Elephants at Amboseli - Nov 2012

I was fortunate enough to return to Africa for the second time this year, to visit the Masai Mara and also Amboseli. The purpose of this trip was to observe and photograph elephants. Although there were few elephants seen in the area of the Mara where I visited, I was rewarded with frequent and plentiful sightings of elephants (along with many young calves!) in Amboseli.

The drive from Nairobi to Amboseli took about 4 1/2 hours (218 km), but most of it was over pretty decent roads except the last portion which was dirt roads and slow going. The map below shows the drive from Nairobi.

As I drove closer and closer to Amboseli, luck was on my side and I had a beautiful view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Partially obscured by clouds, but there she was in all her glory looming in front of me. What a sight!

Here's some shots from the elephants at Amboseli.

A lone female elephant (her family was close behind)

in front of Mount Kilimanjaro.

A family of elephants heads toward the forest as the sun sets,

amid a cloud of dust they kick up as they walk.

Elephants and an Acacia tree with weaver nests,

silhouetted by the African setting sun.

An elephant appears to be having a morning conversation

with a white Cattle Egret during a stroll across the marsh.

A mother elephant and six young eles getting ready to cross a dirt road.

This magnificent elephant had a lot to say, so I gave

her my undivided attention.

Not a great photo, but this little guy's attitude was so cute

and I was happy to quickly snap a photo of him 
with his little trunk up in the air!

This beautiful elephant paused just long enough

to watch this Cattle Egret take wing and allow

me to take this photo. This photo is almost identical
to the photo above where the elephant had her trunk
lifted (except for the Egret).

Animals Matter.