The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation

Upon arrival at Sirikoi Lodge, we were met by the manager, a friendly fifth-generation Kenyan (family originally from England) named Matt.  A young fellow, he gave us an orientation to the cottage and to the resort overall.  We immediately start

(Writer aside note: Just so you understand how magical this place is, I'm sitting on the deck blogging in the early morning.  So far I've watched two herds of elephants parade past in the savanna, the two giraffes outside our front door, and three impalas, two of whom butted horns.  The impalas circled each other, looking for a fight, but the presence of Sanjiv and I unnerved them and they didn't fight.  Beautiful birds have been flying around, squawking and calling out.)   

Back to our Monday arrival.  We went over to the majestic outside dining area for lunch and to gawk at the wildlife across the way at the water hole.  Back at the cottage, we stood on the deck and gawked at all creatures great and small.

At 4:30 we had our first game drive.  On safari you typically do two game drives each day -- one before breakfast and one before dinner until dark.  That's when the animals are most active, moving around and feeding.  

The number of wildlife we saw is jaw-dropping.  We tooled around in our Land Rover, which is a side open, canopy-topped vehicle.  I think because it was our first drive (not counting the drive from the air strip, which counts), James took us the routes that had plentiful viewing opportunities.  Sanjiv and I took photos as though we could win a prize!

The landscape is amazing.  Rolling hills, crashing valleys, oases of green trees and water, mountains in the distance.  

But enough about the drive, let's get to some photos. 

Impala on Lodge grounds near the cottage.

More reliable than a Chevy Impala.

Glossy starlings

Pumbaa!  Which, btw, is Swahili for "Idiot."

Disney does have a sense of humor.

Warthogs lift their tails in the air when

running so the young warthogs have

something to follow.

Ostrich and rhino.  It's amazing how

closely the different animals graze.

Impala and rhino.

The elephant's trunk is a fusion of its nose

and upper lip.  It's comprised of around

40,000 muscles!

Elephants can drink up to nearly four

gallons of water at a time into its trunk

and then blow the water straight

into its mouth.

Oxpecker on a cape buffalo.

Classic Africa pic.

Not Geoffrey.

Oxpeckers on a giraffe.  Love the

pattern on the reticulated giraffe.

This bird is a Kori Bustard

(yes, the spelling is correct).