2016-10-20: WPC Edge & Nostalgia

Here’s a blog post that hits two of the WPC photo challenge topics at once.  When I read the description for the edge challenge, I knew that some of the shots I took while flying between camps in Kenya would be a great choice to share.  But being on those planes ties so well into the topic of nostalgia for me.  Being in a small plane (especially up front) takes me right back to being a kid, heading up with my Dad in a two or four seater plane, and flying around either sightseeing, or heading to my Grandparent’s cottage.  Great memories and such fun times 🙂

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During my transfer from Nairobi to the Selenkay Conservancy adjacent to Amboseli, I was lucky enough to be the only passenger on the caravan plane, and the pilot was nice enough to invite me to sit up front with him. As you can see, there is a reason that bush pilots buzz the runway nice and low before banking and coming back around the land. Hitting a zebra would not be good!

 

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The camera was level, honest!  Taken during a steep bank after buzzing the runway at Selenkay Conservancy.
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Air transfer between Nairobi and the Masai Mara.  I wasn’t lucky enough to get a seat up front on this one, but the views were still awesome.

WPC: Nostalgia

WPC: Edge

2016-10-16: WPC Mirror

I’m a bit behind on the weekly photo challenges, but I found some topics that interested me that were released while I was on holidays, so I am going to catch up on them over the next week or so.

I hope everyone has had a great weekend!

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An egret reflected in the waters of the swamp at Amboseli National Park.  Kenya, September, 2016.  1/1250 sec, f10, ISO 640.

WPC: Mirror

2016-10-09: Holiday Photos

Every month the photo club I belong to has a photo topic of the month, as well as being able to submit a further 5 photos for review and discussion.  Since all I have captured since I returned home are a few grainy images of one of the local deer (and lots of my dog) I thought I would share them here as well.  I am hoping to get back into the swing of things with my “What I’ve seen this week” Sunday post very soon.

Until then, I hope you enjoy some images of Uganda and Kenya.

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This image stirs up so much for me.  I can almost smell the fever trees and the acacia and the scent of the elephants, I can almost hear the rumbles, the crunch of branches and chewing of leaves, I can almost feel the warm of the sunlight.  Working on these images takes me right back and gives me a mini mental holiday 🙂
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Three young male lions had taken down a wildebeest in the night, and shortly before I shot this, all three were still picking away at the carcass.  There were a half dozen jackals hanging around, trying to figure out how to safely get close enough to grab a morsel or two.  This one only took another step before turning away.
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Witnessing a river crossing involves a lot of waiting, and then a lot of chaos in a short period of time.  I’m looking forward to sharing more about this experience!
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Just like human babies, the mountain gorilla infants that I saw were incredibly curious, and explored their world by touching everything.
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A lappet faced vulture lays claim to a wildebeest carcass that looks to be little more than some fur and bones.
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The repeating lines of tea fields near the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.

2016-10-07: Feel Good Friday

I’ve seen secretary birds on my past trips to Southern Africa, but it seemed that I always encountered them either in terrible light, or at such a far distance they were little more than specks (or both!).  This past trip I was spoiled for choice, and saw them several times in Uganda, and every day while in Kenya.  It was very interesting to watch them high-stepping through the grass, looking for prey.

The difference good light makes is amazing.  The same camera and lens combo was used for both photos.

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This photo was from my trip last year to South Africa, and basically the best I could capture of a secretary bird.
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A secretary bird strutting past our vehicle in Masai Mara National Park.

Happy Friday everyone!

2016-10-03: Monochrome Monday

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I’d been at the Selenkay Conservancy less than 30 minutes when we ended up with two lionesses and six cubs.  Quite the start to a morning!  Here on of the cubs wanders quite close to the vehicle, while looking for a shadier spot to lay.  Kenya, September 2016.  1/800 sec, f5.6, ISO 640.  

 

2016-10-02: Elephants

As everyone surely knows by now, elephants are my very favourite animal to spend time with and to photograph.  My time in both Uganda and Kenya did not disappoint with elephant sightings.  From seeing their footprints in the forest while tracking gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda, having a large male outside my tent at my camp in Amboseli, or being surrounded by the largest herd I have ever see while in the Mara, I had a little bit of everything.

Here are a few images of my favourite animal.  I hope you enjoy, and have a wonderful day.

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A herd of elephants passing by our afternoon game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.
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A large herd of elephants passed through the Ol Kinyei conservancy, and we were lucky enough to spend about an hour with them one morning.  This tree was a favourite for neck scratching as the group moved along.
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One of the family groups seen in Ol Kinyei Conservancy while staying at Porini Mara Camp.
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Every elephant is unique; this one in Amsoseli National Park had tusks that crossed at the tips.  I had a lovely time being so close to such lovely, relaxed elephants.
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Granted not the greatest elephant picture ever, but such a lovely sundowner spot in the Selenkay conservancy while staying at Porini Amboseli camp.  There was a raised viewing platform by the waterhole, where everyone staying at the camp gathered for drinks and snacks.
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This big guy could almost be called the camp elephant at Amboseli camp, as he stopped by pretty much every day to graze amongst the tents and visit the nearby waterhole.  I took this standing by the door of my tent, he was amazingly close.

 

 

 

 

 

2016-09-25: What I've seen this week

I returned home Monday night from a fabulous trip to Uganda and Kenya.  While I’ve been spending the week trying to get back into my normal routine, I have had some time to edit a few photo from the trip.  There will be lots more of photos (and stories) over the coming weeks and months.  Here’s a sneak peak of what’s to come.

Enjoy your Sunday 🙂

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I saw an abundance of birds during a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel in Uganda.
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A red-tailed monkey near my cabin in the Kibale Forest, Uganda.
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Young giraffes playing. Ol Kinyei Conservancy, Kenya.
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Young elephants playing in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
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A gerenuk reaching for the choicest leaves. Selenkay Conservancy, Kenya.
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Wildebeest crossing the Mara River. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
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Male cheetah, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
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Wildebeest and gazelle silhouetted in the sunrise. Ol Kinyei Conservancy, Kenya.
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A young lion in the Selenkay Conservancy, Kenya.
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Toti the chimpanzee giving us the finger! Kibale Forest, Uganda.
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Ugandan Kob in the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.
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It looks like this L’hoest’s monkey wants to go on a game drive with us. Bwindi, Uganda.
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A pair of juvenile gorillas playing in the trees. Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.
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Gorillas grooming each other. Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.
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