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

[dlo]

more amazing sightings @dlo; I am a self confessed cake nut so that on its own would be a winner but hard to miss the bloody vultures and bloody cheetahs. Nice sighting of the spotted hyena as well.

 

kind regards

 

deano.

 

Thanks @@deano obviously you wash down that cake with some Jameson's

 

@@dlo, a crossing is a crossing, size doesn't matter. You have the photos to prove it, well done! Oh dear, poor Chris, getting sprung behind the bushes, funny after the event.

 

It was really cool and I have no complaints. We ended up sharing the crossing with the car sitting next to us. They had a boy who was around 12 that couldn't really see what was going on. We invited him into our car and he snapped away with a camera about twice the size of ours!

 

@dio I'll be celebrating my 56th birthday in a few days in Ol Donyo Lodge in Chyulu Hills and scarcely feel old. So how can anyone at 40 even begin to feel old? I love your cheetah photos.

 

Happy birthday to you and @@xelas as well. I love my cheetah photos too

 

 

A big day today with Chris officially declaring herself as "old" at 40 but what better to celebrate than by being in Africa.

Were the cheetah and wildes all on that big day? Sometimes it is hard to keep track of what is happening when. That would be quite the birthday. It appears celebrating your 40th in Africa is becoming the thing to do for safaritalkers. Right @@michael-ibk?

I celebrated my last birthday in Africa also, though not #40. Love the muddied buffalo.

 

You were well situated for viewing the crossing--an October surprise you could call it!

 

 

Everything from the first cheetah to the wildebeest crossing and one more post was on the b-day. Obviously you're last birthday was you're 30th

 

Good on ya @@xelas - I can confidently confirm from where I stand that 60 is still young so Happy Birthday on the day and @@dlo please tell Chris she remains safely within the youth category!

 

What a wonderful variety of superb sightings making for a very special and memorable birthday - with maybe even more sightings to come before dinner?

 

One more post before dinner but just a few small things and a few birds and cakes to post. I tried to finish yesterday but it was late and I was so tired I had to tap out.

[dlo]

Its already after 3 when we leave the wildebeest so we begin the long drive back without stopping to long along the way other than what turned into a fruitless search for rhino at one point. The drive is really marked by lots and lots of flies and our first few raindrops of our trip but not our last.

 

 

 

Our lunch time francolin he quickly devoured the rice I spilled on the ground doing a fine impression of my dogs.

 

 

Yellow billed stork.

 

Grey heron

 

A successful hunt by an LBR.

 

Spotted thick-knee

 

Banded mongoose

 

 

Tired but happy after a long day we shower off the 8 layers of sunscreen and after a drink at the fire and another good dinner Chris hears a tinkling noise and sees all the staff start marching out and doing a full on masai ceremony. Chris is beet red as they perform there songs and they show predictable hops with Ben especially almost reaching the sky on his jumps! Very embarrassed but with no other guests in camp Chris approves of my planning and even gets to cut the cake she can't even eat. (sorry @@Atravelynn is wasn't chocolate)

 

 

 

Pretty good birthday don't cha think?

 

[Atravelynn]

The cake looks so scrumptious that I'd make a chocolate exception. The orange slices are such a nice touch.

 

I thought all those sightings were on the birthday. Funny, my birthday (I like your assumption of the 30th) was the biggest sighting day of the canoe trip. Must be some cosmic vibes sent out on the special day. The LBR made a kill and thanks to you so did the francolin.

[pault]

Great, great way to spend a big birthday (even the involuntary mooning will help

make it memorable). Nice little crossing and of course the icing on the cake was the icing on the cake!

[AmyT]

@@dlo

"It was really cool and I have no complaints. We ended up sharing the crossing with the car sitting next to us. They had a boy who was around 12 that couldn't really see what was going on. We invited him into our car and he snapped away with a camera about twice the size of ours!"

 

How thoughtful and kind! I'd share a crossing with you and Chris, any day!

 

Super photos; can't wait for more!

[dlo]

We got to have a little lie in today until six today and we had to say our goodbyes and make the drive to Governor's. We really enjoyed the Porini camps and would highly recommend them to anyone who doesn't mind camping and likes saving a few bucks. We really liked all of the guides and all the stories we got to hear, I also recently played 25 facts about giraffes and Chris did no better than the first time Andrew quizzed us. We left a little after 7 with some elephant on the hillside to see us off.

 

 

Another quiet morning when Chris makes the spot of the day. Asking whats under the tree and following with a lion exclamation we drive over and see 5 lions including 2 young males laying under 2 different trees. After taking a few pictures of the first group we drive closer to the other group and take a few more shots. With not much happening we decide to drive on but just as we start we hear a roar from the first lions and get to watch the young boy attempt what appears to be his first time mating. Apparently the pride male was off doing other lion things and when the cats away the other cats will play! After about 5 quick attempts everyone settles down and the napping resumes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the expression on his face here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not much happens after this and we get to Governors before 11 and get ready for the next part of the journey.

 

 

 

 

[Atravelynn]

Can you share some of the 25 facts about giraffes with us so if that game ever breaks out while we are on safari, we can grab the glory with the right answers?

[dlo]

Returning to Governor's is like returning to the scene of the crime. First getting sick as a dog and then getting married the next day, its gotta be better the second time right? Actually we are very happy to be back but we are pretty sure there is no way it will live up to our first trip when we had one amazing sighting after another.

 

The strangest thing for us is having other people in camp and sharing a vehicle. we ended up sharing the whole time with a South African couple on their 25th anniversary who turned out to be very nice with the only exception being the husbands occasional need to chat to some of the animals. I think we all handed out shushes culminating in a group shush at a leopard sighting!

 

The afternoon drive had some good stuff but Chris and I both felt something was off. We both really liked our guide Joel but the first drive seemed very corporate if that makes any sense. After that though we always discussed every drive and we really covered most of the Mara and stopped being in what seemed to be a train of vehicles.

 

 

 

 

This was the resident warthog at Governor's and they were the stars of the show in camp. Those are some pretty adorable babies that mom seemed to be showing off for the cameras. Right after leaving camp we spotted a bbc car filming some lions and lots of elephant in the marsh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White browned robin chat.

 

Grey heron.

 

Hadada ibis.

 

White browned coucal.

 

[dlo]

We moved on to baboons more baboons and a sleepy lion couple off on there own. He woke up deciding it was time to mate...she did not agree with this idea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over dinner it was time for cake number 3. This time another Masai song and dance as they made there way from front to back in the restaurant. Chris asked if this was another surprise but I said nope as they moved past us. We were quite enjoying the show and as they passed us we wondered who this was for. Well it turns out I was wrong as they marched back to our table and put the cake down on it. I had no idea and for some reason it was my turn to go beet red as all the attention turned to us. The warriors grabbed Chris and took her on a dance around the restaurant leaving me to giggle at her misfortune. I had no idea Governor's planned this and it was most certainly a huge surprise. We cut the cake and gave it to the other guests and called it a night.

 

 

No cake pics at all this time @@Atravelynn and even worse I can't even remember if it was chocolate.

 

 

[Caracal]

More great sightings (including cakes) - love the baby baboon gymnast and what looks like a pretty rough baboon dental examination.

[optig]

I love the photos of baboons.

[pault]

It's hard to tell with the blur whether the look in that last picture is saying "This is fun!" or "You're dead!" I think she is very lucky gettting so many borthdays and so many cakes that she can't eat .... personally.

 

The "scene of the crime" has turned up all the usual marsh suspects so far. I hope you tell us more about the Governors experience as it's been there forever but I've only visited it once, to go shopping.

[Atravelynn]

"The scene of the crime," is a hilarious way to describe your wedding venue. Perhaps your guest who talked to the animals thought he was Dr. Doolittle.

 

I do like those little piggies.

[dlo]

Can you share some of the 25 facts about giraffes with us so if that game ever breaks out while we are on safari, we can grab the glory with the right answers?

 

Sure I'd be more than happy to help, you never know when a giraffe quiz can break out. Of course I have failed miserably at this twice now so I'll lob 3 softballs at you. How much does its heart weigh? How many vertebrae do they have and how many stomaches do they have? If you guessed 25 lbs 7 and 4 give yourself a prize.

 

@@dlo

"It was really cool and I have no complaints. We ended up sharing the crossing with the car sitting next to us. They had a boy who was around 12 that couldn't really see what was going on. We invited him into our car and he snapped away with a camera about twice the size of ours!"

 

How thoughtful and kind! I'd share a crossing with you and Chris, any day!

 

Super photos; can't wait for more!

 

I'd gladly tag along on your upcoming trip!

 

More great sightings (including cakes) - love the baby baboon gymnast and what looks like a pretty rough baboon dental examination.

 

Those baboons were a blast to watch and they must have fallen of that tree a dozen times!

 

I love the photos of baboons.

 

Thanks @@optig

 

It's hard to tell with the blur whether the look in that last picture is saying "This is fun!" or "You're dead!" I think she is very lucky gettting so many borthdays and so many cakes that she can't eat .... personally.

 

The "scene of the crime" has turned up all the usual marsh suspects so far. I hope you tell us more about the Governors experience as it's been there forever but I've only visited it once, to go shopping.

 

She has no rhythm and would be the first to tell you that( right Chris....right) but she is a good sport and no harm came to myself or any other guests! I can't imagine baking all the cakes she does and not eating any of them, definitely made of sterner stuff than me.

 

I loved Governors the first time I went. I was very used to camping and cheap bandas so Governors was the cats meow my first time. Beds and big cat diary I was in safari nirvana. Second time thru and with a lot more experience I think its fine buuuuut I won't be back. Accomodations were the same and are good as anything. Staff are well trained friendly and both guides I have had were good. Food quality dropped a lot and as someone who loves food it was a big disappointment.

 

I really can't place what the problem for us was but I will say its fine, but comparing it to some places I've been it comes up short. Still a great place to get married though!

[dlo]

Very very quiet morning drive with even the usual suspects in hiding. The dark clouds and rain on the horizon were getting closer and today would be the day when the rains would hit.

 

 

Here's another leopard tortoise for you @@Caracal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back in camp before lunch I decide to stay at the bar and read a bit while Chris heads to the tent to clean up. Hearing music coming from the tent she says hello figuring someone is cleaning the tent. Nope a man in a towel answers the tent They had already moved our stuff to tent 37 which we had originally requested but was unavailable the first night. Surprisingly Chris joined me in tent 37 and after lunch and a short nap we left on our afternoon drive.

 

It started raining just before we left and 10 minutes in it was pouring. It didn't last long and a few more short showers ensued but nothing to bad.

 

 

 

 

The skies really blackened at this point and the lightning strikes were brilliant. I had the fantastic idea that we should get some pictures of this lightning and put Chris to work. We didn't want to stop the drive for this and we kept trying for a while just missing several times. Well our safari mates in front of us decided that they to were interested in our shenanigans and the vehicle came to a crashing halt in our search for the illusive lightning.

 

Seemingly staring at nothing another vehicle pulls up and asks Joel what we are looking at. Exactly like last years baobab search the other car erupts in laughter and wishes us well in our search. The search ends up failing pretty miserably as Chris gives up but I save the day and capture the winning strike on video!

 

After this excitement we found a crowned crane couple enjoying each others company and several hyena including one poor guy that dashed away in a hurry. Our vehicle stalled several times and the last time Joel had to get out and fiddle with the battery. The hyena that was beside us got one look at Joel and made a hasty retreat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up so many baby lions.....

 

 

[dlo]

20 minutes in the Mara with 5 lion cubs and not a vehicle in sight. I know I know it sounds like fiction but its a true story and here's the evidence!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay sorry about the excess lion pics but this was a great time. More cats tomorrow but of a different kind.

[dlo]

Ooops forgot to provide a picture showing all 5 at once.

 

 

Alright I'm all out of legit excuses to show more lions.

[pault]

I needed that last picture - kind of proof of the absence of other viewers too. You could probably get away with more to be honest, especially if you did a lion cub collage or something.

 

Rains and cranes are very nice too.

[Caracal]

@@dlo - never having seen a tortoise I'm wondering if they become more active with the rains - thanks for the posting.

 

Don't think you can have an excess of lion cub pics. Do you know the size of the pride?

[dlo]

@@dlo - never having seen a tortoise I'm wondering if they become more active with the rains - thanks for the posting.

 

Don't think you can have an excess of lion cub pics. Do you know the size of the pride?

 

I don't remember Joel commenting on pride size and we had 2 females with the cubs. We have seen leopard tortoise in dry season a couple of times before so I"m sure its just dumb luck.

[Atravelynn]

There is no such thing as excess with such adorable lion cubs. The crowned crane were attractively posed, like ballroom dancing. Maybe cakes bring good luck!

[dlo]

Our final full day in the Mara and our mates are going for a balloon ride which allows us a private morning drive. We ask to go to the Mara triangle and hope for a bit of rhino spotting. Alas luck was not on our side as they were spotted a couple of times but we were to late to the scene. Like @@michael-ibk said in his report the triangle was fine but it wasn't wall to wall game. I did find the scenery nicer and breakfast was in a nice spot under some hills with elephant in the distance and 3 grumpy buffalo nearby.

 

We did see lions twice but did not get close either time but my favourite sightings were probably a 30 strong hers of elephant and one very cranky buffalo. As we approached a few buffalo on the road the last one was quite reluctant to move but after finally doing so he let me know he was displeased with us. Slowly passing him he took 2 quick steps and shook his horns at our vehicle coming about 2 feet from my door. With only myself still looking at him I let out a woah! and slipped over towards Chris as quickly as I have moved in about 10 years. Joel stops the vehicle and asks what the problem is. He gives me an I've never seen that before comment and we go on our merry way while I wonder if @@pault 's memo has made the rounds all the way to the Mara!

 

Our friends balloon in the distance

 

Our crossing point to the triangle from Little Governor's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A pretty nice morning all around we waited a bit for our friends but they were still enjoying the sights so we got to take the boat back across and back to Governors for lunch. Little did I know that this is when things would start to go sideways for me!

 

 

 

[Atravelynn]

You are getting a lot of wildlife attention this trip. Your last sentence is rather ominous.

[pault]

It wasn't my memo - it was your guide's memo. Definitely. Even the animals can smell it. My wife is the same. Guides are always having "I've never seen that before" moments when they take her close to elephants.

 

Nice elephants at the marsh and the escarpment makes a lovely background to photos in that area.

 

Sideways doesn't sound good.

Edited February 5, 2017 by pault

[dlo]

While we waited for lunch we sat and watched the antics of the local mongoose. I remember the last time we were here they were running all over one of the guides that was lying on the ground and there behavior has not changed a bit.

 

 

 

 

Filling my plate at lunch I'm feeling fine but as a thunderstorm starts and the tables are rushed inside I feel a little "off". Two bites in I apologize for wasting food but I need to get back to the tent. Between the hailstorm and my stomache I make good time back to the tent where the rest of the afternoon is spent. I really consider skipping the drive but I can't bear the thought of missing something so I decide to risk it. This feels like a bad decision but all of a sudden one of the South Africans shouts leopard and we come to a screeching halt right beside a leopard lying lazily beside the road!

 

We get a nice 5 minutes alone and then the other cars start rolling in. Things are fine at first as she spots an impala with a waterbuck for company and starts a slow stalk towards them. We move first away from the scene and get in front of things in the hope of something running toward us. Things don't go well as the waterbuck spots her and the hunt is over. As she is moving through a forested area a few cars are right on her ass she has had enough and stops and hisses at one of the cars raising on her hind legs a bit maybe a foot from the door. She absolutely looked like she was going in the car and I couldn't blame her one bit.

 

We asked to move on and sure enough another leopard was close by. We got about a 2 second look and then he was gone. Dinner was eaten quickly as I did not feel well so an early night and some sleep will hopefully cure this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The observant waterbuck

Our second leopard