Lake Nakuru

The first National Park we visited was Lake Nakuru. It is relatively small but has loads of biodiversity. It holds more than 500 different bird species and is home to the black and white rhino. Gorgeous!

Some of our sightings were:

Giraffes-a-plenty

Carmine Bee-Eater

Starlings

Lilac-Breasted Roller

We slept at a nice resort right in the park. The children could swim while Axel and I gazed out to view wild zebras, baboons, and rhinos. We also awoke to this beautiful, misty morning:

Buffalo

Even though they are everywhere, I can't get enough of photographing these creatures. They look like they are staring into your soul. Not thinking much, but piercing your inner core nonetheless.

Flamingos at the lake

We used to see these birds all the time in the UAE. Dubai has a beautiful sanctuary that we would pass at least once a week on our way to church. If you asked Sedona what her favorite animal of the trip was, the flamingo would be it. Elephant? Meh, it's grey. Not pink.

The white rhino was not actually named for the color, but was really a miscommunication between the Dutch using the word weit (wide-referring to its square lips that can cut grass so efficiently) and the natives.

Impala, usually found with one male and over 15 females. Not a bad way to work, if you ask me.

Who can resist a zebra's butt?

The restaurant at our hotel hired a baboon beater. His sole job was to periodically beat a baboon with a stick so the baboons didn't steal food.

Note the nasty Marabou Stork in the background.

I am not sure where he was when this baboon took over Heavah's chair and began eating her food. Xavier didn't flinch. He sat right beside the baboon and offered him his fries. My children are far too comfortable with monkeys. The baboon didn't seem to care that I yelled and slapped my hands to scare him away. It wasn't until the baboon beater came back with his stick that he finally scurried off. He earned his wage for the day.

Black and White Colombus

Vervet Monkey

Olive and Yellow Baboon

Next- Masai Mara. My favorite.