Kenya 22/12-12 part 4

It has been a long time since I shared photos on the blog now, and I figured that it would be a Nice way of enjoying the Winter here in Longyearbyen by looking through more of the photos from last Christmas.

The Mammals of Africa are ones that most Europeans see on the TV, and for many, like me, it is a great dream to get to see these iconic animals. At Lake Nakuru the animals were more than willing to show themselves to us, and I got a real taste of what was to come later on.



This Cape Buffalo (Kafferbøffel) was one of my most wanted species in Kenya. These huge animals appear to be dosile and calm, but the power and changing mood they can show just make them a true danger in woodlands and on the savanna.



Cape Buffalo/Kafferbøffel

When this Waterbuck appeared out of the tall shrubs I was amazed at what a beauty it was. When we drove off I truly wanted to stay behind and look more at it. It appeared as royalty in the darkness of the forest.



Waterbuck

Baboons were seen several Places, but I thought this Picture where it is "mooning" the world was a good picture for us who have grown up With them in the Disney-universe.



Baboon/Bavian.

Thompsons Gazelle (Thompsongaselle) is a vary delicate little antelope, amd to see this one feeding was a nice sight.



Thompsons Gazelle/Thompsongaselle

Another common antelope was the Impala(Impala). These elegant antelopes wanted to run away from the car, but I managed to get Pictures of this one who wasnt quick enough to run away!




Impala/Impala

The striped horse, the Zebra, didnt mind us getting close, and they were obviously more than happy to be photographed. This baby was among the cutest animals I saw this day, and I just had to have it in this blog-post.



Plains Zebra/Steppesebra

 And when I was photographing the Zebras I got the idea of making close-up portraits of some of the animals. I am pretty pleased With the outcome of this one!



Plains Zebra close-up.

The Rock Hyrax is among the closest relatives of the Elephants! When you are stood looking at an animal the size of a large Rabbit, that it is a cousin of the Elephant is not a thing that strikes you....



Rock Hyrax/Klippegrevling



Rock Hyrax/Klippegrevling

Rhinos to me have allways been a living armoured tanks. Bur seeing the White Rhinos feeding next to the car, only ten meters away to begin With, made me think otherways. When they were around a meter away from the car they appeared as nice and peacefull creatures. To not be the slightest bit afraid when a couple of tons of muscles and horn is stood just next to you is a great feeling!



White Rhino/Hvitt neshorn



White Rhino/Hvitt neshorn

Lokking at the Giraffes made me remember all the times that I've seen them in the sunset on TV. And they are my mothers favourite African animal, so off course we spent some time looking at them. :)



Rotchild's Giraffe/ Rotchild giraff

 Our Guide got very happy when we spotted this Black Rhino at a distance. This was the only animal in the park that he didnt feel comfortable driving up close to. So the Pictures were taken at about 40-50 meters. A great animal that truly showed that it was the king of the land......



Black Rhino/ Svart neshorn



Black Rhino/Svart neshorn

 And when I spotted this one, the guide could tell that it was at least two years since he last saw this species. The Pictures didnt become too good due to the fading light, but yo can manage to see the species. :)



Striped Hyena/Stripehyene

Kenya 22/12 -12 Part 3

Everybody likes to look at cute ducks in parks, and the opportunity I got here at Lake Nakuru, to get the rest of the family interested in these birds, was perfect!

Red-Billed Duck/Rødnebband

Hottentot Teal/Hottentottand

Raptors are allways among my favourites when it comes to birds, and around Lake Nakuru we got to see a few at a very good distance.

Osprey/Fiskeørn

Tawny Eagle/Savanneørn

A couple of birds with interesting head-ornaments allso showed up. Helmeted Guineafowl(Hjelmperlehøne) looks like it has got some kind of dinosaur-horn onn its head, whike the Grey Crowned Crane(Gråkrontrane) looks like it has borrowed a posh hat from a high-end woman.

Helmeted Guineafowl/Hjelmperlehøne



Helmeted Guineafowl/Hjelmperlehøne

Grey Crowned Crane/Gråkrontrane

Grey Crowned Crane/Gråkrontrane

As many may have seen earlier in the blog, shorebirds are among my absolute favourite birds, and to get to see some species that I have wanted to see for a long time up close eas amazing. It was also a little surprise to get to see some very familiar species here as well.

Black-Winged Stilt, female/Stylteløper, hunn

Black-Winged Stilt, male/Stylteløper, hann

Pied Avocet/Avosett

Spur-Winged Lapwing/Sporevipe

Marsk Sandpiper/Damsnipe and Black-Winged Stilt/Stylteløper

Marsh Sandpiper/Damsnipe, note the thin bill

More pictures will be coming soon!