Wildebeest Migration, Serengeti
…if not another planet! We are experiencing rather horrible weather at the moment. I have been almost glad my car is at the shop so I don’t have to deal with it. But the prospect of walking in a deluge of thunder and anything from freezing rain to torrential downpours was not a fun option either. Watching for black ice underfoot, lest I tumble. Add the warning of heavy wind gusts until 3:00 p.m. today to yesterday’s flood warnings.
I saw a beautiful male White-Winged Scoter yesterday morning in the river outside the train station, but could not even bring myself to pull the point-and-shoot, which was all I dared pack in anticipation of the forecast, out of my backpack, because the next moment I was nearly blown over by a gust of wind. This morning when I arrived three WW Scoters flew by with five Red-Breasted Mergansers – nice to see even if they were gone in a split second.
Anyway, I’ve grown tired of the weather – today we are presently, at 34 degrees and whatever the wind, warmer than we will be for the next 6 days as temperatures steadily plummet again. I have retreated to the task of going through the East Africa trip pictures, and here are some from the day we left the Serengeti and traveled to Tarangire National Park.
Leopard Tortoises
Perhaps no surprises here but a reminder that color does exist somewhere.
Eastern Double-Collared Sunbird
There are so many species of eagle to worry about, and there are snake eagles and fish eagles and hawk eagles too… This Steppe Eagle was nice enough to pose. Please click on the photos for more detail.
Steppe Eagle
The Black-Breasted Snake Eagle below flew by close enough to identify later.
Black-Breasted Snake Eagle
So as not to leave out the magnificent mammals that were spectacular to see…never as many elephants to constitute a herd, but small groups nonetheless.
African Elephants
On the same day as the rest of these photographs, we were fortunate enough to see Cheetahs.
And in my desperation for color, I conclude this post with a Grey-Headed Kingfisher.
Grey-Headed Kingfisher
I’ll be back soon, weather (ha!) permitting.
A great set of photos, Lisa. I am so envious of you, being able to go on a trip like that. I never will, but at least, I can enjoy your images. Hope your weather changes soon. 🙂
Thanks, Bob! I’m glad I went for a number of reasons, it was a phenomenal experience. And from the looks of it I’ll be going through it visually for some time to come… Maybe I do have to quit overreacting to the forecast, I should have brought my real camera today. There are moments when the wind does not blow.
Very nice post and great pictures Lisa! I liked them a lot! 🙂
Thanks, HJ! I’m far away enough from it now that even though I still recognize the birds I’m not believing I was there.
It’s good to have something up your sleeve for a rainy day. Especially something as tasty as this.
🙂
what a great adventure you had..your photos are fabulous and I love the Gray headed Kingfisher..you will have a lifetime of memories on this trip. thanks for sharing..
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Syl. Every time I open up another day’s worth of these pictures I am surprised anew. Certainly softens the blows of a hard winter!
The eagles are majestic and impressive, but I love the bright colors of the Kingfisher and the Sunbird. What an amazing trip you had!
Thanks! It’s like opening up a present every time I start going back through the pictures.
Fantastic pictures and the colors sure do look bright this time of year!
Thanks! In a way I’m glad it’s taking me forever to go through the photos, it’s extending the surprises way beyond the trip.