Safari Update 2 June - Lion Hotel

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Today we rose to heavy overcast skies and with two of my clients off to a balloon ride over the Serengeti, the rest of us headed for the central area of the Serengeti. More lions in trees and more lions in trees. The wildebeests and zebras have moved into the plains near our camp in full force. Following some landscape work on the way back to camp, it was an early return as we started prepping for another early morning departure and head for our new home high on the ridge line of the Ngorongoro Crater. As I write this, a storm has moved in complete with thunder and distant lightening. I always love falling to sleep under the skies of the Serengeti with rain hitting the roof of the tent. What a way to end the day. Oh yes, we celebrated one couple's 48th anniversary tonight with a special song and dance from the crew. Classic touch from the Thomson Safari Serengeti Crew. Thanks guys, you made the night very special for two lovely folks.

- Blogging Live from the Serengeti - 

The Lion Hotel

The Lion Hotel

Safari Update Day 7 (2 Oct 2013)

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Safari Update Day 7 (2 Oct 2013)
20 degrees C
Sunrise 0615, clear skies with clouds starting to build in the distance.

Today we traversed from Robanda to our new camp in the northern Serengeti. Kogatende is located high atop the rolling hills in the northern Serengeti. The ‘road less traveled’ was full of adventure and showed us a different view of the Tanzania that we had seen before. We arrived at our new camp about 1130 just in time for a much needed travel break. Once again we were greeted with huge building cloudy skies making for a wonderful photographic opportunities. With an altitude of 5600 ft, the air was crisp and free of haze. At 1500, we were off again for our first safari in the northern area. The incredible rocky outcrops, called kojpes, and rolling hills of the northern area are not to be missed. It was not soon into the afternoon that we were presented with a small pride of lions taking it easy under a tree adjacent to a large kojpe formation. On the way back to camp, we stopped to photograph the dung beetle rolling his ball of dung proudly down the road. Another great day in the Serengeti.

Nikon D3X, 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 160, ISO 320, 1/250 sec at f/8.0.  This image was taken here

Cheers and happy photo’ing.

Safari Day 1 (26 Sept 2013) Arusha to Tarangire National Park

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Safari Day 1 ( 26 Sept 2013) – Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Cloudy with light rain, overcast to partial clearing around noon and for the rest of the day.

After our  orientation to just how the safari works, we were off to Tarangire for our first real day of safari. With our lunch completed at the visitor center, may of the guests had there fill of photographing Vervet monkeys. With the speed of lightening, one of the monkeys stole a power bar that was laying next to Thomas. Early into the day we photographed a female lion. Posing for us under a tree, she walked right between the trucks and presented us with some very nice photo ops. Not long after this, we sighted a leopard with a kill climbing up a tree. He was so fast that most of us only captured a tail. Back at camp it was time to look at everyone’s sensors and load a quick photo of the day.

Nikon D3x, 200-400 f/4.5 at 400mm, ISO 400, f/8 at 1/640 se

Blogging live from the bush in Tanzania via AT&T

Cheers and it is great to be on safari once again.

Tolerance

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During one of my visits to the Serengeti and the Massai Mara Plains, I followed this large male lion around for a while.  While I was in hopes of getting an image with some really harsh back lighting, the sun and camera angles never really worked out.  Just before we decided to depart the area, he turned directly to me and presented me with a simple portrait. Back at the camera tent, I took a look at the image and suddenly I realized just how much pain this fellow must have been in.  Looking closely, you can see a massive amount of ticks on his face and those crazy fairly flies are biting his nose to the point that they are bringing blood.  All the time, he just sits there and takes it in stride.  And we think we have bad days?

Feb 2010  Nikon D300, 70-200mm f/2.8, ISO 250, 1/125 sec at f/10

Cheers and happy photo’ing