Nakuru Park!

Yesterday I finally got to go on my first safari! I dont know if i've taken that many pictures in one day for a looong time.. i know I've done it, but its been awhile. If i wouldn't have deleted along the way i would've had approx 875 photos =).. but dont worry- i have it down to 550 now! We started out at about 6am, and got there as the sun was trying to peek over the mountains and through the clouds... which made for very pretty lighting, especially with the flamingoes in the water! We (colleen, cason and i) saw TONS of flamingoes (they're really stinky!) and lots of giraffe (at one point about 20-25 in one area!) lots of rhinos, which are becoming extinct, so that was a treat and then eland (sp?) and gazelle and water buck and cape buffalo (also stinky) and lots of birds and then my favorite- the zebras! there was herds and herds of them. I was soo excited because i've been wanting a blown up photo of a zebra to hang in my room for a looong time... and i've tried various zoos to get one and i havent found them... and i got about 150 photos. =)

after driving around on crazy "roads" paths and beaches, we ended up at the nakuru lodge for lunch and then took a little rest since we got up so early, and because the sun finally came out (and we had some farmer tans to correct =)). The lighting (sorry this may be boring for some) but the lighting in the morning was mostly cloudy, which was PERFECT for the pictures.. there were hardly any shadows but it was bright enough to be able to use a fast shutter speed and get clear pictures from far away... then in the middle of the day the sun came out when we needed it, and then the afternoon/evening we didnt see a ton- some repeats, and some ostrich doing a fun mating dance, and then the lake was beautiful (nakuru lake) with the sun setting. The only thing we didnt see was cats.. no lion or cheetah or leopard.. but i'm told (but not guaranteed =)) that on the next safari (to the Masaai Mara) i will hopefully see lion and elephant and some other cats.. we'll see!

also- this has nothing to do with the safari, but today in a 15 minute drive i saw a semi (lorry) driving towards me with the left side of the cab bashed in, (they drive on the right side) and the left front corner of the trailer messed up as well... the best part is that there was cloudy plastic tarpish stuff taped over the front in place of a windsheild and then an oval about  inches across cut out with the drivers eyes looking through.. DUH!

then, about 2 kilometers later, there a charter bus coming towards us with NO windsheild at all, and the driver was wearing a full motorcycle helmet to keep the wind off his face =) it was hilarious. unfortunately i didnt have my camera.. i just had to laugh!