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Birded off the veranda in Nairobi for an hour before breakfast, left late waiting for one couples' luggage (which still hasn't arrived by evening, apparently still sitting in Canada). Going north of Nairobi, eventually through agricultural areas, including Dole's multi-kilometer pineapple plantation. Many corn (maize) fields tucked between houses and trees over any terrain, with coffee and some banana plots. Kenya has experienced much rain this winter, extending past the traditional rainy season. The road we are on is paved, but wide shoulders, parking areas, and side roads are muddy with wet ochre-colored dirt. Rivers, waterfalls ressemble chocolate milk. Cows, goats, sheep graze along the roadsides.
We're traveling comfortably in an eight-passenger Land Cruiser, two seats per row with our luggage stuffed in a small section in the rear. Not sure where the other luggage will go when it's recovered. There's a small iced compartment between the last two seats for cold water. Our "crew" consists of two couples and two women with Terry and our driver.
Our trip up toward My. Kenya takes us from 5000 to 7000 ft. With a picnic lunch and some birding stops, one near some fish ponds where we see some cute Yellow-crowned Bishops, an unusual sighting. Black and yellow, in display they fluff up, looking like large bumble bees flitting from reed to reed.
We arrive at the Mountain Lodge in mid-afternoon in full sun despite our cool, cloud cover this morning. The lodge is situated in the forest of Mt. Kenya National Park and, again, our rooms face a watering hole which is lit up at night to watch for mammals at all hours. The entire top floor is open air to get views near the treetops on all sides. Before dinner there are waterbuck and two bushbucks by the waterhole. Near the lodge, yet still in the fenced enclosure surrounding the lodge, we see a Suni, the smallest of the antelope, a Marsh Mongoose, Sykes Monkey, Bush Squirrel, as well as the stunning Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, my bird of the day (hard not to be wowed by bee-eaters).
After dark four Spotted Hyenas, seven African Buffalo, and three Giant Forest Hogs visit the waterhole. The mud circling it contains salt deposits which attracts the animals as well. The lodge staff watch all night for new arrivals and will knock on our door to wake us for species we request to see. We decided to sleep through the elephants since we've seen them before. Although not cold tonight, our bed is turned down with two hot water bottles to keep our feet toasty!
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Cousin Kermit Great pic of the Cinnamon chested bee-eater, if that was in the blog pic window, yes? Very superb colored starlings. First starlings I have ever liked at first sight. US starlings are pests. Do you have pix of the Yellow crowned Bishops, or did I miss them? And I really dig the Suni! Like your mountain lodge mucho.
Suzi Yes, that’s the bee-eater. Sorry, my photographer didn’t get on the bishops.
Char I feel as if I am there with you, well at least in spirit.
Cousin Kermit Thx, Suzi, for reply on the Bishops. Did they have mitres? Ha! Also meant to say, congrats on having lodgings right close to that watering hole! A feast for the wild life and a feast for your eyes. Keep those pix coming!
Tracey Sounds very similar to "The Ark" at Aberdare National Park in Nakuru Kenya. The Bee-keeper is beautiful. Good Luck with the new species!! You are so close to Meru National Park - Home of Elsa from Born Free-have a story about that when you return.