Meru, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Kenya — October, 2014

[optig]

@tomkellie I just love these photos of vultures. You are just a remarkable photographer as well as poet.

[Tom Kellie]

Wildlife makes a strong impression,

Animals and birds in the air,

Moving, each in their own fashion.

Plants also amaze, to be fair.

Nostalgia for Meru

Palm and Acacia Scene

Doum Palm Menorah with Ostrich

Green Life from Dry Branches

[Tom Kellie]

Merops pusillus is a friend,

Which I've seen before, here and there,

Whose range to Meru does extend,

With green plumage as everywhere.

Little Bee-eater in Meru

Merops pusillus

 

[Tom Kellie]

The morning glows from warm sunbeams,

Passing through foliage of bright green.

We stop by one of Meru's streams,

Impressed with freshwater so clean.

Stream Water

Thriving Sedges

Botanical Geometry

Sprouting Up from a Streambank

Whirligig Beetles — Gyrinidae sp.

[Tom Kellie]

What's a Meru game drive without,

A lovely sky blue dragonfly?

Spotting it, my heart wants to shout,

In fullest joy, I look and sigh.

Well Worth the Long Journey to Kenya

Odonata in Sky Blue

[Tom Kellie]

Miss Northern Wheatear you're so sweet,

Perched like a young lady demure.

Your modest buff plumage looks neat,

Attracting suitors, to be sure.

Oenanthe oenanthe

Female Northern Wheatear

On a Wooden Promontory

[Tom Kellie]

While not skulking birds, Guineafowl,

Tend to remain hidden in shade.

For them low light is like a cowl,

As they scratch for food in a glade.

Game Drive Guineafowl

Observed Through Grass

[Tom Kellie]

This Kobus ellipsiprymnus,

Bachelor herd is vigilant,
Taking a careful look at us.
It never hurts to be prudent.

Interrupted While Grazing

Running Between the Waterbuck

Male Waterbuck

Characteristic Rear Marking

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

Two Pairs Of Eyes

Annular Horns

Slow Jog Away

[fictionauthor]

@@Tom Kellie I'm lucky I was looking in my spam folder for something and spotted a notice about this thread. I've been busy and haven't had time to enjoy ST for several months now. What a very special, very Tom sort of trip report. I also adore the fountain pen inserts. And Starbucks Hotel? The Gracious dress shop next to the butcher? Your eye is always so aware. Love that I could feel I was riding along, catching these glimpses of life. Just wonderful.

[offshorebirder]

I am enjoying this TR very much @@Tom Kellie - especially the photo studies of Colubus and Sykes Monkeys and individual birds. Nice Palm-nut Vulture - I missed one on my first Kenya trip - I hope to catch up with them in the coastal region this next time.

[Tom Kellie]

Meru's water is the reason,

For its biodiversity.

No matter during which season,

Water flows in great quantity.

Meru's Lifeblood

On It Flows

Edge of the Torrent

Tall Stalks Beside the Stream

What Cut the Stalks?

Reflected Destiny

Blooming Immediately Above the Surface

Over-water Cluster

[Tom Kellie]

[Tom Kellie]

The Rhino Sanctuary gate,

Is protected – there's a firearm,

To deter poachers and create,

A place for rhinos free from harm.

Rhino Sanctuary Circuit Signpost

Medusa's Houseplant

[Tom Kellie]

Watching the attentive stalking,

Head cocked to hear the faintest sounds,

It's unlike regular walking,

But is this bird's appointed rounds.

Pinfeathers

Standing Tall

Attentive to the Soil Surface

Secretary Bird in Meru

Sagittarius serpentarius

[Tom Kellie]

Anthony looks and then he sees,

What I'd spotted and asked about.

He confirms that they're two species,

Grévy's and Plains zebras, no doubt.

Grévy's and Plains Zebra

A Meru Specialty

Two Zebra Species

[Tom Kellie]

A Reticulated Giraffe,

Or two, browsing in the distance.

Their straight necks like notes on a staff,

Slightly bobbing in this instance.

Waterbuck Grazing Near a Giraffe

Giraffe Browsing in the Distance

Aged Doum Palm

[Zubbie15]

I'm really enjoying catching up on this TR @@Tom Kellie, I find when I write reports a little after the trip there are details that have been lost to my memory that are returned, which is almost like rediscovering the trip all over. I particularly like the photos of everyday life, I'm always hesitant to take such photos and come back with only a few if any. Looking forward to more!

[Tom Kellie]

And then, there they were together,

A mother rhino and her calf,

Enjoying the sunny weather,

As much as any tall giraffe.

Mother and Child

[Tom Kellie]

Most smaller mammals tend to skulk,

Minimizing their prey profile.

But with a rhino's massive bulk,

Out in the open is their style.

Bended Knee

Dried Mud in Charcoal Grey

Bulk

[Tom Kellie]

Were one to have ever seen a,

Rhino clad in a tutu pink,

Would it be a ballerina,

No matter what others might think?

End-to-End

Size Differential

Ceratotherium simum Pair with Drongo

Drongo Watching for Insects Stirred Up

Trundling Together

[Tom Kellie]

A hesitance, a holding back,

Curious about these strangers.
Despite not much chance of attack,
Vigilant concerning dangers.

Pausing to Look Back

In Grass, Framed by Foliage

Juvenile White Rhinoceros

Seeking Fresh Inspiration

Off Into the Hinterland

[Tom Kellie]

Post-rhinos, wildflowers in blue,

From the massive to the petite.

There haven't been many to view,

Thus spotting any is so sweet.

Meru Blue

Pollinator Attractors

[Tom Kellie]

Their lofty browsing seems tranquil,

In that giraffes seldom hurry.

Their lifestyle is rather peaceful,

As if free from any worry.

Double Reticulated

Unabashed Curiosity

Giraffes in Two Sizes

Juvenile Reticulated Giraffe

Brushwork

[Tom Kellie]

There's something about their chestnut,

Large reticulated pattern,

That's lovely, but I know not what,

Giraffes’ own vision may discern.

Sparse Browsing

Elongated Muzzle Ripples

Deep Chestnut Patterns

[Tom Kellie]

A bird species oft seen in books,

Yet seems remote from daily life,
Every Paradise Whydah looks,
Delightful, both husband and wife.

Vidua paradisaea

Whydah Perching Tree

Long-tailed Paradise Whydahs