Once again, we are off looking for a leopard. One was seen in the area yesterday, giving us hope.

sunrise

We came upon a large herd (dazzle) of zebras. Our guide, John, noticed that a portion of them were very focused on a group of bushes, staring at them but not getting close. John said there was a lion in there somewhere.

Sure enough, after searching through multiple bushes, we found this guy.

He went off to another area where John said there might be a lioness with cubs, so we went off after him.

He came right up to the safari trucks and even marked ours.

And what did he do? Settled himself in another area of bushes.

We didn’t find the lioness in question.

Wire-tailed swallow

Large group of wildebeest.

Playful wildebeest.

We don’t usually see sitting giraffe.

eland and zebra

Little bee-eaters

Topi: These guys have an odd color pattern with dark patches on their legs and sides.

John spent some time today telling us about himself. He is Maasai and lives in the area. He has 2 wives and 9 children. He initially was a ranger, but later changed over to being a guide, which he has done for nearly 20 years. He also worked for a while in the area guide school and says the his daughter is now working towards being a guide as well.

John setting up our breakfast.

hyenas

zebra

A couple of grey-headed kingfishers.

We then hit the jackpot with a cheetah and her 14 month old cubs. The mother’s name is Quelly, per John.

Quelly grooming.

Secretary bird

Baby baboon.

Not everyday you can get a picture of a rainbow and zebras all in one.

We found an different lion pride, 4 total, napping

We came upon a group of vultures. There were 3 different species in one place.

Lappet-faced vulture: These birds can have a wingspan up to 9.5 feet!

Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture: Also large with an 8 foot wingspan.

White-backed vulture: 7 foot wingspan here.

female waterbuck

Wooly-necked stork

Super pink ostrich: They get a deeper pink during when they are ready to mate.

We did come across our male lion again near sunset.

Still no lioness with cubs, but this was definitely a good big cat day.