Vijay Barve

East African Savana : Animals

During the walk in the Savannas, I could spot few Animals too. But since I was on foot, and had less time, could not see most of them from near.

First mammals we spotted were Gazelles. The Thomson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsoni). They were very far from us.

After moving forward, we saw Zebra's. I guess they were The Plains zebra (Equus quagga, formerly Equus burchelli). There were many of them and were slowly moving away as we approaced them.

On the horizon we could spot some Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) .

There was another type of Gazelles. I think they were The Grant's Gazelle (Nanger granti). It disappeared behind the trees.

There were a few wildebeest too, among a group of zebras at a distance, but could not approach them.

On the way back, from the vehicle, I could see the wildebeests from near and I think they were The Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus).

In a short time that I managed, I could see lot of things I feel.

Labels: Africa, Animals, biodiversity, Kenya, travel, wildlife

East African Savanna : Birds

In October 2008, I got an opportunity to spend some time in East African Savanna. I was in Kenya, about 50 miles away from Nairobi. The place was, couple of kilometers off “Trans African Highway” which connects Cairo in Egypt to Cape Town in South Africa.

I was there for 5 days, but busy with meeting and hardly got time to go out of compound. But on last day, finally I took opportunity to walk out and explore a bit.

During my stay, I saw few birds, I could not identify them all, but I thought I will share the pictures anyway, and request for help from you to help me identify them.

These sparrow like birds were commonly seen and were nesting on medium trees, like weavers. There call was resembling Indian Mynas. The White-browed Sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali

There were colonies of Weaver Birds. I presume they are Speke's Weaver (Ploceus spekei). The males were busy building nests.

There were several trees having these nests.

One more bird, The Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus). Really very active bird.

And this looks like The Northern Pied-babbler (Turdoides hypoleuca) .

Thanks to Alka for Ids.

More bird pictures to come.

Labels: Africa, biodiversity, Birds, Kenya, travel, wildlife

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