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Tue, Nov 7th, 2017

Our second" bucket list "adventure -Tanzania and the great Wildebeest/Zebra Migration

Each year almost one million Wildebeest and Zebra follow the rains across the Serengeti plains in Kenya and Tanzania
The wildlife on the Serengeti birth their young in January and February right after the rains turn hundreds of square miles green with new grass.They then follow the rains south and then back north for a constant supply of grass for their young .It's an annual circuit called the "Great Migration Route", and each year ,it's most dramatic moment is the crossing of the Mara river with it's huge,hungry crocodiles. It's been several years since we visited the Serengeti and we had forgotten it's vastness and it's beauty. Very different from Southern Africa ,our usual "haunt".

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Wildebeest and zebra were everywhere, feeding on the new green shoots of grass
Wildebeest and zebra were everywhere, feeding on the new green shoots of grass
Wildebeest and zebra were everywhere, feeding on the new green shoots of grass
Landing in the Serengeti, we noted that
Landing in the Serengeti, we noted that "Drones" are now outlawed in the Park.
Landing in the Serengeti, we noted that "Drones" are now outlawed in the Park.
We stayed at Chaka ,a mobile camp,near one of the 10 major fords the animals use to cross the Mara River
We stayed at Chaka ,a mobile camp,near one of the 10 major fords the animals use to cross the Mara River
We stayed at Chaka ,a mobile camp,near one of the 10 major fords the animals use to cross the Mara River
Our first red African sunrise over the vast rolling plains of the Serengeti.
Our first red African sunrise over the vast rolling plains of the Serengeti.
Our first red African sunrise over the vast rolling plains of the Serengeti.
Tens of thousands of animals depend on the annual rains to fatten and grow their young
Tens of thousands of animals depend on the annual rains to fatten and grow their young
Tens of thousands of animals depend on the annual rains to fatten and grow their young
Of course ,the predators also follow the migration,watching for a dinner opportunity
Of course ,the predators also follow the migration,watching for a dinner opportunity
Of course ,the predators also follow the migration,watching for a dinner opportunity
Nothing between you and the animal- no barriers to block their spirit or their appetite !
Nothing between you and the animal- no barriers to block their spirit or their appetite !
Nothing between you and the animal- no barriers to block their spirit or their appetite !
Thompson's gazelles are some of the most beautiful and graceful animals of the Serengeti
Thompson's gazelles are some of the most beautiful and graceful animals of the Serengeti
Thompson's gazelles are some of the most beautiful and graceful animals of the Serengeti
Many animals don't make it-it's
Many animals don't make it-it's "survival of the fittest" laid out before you!
Many animals don't make it-it's "survival of the fittest" laid out before you!
Even the Jackals are aware and on guard
Even the Jackals are aware and on guard
Even the Jackals are aware and on guard
One of the strangest Elephants we've seen-One tusk pointing to the back,one to the front
One of the strangest Elephants we've seen-One tusk pointing to the back,one to the front
This must have been due to an injury at an early age. She still seemed to be a healthy and alert mother.
One of the strangest Elephants we've seen-One tusk pointing to the back,one to the front
Monstrous, prehistoric looking reptiles stand guard in the river
Monstrous, prehistoric looking reptiles stand guard in the river
Monstrous, prehistoric looking reptiles stand guard in the river
With thousands of animals grazing near the river, suddenly in a thunder of hooves and horns -they stream across the murky river-Most make it, some don't...
With thousands of animals grazing near the river, suddenly in a thunder of hooves and horns -they stream across the murky river-Most make it, some don't...
With thousands of animals grazing near the river, suddenly in a thunder of hooves and horns -they stream across the murky river-Most make it, some don't...
As thousands of animals gathered in the sunset,we wondered how many would be alive to see another sunset
As thousands of animals gathered in the sunset,we wondered how many would be alive to see another sunset
As thousands of animals gathered in the sunset,we wondered how many would be alive to see another sunset
As the blood red sun set over our camp,we knew the deadly drama the next day would bring
As the blood red sun set over our camp,we knew the deadly drama the next day would bring
As the blood red sun set over our camp,we knew the deadly drama the next day would bring
"Look into my eyes"
"Look into my eyes"
Brightly colored,
Brightly colored, "Gama" lizards adorn the rocks nearby
Brightly colored, "Gama" lizards adorn the rocks nearby
Again, in an instant ,quietly grazing herds became a confused column of rushing,clawing,swimming animals fighting for a foothold on the opposite bank
Again, in an instant ,quietly grazing herds became a confused column of rushing,clawing,swimming animals fighting for a foothold on the opposite bank
Again, in an instant ,quietly grazing herds became a confused column of rushing,clawing,swimming animals fighting for a foothold on the opposite bank
Zebras are smart, they wait until the wildebeest go across, then they dash crossed behind them
Zebras are smart, they wait until the wildebeest go across, then they dash crossed behind them
Zebras are smart, they wait until the wildebeest go across, then they dash crossed behind them
Not only are the 14 foot long crocs a menace, but highly territorial hippos can also drag a wildebeest to an underwater grave
Not only are the 14 foot long crocs a menace, but highly territorial hippos can also drag a wildebeest to an underwater grave
Not only are the 14 foot long crocs a menace, but highly territorial hippos can also drag a wildebeest to an underwater grave
We watched as this last,solitary wildebeest clawed its way alone across the river. We cheered when it made it across alive !
We watched as this last,solitary wildebeest clawed its way alone across the river. We cheered when it made it across alive !
We watched as this last,solitary wildebeest clawed its way alone across the river. We cheered when it made it across alive !
Elephants drank quietly on the riverbank as the bodies of those who didn't survive washed up on the rocks nearby
Elephants drank quietly on the riverbank as the bodies of those who didn't survive washed up on the rocks nearby
Elephants drank quietly on the riverbank as the bodies of those who didn't survive washed up on the rocks nearby
Not far from the elephants, hungry vultures gorged on the unfortunate
Not far from the elephants, hungry vultures gorged on the unfortunate
Not far from the elephants, hungry vultures gorged on the unfortunate
This beautiful Kingfisher had a front row seat for the action
This beautiful Kingfisher had a front row seat for the action
This beautiful Kingfisher had a front row seat for the action
Meanwhile on the grasslands, other furry predators rest between meals
Meanwhile on the grasslands, other furry predators rest between meals
Meanwhile on the grasslands, other furry predators rest between meals
Many newborns are expected to run with their mothers very soon after birth.
Many newborns are expected to run with their mothers very soon after birth.
Many newborns are expected to run with their mothers very soon after birth.
Our friends made the trip so much fun.!Here we are with one foot in Kenya and one foot in Tanzania !
Our friends made the trip so much fun.!Here we are with one foot in Kenya and one foot in Tanzania !
Our friends made the trip so much fun.!Here we are with one foot in Kenya and one foot in Tanzania !
One of our favorite birds- the beautiful Crowned Crane
One of our favorite birds- the beautiful Crowned Crane
One of our favorite birds- the beautiful Crowned Crane
This is a season of plenty for leopards, cheetahs, lions and other predators
This is a season of plenty for leopards, cheetahs, lions and other predators
This is a season of plenty for leopards, cheetahs, lions and other predators
We were lucky enough to follow this beautiful leopard and her cub on their hunt
We were lucky enough to follow this beautiful leopard and her cub on their hunt
We were lucky enough to follow this beautiful leopard and her cub on their hunt
Watching the survivors and looking for the tired,weak or injured.
Watching the survivors and looking for the tired,weak or injured.
Watching the survivors and looking for the tired,weak or injured.
This young zebra barely escaped the jaws of a huge croc. Hopefully ,his wounds will heal.
This young zebra barely escaped the jaws of a huge croc. Hopefully ,his wounds will heal.
This young zebra barely escaped the jaws of a huge croc. Hopefully ,his wounds will heal.
The mother teaches her cub to find the weak, and the newborns
The mother teaches her cub to find the weak, and the newborns
The mother teaches her cub to find the weak, and the newborns
We almost thought this leopard cub was going to jump in the vehicle with us
We almost thought this leopard cub was going to jump in the vehicle with us
We almost thought this leopard cub was going to jump in the vehicle with us
Don't worry,
Don't worry," mom" will show you how it's done
Don't worry," mom" will show you how it's done
Sharing our adventure with Monica, Jan, and Mary was so much fun!
Sharing our adventure with Monica, Jan, and Mary was so much fun!
Sharing our adventure with Monica, Jan, and Mary was so much fun!
Hitching a ride on mom for convenience and safety
Hitching a ride on mom for convenience and safety
Hitching a ride on mom for convenience and safety
The small
The small " Tick" birds keep the hippos clean
The small " Tick" birds keep the hippos clean
An unexpected moment of beauty when this beautiful moth landed on my sketch book.
An unexpected moment of beauty when this beautiful moth landed on my sketch book.
An unexpected moment of beauty when this beautiful moth landed on my sketch book.
With a view of hundreds of miles and thousands of animals, the Serengeti is one of our favorite spots on the planet
With a view of hundreds of miles and thousands of animals, the Serengeti is one of our favorite spots on the planet
With a view of hundreds of miles and thousands of animals, the Serengeti is one of our favorite spots on the planet
Two sisters and a brother lion cleaning up after dinner
Two sisters and a brother lion cleaning up after dinner
Two sisters and a brother lion cleaning up after dinner
We could sit and watch these magnificent beasts for hours
We could sit and watch these magnificent beasts for hours
We could sit and watch these magnificent beasts for hours
Our last day, we followed this magnificent cheetah illuminated by a golden sunset
Our last day, we followed this magnificent cheetah illuminated by a golden sunset
Our last day, we followed this magnificent cheetah illuminated by a golden sunset
Our last sunset on the Serengeti- there's nothing like sundowners with friends after an incredible day in the wild
Our last sunset on the Serengeti- there's nothing like sundowners with friends after an incredible day in the wild
Our last sunset on the Serengeti- there's nothing like sundowners with friends after an incredible day in the wild
Tomorrow we leave Chaca Camp for an early flight into Dar es Salaam and our last night together in Tanzania
Tomorrow we leave Chaca Camp for an early flight into Dar es Salaam and our last night together in Tanzania
Tomorrow we leave Chaca Camp for an early flight into Dar es Salaam and our last night together in Tanzania
We woke up on our last morning in the Serengeti, our tents surrounded by baying wildebeest and yipping Zebra
We woke up on our last morning in the Serengeti, our tents surrounded by baying wildebeest and yipping Zebra
We woke up on our last morning in the Serengeti, our tents surrounded by baying wildebeest and yipping Zebra
A last look at the Mara River crossing with Paul Tickner, our friend and guide
A last look at the Mara River crossing with Paul Tickner, our friend and guide
On to Dar Es Salaam as we continue our journey without our friends
A last look at the Mara River crossing with Paul Tickner, our friend and guide
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