During the colonial era, what is now known as the Ol Pajeta Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya, was used as an enormous cattle ranching area. As ranching became less and less profitable over the years, elephants took over, subsequently flattening any fences in their way. Since then, the land was purchased by conservation groups and is now a thriving haven for some of Africa’s most endangered species like black rhino. Nice when it’s the animals that do the reclaiming, rather than the other way around. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 130mm) ISO 400, f/7.1 at 1/800th of a second.

A giraffe crosses a river in the Masai Mara of Kenya during a downpour. Seeing one of these amazing creatures running in its natural habitat is among the truly great spectacles of our wild world. They are part grace, part gawk and wholly impressive. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 95mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/400th of a second.

This baboon has had just about enough of this rain. At least that’s what it looks like he’s thinking. Photographed in the Ol Pajeta Conservancy, Laikipia, Kenya. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/200th of a second.

Skies like this are one of the reasons I like to go to East Africa during the short rainy season. Male impala grazing on the plains of the Olare Orok Conservancy of the Masai Mara in Kenya. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 1600, f/2.8 at 1/800th of a second.

Gazelle’s don’t get a lot of attention amidst the other big ticket items on an African safari. In fact, I just did a search and in over ten years of doing this blog, I’ve only posted a gazelle twice — and one of those times was because a leopard was eating it for dinner. I think it’s about time I show them a bit more love. This male was looking quite regal as he gazed into the distance (perhaps surveying the plains to avoid becoming dinner himself). Photographed in Lewa in Kenya. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/3200th of a second.

The gerenuk is sometimes called the giraffe gazelle. You can see why with that elongated neck. And as if the neck isn’t enough, the gerenuk regularly stands on its hind legs to reach even higher for food — usually the leaves of acacia trees. I photographed this male and female pair in Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (with 1.4 teleconverter for 550mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/800th of a second.

This family of spotted hyenas was hanging out by their burrow in the rain, perhaps just heading out to hunt/scavenge, or returning. There are several species of hyena in Africa. The spotted is by far the most commonly seen. Their coloring and spots can vary greatly, even within a single family like this, and will change as they age. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 330mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/640th of a second.

Crowned cranes are one of the avian highlights of any safari to East Africa. This particular crane allowed a close enough approach for some nice head shots. I kind of liked this three quarters from behind angle highlighting the namesake crown. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/160th of a second.

These two male zebras were going at each other during rutting season, trying to prove dominance for mating rights. Photographed at Ol Pajeta Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/800th of a second.

This little lion cub was alone with his mother and very curious as to the strange looking beings in the safari vehicle. But not too curious. After a few playful approaches, the cub grew tired and returned to his mother who was resting in the bushes. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second.