Nairobi is the only city in the world with a National Park along its boundary. This is not a zoo, the animals are as wild as the ones we see out on the Maasai Mara or Amboseli Plain.
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An elephant’s hide looks tough, but in fact it is sensitive to the strong African sun and parasites like ticks. Coating themselves in dust or mud protects their skin from the intense sun and biting insects.
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There is a huge bull elephant silently enjoying a mud bath directly in front of me. I quickly slide my feet into a pair of sandals, grab my cameras, and race back to the main lodge.
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Research shows that patients who have a room with a view of nature take fewer painkillers and recover faster from surgery. If a room with a view is good for the spirit, going on safari is like a wellness retreat for the traveler.
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How many of us have tried to console a toddler’s separation anxiety? A tiny baby elephant, days, weeks old at most, stood anxiously at the edge of the road waving its tiny trunk for mom who was out of reach and up to her elbows in water!
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Nature is an unending source of delight for me. From an ostrich playing peek a boo to laughing cheetahs, there’s always something that captures my imagination and lifts me up.
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I am filled with gratitude for the comments from advance readers and pre-order purchasers of The Wisdom of Elephants. People are affirming what I believe; we care about elephants, we care about conservation, we care about books that give back for good.
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Celebrate Mother’s Day this year with a gift of The Wisdom of Elephants ! Elephants are devoted mothers – family is everything to them.
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Spring is here in Southern Ontario. The early daffodils are appearing like bright yellow spotlights highlighting the coming season. Daffodils are like a hallelujah flower chorus shouting Yes! Life! I plant a couple of hundred daffodil bulbs every fall. It’s a ritual I’ve carried out for close to 40 years.
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Happy Earth Day! I’d love to hear how you celebrate. When we lived in the country, we planted a tree each year to mark Earth Day. Our earth friendly actions impact nature, whether it’s planting insect and bird friendly perennials in the garden or making conscious choices at the grocery store, collectively our actions make a difference.
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Last week I got some exciting news. I learned the name of the adult female elephant on the book cover is Hatsy! Dr. Winnie Kiiru, who wrote the Foreword to The Wisdom of Elephants, asked researcher Dr. Cynthia Moss if she could identify the lead elephant on the cover.
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It’s decision time in my book project. Last week I uploaded 20 test pages to the printer in Calgary AB. I was thrilled to open the front door a couple of days later and find a package on my doorstep. This project is no longer living on my computer – it has entered the next dimension of publishing reality.
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The world has lost another Big Tusker. These animals represent a group of African elephants with huge tusks unique to the Amboseli and Tsavo regions of southern Kenya.
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Do you think animals can feel love? I sure do! With Valentine’s Day this week, let’s talk about love. One of my goals in photography is to make images that touch people’s hearts. Watching African wildlife’s interactions is a reminder that these animals are sentient beings who care about each other.
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My Maasai guide, Kupai, and I came across a mother elephant and her tiny newborn out on a game drive on the Maasai Mara last month. The little calf was full of personality and confidence. When we approached it flared its ears and raced towards us in a mock charge…
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The gates opened for the next feeding at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, but the orphans were nowhere in sight. The region is experiencing a devastating drought, the keepers and their young charges were forced to walk further out into the bush to find enough to eat. Finally, the first group of orphans arrived. They raced across the compound for their bottles.
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“If we do not do something to prevent it, Africa’s animals, and the places in which they live, will be lost to our world, and her children forever.” – Nelson Mandela
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Jambo (hello) dear readers! I’m in Kenya this week and next (whoot, whoot!). I’ll be back with news, stories, and images for you on Nov. 10th. If I have access to internet while I am away, I will post some photos on Instagram. Follow me @kathykarnphotography!
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“I’d love to get down low” I whispered. “If we find a good spot you can get out” Pilipili replied. Get out? My heart rate rose a few more levels. Although the bull elephants appeared peaceful and benign, at six tons Big Tusker Tim could flip our truck with one casual swing of his trunk or step on me and it would be all over.
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Last week a tiny elephant calf fell in a well in Northern Kenya. The region is currently experiencing a devastating drought. The local Samburu people dig wells for their livestock in riverbeds during the dry season. They bring their animals to drink during the day and elephants take advantage of the wells at night. Unfortunately, sometimes a calf falls in and the elephants are unable to help it out.
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