During the day, hippos rarely leave the water, but at night they typically sleep on land. They are very susceptible to sunburn and as soon as the sun starts to get hot, they get back in the water. This was first thing in the morning when the sun just broke the horizon and several hippos were out foraging on the plains of the Masai Mara in Kenya. In the background, a few buffalo keep a close watch on their often cantankerous neighbors.

Nothing much going on here, just a giraffe sticking out its tongue. This one was taken in Lewa in Kenya.

The sun had already set when I captured these two zebras nuzzling up to one another. I liked that it’s not a complete silhouette — that you can still see detail in the zebra’s bodies. The photo was taken in the Laikipia region of Kenya on our most recent trip back in November.

These three lion cub siblings seemed to be lining up for their family portrait. This one was taken in the Laikipia region of Kenya.

This leopard was in an area of the Masai Mara that didn’t allow off-road driving. We watched from quite a distance trying to predict which way she would move. Several other vehicles were in the area and we decided to distance ourselves as much as possible from them. It was the right decision. When the leopard finally started to move she came right toward us, passing about ten feet from our vehicle and allowing me to get some nice close ups.

There are three kinds of zebras in Africa. This is a Grevy’s zebra, the largest as well as the most endangered of the three. Unlike other zebras, the Grevy’s stripes do not extend to the belly. The two birds are called glossy starlings. They are quite common throughout much of Africa.

I know someone who likes doves. It’s her birthday today, so this one is for her. It’s not just any ordinary dove… this is an emerald spotted wood dove. It was photographed in Olare Orok, Kenya, just north of the Masai Mara. Enjoy — and happy birthday.

We ran into this cape hare late one afternoon in Laikipia, Kenya. They are a nocturnal species and there was barely enough light left in the day to get this photo without using flash. Cape hares are common and found throughout much of Africa. They have also spread into some parts of Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

This photo was taken in the Masai Mara in Kenya. A heavy rain was about to get even haeavier just as these two giraffes were crossing the river. They seemed a bit surprised by the sudden downpour and looked in both directions as if searching for the best possible course of action.

Another of the many lion cubs we saw in Kenya. This little guy kept on walking up to our vehicle and attempting to roar (in actuality, it was more of a weak meow).  After delivering the message, he would retreat back to his mom, who was resting in the bushes.