Heading North in Akagera Park

Leaving the Lodge at 7:00 am... All the baboons were still right outside the gate.

Look at this one walking on his hind legs...right ahead of us. 

We watched him walk a long ways...

Then we discovered why he was walking on his hind legs.
.... He was a Barney Boy!
He only had 3 legs and I guess he figured out this was easier.
At least no one jumped in the car this morning.

We stopped at the entrance to pick up Denise, our guide and
Chris and Ada cleaned off the back windows so i could see out.
Ada said.. take my picture and see if it works..
It did.

Right after we left....

This little Vervet was along the road sniffing the flowers.

 "What?   Are you taking my picture?"

 The Malibu storks were down out of the trees today as we headed north
up through the park.  From this time for about 1 1/2 hours we didn't see
any animals... just a few birds.. It was a "long and winding" road.
Not to mention BUMPY!

The grasses were halfway up on the side of the car.
Almost whimsical.

And the sun on the next lake was gorgeous.

Denise took us down this side road closer to the lake to see if we
could find any ELEPHANTS!!!!   Nope, none in sight.

There was an eagle, though... 
Can you see its nest underneath it?

 A huge area looked like this... and we were SURE we'd see elephants here.. but soon... Denise took us to ... the first hippo spot!

"DID YOU WANT SOMETHING?"

 There were all quite happy in the sun...  Chris jumped out of the car to see them
and Denise quickly followed her to keep her from being charged.  Both of
them left their doors open and in seconds the car was full of those flies
that bite.  What a time we had getting Chris back into the car and the
flies out!  The joys of a safari!!

Then, looking a little to the right side of the car
we saw this guy in the sunshine!

By now, we have woken the hippos and
they put on quite a show for us.

First some going out for a swim.

Some just sitting up like dogs on their hind quarters...
 I love this hippo. 

 Next to the hippos was this pretty sight.  

 An egret.... I believe in the swamp hyacinth.

My favorite hippo was looking out at the lake "pond"ering
whether he should take a dip...

And then just looked back like "NO, I have this modeling job to do first."

They really let us take some great shots.

 But this one captures the meaing of sticking your neck out! 
The poor plight of this little baby... stuck between the huge mamas!
What would you have done?

The crocodile thought the whole thing hilarious... HA! 

Modeling session over... it is time to go!

These two African Fish Eagles had been watching us the whole time.

 More beauty along the way..... Well....

                                             Beauty and the Beasts!

Check out his tail sticking straight up... only when they run, usually! 

A baby antelope with mommy above her.

Coming into the hyacinth areas...

Just a little mud on the window by now.... ( in the sky). Too bad!

Here they are close up... Can you smell them? 

Then a few more yards and these two baby 
Grey Crowned Cranes were right alongside the car.

with their parents...

Just out for a stroll!

One big happy family! 

 Mr. Waterbuck giving us the eye!

And then we had this show....

 OK, I'm done..

No!  Changed my mind!

OH.. that feels so good... but I can't quite get it! 

This is an experiment.  Will someone let me know if this works for you?

These little warthogs are SO cute when they run... I hope you can see it.

The file is probably too big... but if it works.. yippee!

At this point it is just a little past noon!  We have stopped to have our lunch

at the lake and we are heading on--hoping to see some bigger game..  But still no 

elephants...  Not even many giraffe and zebra like usual here... 

The next part of the ride is long, hot, bumpy and full of flies...

But I split this day in two... because it turned out so long! 

Love,

margie