African Safari Newsletter
August 2007
We
had another fabulous safari to Tanzania and Kenya in July! Each day was
packed with excitement and thrills at seeing so much wildlife! We had a
great time in Tanzania, starting with all of the elephants and buffalo in
Tarangeri National Park.
At
Lake Manyara we found a beautiful leopard up in an Acacia tree. As we were
photographing him, the elephant below came walking slowly out of the bush
and came within a few feet of our vehicle. As he walked he would stop and
pick dust with his trunk and blow it on himself. The dust works as an insect
repellant and sunscreen.
Elephant at Lake Manyara, Tanzania
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400IS
Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images
These two new
safaris are filling up, but there are still spaces available.
19 Day Safari to Tanzania and
Kenya,
March 1-19, 2008.
Click here for safari information
and
17 Day Safari to Kenya
September 4 - 20, 2008
Click here for safari information
At the entrance to Ngorongoro
Crater, this baboon looked deep in thought. He appeared to be thinking about
how he could sign up for one of my photographic safaris or perhaps he was
debating on whether to buy a Canon or Nikon. He could easily have gotten
the answers to those questions by calling me at 949.295.3136.
Baboon
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400IS
Copyright 2007,
Paul Renner/Renner Images
We were treated to a special
sunrise in Ngorongoro Crater as a spectacular shaft of light created a
beautiful rainbow illuminating a distant hilltop with dark storm clouds
creating the background.
Rainbow in Ngorongoro Crater
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400 IS
Copyright 2007,
Paul Renner/Renner Images
Important Safari Information:
-
Prices for safaris include airfare from LAX, or save a
little from New York.
-
We have only three passengers per nine passenger safari
vehicle. You will enjoy plenty of space for you and your equipment!
-
We stay in luxury safari lodges. View
Safari
Lodges
-
You do not have to be a photographer but you must enjoy
watching the wildlife because that is what we do!
-
I will be there to photograph with you and available to answer your
questions.
I hope you will join me for an African Safari, your adventure of a
lifetime!!!
For more information, prices and itineraries click
here.
White Rhino in the Rain
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400IS
Copyright 2007,
Paul Renner/Renner Images
In the
crater we witnessed the miracle of new life as a hartebeest gave birth right
in front of us! Within minutes the baby was trying to stand and within 40
minutes it was up walking around with it's mother! It was fascinating to
watch as the rest of the herd moved a short distance away from the mother
and baby to allow space for the new baby to bond with it's mother. By doing
so, when they later joined the herd, it would easy for the baby to identify
it's mother.
Hartebeest and Newborn Baby
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400IS
Copyright 2007,
Paul Renner/Renner Images
Lodges and camps we use on our Safaris
We stay in first class luxury lodges and camps.
Upon
leaving the crater we drove north into Kenya.
The bird life in East Africa could keep a photographer busy for a lifetime.
Each park has over 350 species of birds. At Amboseli National Park, we were
again reminded of this fact by the diversity of birds we encountered on each
game drive. Below is a male Saddle Billed Stork. Females look similar, but
have yellow eyes.
Saddle Billed Stork
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400mm IS
Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images
This
kingfisher had learned to kill fish by banging them on the
top of the sign. I guess it is easier to swallow a fish that
isn't flopping as it goes down the throat.
Pied Kingfisher and Catch
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400mm IS
Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images
Lake Nakuru is best known for the millions of flamingos and
other birds that inhabit the lakeshore. It is also known to
have a good population of Rothchild's Giraffe.
Rothchild's Giraffe
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400mm IS
Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images
African White Pelican
Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400mm IS
Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images
Flamingos Swarming
Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400mm IS
Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images
I am always
anxious to get to the Masai Mara! It is such an incredible
place to photograph wildlife. On an afternoon
game drive, shortly before sunset, we came across this
Serval Cat. Usually shy and elusive, these cats are amazing
hunters capable of leaping over ten feet, straight up in the
air, to catch large birds such as storks. They also eat
rodents and other small animals.
Serval Cat
Masai Mara National Park, Kenya
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400mm IS
Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images
In the Mara, this lioness was moving her
two cubs. This little cub was yowling and hissing and doing
everything it could to let mom know that it wanted to walk
on it's own, but mom would have no part of it. She would
move one a short distance forward, (25 to 50 yards), put it
down and return for the other one. As I watched her moving
them it was evident how difficult was for her to keep track
of the cubs in the tall grass. She appeared to be a good
mother, as she would have to be if her her cubs were to have
a chance of surviving in this harsh environment. It was a
reminder that survival of the fittest is the law in nature.
Lioness Carrying Cub
Masai Mara National Park, Kenya
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400mm IS
Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images
The migration of wildebeest and zebras was
late in arriving to the Mara, so we were thrilled to see
several crossings by zebras. As a result of heavy el ninyo
rains early this year, the grass had grown tall in Tanzania,
giving the vast herds plenty to eat. As a result they took
their time moving slowly up into the Mara. It is always
interesting to see the huge herds of animals grazing their
way across the plains.
Zebras Crossing the Mara River
Masai Mara National Park, Kenya
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 100-400mm IS
Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images
On our last game drive we encountered two
large male lions on a buffalo they had killed. One had
already eaten his fill, but this one was still hungry. As
we watched this scene, one of our vehicles went down to the
river and the people saw another herd of zebras crossing.
This time the crocodiles moved in and our group watched in
amazement as three zebras were caught by the crocs. These
safaris are incredible! There is always something exciting
to see on every game drive. I love this business!!!!
Lion Eating Buffalo
Masai Mara National Park, Kenya
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 28-105mm
Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images
Africa is famous for it's spectacular
sunrises and sunsets. Each day our morning game drive begins
before sunrise and on our afternoon game drives we return to
the lodge just after sunset. This gives us the best
opportunities to photograph this incredible beauty.
Peaceful Morning on the Plains
Masai Mara National Park, Kenya
Canon 20D Lens: Canon 28-105mm
Copyright 2007, Paul Renner/Renner Images
I hope you will join me on an African Safari, for your
adventure of a lifetime!!!
For more information, prices and itineraries
click here
.
Enjoy each day,
Paul
For information regarding safaris and reservations call
Paul Renner at 949-235-3136
or e-mail at PaulRenner3@cox.net
You may also contact Somak Safaris at 800-757-6625
2700 E Imperial Hwy., Suite N
Brea, CA 92821
Phone: 714-985-3456 - Fax: 714-985-3464
e-mail: info@SomakSafaris.com
www.SomakSafaris.com
CST # 2073854-40
