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'Jambo, Jambo'
Today after a good hearty breakfast we are flying off to Lake Nakuru. From the air the lake is a pink haze from the thousands of flamingo's it is known for.

Pelicans

One very big flamingo!

   

The smell is the first thing that hits you, dead fish, stagnate water and bird droppings and feathers, probably been here for hundreds of years.
Then the noise and vibrant colours come across, the shades of pink and rose, mingled with white, black and greys. Just the whole picture of colour and movement is stunning. Flamingo's standing one legged in the water, others on two legs, birds dancing a ritual mating courtship, others beaks skimming the water for food. Flapping of wings as birds fly around, taking off and coming in to land. The flashes of pink against the blue sky. Pelicans with their large sagging throats slither a few fish down after catching them in the lake.

Malibu Storks

Malibu storks strut around or stand with the shoulders hunched up looking like forlorn old men. Fish eagles keeping a watchful eye on all the going on's, while other birds sort through  for what's left, picking here and there..Never forgetting the good old vulture always at the ready for a scrap or two!

Vultures

Fish Eagle 

       

      Here around the corner we come across the crested crane. A beautiful graceful bird especially when doing a courtship dance. The dancing around each other, wings enclosing around themselves and the flashes of colour this produces. They pirouette and bow just like a ballet in the wild.

                                                             

 Driving up to the lodge where we will have lunch we come across this rhino.

      Later on in another episode I will show you the rhinos we walked up to with a guide to get a good close up photo.

This photo taken not that far from the rhino, was an area of great tranquillity. Giraffe and zebra and different species of buck  along with monkeys all getting along together. All you could hear was the shrilling of the cicada, and the occasional snort from an animal. I might one day try to paint this picture, it will be a real challenge as there are quite a few animals involved, although sometimes I feel paint does not always give that picture justice.

                                    After a welcoming freshen up and much needed cold drink and a lovely meal we continue on our drive.
We come across some giraffe, and what looks like a young one left on it's own. We watched for quite awhile but saw no adults. I was quite worried something would happen to this little youngster but our driver thought the parents would be nearby. Giraffe are excellent at blending in with tree trunks and becoming invisible. Later on when we were driving back to the lodge, we came back through the same area and what a relieving sight. There were the parents with their youngster, and another slightly older one. I know they can hide themselves in the trees, but they certainly fooled us. At least our little one was safe.

A real little youngster

Proud parents and their two youngsters.

This gave me the idea for this picture.

'Standing Tall'

The evening is drawing in so time to get back to camp. Do join me for another trip, you never know what we will see!  Tell your friends about our trips, they might be interested in joining us on our travels, all the more the merrier.
                 

                   
                           
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A new picture starting.


                                                                 'Who's a handsome boy'

                                                                                                                             
                       

                                                                                           

This is where the pastel pencils are great for doing fur. Will show you a little more next week