Tarangire (Day 3 - travel day)

July 9, 2018

     Upload delayed due to internet access issues.

     A very light day today.  This morning started with a drive out of the park - we did see a few animals we had not seen before: a couple of birds, and a trio of cheetahs.  The rest of the day was a drive to the Kilimanjaro International Airport, and a flight to Nairobi
     Mid-drive, we did stop in Arusha at a large art gallery to stretch our legs and to get some food.  It was nice, but we were anxious to get to the airport and the infinite and slow lines (the automatic ticket machine at the entrance gate kept jamming up; we were directed to the wrong line; at the right line, we waited for 15 minutes before they took the first person, and we were 5th in line [another 15 minutes]; back at the visa line, there was confusion because the paperwork was half-done).
     We arrived at the hotel at 9PM with a planned morning adventure at 7:30AM.

Anyway, some parting pictures from the Reserve:

As we were leaving our lodge, these guys were on the grounds.  They are not pets.

Later on the road, a mom and baby came up the ridge.  The baby (below) saw his favorite sister/aunt and sprinted to be with her. 

If auntie can scratch her trunk on the tree, so can baby.

Vervet monkey on a tree.

A new bird to us - a red-necked spar fowl.  Photo taken mid-crow.

A banded mongoose.  As we approached, there were about 50 - they all ran into their lair before I could snap a photo - except for this one.  I got the snap just before it also dove into the brush.

About a mile from the exit, thee cheetah on the plain (third is barely visible half-way between the other two).

 After a bit, they approached for a bit of a closer shot, though not all three were visible.  Two are lying in the brush.  When they are not standing/sitting, they disappear.

 Just before exiting the park, we came across many vultures and Maribou storks at a zebra carcass.  At the point we arrived, all that was left was the head and the skeleton.  I am guessing it is not entirely a coincidence that the dead zebra was right next to the road.  Probably a big fine, though by end of day, and the hyena chew through the bones, there won't be any evidence remaining.  Natures vacuum in West Africa is efficient.

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