Monday, March 14, 2011

My Safari at the Nakuru National Park Continues

A big welcome and thank you to my newest follower, Maus Tratos ao Idoso Denuncie, which I understand translates to Report Abuse of the Elderly. This is indeed a worthy cause.

For those of you who have been following my travel series to Kenya, I'm happy to report that I will resume the series.  At the end of this post you will find links to the other posts in this series.  I've also started a new series on frugal living and, I will continue to post about little Kigen's progress on this blog also.

When I left off the tour in the last post on this park, we were seated in the car discussing which road to take. We decided to turn right.
Amongst the trees you will find a group of zebras. Did you know that a a group of zebras is not called a herd but a harem?  I just learned that by looking it up on line today.
A close up of the water buffalo with some kind of white bird in the foreground. I'm afraid I don't know what it is. (Graham from Namibia tells me they are egrets.  Thanks Graham!).  There are also several species of birds behind the buffalo.  You can get a better view by clicking on the photo to enlarge it.  The ones at the far back are Lesser Flamingos and Great White Pelicans.  There are so many kinds of birds that feed at this lake but the largest in  numbers are probably the flamingos.
A snapshot of the lake's beauty.
A Kenyan water buffalo grazes on the wet grass while two flamingos fly overhead. I was delighted to capture the flamingos in flight.
A Thompson gazelle grazes on the grass.
I want to get a closer look at the flamingos.  They are much farther away from the shoreline than they usually are. That is because there has been so much rain and the lake has been artificially enlarged but the flamingos remain where the lake's natural shoreline is located.

The water buffalo in the foreground and the flamingos in the background make for a pretty picture.
This is about as close up a shot as I could get on this trip. I don't have a fancy camera with the ability to zoom right in.
I believe these birds are called the Helmeted Guineafowl. My driver didn't know the name of them as he isn't a tour guide. He just kept telling me that the bird tastes very good.

Here is a close up.  We came across these birds several times during our tour of the park.  I think the spotted pattern on the feathers is so pretty.

The Great White Pelican. I love the look of their beaks.  If you click on the photo it will enlarge and you can see the beak up close.
I am not fully certain but I think this blue bird might be the Lesser blue eared Glossy starling.
I thought it was so pretty and it ran across the road several times during our trip.
Come back again soon so I can show you more of this beautiful country called Kenya.

Click here to read Part 1 in this series. It starts with my stopover in Nairobi, Kenya.
Click here to read Part 2 in this series in Kenya. It continues with my sojourn in Nairobi, Kenya.
Click here to read Part 3 in this series on Kenya where I stop to view a stunning lookout.
Click here to read Part 4 in this series on Kenya where I stop at Lake Elementeita.
Click here to read Part 5 in this series on Kenya where I talk about some hotels in Nakuru.
Click here to read Part 6 in this series on Kenya where I show you some tourist sites around Nakuru.
Click here to read Part 7 in this series on Kenya where I show you the Castle Without a Princess.
Click here to read Part 8 in this series on Kenya where I feature a collection of scenes from around Nakuru. 
Click here to read Part 9 in this series where we enter the park and begin to tour it.


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40 comments:

OneStonedCrow said...

Great pics Penny - Kenya looks like a beautiful place - are people allowed to leave their cars and walk about in Kenya's national parks?

It looks like you've got your bird identifications spot-on and the white bird with the buffalo looks like an Egret (or Tick Bird as they're commonly known here).

Buffalo are found only in the far north Caprivi region of Namibia.

Joyful said...

Thank you, Graham. Kenya is indeed a beautiful country. If you get a chance have a look at the other posts (links at the bottom). I don't know if people are allowed to leave their cars but if you do, do it carefully. I did see people all over leaving their cars but mainly at specific places. You do need to be careful as there are lions and other big animals of course in the park.

Thanks for identifying that Egret for me ;-)

Jo said...

Beautiful, Penny. I've only passed this park and hope to visit it soon! Your photos are beautiful. Especially the one with the buffalo in the foreground and the flamingoes in the background. The ones of the Flamimgoes in flight is WOW! Brilliant. I've only seen the Greater Blue-eared Starling here so thanks for showing me this one. Bless you my friend. Jo

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

What lovely and interesting pictures and post. Thanks for stopping by.

Unknown said...

Lovely photos! The views are fantastic and you got you got some good close-up shots of the animals.

kat said...

wow, I love all the photos. Beautiful shots indeed. Thanks for the visit and comment.

Happy Blue Monday.

J.Rylie.C said...

Cool animals! THe buffalo reminds me of my Moms place in the Philippines.

Please come and see my worthwhile bluesworthwhile blues, have a good day!

PS.. I am now your follower.

Diane said...

What lovely photos. I agre with Graham that the white bird is an egret but as my books are in France I cannot tell you exactly which one. I also know it better simply as a tick bird.
Diane

SmilingSally said...

Love that blue bird!

Happy Blue Monday, Joy.

Linda said...

Ah, you have transported me back to that lovely place. I've stood on those shores several times and taken similar pictures, but yours are better! :) My favorite is the 2nd from the top--the close-up cape buffalo with the lake and birds in the background. Seeing your photos reminds me of at least two hilarious stories. (I'll eventually blog about them.) Thank you for sharing those great photos!

Linda

Bossy Betty said...

Such lovely pictures! I can see why you fell in love with this country.

niko said...

you got lovely blue pictures here!!

happy blue monday!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Gorgeous! That's a fun trip to see.

My blues, have a nice day!

Kim, USA said...

This is the place that I so like to visit. A great landscape only God can create. Happy Monday!
Blue Monday

Joyful said...

Simone, thank you for your visit!

Joyful said...

Alan, thank you for joining me as a follower and for your kind comment. Please join me again soon for more of the tour.

Joyful said...

Kat, thank you for your visit and your comment. Hope you have a great day!

Joyful said...

Ms. Burrito, how awesome that you are only 5 and you want to be a blogger. I think your mom must be a good influence on you. See you soon :-)

Joyful said...

Diane, thank you for dropping by. Graham does also know the egret as a tick bird. Or more accurately, I think he said it is better known as a tick bird in Nam. I guess perhaps this is so wherever this bird is found in Africa.

Joyful said...

Smiling Sally, I thought you'd love it. There are lots of other blues as well.

Joyful said...

Linda, it warms my hear to know that my photos transport you back to a place you know and love. I love to look at the photos and reminisce myself. I hope I get to read about your hilarious stories soon. xx

Joyful said...

Bossy Betty, Kenya is spectacular, isn't it?

Joyful said...

Niko, thanks! Happy Blue Monday!

Joyful said...

Chubskulit, it was lots of fun!

Joyful said...

Kim, you are so right. Every time I go to Kenya, I am awed and humbled by God's creation. Thank you for your visit and your comment.

The Professor's Wife said...

I absolutely love the birds!

Joyful said...

Jo, I'm so glad you like the one of the flamingos in flight. It was actually difficult to get such a shot as by the time I got my camera ready they'd be gone. I got lucky with this one :-) You will love a visit to the park and there is a lot to see.

Joyful said...

PW, that's wonderful. There are so any beautiful birds and creatures.

Anonymous said...

I'm joining you mid-safari, but what fun! Flamingos in the wild, and all the other delightful birds and animals. Photo ops everywhere.

Joyful said...

Wren, there definitely are photo ops everywhere! I just didn't have time to take advantage of them all. Also one has to be careful where one gets out when wild animals, including lions are about. I hope you get to look in on the links in my post to catch up to the rest of the safari ;-)

Linnea said...

How interesting...so much to see! I love the pink flamingos...thanks for visiting my SS. You have a fascinating blog!

Joyful said...

Linnea, you make me blush. Thanks so much for the effusive praise and your appreciation of my blog. It makes the blogging adventure worthwhile ;-)

Kilauea Poetry said...

Thanks Penny..these are beautiful! I love the lake and they blend in like pretty reflections! The trees against the sky is another favorite. Those speckled birds resemble turkeys..and ya, the white ones look like Egrets, we have them here in certain areas. Nice series-

Joyful said...

Wren, there definitely are photo ops everywhere! I just didn't have time to take advantage of them all. Also one has to be careful where one gets out when wild animals, including lions are about. I hope you get to look in on the links in my post to catch up to the rest of the safari ;-)

Joyful said...

Jo, I'm so glad you like the one of the flamingos in flight. It was actually difficult to get such a shot as by the time I got my camera ready they'd be gone. I got lucky with this one :-) You will love a visit to the park and there is a lot to see.

Joyful said...

Love that blue bird!

Happy Blue Monday, Joy.

Joyful said...

Lovely photos! The views are fantastic and you got you got some good close-up shots of the animals.

Joyful said...

Beautiful, Penny. I've only passed this park and hope to visit it soon! Your photos are beautiful. Especially the one with the buffalo in the foreground and the flamingoes in the background. The ones of the Flamimgoes in flight is WOW! Brilliant. I've only seen the Greater Blue-eared Starling here so thanks for showing me this one. Bless you my friend. Jo

Joyful said...

Great pics Penny - Kenya looks like a beautiful place - are people allowed to leave their cars and walk about in Kenya's national parks?

It looks like you've got your bird identifications spot-on and the white bird with the buffalo looks like an Egret (or Tick Bird as they're commonly known here).

Buffalo are found only in the far north Caprivi region of Namibia.

Joyful said...

What lovely and interesting pictures and post. Thanks for stopping by.

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