready to swap seats with Chris at this point!

 

 

Everybody was taking pictures at this point.

 

 

Heart beating faster.

 

 

And faster!!!

 

 

 

 

Boy I'm really getting soft in my middle age.I exclaim quite loudly and the Daniel proceeds to tease me mercilessly. The lions and teasing would continue within the hour.

[amybatt]

Awesome photos and incredible experience, Look at those paws on those young ones, to think they'll grow into those!

[dlo]

A little shook after that but was a great way to start the day! 10 minutes later we run into a small elephant family. They are quite protective of the baby and as they get closer one of the females gets a little more irritated with us. The guys don't seem to concerned but she keeps edging a little close and as usual she is on my side of the vehicle. Coincidentally so was the buffalo in the Mara that got upset! Okay foreshadowing done I ask Daniel for the first time in my life to move the vehicle back a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

Not even 7 A.M I'd call this a very successful day already but less than an hour later we run into one of those ostriches from our first day.

 

 

 

 

 

He was doing everything in his power to chase that jackal off and we did see a few chicks but where was the female?

 

 

 

 

And now we have the other ostrich and also the culprit. The female was on her own with 3 cubs but she abandoned the kill as soon as she saw us. Keeping an eye on this was the other jackal but neither moved towards the kill and after a bit we decided to move on and come back later(very wise decision). Daniel had told us earlier about at least 7 ostriches killed in the last couple of months by lions. I would have thought all those feathers would make hard work of it but they obviously have acquired a taste for them.

 

 

[michael-ibk]

Interesting that they go for Ostriches there. Close lion encounters in the morning - perfect way to start the day!

[amybatt]

As an aside, the resident ostrich orphan at Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi was recently killed by lions right near where the keepers take the elephants to browse.

[dlo]

As an aside, the resident ostrich orphan at Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi was recently killed by lions right near where the keepers take the elephants to browse.

 

Read about that on the newsletter a while back, glad none of the orphans were caught.

 

Interesting that they go for Ostriches there. Close lion encounters in the morning - perfect way to start the day!

 

I walked outside to start the car this morning and it was -44 with the windchill. Lions in the morning are a much better alternative!

Edited January 14, 2017 by dlo

[Atravelynn]

Wonderful lion encounter. It looks like the ostrich is putting on a feather flapping show for the jackal. Interesting pairing.

-44, now that is cold, even if it is with windchill!

[dlo]

We continue on from here and things calm down for a while.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at camp we are given the chance to do a short walk before lunch. A few of the guys from camp head out with us and we discuss the surroundings and life here and ours at home. After spotting some giraffe we follow some elephant tracks and spot 3 in the bushes. We can't get very close though so we take a few pictures and head back for lunch.

 

 

A spear throwing demonstration, officially we aren't allowed to try it out ourselves because it is sharp along the edge and if you throw it to close to the body you can cut yourself. I think they would have been embarrassed by the athletic specimen that I am when my attempt would blast by his puny throw!

 

 

 

Back at camp Chris goes for a short nap before lunch while I sit down with Daniel for a bit.

 

[Hads]

Great report thanks @@dlo.

The daggaboy in post 35 is very thin, it must of been very dry.

That baboon looks like a half opened pocket knife .......

[dlo]

So somehow during or after lunch Chris's cake baking abilities come up. She baked a cake for her friends kids birthday a few years ago and since then its been a nice sideline gig for her. She gets quite a few orders now and helps throw a few bucks into the travel fund. My sole job in this venture is to taste test so its a win win proposition for all! So at this point everyone thought it would be a good idea to put Chris to work in the kitchen and get baking. She and Titus the chef at camp got started on a chocolate cake with buttercream icing (of course it was chocolate @Atravelynn)

 

No time to complete the cake we had to move to the village visit. We've done so many of these and you can definitely be jaded by these but this one was fine and worth doing. We were met by a few warriors and then had Jackson explain local traditions to us. We met everyone in the village and got to watch one of the warriors struggle to get his fire started. This brought spasms of abuse from the other warriors and brought that activity to a crashing halt before he finally got things started.

 

I think this was the second time I've been in a Masai home and I still can't get over the smokiness and claustrophobia of those huts,of course I smacked my head a couple of times when I didn't get low enough. After a little bao(board game) and watching the kids play its time to go. The village is right outside the conservancy so we will do a couple of hours game drive though most time will be spent at one spot.

 

 

An example of a home grown cake. I'm not really familiar with Thomas the Tank Engine but I'd sure eat it.

 

 

 

 

 

We decide to go right back to the ostrich and lion scene from this morning and we are not disappointed! This time the lioness and her cubs are completely unconcerned by us as the cubs busily consume the ostrich and make cute little growls at each other and later us. The jackals are on the sideline but make no move towards that ostrich at all as mom keeps a lazy eye on them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bellies full and mom showing no desire to get up there curiosity turns toward us....

[Caracal]

Must have been frustrating for you @@dlo that you weren't allowed to prove your spear throwing superiority!

 

Great reporting with lots of interesting and fascinating variety both in wildlife observations and otherwise.

 

What a superbly decorated cake - bet Chris wins cake decorating competitions. What do you mean you don't really know Thomas the Tank Engine! Favourite childhood books for me (many moons ago now!).

 

Looking forward to more.

[Livetowander]

I'm late to the show. That vulture photo earlier is amazing.

[AmyT]

Are you still in Selenkey here? Looks wonderful; I can't wait to see lions eye to eye!

[dlo]

Great report thanks @@dlo.

The daggaboy in post 35 is very thin, it must of been very dry.

That baboon looks like a half opened pocket knife .......

 

Thank's for reading. It was bone dry, and I'm leaving that baboon comment alone!

 

Must have been frustrating for you @@dlo that you weren't allowed to prove your spear throwing superiority!

 

Great reporting with lots of interesting and fascinating variety both in wildlife observations and otherwise.

 

What a superbly decorated cake - bet Chris wins cake decorating competitions. What do you mean you don't really know Thomas the Tank Engine! Favourite childhood books for me (many moons ago now!).

 

Looking forward to more.

 

Thanks, Chris and I talked about how much we really appreciated some of the conversations we got to have on this trip. These will always be some of my favourite memories of this trip. Chris will like the cake comment very much, she puts a lot of time into them and its usually a full evening after a long day at work.

 

I'm late to the show. That vulture photo earlier is amazing.

 

Thanks I love that one as well.

 

Are you still in Selenkey here? Looks wonderful; I can't wait to see lions eye to eye!

 

Still in Selenkay, sorry I'm taking so long to get going! One more post and we are off to the Mara.

[optig]

@dio I love all of your photos. I would like to know if you could identify the birds or if not; I wish that somebody else on Safaritalk would do so.

[dlo]

@dio I love all of your photos. I would like to know if you could identify the birds or if not; I wish that somebody else on Safaritalk would do so.

 

Alright @@optig you've given me a homework assignment and I will do my best. From this point I will make an honest effort to name everything. The problem on the first 2 pages is I can't get in and edit my posts. So I will do a master list here of the first 2 pages for anyone that cares.Its not an elegant solution but its the only one I got.

 

Post 1: Crowned Crane

 

Post 13: Common Ostrich

 

Post 17: Red Cheeked Cordon Blue. Kori Bustard

 

Post 19: Egret

 

Post 20: Juvenile Pelican, Black Headed Heron, Flamingos, Helmeted Guineafowl. Yellow Necked Spurfowl, Long Tailed Fiscal, Grey Heron? Crowned crane, Tawny Eagle?

 

Post 30: Common Ostrich

 

Post 35: Superb Starling, European Bee Eater, Goshawk

 

@@michael-ibk I have no idea what the little yellow bird in post 35 is. You are now my go to bird expert, any ideas? Anyone else can feel free to chime in on any mistakes I made.

 

Okay I hope Chris and I get a passing grade on this!

[michael-ibk]

Ok, let´s see:

 

Post 1: + a White-Backed Vulture

 

Post 19. Cattle Egret

 

Post 20: Juv. Pink-Backed Pelican (I think), agree with Grey Heron, not sure about that Eagle (Tawny, Wahlberg´s ?)

 

Post 35: Eastern Chanting Goshawk, difficult to say with the yellow bird, a Weaver but which one? Maybe a female Golden-Backed but not sure.

[dlo]

The large metal contraption with all the clicking noises coming out of it seems very interesting so its time to check it out!

 

 

Look at that belly!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These 2 took turns checking us out and added a few adorable squeaks and growls for added good measure. 45 minutes later its getting dark and its time to leave. I have seen a successful lion hunt at Ndutu but this has to be my favourite day with lions ever as not once were they just doing the typical lion thing! Well except once.

 

 

 

Sleepy lions on the way back to camp!

 

Back at camp and after a shower and dinner Chris is reminded her work day is not done. Back to the kitchen to frost the cake that she is allergic to! We have a guest in camp and I am horrified to say I don't remember his name. So @@JakeGC if you have a chance I need the name of this fine gentleman. I believe he was in charge of you're kitchens and I need him to contact me regarding Victor in Tanzania. The cake is a success and all the guys get to try some. So if you head to a Porini Camp and you have some chocolate cake you know where it came from.

 

 

The only visual evidence of the cake.

 

Tomorrow he leave for Ol Kinyei and the Mara where I'm sure we will add some cheetah and leopards to the cat count.

 

 

 

[dlo]

Ok, let´s see:

 

Post 1: + a White-Backed Vulture

 

Post 19. Cattle Egret

 

Post 20: Juv. Pink-Backed Pelican (I think), agree with Grey Heron, not sure about that Eagle (Tawny, Wahlberg´s ?)

 

Post 35: Eastern Chanting Goshawk, difficult to say with the yellow bird, a Weaver but which one? Maybe a female Golden-Backed but not sure.

 

Thanks Michael, totally forgot about the vulture.

[Atravelynn]

The train cake is a spectacle to behold.

 

So now in addition to our shots and packing and maybe learning a little Swahili, we need to hone our spear throwing skills, so they'll allow us to participate. Thanks for the warning.

 

The lion cub has playful mischief written all over his face.

 

Glad the cake was such a success!

[dlo]

We do a short game drive this morning as our flight is slightly delayed due to bad weather in Nairobi. We are again the only passengers and since there is no co-pilot I offer my services. I get to play co-pilot to Nairobi where we connect on a short flight to Ol Kinyei.

 

 

Daniel and Jackson looking serious indeed!

 

 

 

You should probably evacuate the plane if you see me in the pilots seat!

 

 

You have to work hard to get a picture of Nairobi without traffic.

 

A short flight with other actual people on it throws us off a bit but upon landing our guides Andrew and David let us know that again we are on our own and its private vehicle time again A short game drive into camp and a nice lunch we get to meet Ben who is managing the camp. We live it up after lunch with a spot of laundry and a nap on the hammock before the afternoon drive.

 

 

 

 

Lilac Breasted Roller

 

 

 

A slow start after lunch but then things really start to pick up. A lone lioness strolls right by us and seems to be on a mission. We don't see to much but then she enters stalking mode and then we see the prpose of her stalk.

 

 

 

 

This would be a tasty dinner!

 

 

Don't look at us its not our fault!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dlo]

Continuing from here it would become day of the jackal as we would spot some adorable little pups.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At this point it was time to move on and we stumbled into a dead tommy with a jackal standing and looking at it. The guys were not sure how it died other than it couldn't have been the jackal. The jackal may not have been able to believe his luck but he wasn't going to waste it......

[dlo]

A tentative start but he was soon tucking in while resisting advances from the peanut gallery!

 

 

 

It was at this point I exclaimed "is that a baby" After 3 dissenting opinions suddenly a yeah I think it is came from the front!

 

 

 

 

After filling up and wandering away the clean up crew arrived but the jackal wasn't done and would alternate between eating and chasing the vultures.

 

 

Feeling the pressure!

 

 

Tawny eagle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the arrival of the hyena the party was over and with the sun setting it was time to head back towards camp. Of course we got one more lion on the way back. A lone young male that decided to chase a giraffe after a short stalk it was obviously not going happen and was over in about 3 seconds. A pretty great start and still 5 days left in the Mara area to go.