Quilt Inspiration – I found this original African fabric panel at a quilt show and knew I would need to use it in my African inspired quilt as a colorful reminder of my first trip to Africa. On that first trip, I only took the quilt top to photograph due to space and luggage weight limitations. On that Africa trip I also bought a batik panel at one of the road side vendors which I used on the back of the quilt. By the time I went back to Africa on my most recent trip, the quilt was finished and I took it back with me so I could photograph it complete on location. Continue reading “‘This Is Africa” – Original Quilt Design”
Tag: Maasai Mara
On the Frontline of Conservation – Changing the “OR” to “AND” at the Enonkishu Conservancy
On the Frontline of Conservation, the practices in the Enonkishu Conservancy demonstrate that cattle, social needs and wildlife can coexist to benefit all.
It’s four in the morning and I am sitting in a blind at a waterhole in the midst of Kenya’s famous Maasai Mara ecosystem. The visible sky beyond the blind is covered in so many stars that I finally have a sense for how big a million-billion really is.
On the ground though, my visibility is limited to just a few feet in the absolute darkness beyond the confines of the branches and sticks that make up this makeshift enclosure that surrounds me. In the pitch blackness, I can’t detect the animals I am here to observe without the aid of night vision binoculars, but the cacophony of sounds leaves no doubt that I am completely surrounded by life. A loud orchestra of frogs, toads and insects serenades me so that I can easily stay awake during my shift. An occasional bark from a hyena or grunt from a hippo reminds me that larger four legged creatures also prowl the night. The local leopard though is nowhere to be seen or heard tonight.
This post was recognized by the North America Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) in the 2019 awards competition with a Bronze award in the Featured Photo, Illustration– Online category.
PhotoPOSTcard: Jumping With Joy
While the adult men in the Maasai Village in Kenya were performing their traditional jumping dance for us, off to the side, these little boys were practicing and jumping along. When they saw my camera pointing at them, they put even more energy and exuberance into the act, and giving me the biggest smiles possible at the same time.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
PhotoPOSTcard: Waiting
On my recent visit to Kenya, I had the chance to visit a Maasai Village again. After the dancing demonstration and the tour of a Maasai mud home, we had the chance to shop in the crafts hut and to make purchases. We browsed the many items made by the members of the village and made our purchases, negotiating with one of the younger men in the village who spoke very good English. Outside of the enclosed hut, the women looked on in anticipation, waiting to see if one of the items they made was going to be sold and so provide some extra income for her and her children.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
PhotoPOSTcard: Double Vision
I’ve always wondered – are zebras white with black stripes or black with white stripes? Zebras often stand together nose to tail like this so that they have a full 360 degree view for potential predators.
Please note that my visit to Kenya was hosted by Biosphere Expeditions. All content is my own.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
25 Photos to Inspire You to Visit the Enonkishu Conservancy in Kenya
Visit the Enonkishu Conservancy to see the classic east African wildlife and scenery.
Kenya’s biggest tourism draw is the diversity of its wonderful animal wildlife. On my recent volunteer citizen science trip with Biosphere Expeditions, I spent twelve days working at the Enonkishu Conservancy in the Mara area of Kenya, helping to collect data about the biodiversity in this new conservancy land (you can read my detailed post about my experience here). Looking at the abundance of green grass and the many species of ungulates that were taking advantage of it, it was hard to believe that only a few years ago this land was barren and overgrazed by cattle. I am sharing some of my favorite photos that I was privileged to take to inspire you to visit the Enonkishu Conservancy.
Continue reading “25 Photos to Inspire You to Visit the Enonkishu Conservancy in Kenya”
A Citizen Scientist in Kenya – My Wildlife Conservation Volunteer Travel Experience
Sharing all my volunteer travel experiences as a citizen scientist with Biospheres Expeditions in Kenya.
I have heard it said that Africa gets under your skin. I certainly found that to be the case after my safari to Kenya and Tanzania last summer. So, I jumped at the chance for a press spot as a volunteer citizen scientist in the inaugural Biosphere Expeditions program in the Maasai Mara in Kenya. I am sharing my wildlife conservation volunteer travel experience to inspire your next adventure to Kenya.
PhotoPOSTcard: Resting Eland
The diversity of different types of antelope species in the Mara area of Kenya is astounding. At first glance, they all look very much alike, but after a few days of looking at the wildlife, it gets easier to distinguish them apart. The body size, the markings and especially the horn size and shape makes each species completely unique. Here, an eland, which is on of the largest of the antelope species, relaxes in the early morning sun.
My trip to the Enonkishu Conservancy was hosted by Biospheres Expeditions. All content is my own.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
PhotoPOSTcard: Piggy Love
I think warthogs are kind of cute, in a gruff way. As these two approached each other at a full gallop, I thought they were going to fight, but instead, they greeted each other with familiarity and love, nuzzling each other with great joy. And the rain did not bother them one bit either.
My trip to the Enonkishu Conservancy in Kenya’s Maasai Mara was hosted by Biosphere Expeditions. All Content is my own.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
PhotoPOSTcard: A Living Dinosaur
Is there anything more prehistoric looking than a Nile Crocodile? This big guy was sunning himself on the banks of the Mara River just below our camp in the Enonkishu Conservancy. Fortunately, there was a 15 foot straight drop between us and the croc so I had no worries about becoming his dinner. I could just admire him from afar – which is exactly how I liked it.
My trip to the Enonkishu Conservancy in Kenya’s Maasai Mara was hosted by Biosphere Expeditions. All Content is my own.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose