Photography by Randy Hanna

Monthly Archive for March, 2009

Safari Update – Ngorongoro Crater

Posted in Africa, News, Safari, Travel on Mar 15th, 2009

Looking Back To…..Ngorongoro Crater

Attempts to update the blog were unsuccessful once we left the comforts of Gibbs Farm. So, now we’re back in the US and I’m posting those updates – belatedly – from the comforts of my home!

From Gibbs Farm we headed northwest to the 8^th wonder of the world – Ngorongoro Crater. This geologic feature is 185 square miles, 12 miles wide, and was once an active volcano likely higher than Mount Kilimanjaro. Its collapse resulted in the world’s largest intact caldera that maintains its own wildlife and forms its own weather patterns.

We stop at the park entrance to get a briefing from one of our guides on the geologic history of the area; then we head up the long winding road to the crater rim. We pause for an awe-inspiring look at the crater floor, spotting herds of Cape buffalo and watching as a rain storm drenches a distant part of the crater. Soon we arrive at our next camp site, nestled in the canopy of the tall flat-top acacia trees that are found above 5,000 feet (the camp is 7,500 feet above sea level). The cool damp forest camp, a pleasant reprise from the heat of the day, seems like a tree house oasis. That afternoon and all of the next day we leave the cool forest to enter the world of the crater floor, observing numerous resident wildlife species. We witness the challenge of a new-borne gazelle as it tries to stand for the first time, admire from a distance an endangered black rhino and baby, watch as lion cubs playfully romp in the early morning sun, spot a cheetah on the prowl among a herd of gazelles, and laugh at the antics and unique galloping of the wildebeests. We also spot a family of hyenas eyeing its next meal, as well as a herd of elephants, numerous hippos, zebras, and too-many-to-count species of brilliantly-colored birds. Our crew got a lot of great photos as evidenced by a few examples below.

Afternoon descent into the crater floor

Photo by Randy Hanna, Nikon D300, 17-55mm @ 55

Wildebeest look out on high ground; Ngorongoro Crater

Photo by Colleen Kill, Nikon D90

On the rim of the Crater

Nikon D300, 17-55mm @ 30mm, time release

Wildebeest being wild

Photo by Jean R, Sony DSC-H9 compact digital

Wildebeest and Zebra in the Crater

Photo by DeAnne B, Cannon XTi Rebel, 100-300mm

Forest area of the Crater

Photo by Larry B, Nikon D300, 24-120mm @ 36mm

Lion cub on fallen tree

Photo by Larry B, Nikon D300, 200-400mmVR @400mm

Two Bulls at the watering hole in the Crater

Photo by Larry B, Nikon D300, 200-400mmVR @ 200mm

Wildebeest kicking it up

Photo by David R, Nikon D60, 55-200mm @ 200mm

Lion cub in grass

Photo by Randy Hanna, Nikon D300, 200-400mmVR @ 400

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Safari Update – Tarangire and Gibbs Farm

Posted in Africa, Safari on Mar 3rd, 2009

Tarangire, Gibbs Farm or Lake Manyara – really a challenge to pick which place to favor! However, two days in Tarangire resulted in our spotting of three leopards (more than most people see in an entire safari!), two cheetahs, hundreds of elephants, lots of giraffes, and of course the too-many-to-count gazelles, wart hogs, impalas, and water bucks. Really can’t imagine better two days!
Of course now that we’re at Gibbs Farm, feasting on the organic home grown vegetables and home-made breads, and sipping on some terrific organically grown coffee, this now seems to be the perfect spot! Nestled against the national park forest, Gibbs Farm provides a respite from the dust of the safari. As I write this bog from the desk in my cabin, I’m overlooking the lush, green, and seemingly endless valley planted with corn, coffee and numerous other vegetables. To finish off the day, we walked to a clearing in the forest where I demonstrated the Nikon Creative Lighting system as we photographed several Masaai in their traditional dress (see photo below).
And finally, our day trip to Lake Manyara is not to be forgotten. We visited the hippo pool and got a special treat — most of the several dozen hippos were out of the water due to the cool weather. Several of the younger males put on a great show of aggressive positioning within the herd – a great exhibit of big mouths, big teeth, and lots of dust as other hippos cleared out of their path. Tomorrow we scoot to Ngorongoro Crater – this will be out last update until the end of the journey. Meanwhile, enjoy some photos from the travelers on this safari: