LAKE BARINGO – where eagles dare

Thursday – I forgot to tell you what we did last night – we did a bit of ‘let’s play with the scorpion’ photography.  One of the locals procured our little friend and Chris showed us how to photograph this thing under an ultra violet light and watch the pretty colours.  Some people in the group really got stuck into it – I was not one of them.

I was sure it was going to jump at me and with that dirty big stinger I was not taking any chances – that’s why the photo is a bit blurry.  OMG that thing was creepy and it was not a very placid.

So now we are here today and the itinerary says ‘waking up pre-dawn’. Always good to know these things when you go to bed the previous night because then I always sleep light waiting for the alarm to go off at some ungodly hour.  I also slept with one eye open, worried if any of our little friend’s acquaintances would come and visit but they didn’t so all was good.

There is a good reason for the early start – more eagle shots. I bet you can’t wait!!!!  But a bit of patience please – we have found our trusty fisherman again and it is time to catch him in the early dawn and sunrise light.  Chris has trained him well and he goes back and forward in front of our boats so that we can get just the right shot – plus we buy some fish from him for the eagles so everyone wins.

As our fisherman settles down to serious fishing we move on the the marshes to visit with our friends The Weavers but on our way – a crocodile at which you should never smile!

He is just lurking under some green weed waiting to pounce on an early morning brekky and then all of a sudden there is another one with an evil look in his eye. Sorry Croc – no Cap’n Hook here for you – move along.  So back to The Weavers and assorted feathered friends.  They are just so incredible – from tiny little Weavers to dirty big ostriches that didn’t want their photo taken to Egyptian Geese and babies – they are a charm to photograph for sure.

But back to why we are here – hippos and eagles.

We are lucky enough to find a group of hippos that are just as intent on watching us as we are of them.  We are extremely quiet and careful so not to give them a reason to submerge and tip us over!  They have the cutest faces and their little eyes and ears just pop up above the water – so angelic but then again so deadly.

There are a few of them lurking and even some younger ones so many, many photos are taken and we are all waiting to get that ‘yawning’ shot and they certainly come to the party with that request.

A few of them are now yawning quite regularly which, we are told, means bugger off it’s time to leave us alone – so we start the engine and depart.

What a great encounter – it is not until we meet up with the other boat and they tell us that when we moved there was a hippo that came to the surface right where we had been.  Could have been nasty for sure.

Time for – wait for it – yep – eagle shots!  This will be our last time to photograph these magnificent birds so we have to get it right.  Our spotter finds the eagle, Chris chucks out the tasty fish and away we go – 3-2-1 click, click, click – my camera sounds like a gattling gun once again and here are the results – a little eagle story in pictures just for you –

So, how do you think I went?  I am pleased with the results.

We only get this one eagle to come down so we are lucky to end on a high.  Time for a few other winged friends.

After we cruise around the Lake we head back for our island home as this afternoon we have to move on, but first Chris has another surprise for us – more eagle shots.

Our fabulous spotter has spotted another eagle and we still have a fish left so cameras are set to bird mode and we are ready to go.  What a great finish to a great stay at Samatian Island on wonderful Lake Baringo. I will just include a couple more eagles for you – – tell the truth you know you want to see them – –

The last photo looks as if he is dancing across the water – unfortunately where we are positioned we only get the rear shots on him picking up the fish – but hey – what’s to complain about?

All the fish are gone and we are now on the final leg of our journey back to our Island.  We have had a great time here – and it was great to experience our many hours with the birds along with our hungry hippos and giraffes.

Time to pack up and head for ‘Sleeping Warrior’ Camp and more adventures.

Part 1’s bum shot is of Mr Ostrich who was certainly trying his best to impress anyone who would take notice – we did.  They are lovely creatures and don’t they strut around knowing just that!

Highlight of the day: the hungry, hungry hippos and those great gaping mouths.