Greg (middle son), Shannon and I went on a Maasai Wanderings (link) photo safari led by Raymond Barlow (link). It was an exciting adventure. The major purpose of this blog entry is to inform Facebook friends and blog followers that we are now back in Colorado and that we had a safe and very enjoyable trip. This post also contains a small sample of images acquired on the trip. The Olympus OM-D E-M1X Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera was used for all the photos I took on the trip. The camera was used with either the 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO lens or the 300mm f/4 IS PRO lens. A 1.4x or a 2.0x teleconverter was sometimes attached to the 300mm lens. Given the excellent image stabilization of this system, I did not take a tripod on the trip.
More of the awaiting Wildebeest
There is little descriptive text in this post. Sorting and culling is occupying my available time. Information about where we went and where we stayed will be provided in subsequent blog entries.
Young African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
Lions
“Lions also rub their heads on one another as an act of bonding and to spread the "family scent". This scent allows the lions of a specific pride to know who is a member of their family and who is not if a dispute arises between prides.” LINK
This article provides more information about species-specific behavioral affiliative interactions of social animals. LINK
African Rock Python (Python sebae)
From Wikipedia: “The African rock python kills its prey by constriction and often eats animals up to the size of antelope, occasionally even crocodiles. Like all pythons, the African rock python is non-venomous and kills its prey by constriction. After gripping the prey, the snake coils around it, tightening its coils every time the victim breathes out. Death is thought to be caused by cardiac arrest rather than by asphyxiation or crushing.”
Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)
The Black Mamba is among the fastest snakes in the world, slithering at speeds of up to 12.5 miles per hour. “Its venom is primarily composed of neurotoxins that often induce symptoms within ten minutes, and is frequently fatal unless antivenom is administered.” LINK
African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus)
A large bird (18 inches in length), but according to Wikipedia, it is one of the smaller hornbills. The white line down each side of the head and the creamy spot behind the bill aid identification. The male’s beak is black but the female has red on the mandible.
African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus)
The bird was pretty far away when these photos were taken. I used the 2x teleconverter on the 300mm lens and this is a large crop . The field of view was equivalent to that of a 1200mm lens on a full frame camera. Amazingly, the image stabilization allowed me to hand-hold the camera.
Lilac Breasted Roller (Coracias Caudata)
These are beautiful birds. I love the colors. I have read that they have a distinctive courtship flight, during which they dive from extreme height, rocking and rolling, while making loud, harsh calls. It would be wonderful to see that and try to photograph it.
Lilac Breasted Roller (Coracias Caudata)
Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus)
This colorful bird is the smallest African bee-eater (15-17 cm length). As implied by the name, they eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets, which are caught in the air by short flights from an open perch. Although park requirements required that we stay inside the safari vehicle at most locations, it was an active outing. Shannon’s Fitbit watch recorded 25,000 steps one day as we bumped across “non-roads”. I told our driver that he need not worry about breakdowns because I had my AAA card with me. Each day our time was filled with searches for wildlife and trying to get into optimal positions for photography. But, as illustrated in the next photo, we did take “yawn breaks”.
