April 2024 – Herrick Home Page

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More fun in Nairobi April 29, 2024

Trip to Nairobi

One of the most iconic species in East Africa, the African elephant is a memorable sight. At an average height of 11 feet, these majestic creatures stand tall and strong, with adults usually weighing in at around 2.5 to seven tons. They also serve a vital role in the East African ecosystem. Elephants use their massive strength to knock down trees in order to get to the most tender leaves. In doing so, they create open areas for grasslands, which provide food for countless other herbivores.

The common warthog is a wild member of the pig family found in grassland, savanna, and woodland in sub-Saharan Africa. In the past, it was commonly treated as a subspecies of P. aethiopicus, but today that scientific name is restricted to the desert warthog of northern Kenya, Somalia, and eastern Ethiopia. Warthogs are much smarter and faster than they may appear. They can run up to 34 mph in order to avoid predators. They’re also one of the most cautious animals we saw in Kenya.

With his luxurious mane and imposing roar, the male East African Lion is considered the king of all Kenyan animals and is the national animal of Kenya. The average male lion weighs between 350 and 500 lbs., while its female counterpart weighs a little less. Lions are known for their hunting prowess, preying on a variety of mammals such as gazelles, buffalo, zebras and more. The females tend to do most of the actual hunting, but the males usually get “the lion’s share” of the kill. Unlike other big cats, Lions are noteworthy for living in prides with their own clearly-marked territory. Prides will generally share their meals together, although some single male lions (known as bachelors) do hunt on their own.

Living primarily in floodplains, the Topi is also found in the savanna and other dry habitats. These reddish-colored antelopes are also known as the “blue jean antelope,” for the distinctive blue markings on their legs. Topis feed on very specific plants, chewing for long periods of time before resting and then grazing again. Unlike many other antelope species, the Topi is very sociable and interacts with other species, such as wildebeests and zebras.

Marked by their noteworthy long neck, the Reticulated Giraffe is another relatively common sighting in northern Kenya. These giraffes use their long necks to feed in the tops of acacia trees, where they gather leaves and fruit. You can usually tell which trees they’ve feasted on: Since they tend to eat from the top (where the freshest leaves are), the trees look a bit like hats. They’re hardly ever seen drinking water (once a week or so), and look quite funny when they do. Their long necks combined with powerful eyes make for good eyesight.

Living in savannas, Baboons are smaller than Gorillas, but bigger than typical monkeys. These animals spend their time moving between the trees and the ground, feeding on a variety of food ranging from small mammals and birds to fruit and plants. A group of Baboons is called a troop. These troops are tight-knit and complex social organizations consisting of up to hundreds of animals. The Baboon is one of the largest monkey species in the world. Their preference for grass helps them survive in areas where other monkey species cannot. We saw them resting on the side of the highways, just watching the cars go by!

Perhaps the most familiar of Kenya’s antelope species, Impalas are best known for their speed and agility. These antelopes feed and run quickly in herds overseen by a dominant male. Young males are often kicked out of the herd, roaming as bachelors until they’re strong enough to fight the alpha male for breeding rights. Impalas can leap up to 33 feet in the air, which helps them to avoid predators and send signals to other Impalas, but is also occasionally done just for fun. Impalas have adapted to feed on a variety of plants depending on the season, eating grass shoots in the wet months and shrubs and other dry herbs in the dry months.

The fastest land animal in the world, the Cheetah is known for its lightning-fast speed and its well-defined spots. Unlike its spotted counterpart, the Leopard, Cheetahs do not stalk their prey. Instead they run after it, dashing at speeds of up to 75 miles per hour. Despite their great speed, Cheetahs are considered shy and less aggressive than other big cats. So they have to quickly eat their prey before a scavenger comes and steals it away.

Only recently established as a separate species from the Common Ostrich, the Somali Ostrich is noticeable for its blue neck and legs, (females are pink) with males having bright red markings on their shins during mating season. These large, flightless birds can be found in various different types of habitats, such as grasslands and woodlands. They are unfortunately suffering from habitat loss, but stronger conservation efforts have been proposed in order to rejuvenate their dwindling population.

Leopards are excellent hunters, sneaking up on their prey and attacking without a warning. Along with hunting, leopards are athletic all around, with skills in swimming, climbing, and strength. Unlike the cheetah, its spotted counterpart, leopards prefer to stealthily stalk their prey and pounce rather than run after it. Their strong senses of smell and sight help them track and attack their prey, which is sometimes much larger than the leopard. This one was stalking an adult and a baby impala who took off running so fast it was amazing!

Behind the Elephant and White Rhinoceros, the Hippopotamus is the third-largest land mammal on Earth today. Adult Hippos average anywhere from 2,870 pounds (females) to 3,310 pounds (males). But despite its massive size and short, stubby legs, this behemoth is capable of running up to 19 miles per hour over short distances. These animals have strong gray bodies with thick skin and very little hair. They mud and water to keep themselves cool in the heat due to a lack of sweat glands. They may look scary, and they are– they’re actually responsible for more annual deaths (around 2,900) than Lions, Leopards, Sharks, or snakes. But Hippos use their teeth to feed primarily on grass, and their bodies retain nutrients for long periods of time.

Originally known as the gnu, Wildebeests gained their current name from the Afrikaans language because of their wild and intimidating appearance. While it resembles a buffalo more than anything, wildebeests are actually a larger antelope species marked by their large, pointed horns. Despite their large size, wildebeests are prey for many major predators in Kenya, such as lions and hyenas. Wildebeests are herbivores, feeding on grasses and other plants. They move in fairly large herds, which can best be seen during their Great Migration north from the plains of the Serengeti to Kenya’s Maasai Mara every summer.

April 19, 2024
Another great day, cool and sunny, no wind.
Three ducklings, lots of birds.

Osprey-----Unique among North American raptors for its diet of live fish and ability to dive into water to catch them, Ospreys are common sights soaring over shorelines, patrolling waterways, and standing on their huge stick nests, white heads gleaming. These large, rangy hawks do well around humans and have rebounded in numbers following the ban on the pesticide DDT. Hunting Ospreys are a picture of concentration, diving with feet outstretched and yellow eyes sighting straight along their talons.

House Sparrow--Widespread and abundant in cities, neighborhoods and farms. Avoids dense woods. Flocks cluster in dense bushes, bustling around and chattering to one another. Males have smart black bibs, bright rufous napes, and stunningly patterned wings with brilliant buffs and browns. Underparts are pale pearly-gray. Females are plain brown with cute face and lighter eyebrow. Native to Eurasia; introduced to much of the rest of the world.-

Oyster Catcher --Common, conspicuous, and often noisy large wader (shorebird) of varied coastal habitats, especially beaches and mudflats; also nearby fields and locally inland. Winter flocks number locally in hundreds. Probes in mud and uses its bill to pry open shellfish (mainly mussels and cockles, not oysters). Distinctive, with boldly pied plumage, long bright orange-red bill, thick pinkish legs. In flight shows broad white wing stripe, white rump and tail with broad black tail tip.

Anhinga just out of the water -- Long-necked “snake bird” found in wooded swamps, marshes, and ponds. Males are black with white on wing; females similar but with brownish neck and head. Dives underwater and spears fish with dagger-like bill. Often swims with only head and neck out of water. Like cormorants, perches out in the open to spread wings and dry feathers. Similar shape to cormorants but even longer-tailed with a more sharply pointed bill. Occasionally soars.

Mallard Duck --The Mallard is a familiar sight on ponds and lakes in many parts of the world, and many people readily recognize this bird. Only the male Mallard, or drake, has the glossy green head and white collar; the female (called a hen) is streaked and mottled in shades of brown, buff, and black. Both sexes have orange legs and feet and an iridescent blue wing patch on each wing that's edged in black and white, called a speculum. These patches are particularly noticeable as a Mallard springs into flight.

Ring Necked Dove -- A small, mostly gray-brown “ringneck” dove with a gentle-looking dark eye that is not obviously surrounded by bare skin. It has a pale belly and shows broad white tips and sides to the tail in flight. It is an abundant resident in most habitats and its incessant, often-repeated three-note “work HAR-der, work HAR-der” songis a common and characteristic sound of Africa. Vinaceous Dove differs from the very similar Ring-necked Dove by having a pink crown and a distinctive, quickfire four-noted song

Blue Jay at feeder -- Familiar but stunning jay found year-round throughout most of eastern North America. Bright blue above and pale gray below with a fluffy crest. Also look for black necklace and black and white markings on the wings and tail. Pairs or small groups travel through mature deciduous or coniferous woodlands, often revealing their presence with loud, harsh “jay” calls. Frequently visits bird feeders, where it is often aggressive towards other birds.

Red-bellied Woodpecker -- Medium-sized woodpecker that is not well named; rarely is the slight red wash on the belly visible! Instead, note the black-and-white barring on the back and wings, plain buffy breast and face, and red nape. On adult males, look for the red extending onto the crown. In flight, look for the white rump. Found in forested and suburban areas, typically preferring deciduous trees. Slowly expanding its range northward. Visits feeders, especially for suet. Nests in cavities.

April 15, 2024
Awesome day, ducklings, Kingfisher!

April 14, 2024
Another great day, manatees, birds, nice day.

Oleander, some folks here in Tampa found out the hard way that this plant is poisonous! They cut branches and used the branches to roast hotdogs over a fire. Then they went to the hospital! "The stories you hear are largely true, even though the places and people differ. They follow this general plot: A family or couple are having an outdoor or afternoon picnic/barbecue. They run out of coals or skewers for their hotdogs and marshmallows, and then look around for something handy. They cut a branch off a nearby shrub and use it on the fire or to roast the hotdogs and toast the marshmallows. The couple, family or children either get sick or very sick - and even die. Oleander strikes again."

Flying overhead was the US Airforce C-17!! --The McDonnell Douglas/Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft that was developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. Wingspan: 170′ 0″ Introduced: July 14, 1993 Top speed: 590 mph Unit cost: 200,000,000–220,000,000 USD (2010) Range: 2,784 mi Weight: 282,400 lbs ..How many tanks can a C-17 carry? The jet can carry an Abrams tank, 10 up-armored Humvees, two tractor trailer trucks, or 100 paratroopers and all of their gear. The jet can land on short dirt runways in austere locations with loads up to 170,000 pounds.

April 13, 2024
Lots of birds, Anhingas and Great Blue Herons!

April 12, 2024
Another beautiful day – 65° on the way out 71° on the way back with a nice breeze.
No ducklings today, they may have been up the side creek where they are safe.
Manatees!! I paddled for a half hour with an aggregation of about 4 to 6 manatees! At times four were on the surface at one time. I think that they were mating.

April 10, 2024
The baby ducks were out, six in one brood but only one in the other.
Allan and I saw a manatee! First one in months. I saw him again up at the dam. The water was high enough that I could get to the dam over the pipe crossing the creek.
66° on the way out 75° returning. A few clouds on the way out, clear sky on return, but the wind picked up and I shipped a little water when a wave caught me, my shoulders were telling me that I did a lot of work going against that wind all the way home!
Remember all my photos are taken in a bouncing kayak, so not always perfect!! And the lighting is random, it is what it is!

April 7, 2024
Today I spent time taking out invasive species. An amazing plant that sends out a quarter inch runner as much as 100 feet along the canopy of the mangroves. It has large leaves that shade the mangroves and kills them. In addition the many runners get bigger over time and the weight breaks the branches of the mangroves. When the runners run out of canopy they go to ground where that start another plant!

Tomorrow there will be an eclipse of the moon. If you are lucky, you may see the Baily’s beads – light sneaking through valleys on the moon: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baily%27s_beads).

At its farthest point, the moon is 252,088 miles away from Earth. When the two are closest together like now, they’re 225,623 miles apart, not enough change to affect the tides, the change in tides is due to the sun.
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I went to see the last total eclipse …photos and description:
(https://herrickhomepage.com/wp/eclipse/)
You may note that it took me 24 hours to return home, watch for those long lines and backups after the event.

April 6, 2024
Another great day. Cleaned up some fish line and lures. Two sets of baby ducks out today, 6 in one clutch and 5 in the other.

April 5, 2024
We have had a few blustery days! Yesterday a storm came through – 50 mph winds, lightning and thunder shook the place, it dropped an inch of rain in a very short time and then left!
Today there was no wind at first, 65° and full sun! Beautiful. and lots of birds!

April 1, 2024
Today is “April Fool’s Day”

Until 1751, the calendar had the year end on the end of March. Historically on the first of the new year (April 1) everyone would knock on their neighbor’s door and join in the festivities “ringing in the New Year”. However, when the New Style calendar was adopted, if someone came to the neighbor’s house expecting to celebrate on April 1, they would be met with “April Fool!” instead, hence our expression.

Today was nice – warm and light winds. I decided to go gunkholing and do a clean-up of plastic bags, fishlines and such rather than go up the creek. I did find a netting with floats on either end and a fishline that had 5 hooks spaced along the line about foot apart. I thought that such a trotline was illegal, but I guess not.