Amboseli National Park

Sorry friends and family for not writing for several days. Recently we have been having some terrific wildlife encounters. I was finally able to get pictures of the bush babies that live in camp. They are really small, smaller than I even expected.

On Monday, we went to Amboseli National Park to see the wildlife and practice a few field exercises and techniques for observing the large mammals. It was incredibly exciting driving into the park, as we saw many of the charismatic representatives of African fauna right away. We saw many zebra, wildebeest, and antelope, as well as a Beisa oryx (of which there are fewer than ten in the whole park). Ostriches became a common sight also, as we stopped near every habitat type. Trying to identify, count, gender and age antelope can be quite a chore at times, but rewarding all the same.

As we drove closer to the wetlands, we saw hippos and elephants, including two newborn infants. Baby elephants may be the cutest thing on the face of the earth; if not because of their faces, then because of their goofiness interacting with the big new world. Breathtaking images were captured by all of us, as the herd stayed very near to our vehicles.

Driving in to and from lunch we saw secretary birds and crowned cranes, as well as the goliath heron(also a rare sight in the park; our professor told us that it would be our first and last time seeing it there). In the distance, we also spotted two black-backed jackals and I hoped to myself that we would see bigger carnivores. We drove on and took pictures of many animals. As the sun began to dim, I noticed a group of vehicles located across the plain from us. I thought nothing of it as we passed them, but we soon received a call on the radio that there was some wildlife we may have wanted to see. We turned and sped back, dust flying and wind blowing until we met our colleagues parked at the edge a road. Off in the distance was a pride of lions, waking up for the evening and walking to get a drink.

As we drove on to exit the park, we stumbled upon a small clan of hyenas, sleeping in the dust. It then became apparent to me how obnoxious, we as tourists can be. A couple of European tourists behind us began beckoning at a hyena, trying to get it to look at them. I then thought about whether or not we, even as students, should be there in such great numbers. It must be distracting and distressing to many animals(namely carnivores) to be harassed in such a way. It's impossible for them to be discrete in any way, with so many followers.

As we finally exited the park, we saw giraffes feeding in the distance. It made for a pretty good picture but.. probably not blog worthy.

Swahili word of the day today is mzungu meaning "white person"

bro tip #1572

stop waiting for the perfect moment. take a moment and make that shit perfect.

-Ian

Kwaheri

Ninakupenda wewe