A Kenyan dawn…

Mammoth Safaris owner and founder Alastair Kilpin takes on a visual journey through a trip to Kenya.  Alastair was privileged to call East Africa home for a number of years and offers a unique and fascinating insight on this part of the world…

I am just back from another trip to Kenya and was treated to daily views of the serene Mt. Kenya. Pre-dawn and the hour or so after is definitely the time to be out in the bush. Life is busy and so I really appreciated the time to just be out there with no agenda. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy scenery is quite spectacular. We had clear views not only of Mt. Kenya but also the Aberdare ranges over the gentle rolling hills of southern Laikipia and with large herds of game, this is really a photographer’s paradise. Great to see the good work going on here in the face of the challenges facing Kenyan tourism. Til next time (or next week when I’ll post a few more pics! Alastair)

I purposefully kept this photo dark to emphasise the pre-dawn blues. Not often you find something taller than a mountain!
I purposefully kept this photo dark to emphasise the pre-dawn blues. Not often you find something taller than a mountain!
Every single time we visited the Ol Pejeta marsh there was something to different to see. We found these two lioness well before sunrise - on a mission to somewhere.
Every single time we visited the Ol Pejeta marsh there was something to different to see. We found these two lioness well before sunrise – on a mission to somewhere.
I used the backlighting just after sunrise to snap a few shots of this handsome male Grant's Gazelle taking interest in a female.
I used the backlighting just after sunrise to snap a few shots of this handsome male Grant’s Gazelle taking interest in a female.
The Impalas in East Africa are so impressive - catching a real clutter of horns was a great part of the day.
The Impalas in East Africa are so impressive – catching a real clutter of horns was a great part of the day.
A small breeding herd of elephant crossed the Ewaso Nyiro River in fairly low light, making photography tricky, but we were downwind and well positioned to get a few shots.
A small breeding herd of elephant crossed the Ewaso Nyiro River in fairly low light, making photography tricky, but we were downwind and well positioned to get a few shots.
This Sailor butterfly landed on Mark's leg during a bush walk along the Ewaso Nyiro River - clearly sipping sweat from his pants!
This Sailor butterfly landed on Mark’s leg during a bush walk along the Ewaso Nyiro River – clearly sipping sweat from his pants!
I loved this buffalo calf's expression - either from the rain that started falling, the egret scratching his back or more likely being disturbed by me!
I loved this buffalo calf’s expression – either from the rain that started falling, the egret scratching his back or more likely being disturbed by me!
This is definitely the best bird shot of the trip. A very confiding male Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu fed for ages within lens-range.
This is definitely the best bird shot of the trip. A very confiding male Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu fed for ages within lens-range.
This is one from a series of pics taken around sunrise - my favourite time of day. I love the way the stallion stands apart watching his harem!
This is one from a series of pics taken around sunrise – my favourite time of day. I love the way the stallion stands apart watching his harem!
After photographing the herd of zebras at dawn I took a moment to perch on our trusty landy to enjoy the elevated view (thanks Mark)
After photographing the herd of zebras at dawn I took a moment to perch on our trusty landy to enjoy the elevated view (thanks Mark)

Related Posts