What we did not know yesterday was that the reason, in all likelihood, that the lioness dragged her kill into that particular bush was because that is where she had hidden her cubs. She knew that at some stage many animals would head down to the watering hole and all she had to do was…

What followed next was anticipation that we were about to encounter something very exciting. We saw a very anxious young giraffe on the far river bank looking in our direction and then running away. We knew something was up but could not see anything in our immediate surroundings so Peter moved the vehicle around the…

The entrance to Samburu NR has a mural (left)depicting a lioness and a baby Oryx. The amazing story unfolded a few years ago, and that was made into a short documentary, of a lioness that cared for an orphaned Oryx. It only lasted for a week or so but it took everyone by surprise as…

It has been almost 6 hrs since we left the Castle Forest by the time we reached Samburu – Buffalo Springs National Reserve, though we did stop several times for a number of odds and ends as well as a bit of birding. Samburu is currently very dry and the Ewaso Nyiro river is lined…

Opening the door to my cottage at just about sunrise I was greeted by a flock of noisy Red-fronted Parrots going over. Mt. Kenya, for a change, was completely visible yet in the direction there was a solid bank of clouds and a far reaching rainbow. Close to the Castle porch where we had breakfast…

On the southern slopes of Mt. Kenya at an elevation of about 7000 feet lies the Castle Forest Lodge. They have not had any rain here for 2 weeks which is unusual though by the color of the grass and forest you would not know it. Once you reach the Castle you are in a…

It took the best part of a couple of hours for Peter and I to get from Nairobi to Wajee Nature Park located in the central highlands south of Nyeri. We did stop along the road to admire a Long-crested Eagle (right) and a pair of Grey Hornbills. Wajee Nature Park is a small 22…

I took my camera this time. Lisa and I, after visiting her mom for lunch on Saturday, took a quick trip to Parvin State Park, New Jersey, in late afternoon. It was a beautiful day with clear blue skies and little wind. We chose to follow the “Green Trail” which went around the lake. We…

What does Fat Tuesday have to do with pelicans? Well, nothing really… However, Fat Tuesday in French is Mardi Gras. When we think Mardi Gras of course New Orleans comes to mind. New Orleans is in Louisiana… who’s state bird is the Brown Pelican. Okay, its a stretch but I had to make this blog…

As I contemplate returning to East Africa for the first time this year I know that I will be in for many exciting experiences while on safari in Kenya and Tanzania. Where does one start? The combination of mammals and birds is simply stupendous. Of course the cats are at the top of anyone’s list,…

Raucous American Crows can still be found in roving flocks in my neighborhood. Sometimes they number as many as twenty, but todays group consisted of about half a dozen individuals. Crows are naturally gregarious and breed in colonies known as rookeries. Roaming about together in winter makes it easier for them to locate food sources…

As we near the end of February and the evening’s chill still remains in the morning air, the days are getting longer and birds are beginning to court. Walking the neighborhood on this bright cloudless 25 degree morning a Northern Mockingbird (above) was sitting on a chimney enjoying the heat escaping out of the top.…