Lake Nakuru joined in 2013 the list of other lakes in Rift Valley whose water levels have abnormally increased endangering the lives of residents and the ecosystems around the lake.
Some lakes are recognized as Wetlands of International Importance, and all are Important Bird Areas, with several being within UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites.
The lake level rises are worrying because of the destruction to homes, livelihoods, industry, and infrastructure, and loss of terrestrial wildlife habitat.
The effects on lake ecologies are a concern as flooding increases lake turbidity and dilutes the saline waters of alkaline lakes. Alkaline lakes like Nakuru provide unique feeding habitats for East Africa’s famous lesser flamingos.
Lake Nakuru is well known in Kenya for its rhino population, and it has one hundred white and fifty black rhinos to be seen.
Black and white rhinos naming has created confusion because both species of rhino are in fact grey… I hope I didn't make a mistake identifying this one as black!
A quick example of just how much light can impact a scene. From no light, to maximum light and changing in less than a minute we go from complete vibrant and dynamic to flat and boring.
Sometime sits worth sitting and waiting for the right light.
I wasn't planning to post today. But since I learned that today is #NationalRescueDogDay and #WorldBeeDay, as well as #Mondog, here are some assorted pictures from our home. This #gardenia is a different variety with thinner petals but smells just as good.
The Augur Buzzard is a large, stocky hawk, which usually perches in full view on the ground on a prominence of ground or on a perch (tree, rock, post,…) and is not shy, so that one can often observe it at leisure.
Recently, I took a street photography workshop with Guido Klumpe ( https://www.guido-klumpe.de/ ). He is mostly known for his minimalistic approach with colors and shapes — you should check out his work! Here's one of my own attempts from the workshop.
Named for their preferred proximity to water, the Common Waterbuck feeds on plants near bodies of water in various habitats, including savannas and forests.
These creatures are designed for protection from Kenya’s predators in several ways. Their eyes are situated on the sides of their face in order to maximize their field of vision. Their bodies give off a strong odor that helps to ward off predators as well.
Another notable trait is their long horns, which are sometimes used by males when fighting over territory.
More Grant’s zebras are in the wild than any other species or subspecies of zebras. Unlike Grevy and mountain zebras, they are not endangered.
Grant’s zebras eat the coarse grasses that grow on the African plains, and they are resistant to diseases that often kill cattle, so the zebras do well in the African savannas.
However, recent civil wars and political conflicts in the African countries near their habitats has caused regional extinction, and sometimes zebras are killed for their coats, or to eliminate competition with domestic livestock.
Fujifilm fans: Have we reached peak Fujifilm? Their mirrorless cameras have all been SO good over the last ten years that any photographer could pick any of them up and be in control of their image right away. Great handling, great user interface, great sensors. I look at the X100VI and the X-T50 and think, meh, so what? (And, bloody hell, that's a LOT of money!)
Another dreary weary weekend morning. For sure, it was #SilentSunday. First we went to a county park which would not open until 8:30. We turned around to Sweetwater Creek State Park again. Kengo didn't want to walk much except for eating grass (protesting coming to the same park again?). A short walk in Georgia, USA. (Swapped photos at 10:43)
While many might assume that the birds are a constant annoyance to the majestic buffalo who carry them across the plains of Kenya, they would only be half right.
A classic alliance in the animal kingdom is often seen in the African Buffalos. Birds often sit on the back of buffaloes, pecking in open wounds, picking vermin from the host's fur, and even looking deep into their ears and noses for food - typically a win-win situation for both.
Well, he won and made it happen! Soon after I posted about non-cooperating weather, the rain stopped and we had a window of opportunity. But it was very humid and not too comfortable a walk. Still, we had our seniors' exercise.
Sweetwater Creek State Park, Georgia, USA