Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Memories of Kenya -



"Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky" 
Kahlil Gibran







FRICA awaited. . . . . . . 

September 2016 - a safari in beautiful Kenya.



This time, five years ago, we were readying today for another trip to the African continent. 
Our first time to Kenya, and sadly our last most likely, it was another fantastic safari to remember.



The animals were unbelievable, however I was also struck by the trees. 
So few scattered across the plain, so little shade provided, but sometimes
 a home to birds who wove incredible colonies of hanging nests; whose trunk
 hid a sleek cheetah waiting to make that lightning speed run to grab its meal
 for the day; and a place for the leopard to climb and hang its prey across
 a branch out of the reach of other predators, then returning and climbing
 the tree for several days to eat.

This was one of several Maasai Mara 'desert date' trees (Balanites aegyptiaca
 I photographed. Here you get the true feeling of how few trees there are across
the vast Maasai Mara plain.

Today I'm looking out at our trees here in the cottage garden.
Still green and beautiful but soon to change color as autumn weather
arrives. Leaves will fall, carpet the garden in gold, orange, rust and red.
There will be few hiding places in the bare branches for the visiting hawk;
beloved garden birds will be more visible coming to the feeders; 
squirrels, unimpeded, will perform gymnastics, gather acorns, and
 fatten up for winter.


Maasai Mara - Kenya 2016

"Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a
 singing bird will come"
Chinese proverb


6 comments:

  1. Dearest Mary,
    My youngest brother went to beautiful Kenya for the honeymoon and they went back once more with daughter in tow.
    Yes, a complete different vegetation compared to our area.
    What we both have learned from living and working in the tropics is, to preserve as much green for winter periods. To extend the joy of looking out to trees with leaves on, even in winter season.
    It always has paid off big and we love them. So will many birds for having a better shelter place for the cold and bare period. Not often 'cold' here but it can happen once every 20 years or so.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

    ReplyDelete
  2. Stunning images. I love the simplicity and beauty. There was one really good photo opportunity of a tree when I was on safari in Zambia but I didn't ask the driver to stop!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I had the great pleasure of visiting Kenya for two weeks in 2018. We were on the Maasai Mara for two days on safari. The wildlife was plentiful and awe-inspiring. There had been much rain that year and the growth was thicker and greener than usual. We saw lots of trees in the area we explored, but the Mara is vast and varied. It was the experience of a lifetime for me. You’ve been on safari three times, haven’t you? Lucky woman!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I visited Kenya many years ago and spent a day at the Sheldrick elephant orphanage - it was wonderful, I would love to go back - the landscape is quite beautiful but for me, the markets and crowded towns were the best bit as I love all that hustle and bustle..

    ReplyDelete
  5. The African tree is very striking on the plain, and is quite an oasis in its own way. How wonderful so many creatures can share its shade. I look forward to seeing your Autumn garden, with the squirrels running about doing their business, always so cute. Have a great week Mary. xo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh I love that quote at the end of your post.
    Your pictures are each so stunning and do tell a story.

    ReplyDelete

I would enjoy reading your comment - thanks so much for stopping by.