It’s not entirely rare to see a hippo out of water, but not exactly common either. They do spend the majority of their waking hours in rivers, lakes and ponds, seeking relief from the heat and much needed protection for their sensitive skin. But they will sometimes seek dry land at night to sleep, and they can occasionally be spotted eating grass in the early morning hours before the sun rises. The one thing that is for sure is that they are not to be messed with. This big guy we encountered one morning in the Masai Mara of Kenya was eyeing us cautiously as I snapped a few pictures. We quickly moved on, making sure that he didn’t feel threatened and that he had a clear path back to the water.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/320th of a second

This cheetah was taking a quick break from feverishly feasting upon an impala. Cheetahs will often try and eat as quickly as possible before larger and stronger rival carnivores, such as hyenas or lions, run them off. They are rare among cats in that adult males are social and will travel in groups of up to five, while adult females without cubs, are mostly solitary. On this particular kill in Ol Pajeta Conservancy in the Laikipia region of Kenya, there were two adults, indicating that they were most likely males.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/400th of a second

Not a great shot technically — more of a snapshot really — but I like the story that this one tells. The lioness was taking her sweet time with that wildebeest kill. She had long since gotten all the meat out of it that she could, but she refused to leave even a scrap behind for that persistent, brave, and I assume, annoying jackal. There were actually two black-backed jackals that kept creeping up behind her, nipping at her tail and trying to get her off the kill. And as always there were a few vultures around (you can see one out of focus in the background), waiting patiently for their turn. Eventually the jackals gave up and moved on. As soon as they were out of sight the lion left too, after which about twenty vultures moved in to grab whatever was left.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 1600, f/2.8 at 1/400th of a second

The secretary bird is a fairly common sight in sub-Sahara Africa. I photographed this one in the Masai Mara of Kenya. They are mostly spotted on the ground but also in trees. The secretary bird is quite tall, reaching more than four feet. It has been described as having an eagle like body and head, atop crane like legs. As for the name, I will quote from Wikipedia — “Its common name is popularly thought to derive from the crest of long quill-like feathers, lending the bird the appearance of a secretary with quill pens tucked behind their ear, as was once common practice. A more recent hypothesis is that ‘secretary’ is borrowed from a French corruption of the Arabic saqr-et-tair or ‘hunter-bird.’ The generic name Sagittarius is Latin for “archer,” perhaps likening the secretary bird’s “quills” to a quiver of arrows, and the specific epithet serpentarius recalls the bird’s skill as a hunter of reptiles.”
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/1600th of a second

These guys also go by the name of milky eagle owl or giant eagle owl. They are widespread throughout sub-Sahara Africa. I came across these two large chicks just north of the Masai Mara in Kenya. Their mother was off hunting while they slept, groomed each other and engaged in a bit of casual small talk I suppose.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 360mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/200th of a second

This young black-backed jackal was resting along the side of the road in the Masai Mara, seemingly unconcerned, relaxed and smiling at us as we drove by. These guys are pretty widespread throughout eastern and southern Africa. Interesting fact is that they have changed very little since Pleistocene, unlike other canids.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second

A topi mother and her calf continue to graze as the sun sets on the Masai Mara of Kenya.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 280mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/1600th of a second

There’s been a lot of talk of elephants in the news this past week. I don’t like to get political on this blog, but let’s just hope the president has come to his senses and sticks to his word about keeping the Obama ban on elephant carcasses into the United States. Granted his change of heart has been spurred by public outcry, but he has promised to review the issue further this week and doubts he will side with those that say we must kill elephants to save elephants. I’ve heard all the arguments about trophy hunting actually being a good thing for the conservation of the species and none of them seem to hold any water. Other than the obvious illogic of killing an endangered animal to help save it, the money from these hunts benefits the hunting outfitters and corrupt local officials, not any legitimate conservation efforts. Anyone who has been fortunate enough to observe elephants in the wild knows that they are among the planet’s most majestic creatures, while anyone who needs one of their heads stuffed and mounted on a wall in their home, has a host of other issues to deal with. So c’mon Mr. President, make this be the week that I can like you. At least for a little while. As for the two beauties above, they were photographed on the plains of Ol Pajeta Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/125th of a second

The dik dik is one of the smallest of the African antelope species. And when I say small I mean that these guys aren’t much larger than a jackrabbit in size. This one was spotted in the Olare Orok Conservancy just north of the Masai Mara in Kenya.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/400th of a second

The galago, better known as the bush baby, is a small African primate with big eyes — adapted for its nocturnal behavior. I spotted this little guy one night while we were returning late from a game drive in Laikipia, Kenya. It was well past sunset and all the night creatures were just getting up and about.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/6.3 at 1/60th of second, Nikon SB-800 flash