The Wedding Party at the Reception
Friday, December 18, 2009
Kailyn and Garry's wedding was in Grande Prairie on Oct. 11. It was a wonderful party and Kailyn did a rehearsal dinner the night before, and brunch at their home, the morning after the wedding. We took care of the children for a week while they had a honeymoon, and we enjoyed them immensely. We were the photographers, and have now produced a photo book (on our iMac), as well as a digital slideshow and movie of all the events. Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Animal Photos from Kenya
Impala with Cow Birds Picking Ticks
Hippopotamus in the Water
Jackal
Cheetah
Cape Buffalo Family
Elephants Crossing in Front of Us
Termite Home
Of Course I Love You
Cheetah and Kittens
Baboon
Bull Elephant
Hippopotamus
Girraffe
Elephant Mother and Baby, and Zebra
These are some of the amazing animals that we have been privileged to see in their natural habitat. The most thrilling were the cheetah and her kittens, the lions, and the elephant families. The bull elephant pictured above was very close to us, and he walked perfectly silently, as did the entire herd. Our guide knew where to find the animals in each of the parks, and we were very fortunate to be able to see them so close to our van. Most of the time, the animals were close enough to us that we didn't need binoculars. Our guide was watching to ensure that they were not being disturbed, and that they would not charge the van. The top of the van opened up so that we could stand to have an unimpeded view of the entire landscape.
The number of these animals in each of the parks was incredible. We saw hundreds of most of them every day. In Ambosili, the landscape is almost a dessert, because of over-grazing and drought. The watering holes are very small, and the elephants have knocked down all of the trees in order to find enough food. This park is overgrazed because the Masai people who live next to it have pressured the government to release a large portion of it back to them for grazing their cattle. There is also a problem with poaching in this and other parks, and while we were there, a giraffe was killed for "bush meat". Hunting of wild animals in Kenya is illegal, but the survival of many of them continues to be threatened because of poaching and crowded habitats, as well as inadequate vegetation and diminishing sources of water due to global warming.
Many of these factors are also threatening the survival of the Kenyan people. Currently there are 10 million in danger of dying of starvation due to drought. 50% of Kenyan people live in poverty, and are defined this way because their income in less than $1 US per day. 100,ooo Kenyans still live in IDP camps (Internally Displace Persons), since the violence around the election in Dec., 2007. The new coalition government is barely holding together, in light of continuous disputes over corruption.
Nigel has completed two interesting reports for his school projects - "Poverty in Kenya, and "Threats to Wild Animals in Kenya". He has gained excellent insights into these and other issues, and has demonstrated a good understanding of the plight of the Kenyan animals and people.
Watch for more pictures as we conclude our trip over the next few days.
Corliss, Gordon, and Nigel
Friday, February 27, 2009
Places and Scenes from Mombasa to Ambosili
Baobab Tree in Tsavo East Park
Pool at Serena Whitesands Beach Hotel in Mombasa
Nigel and Gordon at Pool Bar
Our Tent at Flamingo Hill Tent Camp at Lake Nakuru
Nigel and Corliss Inside the Tent at Lake Nakuru
Nigel in Pool at Tented Camp in Ambosili Park at Foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro
Dining Room at Rhinosceros Hill Tent Camp in Tsavo West
Rhinosceros Hill Tented Camp in Tsavo West Park
Sun Rising over the Foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro
Our stay at the Serena Hotel near Mombasa was decadent and relaxing. Nigel spent much of the four days in the pool, and we all enjoyed swimming in the ocean, which was as warm as a bathtub. Nigel had his own room at the hotel (adjacent to ours), and he enjoyed the independence. He played volleyball on the beach, and squash lessons with a trainer, as well as other games with the other tourists. We enjoyed the "down time" which this resort afforded, and it was amusing to watch the mother and tiny baby monkeys playing on the lawns during the day.
The tented camps were very luxurious (not like our tenting experiences on canoe trips in the Yukon). We slept under mosquito nets, and were careful to use repellent, although we were never bothered by many mosquitoes (certainly nothing like the population in the Yukon!). We are still taking malarone as a precaution, though. We always had our own private shower and washroom in each camp, and the tents were well appointed with furniture, luggage racks, etc. Some were finished in a very natural style, although elegantly. In two cases, we had a 360 degree view of the valleys below, and could see to the horizon on all sides.
The last three safaris that we did in Tsavo East and West, and Ambosili were amazing, as was the Masai Mara previously. The animal pictures will follow.
Monday, February 23, 2009
More of the Masai Mara
Topi
Impala
Serval Cat
Cheeta
Masai Children in School
Baboon
Lion Cubs Fighting
Giraffe
Cape Buffalo
Warthog
The safari to the Masai Mara was incredible. We were able to see the animals up close, and there was no problem finding them all. These are only a very small selection. Our accommodation was in tented camps, which were very comfortable, and in some cases, elegant. Nigel was very excited about the animals, and our guide was impressed with what Nigel had learned previously about them.
Nigel is doing two school projects while on this trip, and we spent some time gathering information from the guide and from the Masai people, about issues of poverty in Kenya, as well as human-animal conflict which is resulting in decreased populations of many of the species in Kenya.
Today, we'll be adding pictures of our trip to Mombasa and of the last three safaris, so stay tuned!
Corliss, Gordon, and Nigel
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