Hippos

 

Hippos are most often observed in large herds gathering in rivers.

Only occasionally did we see lone Hippos wandering by themselves. Usually these were older or injured Hippos.

Hippopotamus

 

Before we move on to the Masai Mara I forgot to mention that while exploring Lake Naivasha in our small skiff we experienced our most exciting wildlife encounter.

We had cruised into a small bay area and I was at the front of the skiff shooting this hippo when it decided to enter the water.

Our guide, who had shut the outboard engine off to reduce vibration for me, was unable to restart the engine.

As I continued to shoot at the bow all I could hear was Marilyn yelling and the sound of our guide pulling on the outboard.

Finally, it kicked over, only to run us aground backwards and jam the outboard in the sediment. By now Marilyn is pretty excited. The guide is trying to push off. I’m still shooting.

Eventually the engine revs and we rip away but not before a dozen Hippos resurface from under the water all around us.

Fun fact: Hippos can hold their breathe for over 5 minutes under water. Who knew!

Masai Mara National Reserve

 

The next stage of our 19 day East African safari takes us to Masai Mara National Reserve in the Great Rift Valley.

We stayed at Kensington Mara West Tented Camp on the Oloolo Escarpment.

Our tent chalet was perhaps thee most beautiful camp we have ever stayed in. The "tents" were spread out along the escarpment and you had the feeling you indeed were all alone.

Each morning a Masai warrior would come to light a fire outdoors to heat water for the tent and in the evening, another would arrive to guide us to the dining tent as wildlife was free to move amongst the tents.

Here is our guide, Albert arriving in the morning to start our days adventure.

We would eat lunch under a tree somewhere in the savannah usually watching the wildlife all around us. Only returning after sunset for a late supper.

Travelling by ourselves was truly an amazing experience and one I would highly recommend. Plus our guide Albert was truly spectacular.

Gray-backed Fiscal

 

The Gray-backed Fiscal is a large, long-tailed gray, black, and white shrike. The male has completely white underparts.

It is found in woodland, savanna, and cultivation. Distinguished from other black-masked, gray-backed shrikes by the black line connecting the black wing and black face-mask, and by the large white patches in the base of the tail. ebird

African Fish-Eagle

 

The African Fish-Eagle is a large, distinctive, chestnut-and-white eagle that sits prominently on perches near rivers, lakes, and other waterbodies. The scruffy immature is dark brown and mottled with white on head.

In flight the white windows in the wings and pale, dark-tipped tail make the juvenile distinctive.

It catches fish with a graceful, shallow plunge to the water’s surface, but it will also eat birds, reptiles, and carrion. It has one of the most distinctive bird sounds of Africa.

African Jacana

 

One of our favourite birds while at Lake Navaisha was the African Jacana. Definitely fun to watch them walk on the water hunting.

The African Jacana is a distinctive chestnut, white, and black waterbird with a sky-blue bill and enormous feet. The immature lacks the blue bill and shield and is brown-headed.

Resident and nomadic, this species trots on the surface of water lilies and other aquatic vegetation, using its long legs and ludicrously elongated toes to prevent it from sinking. It flies weakly, low over the water, with legs and toes dangling behind awkwardly. Highly unusual mating system in which one dominant female maintains a harem of multiple males. After egg-laying, each male will raise a brood alone. eBird

Little Egret

 

The Little Egret is a small snow-white heron with slender dark bill, blackish legs, and yellowish feet.

The breeding adult has 2 long wispy head plumes and spray of white plumes on lower back.

It is fairly common in a wide variety of wetlands, at lakes, along rivers, and in estuaries—almost anywhere with small fish.

Yellow-billed Egret

 

The Yellow-billed Egret is a stocky egret that is larger than Cattle and Little Egrets, but smaller than the Great Egret.

Squacco Heron

 

The Squacco Heron is a small heron that favors fresh marshes, lakes, and ponds with reeds and other surrounding vegetation.

It tends to hunt rather sluggishly, hunched quietly at edge of water. At rest appears buffy brown overall, but in flight transforms to mostly white when white wings and tail are revealed.

Pied Kingfisher

 

The Pied Kingfisher is a boldly marked black-and-white bird with a short, bushy crest and glossy all-dark bill.

Frequently seen perched in pairs or small groups.

Often hovers over water when seeking prey. Inhabits a wide range of waterside habitats, from lakes to estuaries to mangroves.