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Sun and heat found us today making for good birding and more typical weather. Probably mid-80s, but walking along the floor of the Rift Valley over black and brown basalt, it seemed warmer and we sought out shade under whatever the acacias could provide. We started early in the morning walking at the base of cliffs, seeing Rock Hyrax, Dwarf Mongoose, as well as new species of Hornbills, Starlings, Sunbirds, Cuckoos. The floor where we were used to be on the same level as the top of the cliffs, eons ago. The land east from the rift (Somalia, Eastern Kenya) is slowly moving east, pulling away from the west edge of the Valley. Over time, portions of the land have sunk, hence the changes in elevation.
We birded along the western side of Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo. Terry lived along Baringo for 25 years, where his wife grew up (her family living along the lake in tents for 15 years). This area was extremely remote even when he arrived; few roads, three tribes who dressed in traditional dress. Jane's family was one of only three white families, one of the others being the Leakeys. We lunched near the spot where Terry used to live, but their houses are now totally under water. The water level of the lake rose 28 feet over a four-year period about eight years ago, submerging some 3000 homes. Speculation as to the cause includes tectonic activity.
Plenty of goats and goat herders wander through the thickets, local children so interested in us, metal corrugated abodes that must be like ovens when the sun beats on them. Our local guide today, Francis, was taught birding by Terry as an adolescent. He was excellent, finding us five Owls, a Courser, a Nightjar, and a Thick-knee, all nocturnal birds that he'd been scouting since 4:30 this morning. When not leading a handful of birding groups, he tends his goats. What a treasure.
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Tracey So fun, got to see the Great Rift Valley but didn't get to explore it on ground level. Love the stories you get to share with us. Hope you get to keep all of these when you are done.