An almost-daily photo blog from Kenya By Elsen Karstad, resident in Kenya, East Africa. Cameras: Nikon Z8 & Nikon D850 Lenses: Nikon 14-24 F2.8, Nikon z20-70 f2.8 Nikon 50 F2.8, Sigma 105 F2.8 Macro, Nikon 70-200 F2.8, Nikon 200-500, Nikon 600 F6.3 Enquiries on photo use or prints, email elknbi@gmail.com
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Bull Elelphant- Amboseli Kenya
Well that's a wrap for 2012 everyone! For me it's been a good year- hope your's has been as well. Amy & I look forward to spending more time in the bush in 2013 (bound to be less rain & more flying...) and to bring you bigger, better and bolder Pic-a-Days! Back from Watamu Jan 4th. Thanks for all the support. elk
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Grey Heron- Amboseli Kenya
A Grey Heron- slightly iridescent when seen up close. This one was
patrolling the swamp in Amboseli looking for snakes, frogs, insects.....
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Takaungu Fishing Boats- Kenya Coast
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Moonflower- Mt. Kenya
This was taken with my camera phone near Mt. Kenya. The Moonflower- AKA Datura- is rather infamous. From Wikipedia:
Due to the potent combination of anticholinergic substances it contains, Datura intoxication typically produces effects similar to that of an anticholinergic delirium (as contrasted to hallucination): a complete inability to differentiate reality from fantasy; hyperthermia; tachycardia; bizarre, and possibly violent behavior; and severe mydriasis with resultant painful photophobia that can last several days. Pronounced amnesia is another commonly reported effect.
Due to the potent combination of anticholinergic substances it contains, Datura intoxication typically produces effects similar to that of an anticholinergic delirium (as contrasted to hallucination): a complete inability to differentiate reality from fantasy; hyperthermia; tachycardia; bizarre, and possibly violent behavior; and severe mydriasis with resultant painful photophobia that can last several days. Pronounced amnesia is another commonly reported effect.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
White-Browed Robin-chat- Nairobi Kenya
One of my favourite back-yard birds, the Robin-chat (a Thrush) is a master songster with very individual and varied whistled tunes- real melodies that help mark it's vigorously defended territory.
Monday, December 17, 2012
African Fish Eagle- Lake Baringo Kenya
A Lake Baringo African Fish Eagle with tilapia. The Tugen Hills loom in the background, part of the Great Rift Valley escarpment- altitude up to 8500ft (2600m). Lake Baringo's altitude is 2850ft (870m)
Friday, December 14, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Green-Headed Sunbird- Nairobi Kenya
This Green-Headed Sunbird is a very territorial resident of my forested yard here in Nairobi. And yes- the head CAN look sort of green(ish) in the right light......
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Baby Colobus- Mt. Kenya
Very young Colobus are called 'whiteys' for obvious reasons.... Notice the long & powerful fingers, which compensates for the lack of opposable thumb, unusual in primates.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Vervet Monkey- Lake Naivasha Kenya
Nice coat on this Vervet- and it's needed during the occasional frosty night at Lake Naivasha (altitude 6,200ft).
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Doum Palm- Meru Park, Kenya
Another of Viv's favourite trees- the Doum Palm. This one lives in Meru Park
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Colubus Monkey- Mt. Kenya
A Trout-Tree Colobus. The
background blurring is called 'bokeh' and happens (in this case
deliberately) by shooting with a large (wide open) aperture to create a
narrow plane of focus- aka depth of field. Generally, the better the
lens the better the bokeh. To get this effect with a point-and-shoot
camera, try setting on the portrait mode. The scenery mode will usually
do the opposite, providing a greater depth of field.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Takaungu Creek, Kenya Coast.
That was a nice mini Holiday! Back in Nairobi now. This is Takaungu creek mouth (HERE) just north of the place we stayed at.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Black Rhino- Nairobi Park, Kenya
Here's that male Black Rhino again- the fighter. See the punctures? It's
amazing that they can survive a serious duel with those horns...
Monday, November 19, 2012
Male Black Rhino- Nairobi Park, Kenya
Met this guy this weekend in Nairobi Park. A Black Rhino & he's a
fighter. I'll show you his recent wounds tomorrow. Wickedly sharp horn,
eh?
Friday, November 16, 2012
African Darter- Lake Baringo Kenya
This African Darter is drying itself atop a flooded tree in a mixed nesting colony of Darters, Egrets and Cormorants along the shores of Lake Baringo.There's plenty of action in the shallows below as well, with crocs cruising for chicks fallen from the nests and tilapia fish swarming for the obviously delectable bird feces...
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Amethyst Sunbird at Nest- Nairobi Kenya
A male Amethyst Sunbird at it's nest in a Brown Olive tree, Nairobi. Took patience to capture this shot, as both male & females flitted to & from the nest with insects for their young. Sunbirds don't hover like hummingbirds, and they don't stay still for long!
Friday, November 9, 2012
Hadada Ibis, Lake Naivasha Kenya
A ruffled & freshly preened Hadada Ibis from Lake Naivasha. Possibly the loudest most discordantly raucous bird in my neighborhood! Capable of unbelievable decibel levels.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Young White Rhino- Nairobi Park, Kenya
A playful young White Rhino from Nairobi Park. The name is derived from the Afrikaans word 'wyd' for 'wide'- descriptive of the wide mouth adapted for grazing. The Black Rhino browses more, with a narrow prehensile upper lip designed to selectively feed on leaves.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Bougainvillea Flower- Naivasha Kenya
Bougainvillea, native to South America, occur throughout East Africa as ornamentals. Normally bright pink, red, & purple, I found this unusual orange-brown plant in Naivasha the other day.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Common Eland- Masai Mara Kenya
The Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx), averaging between 500 - 600 kg, is the second largest antelope- after it's big cousin the Giant Eland (central & western Africa) which can attain 750kg. Despite their weight, eland are some of the best jumpers- clearing 2.1m (7ft) with ease.
Monday, November 5, 2012
African Harrier Hawk
A rather large hawk for the job- the African Harrier Hawk flies at low level through thick forest and is primarily a nest-robber. This photo from Lake Baringo.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Cheetah & Young- Masai Mara Kenya
Hot sun can be a problem for young cheetahs who often stay in open grasslands while mother is off hunting. The light coloured mane helps insulate & camouflage, but it's good to get a bit of belly-shade when available!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Pied Kingfisher- Lanke Baring, Kenya
A Pied Kingfisher from Lake Baringo. One of the most common bird species there, feeding almost exclusively on the abundant small tilapia fish.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Lake Baringo- Kenya
Water levels continue to rise in all the Rift Valley lakes- including Baringo. This house on a small islet next to Kokwe Island will soon be uninhabitable.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Vervet Monkey- Naivasha Kenya
It certainly seems a life of leisure for this Vervet from 'Little Lake' just off Lake Naivasha (HERE). He's the dominant male of the troupe.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
White Rhino- Nairobi Park, Kenya
As grazers, the White Rhino inhabits open grassland. This one was photographed 21/10/12 in Nairobi Park.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Yellow-Billed Stork- Lake Nakuru
Like the Ibis, the Yellow-Billed stork probes the muddy bottoms of shoreline shallows in freshwater lakes, feeding on whatever lives in such places- snails, worms, small fish etc.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Cape Buffalo- Nairobi Park, Kenya
A prize bull Cape Buffalo- not the sort of fellow you'd like to meet face-to-face when on foot in the bush. This one lives in the Nairobi Park.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Long-Tailed Widowbird, Lake Nakuru Kenya
The Long-Tailed Widowbird's courtship plumage proves particularly non-aerodynamic. Females are a quarter of the male's tail-inclusive length, are streaked brown & black & have no problems flying...
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)