African Safari

The last week of August and the first week of September, Bob Karcz and I traveled to Kenya on a photo safari, a dream trip of a lifetime for both of us. I managed to make around 10-thousand exposures in the two week period that we were there. I will post a few today and more later, perhaps. Also, I will have the images on my website in a couple of weeks and I can refer you there. Bob is busy selling his house and has not had time to complete his processing.

One of the more dramatic experiences was this stampede of elephants. About fifteen animals were apparently spooked by the sight of a human outside a vehicle. (There were men working on a road in Amboseli National Park.) The elephants had been running at least half a mile when I took this, and other, shots. The cries and wheezing from the exertion were dramatic to say the least.

One of our stops was Lake Nakuru, famous site for flamingos. There are fewer of the birds here now, for reasons no one could explain. Apparently the numbers at Nakuru are down because the birds have found other bodies of water that they prefer. There were plenty of these magnificent creatures just the same.

This lioness had a kill nearby, quite a smelly food item I must say. She came out of her hiding place to have a drink of water from a rain puddle that, by the next day, had disappeared. We felt more than fortunate to be able to shoot a lion drinking with a water reflection AND the eyes reflected as well. Luck trumped Good on this one, eh.

This leopard had been treed by a pack of hyenas. Hyenas will kill a leopard if given the chance and sufficient numbers. The leopard was crossing the plain, returning to its lair and her cubs. Once the hyenas left she came down from the roost and continued her journey.

This image represents one of the many surprises on the Africa trip. These impala were actually keeping close and watching the leopard as she made her way past them. The leopard showed no interest in the animals but the impala, apparently, were taking no chances. Rather than scatter and run, the impala kept watch of the cat to know where it was, avoiding a surprise attack. Other prey animals did the same thing. Leopard and cheetahs hunt alone so they are easier to watch. Lions, of course, gang up on their prey.

We photographed quite a number of birds. The lilac breasted roller was one of the prettiest. It is robin-sized and numerous throughout Kenya.

We visited four parks. The Masai Mara was by far the most interesting with the greatest numbers and variety of animals and birds. The other areas were interesting for their reasons. Given a limited amount of time - and budget - I think I would recommend the Masai only. We photographed the migration crossing there, leopards hunting, lion prides, hundreds of elephants, giraffe and zebras. Needless to say, we managed to see a few wildebeest among the 1.5-million reported to be in the park.

I will leave you with this "sunset" which I photographed at dawn. (Since it comes at the end, we must use a little artistic license, eh.) If anyone is considering, or better yet, planning a trip to Kenya, I would be delighted to share my experience with you. I know Bob Karcz would as well. We did not even know the questions to ask before we went. Having been there we now know a great deal about the country, safari providers, camps, costs, and a good deal more. Feel free to e-mail me at: rodthegood1@gmail.com if I can provide any information. Thanks for looking. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Rod, congratulations! Some really stunning stuff!

WOW! An impressive set of wildlife.
It's easy to see how some get addicted to African safaris.

Wow, these are cool! I'll have to get to Africa someday...

Wow! Those are magnificent, Rod! These are all too good to even begin to pick a favorite, but I've always been grabbed by the Lilac Breasted Roller colors, and that shot is one of the best I have ever seen.
There better be a slide show of your guys trip at the shindig in January!

I'll 2nd the request for a slideshow at the shindig!! Great images all around. I love the zebra image. Sounds like a great adventure!!

I've longed to do something like this, and your excellent images here have lit the fire under my butt.
By all means, keep posting your work here as it develops! Thanks for sharing these with us.

Gorgeous images!!
Looking forward to more..
Sandy

Really nice stuff Rod....you need to keep posting more of them...I think you have MANY other great shots (like some of the others you emailed your lists). Anyhow, glad you and Bob made the trip and awesome to see your shots from the trip. Thanks for sharing and please keep them coming!

Looks like an incredible trip! I'd love to do that someday. These images are incredible, can't wait to see more. Congrats on that lioness shot - perfect. Congrats and welcome back!

Wow, Rod, these are great! I especially liked the LBR. They are one of the most beautiful birds on the planet, and you got a great specimen there. Who did you use for a guide? Or do you or Bob speak Swahili ?

What a great trip Rod! Thanks for sharing these beauties and I'll have to check your website in a couple of weeks for sure!

Looks like a great trip, Rod! Photos 6, 7, and 8 are my favorites and I look forward to seeing many more as you get through your processing.

I guess all the good adjectives have been used so I'll simply say I greatly admire these images and am terribly envious of your trip. An African photo safari is probably one of the things on my photo bucket list that I won't get done but it's staying on the list. Thanks for sharing, Rod. And I'll look forward to more.

Really good original images. Look forward to seeing more!

Looks like a great trip. Like the colors in the bird image. Also nice zebra reflections.

Sweeeet!! What a trip, Rod--every shot here is a winner!

What a wide selection of great images. The zebra image with the lighting, greens, stripes and reflections is really a standout to me.

Way cool, and nice collection!