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Monday, January 23, 2012

Kenya Safari Part XII continued

Finally, I'm posting the end of our Kenya safari. I'm using this opportunity to thank every one of my readers for enjoying this trip with us! I also want to try and answer a few questions which have arisen over the weeks. Arija, the Goliath Heron is the largest heron in the world and stands 154cm tall. I'm 164cm so it would reach up to my shoulder. It's a very graceful bird and although we didn't see any young, it was thrilling to see these birds on the top of the tree!  BTW, I couldn't resist posting my favourite photo of it again!

Goliath Heron seen on Lake Baringo on our tour in December 2011


Dearest Betsy, I'm sure my Christmas card from you will arrive via the mine office shortly. It goes to Eldoret where it waits at the Posta (Post Office) until a driver goes to town for business and brings it home. I'll let you know as soon as I receive it!


Fred, thank you for reliving Kenya with me through my general posts and recently in my meanderings through the Kenyan Parks and lake resorts.  

Eileen, re the lion's injury around the eye area: I think this is an old male and he's been pushed out of the pride by a younger stronger lion.  Perhaps he'll be OK, but he might starve to death having no females to hunt for him. Sad and cruel, but that's nature...

After a delicious Christmas dinner at the lodge, we rested until late afternoon when we went out for a last ride around the park. We still firmly believed we'd see a leopard, but sadly didn't! We did see many many birds on the lake, storks, comorants, gulls and of course, pelicans. We also saw a small family of flamingo. As the other 999,997 Lesser Flamingo had flown off the Lake Natron, their natural breeding ground, I was thrilled that I managed to photograph these three remaining flamingo.

The only pair of Lesser Flamingo at Lake Nakuru...
...and their offspring - a juvenile flamingo!
The next morning arrived all too soon and then it was time to leave the park.
Even leaving Lake Nakuru National Park is a pleasurable ride through fever tree forests
I managed a photo of a baby buck (fawn) with the herd before the mother walked in front of it, concealing from view
And a baby baboon catching a ride!

Incredibly, as you exit the Lake Nakuru National Park gates, you enter the town of Nakuru.
Every house along the road just outside the park has murals of wild animals
 I loved the artwork on the walls with washing on the lines and life in Africa going on as always

Soon we were on the B24 heading for home

And the final 24 km into the valley!

Although it's almost a month since our holiday, I still remember every animal, bird and experience. I will be posting about birds over the next few weeks. Thanks for joining me on this wonderful safari across Kenya.

11 comments:

  1. It's been wonderful "traveling" with you and Grant, Jo. You certainly got some wonderful photos and saw some amazing animals and places!
    Thanks for sharing your holiday with us.
    Love, K

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  2. Hi Jo, I have SO enjoyed going on your wonderful trip with you... I think you should publish all of your experience and photos in a book of some kind. It's SO interesting... Thanks so much, Jo.

    I am sorry it's taking so long for my card to get to you--but I do hope you will get it someday---before next Christmas. ha ha

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  3. This was an amazing adventure. I so want to return to Africa. Thanks for taking us along.

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  4. Wonderful, Jo! And I'm so glad you were able to find the one family of Flamingo still lingering at Lake Nakuru. I remember looking from the main A104 toward the lake and seeing the pink lining along the shore made by the tens of thousands of flamingo. And I identified fully with driving out of the park and directly into the town ... with washing on the clotheslines stretched between buildings, children rolling barrell hoops in the dirt, mothers bent over their kijiko with smoke in their faces while cooking their meals. Ahhh ... Africa, Africa!

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  5. Thanks for the info. on the Goliath Heron, I thought it was probably bigger than it looked in the photo. Size is hard to gauge without a reference point.
    It will take me some time yet to soak up the wonders of your whole experience. My computer time, as you know, is limited due to family matters.

    Love and hugs . . . Arija

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  6. Thanks for taking us on this magic trip and showing us all the animals, scenery and birds. It is probably the closest that I will ever get to Kenya.

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  7. Thank you Jo, for sharing your amazing journey through Kenya with us.
    I enjoyed seeing awesome animals and beautifully painted houses.

    Hugs n blessings,
    Pam :)

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  8. I can't believe that the Heron is so tall !! 164 is the size of Toby's mother, btw I thought you were taller, lol at least you look so on the pictures ! You really had a very special stay there !

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  9. Hi Jo, I love the flamingos, especially the cute juvie. And what a great sighting of the fawn and baby baboon. I have really enjoyed going along on your safari. The next best thing to being there was seeing all your wonderful animals photos. I'm sure this trip will be something you never forget, thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful week!

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  10. I feel as though I have gone on an e-safari with you. Your photos are magnificent. I love the lush greenness of the parks. I saw some of the animals you photographed at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, but that pales in comparison to the real thing in Kenya!

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  11. Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

    Greenland & Arctic Five

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Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Jo