klipspringer exam procrastination means looking through friends' photos...hadn't read this blog before and enjoyed the photos. The klipspringer especially, i always find their really startled expressions (usually accompanied by that strange bird-sounding shriek) really funny. Used to often round a kopjie on the orange river on early morning loo trips and surprise them!!
Author Response Jenni -
First of all, my sincere apologies if I indeed made you feel this way. The last thing I want is to paint a picture that's not true or write something offensively wrong about a country and it's people. However, I ask that you reread my entry, from beginning to end, and reconsider if you maintain those same sentiments. I'm struggling to understand how someone could read my post and come to the conclusion that I'm speaking for all of Kenya when my entry is about rural Laikipia. I even made the point of mentioning that I'm in *pastoral* Kenya. I also find it hard to believe that you, as a resident of Kenya, are unaware of the constituent of the population (your countrymen?) who do, in fact, coexist with the wildlife of East Africa. And this IS a fact - not opinion. My field assistants, one of whom is Kikuyu and the other Masaai, will reiterate this fact. I appreciate the comment, however, because it gives me the opportunity clarify to anyone else who might share your opinion that I AM NOT suggesting Laikipia is representative of the entire country, but rather that the charismatic megafauna of East Africa do still roam parts of the landscape outside of game reserves and National Parks - parts of the landscape where people also live.
Kind regards,
Tyler
Kenya>Lift Valley>Laikipia Hi Mtalii, you make my entire life in Kenya a big joke! How in the world could you believe people live side by side with animals?? That is just ridiculous!. You choose to tell your exciting story while keeping the already painted picture of dumb Africa. You choose to go to the remote part of the country and speak for the rest of the country - that is no dignity at all.
Jumpin' Grasshoppers! That is about the coolest grasshopper ever. Can't imagine how you found it in the first place. The baby starling looks like it has a smile on it's face. The spiders are terrific. Great photos!....M
Vincent That sure is.... really funny and so horrible at the same time! Couldnt help but laugh to the text "that look of bewilderment and horror haunts me". In Japanese they have a good word for that sort of laugh; waracchau. Which means something like... laugh but you dont wont it sometimes. Anyhow, nice blog!
Sickies? Ty, I was sorry to hear you weren't well. Glad to hear it all came out in the wash though. Or should I say sample? Not a funny topic but as usual your narrative left me chuckling. Hope you avoid more trips to the cottage.
The Deadly Night Yikes! The picture of the ribs looks like Sockeye Salmon! But it's amazing to think of all the animals in the bush you cannot see but who can devour a waterbuck with no trace in hours. Please do not visit the outhouse at night.....M
Chameleons and Blind Snake Just saw on facebook you had this blog going. Looks like you're having a blast. Just so you know, the chameleons you have been finding are Chamaeleo bitaeniatus and the blind snake you have looks like either Typhlops lineolatus or possibly Typhlops angolensis. It could be a couple other things but you'd need to have started counting scales to ID it. If you want to find more chameleons, try looking at night with your flashlight. They get very light in coloration at night and stand out as a bright flash when you pass a light over them.
-Chris
I am so enjoying all your stories and photos!! 9 weeks and i escape city life until september and can hopefully share some of my own stories of empty coastlines and mountain peaks and dusty sunsets... All the best with the rest of your research and i will see you guys in Kruger, insh'allah!
There exist too many experiences to be had in this world - too many places to see and people to meet - for me to stay put. World travel is my passion; it brings me pleasure in ways few things can. And, to me, part of the joy in world travel is sharing the experience with whoever cares to listen . . .
How I caught "the bug"
Some other travel blogs you'll be glad you checked out:
Who Packed the Map?
Scatter... full info
M
non-member comment
Great explanation
Great explanation and pictures even if I don't entirely "get it"! Reminds me of Bustard telemetry...remember? And here you are!