SOLIO – it’s great to be King

After refreshing our souls and bodies both inside and out at Rhino Watch it is time to see Solio in the afternoon.  We leave around 3pm, make our way down the bumpy track and it is not long before we start to spot wildlife.  This is a White Backed Vulture.

It is just lurking in the tree all by itself so of course we stop and take photos.  I am not a great fan of vultures but they serve a purpose and are a very important part of life and death in these parts.

Isn’t this little fellow a pretty little thing?  Yep, birds are such interesting photographic subjects.

This is a Lilac Breasted Roller – I am sure we have seen these before. I remember it was at Ol Pejeta. It is enjoying the afternoon sun just sitting in the tree and every now and again he tilts his head one way and then back again.  Obviously he is on the hunt for some chewy insects –  time to move on – – – –

As we continue along the trail we see herds of animals in a great photo shoot opportunity.  Are they cut outs that Natgeo has put there? No, every now and again a tail wags or an animal walks a couple of steps.

Checking settings etc we are lucky to get these animals in the foreground of Mt Kenya.

Lots of Impala and Cape Buffalo are standing together as the afternoon cools down a bit – not much – but still cooler than this morning.

I suppose they are thinking that there is safety in numbers just in case the predators are stirring in the bushes getting ready to pounce for their evening meal.

More rhinos – you can never get enough.  To see rhino in such numbers, we are so lucky.

As we get further into the afternoon, our driver John spots some lions so we all get prepared for action.  Well, not so much action from the lions, they are just flat out in the sun and shade – we on the other hand have cameras poised ready to go!

There are two males here and they are magnificent, but how about those flies?  Makes me want to go and spray some Aerogard around. They are not in the least interested in us (which is a good thing) and they just flop around, yawn, cast a look in our direction and then flop around some more.

As we are taking literally hundreds of photos of these fine fellows, John notices a lioness just walking along the road whereby he says she is on a mission and not just out for a walk – do we want to drag ourselves away from our new mates and follow her?  Yep, sure do.

She does not look at us, her head faces forward and a there is definitely a purpose in every step.  As she moves along we try and get the jeep from one side to the other, but not enough to worry her.

We notice a small wound on her chest and another on her rump near her tail.  Looks like she may have been arguing with someone – she also looks to be a nursing female so maybe she is on her way home to the kiddies.

Sure enough, a way up the track she stops and starts making soft calling noises. We are so excited that we may get to see little ones and sure enough they come out of the bushes.  There is a whole clan of them, mothers and cubs of all ages.

The cameras are clicking away – they will have a melt down pretty soon but it is so hard to stop.  Once the cubs settle we stop and then they are off again – walking up the road in front of our jeep.

There is now going to be a cubfest so no need to say anything – just enjoy.

Are they not the greatest little things?  I wonder if the mothers will miss just one?  I could quite easily scoop it up and put it in my bag to take home. On second thought, what do I do when it grows to be waist high with 20cm teeth?  On second thought I will admire from afar while I am here and then look at my photos when I get home.  That way they will always be little cubs.

The afternoon is wearing on – it is now nearly 5.30pm so we have to be leaving soon.  But our driver wants to stay just as much as we do and anyway there are other cars here as well but we have prime position.

That I am sorry to say is the end of the collection for this post.

How privileged we are to have been to be able to visit with the fathers (I am pretty sure they were the fathers) and then the families.  There certainly are strong bonds between the females and the youngsters.

Ah – to be able to do all this again – –

Today’s bum shot – a cute little rear of a cub that all of a sudden realises that his family has disappeared around the corner.  Everything turned out OK – they were reunited in a matter of seconds.

Highlight of the Day: has to be those sweet little Simba faces