5 Days Ago ..
Learning to get better with the camera …
The Serengeti and the Great Migration
“Though it is sometimes referred to as an annual event, the Great Migration is actually a fluid and continuous, year-long journey of animals migrating through Tanzania and Kenya.”
“Serengeti National Park, in Northern Tanzania, is known for its massive annual migration of wildebeest and zebra. Seeking new pastures, the herds move north from their breeding grounds in the grassy southern plains” The grasslands of the south is where this trip began.
These great herds gather in hundreds of thousands to travel together across Tanzania and Kenya in search of good grazing, safe places to breed, and to give birth. Both animals serve a purpose to each other. The wildebeest are not as bright as the zebras, a small known fact. Therefore, the zebras lead the way and the wildebeest follow. Also, due to the large amount of wildebeest, the zebras can hide from their predators as they get lost in the crowd. Another fact: both animals eat different grasses, a traveling win win for both.
Above is a photo of a mother lion and her cubs. This is a teaching moment for these young studs. Right now they are just checking out the menu. You can see the confusion the wildebeest are enduring. They are usually in a row, but the line has now been broken and they are befuddled, not sure if they should run, or hide.
As I said in my first post, our guides were the best of the best of the best. Each year about 500 candidates, some that already work in other roles at Asilia, try out for becoming a qualified guide. “Over the course of three days, we look for candidates with the necessary spark, drive, and potential to make it as an Asilia guide.”
Only 20 candidates make it through to the next stage: our month-long foundation course. The multi-disciplined foundation course consists of detailed lectures, first-hand experience in the national parks, 4×4 driving tests and intense field assessments, always under the watchful eye of Asilia’s most experienced guides. The recruits must prove their wildlife knowledge, guiding etiquette, safety protocols, vehicle handling, tracking and more. Of approximately 20 candidates, we hope to end the course with 12 to 14 new trainees.” (Asilia) These professionals are also required to know 3 languages fluently. Our 28 year old expert, Lila, spoke Swahili, English, and Mandarin.
The photos below are of a birthing ….. just so you know.
Each morning at 6am we loaded into our trucks and set out with a mission. On one of our morning drives our focus was to find a birthing. And we did, plenty. We were told to look for the bubble.
December thru March are the birthing months in the Southern Serengeti. AMAZING! These new born foals are up and running with the herd in a matter of minutes. If they were to linger any longer they would probably not make it. This is just a day in the life …
The zebras are not quite as nimble, they require more time to keep up with the Joneses. The foal will walk within 20 minutes, and run with the crowd within an hour after birth.
“Plains zebras are highly social animals that live in small family units. They maintain their close family bonds through social grooming and by standing close to one another.” Their stripes serve as a bug repellent and as camouflage in the tall grasses. To distinguish one zebra from another you look at the stripes on their shoulder. These stripes are unique to each one.
“Wild and untamable, zebras have quite an aggressive streak and their enormous self-confidence gives them an unusually swaggering gait. Quick to anger, a zebra’s temper often gets the better of it and they are considered so volatile that even lion personalities will think twice before accosting them.” wiki
We were forbidden to walk outside after dark. The animals were everywhere, no fences, no boundaries. A screen was the only thing between my bed and the wild blue yonder. Next to my bed was a large flashlight and a horn to sound in case of danger. Fortunately the horn was never put to use. I did, however, use the flashlight and shined it outside thru my screen at night. I had hundreds of eyes looking back at me. The deer in the headlights look on steroids … another OMG moment.
We saw many other animals in this area of the Serengeti, but the main event was the migration. Each morning we enjoyed our breakfast with these wild beasts, sipping coffee in the warm African sunshine and rubbing my eyes to make sure this was real.
Our next stop is Camp Dunia in Tanzania’s Central Serengeti … Cat Country! Please stay tuned!
AFRICA: To God be the Glory
Yes, Africa is God’s Country! The entire circle of life happens right there in front of you, every second of every day. I just spent 16 days with Muench Photography Workshops in parts of Tanzania and Kenya. What an experience, somewhere along the line I must have done something right.
I want to thank Andy Williams, co-owner and our Grand Puba, for the time of my life. Andy, you sure know how to throw a party!
My stories are not ready to be written, I am still sorting thru my images and reeling in from this dream come true. However, I am excited to show you some of my photos now, and give you the layout of the land for my future posts.
We stayed at 3 different camps in the Serengeti, and one camp in Amboseli, Kenya. At each camp we had two guides, 2 trucks, and 8 photographers, including Andy. Our guides were amazing. Their knowledge and personal experiences are mind-blowing. I will dwell on these experts in later posts, but I want to acknowledge and thank them here and now. This trip would not have been what it was without their patience and expertise.
The first camp was in the midst of the Great Migration. The Zebras and Wildebeests, thousands of them! The migration is a year round, circular journey. Two plus million wildebeest and 300,000 zebras and gazelles migrate in a clockwise fashion over 1,800 miles each year in search of rain ripened grass. wiki
Our second camp was located in big cat country. Lions, prides of lions, cheetahs, and the elusive leopard. I have many stories with more photos, they were everywhere. Only once did my adrenaline race, an already miserable lion was fixated on me … and it wasn’t the look of love.
The last camp in the Serengeti was home to more elephants and giraffes. Even though the same animals were everywhere, the terrain differed. Each area hosted the survival of the fittest. By this I mean when the grasses were taller, the cats could stalk their prey. In the more open areas the gazelles could roam with a pretty clear view.
“Elephants are highly intelligent animals with complex emotions, feelings, compassion and self-awareness. Elephants are one of very few species to recognize themselves in a mirror.” wiki
These enormous creatures were a treat to photograph. There were herds of elephants everywhere, on the move to find water and back again to graze. Miles and miles. You will notice, in my not yet written post, that the mother elephants and the young females surround their babies. The calves are always protected.
Above is a journey of giraffes. A journey means they are roving. A tower of giraffes would mean they are grazing. Giraffes have a slow and steady gate, they can cruise at 10 miles per hour. However, if a human were to walk beside a giraffe, it would be at a slow run. Giraffes are the tallest mammals on Earth, and their legs are taller than most humans.
As I said, we experienced the entire circle of life, with the exception of a kill. I’m OK with that. We sat in on several dinners, and then witnessed the hyenas and vultures devour the carcasses. It’s one big feeding frenzy!
Transportation between camps varied. Sometimes we took bush planes, and other times we drove. The camps were high-end, and each camp outdid the last. Chefs hold highly competitive and coveted positions, which in turn means we ate meals fit for a king.
We stayed with Asilia Africa while in Tanzania. It is a remarkable company that only excepts the best of the best to be part of their family. Their mission is held in high esteem. More on that later.
There is so much more to tell you about… monkeys, birds, gazelles. If you like what you have seen, please click the follow button and each new post will be sent to your email. I have several more SD cards to download, most were taken in Kenya. Craig, the 48 year old Tusker. What a sight he was! Also the Maasai People of Kenya. Just crossing my fingers I got some good shots, sometimes it feels like a crap shoot. Please stay tuned, I can’t wait to show and tell you more! Thank you!
Seward, Alaska & The Kenai Fjords National Park
On March 30, 1867, the United States reached an agreement to purchase Alaska from Russia for a price of $7.2 million. The Treaty with Russia was negotiated and signed by Secretary of State William Seward and Russian Minister to the United States Edouard de Stoeckl. Today the price would be $140,647,621.62
What are fjords and how were they formed? “The fjords were formed by the giant glacier tongues that through several ice ages have shaped the landscape. A fjord is thus a U-shaped undersea valley, and on the west coast, this valley is often surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery. At the edge of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age lingers. Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords’ crowning feature. Wildlife thrives in icy waters and lush forests around this vast expanse of ice. “
Last month I took a beautiful trip to Seward, Alaska. Each morning at 7:30 am we would board our boat and head out into the wild blue yonder, sort of. The mornings were cool and crisp, covered by a light, beautiful fog. By noon time the fog had burnt off and we were basking in the Alaskan sun. This trip was marketed as a wildlife photography tour, but the landscapes of Alaska were a gimme. Most of you know I have a hard time with scenery, I was completely out of my comfort zone.
Our Captain knew just where to take us. Above is a bird sanctuary where thousands of birds congregate. There is an abundance of Black Legged Kittiwake. These birds are a member of the gull family, much like our seagulls that soar our parking lots … only smaller. Another popular bird that is nestled in the rocks are the Puffins. Puffins are smaller birds also, they can flap their wings up to 400 beats per minute, reaching speeds of 55 mph. Photographing those little devils was no easy feat …
No, I did not photograph the top two in the wild, I caught those birds at the Wildlife Center. There was no escaping my lens there… is that cheating? Yes, but that’s OK! I did, however, manage to get a live shot of a Puffin skipping away on Ressurection Bay. The bay is a fjord on the Kenai Peninsula.
There was an abundance of sea life everywhere. Seals, sea lions, sea otters, Orcas and Humpbacks. The blubber land and sea mammals were an easy target, the whales, not so much.
As the morning slipped away, so did the fog. The beautiful blue skies of Alaska were stunning, the weather was perfect, and God is good!
The killer whales, the Orcas, were everywhere. Our last day on the boat we must have come across 40 different pods. You would hear them blow, ready, aim, fire ….. Well, not so fast. By the time I was in position there was only a fin to shoot. I have many fin shots, but here a a few others that made my day.
Halibut and Salmon are synonymous with Alaska. We saw a halibut that weighed in at 141pds. That fish is not a pretty site, but the taste is delicious!
That’s all folks! I hope you enjoyed my trip …. Would I go back? You bet I would!
Scottish Highland Cows
Scottish Highland Cows
It all started in a conversation between Owen and Ahna, two of our family members at Big Bills.
“Do you think Michelle would like to photograph our cows?”
Heck yes! A date was set and I showed up! Before I begin I’d like to give you some background on this breed.
“Aptly named, Scottish Highland cows originated from Scotland and were commonly seen in the Highland region.
This area was known for harsher weather and other conditions where the cattle had to adapt quickly. That caused the region to be hard to survive in, so only the strongest of the bunch survived. There were originally multiple variations of this cattle, and because of this the breed has many unique characteristics.”
“The genetic makeup of the Scottish Highland breed is tough and has become even stronger over time. They have evolved to deal with tougher conditions and to fight off sickness.
Susanna, Ahna’s mother who gave me the Queens tour, is fearless. These cows are her pets, her babies. I followed her over the fence and into the pen. There I was, in the midst of these large docile animals and no further away than an arms length, and at times a body.
This breed of cattle tends to be very friendly with people, they are well behaved and like to have your attention. An exception to this is when they feel that their young are in danger. If that is the case beware. Highlanders are very smart animals and can actually be trained in many ways that other breeds do not have the capacity for. Though they possess horns, they tend to be very easy to work with.
This bull was in the pen with us also. He stayed a distance away, but always had his eyes on me (I think). You can distinguish a bull by the shape of their horns which suggest masculinity and strength.
Their horns are level with the ground and curve slightly forward. They may rise slightly towards the tip but nothing more.
The female Highlanders horns suggest majesty and femininity. They are narrower at the base than those of the bull, longer and finer at the tip, and should always rise after exiting the head.
The bull usually weighs in around 1,800 pounds, and the cow is close to 1,100 pounds when fully matured.
What are these cows raised for? I’ll let google tell you:
“The cattle beef has a marbled effect that makes it unique. It also has a savory flavor that is distinct from other beef dishes and is lower in cholesterol. Use it in stews with potatoes, peas, and carrots during the winter for a hearty meal.
You can also brown the meat and serve it as a main dish, stir fry it with vegetables, or fry it and serve with cheesy potatoes or mac n’ cheese for a special occasion. There are many other ways to cook and eat their meat, and they have recipes made specifically for cooking and serving it.”
Milk is another choice:
Highland Scottish cows produce up to two gallons of milk each day. People don’t typically raise them solely for their milk producing capabilities as production cows produce more milk.
However, one Highland cow will produce more than enough milk for a family. Their milk has a high butterfat content which can be used for drinking, baking, and cooking. For instance, the butterfat from the fresh milk will help make your stews thick and filling.
Not only were there Highlanders on this farm, I petted a Turkey, I petted a chicken, I rubbed noses with a horse and had it not been a chilly morning, I could have taken a dip in their crystal clear pond!
Thank you Susanna for a very fun morning!
INTRODUCING ……
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Mr. and Mrs. Ward
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5 Days Ago .. 