Autumn Chipper
This little Chipmunk seemed to think he needed to explore me while I was walking the trail at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters in Wells, Maine. I first saw him near the trail, but when he saw me he scampered back into the woods, only to make a loop at about 12 feet, and come back toward me. He eventually ran out into the trail and around me in a tight circle, inches from my feet, before heading back into the woods on the same side as he started from. Who knows? These three shots were taken at close to my lens’ minimum focus distance of 4 feet at 600mm equivalent. Sony RX10iv in Program mode. Processed in Polarr.
Song Sparrow?
So, I am thinking this bird is a Song Sparrow. I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I can not be sure. For one thing, there was a flock of them, feeding together in short grass between the drive and the edge of the woods and/or hedge at Laudholm Farms in Wells Maine. They would fly up and into cover when I approached. I have seen Song Sparrows behave that way, but only during migration, and only at Cape May, New Jersey. Still, it is the right time of year. For another thing, most of the birds lacked any noticeable central breast spot…but then, Song Sparrows are notoriously variable. Finally, they seemed too small, and not “plump” enough, but then I generally see Song Sparrows posted up (and probably puffed up) singing. The alternatives are not good either. I have other shots from further away, and in no shot can I see even a hint of buff where it ought to be on a Lincoln’s and I have never seen a Lincolns out in the open feeding as these were. Savannah? I should see at least a hint of yellow above the eye on some bird, don’t you think? And way too brown for Vesper, and lacking the bold eye-ring. So, Song Sparrow. I think. Unless am just missing something obvious altogether. I am probably overthinking it, but I have seen what happens when people post pics with the wrong ID. (Not pretty!) This is one of those cases where it really would have been better to make the ID in the field, and not rely on the pics when I got home. (You can, by the way, take a look at each photo at higher resolution.) On the other hand, I really like the photos. The bit of fall foliage and the poses, etc. Great Sparrow shots…just not totally sure which Sparrow. And really, I ought to know better (or at least be more confident). Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode. Processed in Polarr.
Grant’s Gazelles
Grant’s Gazelles were the most common Gazelles in Tsavo East and Amboseli National Parks, where these shots were taken. As we traveled further west, the Thompson’s displaced them. Grant’s are slightly larger and a bit heavier boned…but still very elegant. The mature males have horns almost as long as an Impala, but not quite so recurved. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode. Processed in Polarr.
Pink Zebras of Tsavo East
Tsavo East National Park, Kenya
The red clay of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya produces more than Red Elephants. It also produces pink Zebras. The Elephants consciously cover themselves in clay. The Zebras only occasionally take a dust bath…but there is enough dust in the air at all times to tint the white stripes. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode. Processed in Polarr.
Mongoose on sentry
One of the classic images of Africa has to the the Mongoose standing sentry. In this case, the Banded Mongoose, and in two different parks. the dry savanna is in Tsavo East, as far east as we got, and the burnt savanna is from Masai Mara, as far west as we got. Mongooses, however, are the same the world over 🙂 Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode. Processed in Polarr.
Masai Giraffe: Crescent Island
Masai Giraffe, Crescent Island, Lake Naivasha, Kenya
A young Masai Giraffe apparently bending down to look in the windows of our Safari Van as we passed, on our way back from Crescent Island on Lake Naivasha in Kenya’s Rift Valley. Crescent Island is where the non-predictor scenes in Out of Africa were filmed. They brought in the animals and let them loose what was then an island. Of course they also built a causeway to bring the gear in, and the animals have spread to the adjacent shore of the lake, especially the Giraffes. The whole area is operated as a private reserve now, and you can actually get out and walk among the animals, for a unique experience of African wildlife. Sony RX10iv at around 280mm equivalent. Program mode. Processed in Polarr.
On Safari: Kenya
The book. It is a big file. It will take several moments to load. Use the controls in the top or bottom bar to scroll through the pages. In true book fashion, the inside of the cover is blank. Just press on. 🙂
Handsome Zebra, Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru National Reserve, Kenya
At the end of a full day in Lake Nakuru National Reserve, as we were headed out, we came up on a small group of Zebras standing in light forest. This handsome young lady (I think, lady that is, handsome is for sure) was standing right by the side of the road, up on a little rise, just perfectly posed, so of course we had to stop for photos. Every Zebra’s pattern is, or so Zebra folk say, totally unique, in much the same way our finger prints are. This one has, I think, particularly fine patterns on her legs. Sony RX10iv at about 80mm equivalent. Program mode. Processed in Polarr.
Hippos in the Mara River
Mara River, Masai Mara, Kenya
John, our pilot on our Kenya Safari, was under the mistaken impression that we only had one day in the Masai Mara, so he adopted a “see everything” policy that took us from the north east corner of the reserve all the way to the Mara River in the south. The Mara is famous for its Wildebeest crossings during migration. We were there at the right time, but the water was too high. Still there are Hippopotamuses and Crocodiles…both of which we did see. These photos were taken from the bluff on the north side of the river, looking down. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode. Processed in Polarr and assembled in FrameMagic. Note the Common Sandpiper (very much like our Spotted Sandpiper in both looks and behavior) on the back of the Hippo in the top image 🙂
More of Amboseli’s Elephants
Amboseli National Park, Kenya
We saw many elephants in Tsavo East National Park and many in Masai Mara, but by far the most in Amboseli. The well watered marshes and old lake bed are lush grazing for elephants. Sony RX10iv in Program mode. Various focal lengths. Processed in Polarr and assembled in ImgPlay.