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Tom Kellie

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Caralluma russeliana



Photographed at 7:40 am on 29 April, 2015 at the Samburu Sopa Lodge, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens.



ISO 200, 1/800 sec., f/2.8, 400mm focal length, handheld Manual exposure.



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Upon my arrival for the first visit to the Samburu Sopa Lodge in Samburu National Reserve, Kenya, I was perplexed by what initially appeared to be a black flower.



It was Caralluma russeliana, which upon closer inspection was a ball of very dark purple flowers. In the two visits since then, I seek it out, admiring its geometric form and out-of-the-ordinary hue.


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Tom Kellie

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Euphorbia candelabrum



Photographed at 7:43 am on 8 February, 2014 in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens.


ISO 100, 1/320 sec., f/2.8, 400mm focal length, handheld Manual exposure.


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Throughout Kenya I've observed Euphorbia candelabrum. Easily recognizable from a distance, it's a welcome reminder that I'm indeed back on a safari.


This young specimen was growing with the fenced area of a tented camp. Several weavers perched on it, but too transiently for a photograph.

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Tom Kellie

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Nicotiana glauca

Photographed at 6:38 pm on 8 February, 2014 at the Kivu Resort, Nakuru, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and a Zeiss Apo-Sonnar T* 135mm f/2 ZE telephoto lens.
ISO 800, 1/100 sec., f/2.8, 135mm focal length, manual focus, handheld Manual exposure.
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The second visit to the Kivu Resort in Nakuru, Kenya began at sunset. We walked around the landscaped grounds in near darkness, photographing plants.
This Nicotiana glauca, Tree Tobacco, was an unexpected South American endemic, thriving in Kenya's fertile soil and pleasant climate.

 

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Tom Kellie

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Hibiscus Bloom with Ants

Photographed at 6:44 pm on 8 February, 2014 at the Kivu Resort, Nakuru, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and a Zeiss Apo-Sonnar T* 135mm f/2 ZE telephoto lens.
ISO 800, 1/125 sec., f/2.8, 135mm focal length, manual focus, handheld Manual exposure.
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Around my parents' retirement home on the northwestern coast of the island of Kauai, Hawaii, several showy hibiscus cultivars grow, adding color to the garden.
Seeing this bright hibiscus flower with ants working in it reminded me of home and happy times past, even as I was experiencing happiness in Kenya.

 

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Tom Kellie

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Bambusa vulgaris at Lake Baringo


Photographed at 3:12 pm on 9 February, 2014 at Lake Baringo, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens.


ISO 800, 1/1600 sec., f/5.6, 400mm focal length, handheld Manual exposure.


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The visit to Lake Baringo occurred under heavily overcast conditions, with occasional gusts of a stiff breeze coming across the water surface.


I was surprised to see Bambusa vulgaris, Golden Bamboo, thriving along the walkway leading through a camp to the flooded lakeshore.

Edited by Tom Kellie
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Tom Kellie

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Opuntia sp. Red Fruit
Photographed at 3:25 pm on 9 February, 2014 at Lake Baringo, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens.
ISO 800, 1/1600 sec., f/4.5, 400mm focal length, handheld Manual exposure.
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Fruit from Opuntia sp., Prickly-pear Cactus, has a refreshing flavor in chilled juice and in jams or jellies. It's also used as a flavoring for clear, hard candy.
On a promontory in Lake Baringo this Opuntia sp. was growing, rooted a short distance above the steadily rising water surface.

 

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  • 1 month later...

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Masai Mara Grass and Tree



Photographed at 7:32 am on 22 January, 2013 in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 200mm f/2.8L IS telephoto lens + EF 2x extender.



ISO 100, 1/250 sec., f/5.6, 400mm focal length, handheld Manual Exposure.



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The #1 impression of Masai Mara was the wondrous stretches of grassland punctuated with the occasional spreading tree. This image was taken one morning showing one such scene.



That such abundant grass is available for grazing species is an ecological marvel. Regardless of the season, when I once again see Masai Mara's grass I feel upbeat and cheerful.




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  • 1 month later...
Peter Connan

Various Cacti, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, Roodepoort.

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~ @@Peter Connan

 

Additions to this topic are highly appreciated, as plants are a vital aspect of Africa's natural environment.

The colors and textures in these images are attractive.

The repeated patterns have a pleasing decorative effect.

Very, very nice!

Tom K.

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Masai Mara Grass



~ Photographed on 26 July, 2015 at 12:37 pm in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, with a Sony RX1 R camera.



ISO 100, f/11, 1/400 sec., 35mm focal length, handheld Automatic exposure.



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Trees, bushes, wildflowers, even waterlilies may be seen in Masai Mara, yet it's the expanses of thriving grass which have left an indelible impression in my memory.



The various grass species grow luxuriantly with nary a farmer in sight. As they dominate the living landscape they're emblematic of Masai Mara, in their own way.


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  • 1 month later...

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Agapanthus Blooms



Photographed at 12:05 pm on 28 April, 2014 at the Trout Tree restaurant, near Naro Moru, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens.


ISO 800, 1/8000 sec., f/2.8, 400mm focal length, handheld Manual exposure.


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One of the pleasures of lunch at the Trout Tree restaurant are the flowers blooming in the upper precincts, near the gift shop and parking area. Their vibrant hues lift the spirit after a long drive.


These agapanthus blooms offered an intense blue which brought to mind the color of natural gas flames. Agapanthus is a favorite, as its form and color suggests infectious cheerfulness.

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  • 3 weeks later...

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Insect Haven



Photographed at 4:22 pm on 17 July, 2015 at the National Museum of Kenya Succulent Garden, Nairobi, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and a Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 100mm f/2 ZE lens.


ISO 400, 1/640 sec., f/2.5, 100mm focal length, handheld Manual exposure and manual focus.


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One of the pleasures when visiting the National Museum of Kenya grounds is making the circuit of the succulent garden. Nowhere else better shows seasonal changes than the succulents there.


This bloom caught my attention due to the number of insects on or hovering near it. Insects derive benefits from such bloom clusters, not only in terms of nutrition, but also in terms of a sheltering haven.

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  • 2 months later...

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Candelabra Euphorbia with Cape Chestnut



Photographed at 9:29 am on 2 May, 2015 on the road to Narok, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and a Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 100mm f/2 ZE lens.


ISO 320, 1/500 sec., f/11, 100mm focal length, handheld Manual exposure from a moving Toyota mini-van.


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The area around the lowest elevation of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment is characterized by many Candelabra Euphorbia, as well as succulent plants and grasses.


On this occasion the Cape Chestnuts were in full flower, their pink, scented blooms an unexpected blessing. It was my first sight of them blooming, heralding the beginning of a great safari.



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  • 2 months later...

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Crinum Lily with Beetle



Photographed at 9:24 am on 22 January, 2016 at Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sands, South Africa, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens.


ISO 200, 1/1000 sec., f/4, 400mm focal length, handheld Manual exposure.


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~ The morning game drive winding down after a prolonged leopard mother sighting, we were on a track beside the Sand River when the tracker pointed out Crinum delagoense, Crinum Lily, blooming.


All were in favor of a stop to examine them. There were large chocolate-colored beetles on them, as shown in this image. A slight fragrance was enjoyed if getting up close to a bloom.

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  • 4 weeks later...
Botswanadreams

I have a few from Shira Plateau of Kilimanjaro but don't know what it is. Maybe you safaritalkers can help.

 

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#1: Pajama Lily. Masia mara, Kenya. crinum kirkii - known as the Pajama Lily. This East African Amaryllis relative sends up gorgeous, candy-striped flowers each summer. The plant is so eye-catching, it was once used to mark boundaries in the African grassland.

#2: I think we are all familiar with this one.Kenya. Bird of Paradise (Stelitzia reginae), also known as crane flower.

#3: The adenium obesum, Samburu,Kenya.commonly known as the desert rose. It is native to hot humid climates in Africa and Arabia.

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#1: Euphorbia ingens or Candelabra tree. Naivasha.

#2: Baobab or upside down tree, Adansonia digitata. Tarangire.

#3: Travellers palm Kenya. Ravenala Madagascariensis. The beautiful and legendary travellers palm is actually not a palm at all, but spectacular palm-like imposter related to bananas and bird of paradise.

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attachicon.gifMasai Mara Grass.JPG

Masai Mara Grass

~ Photographed on 26 July, 2015 at 12:37 pm in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, with a Sony RX1 R camera.

ISO 100, f/11, 1/400 sec., 35mm focal length, handheld Automatic exposure.

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Trees, bushes, wildflowers, even waterlilies may be seen in Masai Mara, yet it's the expanses of thriving grass which have left an indelible impression in my memory.

The various grass species grow luxuriantly with nary a farmer in sight. As they dominate the living landscape they're emblematic of Masai Mara, in their own way.

 

Red oat grass I believe @@Tom Kellie. Tough stuff.

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  • 1 year later...

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In Yellow Sunlight

 

Photographed at 8:26 am on 3 October, 2014 in Samburu National Reserve, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens.

 

ISO 200, 1/2000 sec., f/2.8, 400mm focal length, handheld Shutter Priority exposure.

 

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Samburu is known for its fairly arid environment, with dusty tracks, palms, and short grasses. However, from time to time fairly bright flowers bloom, adding color to the landscape.
 
Morning sunlight brightened these yellow blooms, which attracted ants and winged insects. The richly saffron yellow stood out at quite a distance.
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  • 1 year later...

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Rift Valley Trees

 

 
~ Photographed with a Canon EOS 1D X camera mounted with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens, hand-held, Manual shooting mode.
 
At the rim of the Great Rift Valley Overlook, Kenya on 19 August, 2014 at 10:11 am, ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/2500 sec.
 
 
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Seeing this again for the first time in several years reminded me of why I've loved driving into the Great Rift Valley on safari with @Anthony Gitau.
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Aloe arborescens

 

 
~ Photographed with a Canon EOS 1D X camera mounted with a Zeiss Apo-Sonnar T* 135mm f/2 ZE lens, hand-held, Manual shooting mode.
 
In the Succulent Garden of the National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi, on 1 May, 2014 at 1:47 pm, ISO 200, f/2, 1/500 sec.
 
 
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In all four seasons, the Succulent Garden has blooms of intense color. It's a favorite place to revisit and enjoy botanical beauty.
 
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