Friday, April 29, 2011

Cheetah- Masai Mara Kenya

Caught this female Cheetah sitting in the shade of an Acacia tree avoiding the late morning heat in the Mara.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Kilimanjaro at dawn

Altitude 19340 (Uhuru Summit on the rim of Kibo Peak))
  • Kilimanjaro is a giant stratovolcano that began forming a million years ago when lava spilled from the Rift Valley zone. The mountain was built by successive lava flows. Two of its three peaks—Mawenzi and Shira—are extinct while Kibo, the highest peak is dormant and could erupt again. The last major eruption was 360,000 years ago, while the most recent activity was only 200 years ago.
  • Kilimanjaro has 2.2 square kilometers of glacial ice and is losing it quickly due to global warming. The glaciers have shrunk 82% since 1912 and declined 33% since 1989.
extracted from: http://climbing.about.com/od/mountainclimbing/a/KilimanjaroFact.htm

Monday, April 25, 2011

Blue Flower- Nairobi

A macro shot with remote fill-in flash taken in the back yard this afternoon. Can't ALWAYS shoot big game!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Fish Eagle in Flight. Lake Baringo Kenya

This is cool. Note how the head is held level to the horizon while banking in a turn.... and see how neatly tucked away the fish it's holding is? Might have to zoom in to see that. Keeps things aerodynamically streamlined.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Male Impala- Nairobi Park

This healthy looking male Impala was busy keeping a harem of some 20 females under control & away from the peripheral lurkers- all waiting for the opportunity to usurp his position as dominant male. Busy work on both sides!

The females are generally unperturbed by all the rushing about & get on with the job of feeding sufficiently to produce &  raise the young. Immature males usually stay with the herd of females & probably learn a bit about harem-minding while there.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Mud-bathed Elephant- Amboseli Kenya

Intent, but not aggressive.... maybe relaxed after the mud-pack spa treatment......  Closest I've been on foot to an elephant in a long time.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Mara River Hippo- Kenya

The Ancient Egyptians called them 'River Horse'. I'd have called the "River Hog'- absolutely no disrespect intended.... This dominant male probably weighs in at around 1200 kilos. Respect.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Blue-Cheeked Bea-Eater, Lake Baringo Kenya

A Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater from Lake Baringo. Not a commonly seen species, and I can't honestly recall if I've ever seen one before... Lovely colours.

Batian Peak- Mount Kenya.

At 17,057 ft, Batian is the highest peak on Mt. Kenya. This photo was taken from the western side at sunset.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Lake Baringo Sunset, Kenya

The sun sets behind the western wall of the Great Rift Valley- as pictured from Lake Baringo.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Lake Baringo Egret on the Wing

The Great Egret certainly looks capable of flying great distance with ease, but is actually a local resident in Baringo- apparently making the lake shore it's home for life.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Lake Baringop Kingfishers, Kenya.

Adult and young Pied Kingfishers, Lake Baringo. Possibly the young one is commenting on the poor fishing?

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Eland, Nairobi Park, Kenya.

Getting a decent image with back lighting can be difficult, but it worked for this female Eland in Nairobi Park. Clever camera!