Circle of Life

Vulture on Zebra Carcass While on safari in Tanzania, the scenes and songs from the movie, "Lion King" often popped into my head. But none more than the lyrics of "The Circle of Life". Some say eat or be eaten Some say live and let live But all are agreed as they join the stampede …

Wildebeest Feast

Cheetah and Cubs A four-month old cub stands watch as Mom and sibling enjoy the rump of a freshly killed wildebeest. This was observed by over a dozen safari trucks parked in a semi-circle about 30 yards away. Safari drivers share information about major animal sightings, and cooperate in "circling the wagons" to provide good …

Safari Campfire

Serengeti Campfire It was a very tough day, viewing Mother Nature in its most basic form: new born zebra and wildebeest, the Great Migration, predators, every creature searching for food while avoiding not becoming another's meal, exotic birds, survival of the fittest, circle of life, etc. A full day of watching the Nature Channel in …

Mt. Kilimanjaro

Mt. Kilimanjaro I just returned from two weeks in Tanzania. With the exception of a five-day safari, I was on the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and was fortunate to see the mountain's top on several days. This is the view from the hotel balcony where I stayed for six nights. Thought for the Day: In …

Road Trip

I'm planning another photo safari next spring, but looking for a new kind of adventure.  In past years I would do one of two things: 1) Drive everywhere, staying in a different motel each night and occasionally camping (sleeping in my car) in a state park, or 2) Fly somewhere, rent a room in a …

Rafiki

Thirty minutes before sunrise, I was on a rocky ledge overlooking the Serengeti Plain, hoping to catch some pinks and purples peaking through the clouds.  The lookout point was an extended part of  Lobo Lodge, where we stayed on the second night of safari; it had a railing, which made me feel safe.   (Later, …

Hippo Pool

Somewhere in the northeast part of Serengeti National Park is this hippo pool, where hundreds of hippos can be seen up and down the river.  It was perfectly safe to observe them from this vantage point, the bank was too steep for them to ascend or descend. Behind me is a wide flat area where …

Wanderlust

The travel bug has bit me again; I'm leaving today for Tanzania.   Be gone 15 days. Most of the trip is a "Vision" trip with the Nebraskan Lutheran Synod, visiting schools, hospitals, orphanages and villages around Arusha (near Mount Kilamajaro), and staying with a host family for two nights.  The Synod has a few …