Tuesday, September 19, 2023

ARRIVAL ENTEBBE

Marabou Stork plus Pied Crows

The first of our group arrived in the evening of the Monday 18th September. 

The National Botanical Gardens of Uganda, commonly known as the Botanical Gardens Entebbe, are located in Entebbe, Uganda. They were laid out in 1898 by the first curator, A Whyte, close to the shores of Lake Victoria. The gardens are divided into different zones, including a rainforest zone. This rainforest formed the backdrop to scenes from the Tarzan films featuring Johnny Weissmuller, shot in the 1940s.               - WIKIPEDIA

The following day our first group of six had a three hour explore of the botanical gardens. Perhaps the highlights were the two species of monkey: Black and White Colobus and Vervet.

Vervet Monkey and babe

Vervet Monkey

Black and White Colobus Monkey

And of course there were birds!

Yellow fronted Canary

Grey headed Sparrow

Red faced Cisticola

Red faced Cisticola

Compact Weavers

Lizard Buzzard

Speckled Mousebird

Spectacled Weaver

Eastern Grey Plantain-eater


Marabou Stork

Marabou Stork

Marabou Stork

Northern Puffback


Hadada

Woodland Kingfisher

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird

Double toothed Barbet

White throated Bee-eater

White throated Bee-eater

Great Blue Turaco

Great Blue Turaco

African Fish Eagles

Crowned Hornbill

Crowned Hornbill

Black and White Casqued Hornbill

African Grey Woodpecker


The day's highs were obliterated with my monumental stuff up regading picking up the last of our group from the airport. Day 1 and I have successfully laid down some road blocks to the trip's success.

On the positive side. We are all now in Uganda. Safe. Hopefully reasonably well rested. Chege and Edson have arrived, albeit much later than expected. And tomorrow we will begin our East African safari proper.


Ken Cross

All pictures Ken Cross

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Dubai

 The air was foggy as I arrived in Dubai and I am pretty sure the causes were, like climate change, human. The temperature was a slightly uncomfortable 35 degrees Celsius. Getting a cab was easy and after a brief ride under the airport I arrived at my hotel. Common Mynas the only species noted.

Originally and optimistically I was going to step out and do some sight seeing in the evening. But I have not made it out of my room at 8pm, so have decided to enjoy some relax time after a long 14 hour flight [that started at 2-50am in Brisbane]. Sleeping in a bed seems far easier than in a small middle seat.....

Friday, May 26, 2023

CRITTER QUIZ 2

 SOME EASY AND NOT-SO-EASY CRITTERS HERE....

#1


#2
#3


#4

#5



#6

#7

#8


#9


#10



Friday, May 12, 2023

BIRD QUIZ 2

 BIRD # 1


BIRD #2


BIRD #3

BIRD #4


BIRD #5


BIRD #6


BIRD #7


BIRD #8


BIRD #9

BIRD #10



Saturday, April 29, 2023

BIRD QUIZ

 Here are ten East African birds to try to identify. This will give you an opportunity to start checking out your field guide and considering your African experience.....

Bird #1


Bird #2


Bird #3 [Taken by moi]


Bird #4


Bird #5

Bird #6



Bird #7


Bird # 8 


 Bird #9


Bird # 10




Friday, April 21, 2023

East African Critter Quiz

 


Hey there Safari folks?

Below we have our first little East African critter Quiz. Email me at friarbird43@bigpond.com with your answers. First 100% correct response gets a free Tusker in Kenya!!!

  




CRITTER #1


CRITTER #2


CRITTER #3



CRITTER #4



CRITTER #5



CRITTER #6



CRITTER #7



CRITTER #8



CRITTER #9



CRITTER #10