Kenya: Taraji Blue Photography

Awakening

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:22:43 GMT

]]>Location: Olare Orok Conservancy, Maasai Mara, Kenya

Description: The dawn of another day in Kenya's Maasai Mara

_IMG_2480

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:10:10 GMT

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I Have Seen Tomorrow

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:11:23 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Panthera leo; lion

Location: Maasai Mara, Kenya

Description: On an afternoon safari in the Maasai Mara, I spotted a lioness on the horizon. Requesting that the jeep stop to allow me to frame the shot provided a timeframe for the lioness to amble towards the vehicle. The vehicle created a rare shadow in the harsh afternoon sun, one which the lioness immediately took advantage of. Lying right by the side of the vehicle, panting, she'd cast a cursory but soulful glance towards the vehicle's occupants. Framed in the eyes of this lioness, is a reflection of the safari vehicle I occupied.

Considering my next move

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:32:39 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Acinonyx jubatus

Location: The Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Description: A somewhat casual and relaxed pose, which causes you to question what the next move of the cheetah really is? Even when resting, this cheetah was alert and ever ready to spring into action

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:13:35 GMT

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Seeking Space

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:19:09 GMT

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Focus

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:35:49 GMT

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Protected?

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:09:06 GMT

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The Charge

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:18:20 GMT

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Lioness basking

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:04:34 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Felidae Panthera leo

Location: The Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Description: Framed in the wisps of the Mara grasslands, I stumbled upon this lioness basking in the soft sunlight. Undeterred by my presence, I was able to capture the moment I saw eye to eye with an African lioness.

From Across The Pond

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:10:44 GMT

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The Dawn March Home

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:38:50 GMT

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Bateleur Landing

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:28:18 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Terathopius ecaudatus; bataleur

Location: Olare Orok Conservancy, Maasai Mara, Kenya

Description: Initially pausing to observe a lioness and her cubs, I was alerted to the presence of a bird flying overhead. Turning my camera to the sky I tracked the bird as it circled and chose to land on a near branch. Captured here, the bird looks to be leaping from branch to branch.

Vulnerable

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:23:49 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Aepyceros melampu

Location: The Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Description: A dawn hot air balloon ride offered a unique perspective on smaller African wildlife. Here I captured a male Impala, running across the grasslands. Hanging as far out of the balloon as I could, I tracked the Impala as it bounded over the grasslands.

Notes: From a hot air balloon at sunrise

Wildebeest panic

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:04:30 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Connochaetes taurinus

Location: The Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Description: Following the meandering lines of the Great Migration, I stumbled upon a river crossing. Here, hundreds of Wildebeest gathered at the riverside, hooves dug firmly into the dirt, resisting the ever increasing pressure from the driving animals at the rear of the line. As the pressure built, one brave Wildebeest took tentative steps down the riverbank...I'd watch, heart in my mouth, expecting to hear the splash of water. Time after time the panicked Wildebeest would instead retreat up the banks and flee into the encroaching masses, causing mass hysteria and confusion. The mass of Wildebeest would turn and retreat en mass. It was a dignified panic, characterised by no noise other than the thudding of hooves on the soft ground, as dust was thrown into the air. This is when I took the opportunity to take this shot.

Notes: from an open top jeep on safari in Kenya

No Way Out

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:53:30 GMT

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The roots of life

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:16:29 GMT

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Another Bite

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:44:06 GMT

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Coming In From The Wild

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:25:21 GMT

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Lift Off

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:40:14 GMT

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Wildebeest evade crocodile

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:04:38 GMT

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Crocodile feast on wildebeest

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:04:42 GMT

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Crocodile lie in wait

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:12:27 GMT

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Yes, I am

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:54:44 GMT

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Hugs

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:45:01 GMT

]]>Two young male lions snuggle up close as they doze off under a tree in the Maasai Mara, Kenya.

My Forest

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:01:31 GMT

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The Land Conceals All

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:49:11 GMT

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Pachyderm Triptych

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:13:44 GMT

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Tusk against thorn

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:20:25 GMT

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Nubian Woodpecker

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:48:18 GMT

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Prowl

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:50:07 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Felidae Panthera leo

Location: The Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Description: I'd spent the night wild camping in the Maasai Mara, nestled deep in a valley and surrounded on three sides by hills, I'd had a fitful but eventful night's sleep, lulled asleep by the sounds of animals snuffling around my tiny dome tent. I awoke to a crisp but clear dawn, aiming to warm myself by a fire. Slumped fireside with a warming mug of tea, my attention turned to a silhouette moving high on the hillside. Grabbing my camera for a closer look, the silhouette turned out to be a lioness returning from her evening hunt. She plodded slowly but surely around the perimeter of the hills surrounding the camp, allowing me the time and luxury to frame a silhouetted shot of her as she ambled by, high on the hills above.

Notes: Hand-held, using a camping chair as a tripod.

Come Back Soon

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:52:08 GMT

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On The Hunt

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:53:53 GMT

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After The Game

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:00:27 GMT

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Intention

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:00:37 GMT

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Lone Dik Dik

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:04:03 GMT

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This Memory

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:10:49 GMT

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Nothing Yet

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:14:47 GMT

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Dialogue

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:18:31 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Panthera pardus

Location: The Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Description: Several trips to Africa previously had not rewarded me with any true sightings of the beautiful leopard. This trip I was determined would be different. A vigil each dusk often returned no results. Determined that my patience would be rewarded, I joined a group on a four hour 'stakeout' to capture a glimpse of this most elusive creature. Scanning undergrowth and craning necks towards the branches of leopard friendly trees, we saw nothing. Nothing! Then we turned a corner on our route homeward and there she was, seemingly waiting for us. Watching. Motionless. I stole this opportunity to make a lifelong dream come true and capture the moment I had always dreamed of - me..eye to eye with a leopard.

Leopard in shade at dusk

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:22:35 GMT

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Generating Lift

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:10:39 GMT

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Arcs

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:10:57 GMT

]]>The sun rises into a cloudy day, floating over cattle farms in the Maasai Mara in a hot air balloon.

Traces Of Life

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:10:39 GMT

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Lilac Breaster Roller

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:40:15 GMT

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Sea Of Tranquility

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:30:52 GMT

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As It Used To Be

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:24:32 GMT

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The Hunt - First Strike

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:57:54 GMT

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The Hunt - Brave Fight

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:59:00 GMT

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The Hunt - Foregone Conclusion

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:01:24 GMT

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The Hunt - Postscript

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:55:51 GMT

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Bateleur Down

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:28:39 GMT

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The Meal

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:28:45 GMT

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Two Against One

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:30:36 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Crocuta crocuta and Canis mesomelas

Location: The Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Description: I watched the hyenas patiently wait for a lion to abandon the carcass. Watching from the sidelines they giggled and frolicked in anticipation. As the lion left they swooped in to grab the carcass, only to be met by a jackal, who also had his eye on the prize. The stand-off was short lived as the jackal quickly and physically conceded defeat.

In This Circle

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:32:11 GMT

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_IMG_3869

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:30:41 GMT

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_IMG_3961

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:38:04 GMT

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No Entrance

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:38:12 GMT

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To See Inside

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:39:11 GMT

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The Baby Orphans Return

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:44:24 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Loxodonta africana

Location: The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Nairobi, Kenya

Description: We have a duty of care to this planet and all things within it.
One we ignore.
One we exploit.
One we take for granted.

Humans can be callus. Mean. Unthoughtful and soulless. We take and don't give back. We disregard and distrust. We overpower and threaten that which we don't understand. We destroy what we fail to see.

Size becomes no object and giants become vulnerable to our greed. We make boundaries where previously none existed. We take what is not rightfully ours and use it for material gains. We'll kill to commercialise and will divert the course of nature to suit our habitats and families. We'll do all of this to a species who cannot protect itself from our weapons. A species that cannot understand a failure to love. A species that we cannot explain our actions too. One that trusts us yet never forgets our actions. One which we create create endless orphans for.

Feeding Time - SMA Gold Milk Formula

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:43:20 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Loxodonta africana

Location: The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Nairobi, Kenya

Description: I witnessed bonds between human and elephant that brought healing to these vulnerable giants, that helped to ease their pain and which taught them to trust again. I witnessed a great patience from both animal and keeper. We observed a relationship which grew in the face of adversity and was strong enough to encourage the orphans to start interacting with human strangers

Not Alone

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:48:22 GMT

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Security

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:49:28 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Loxodonta africana

Location: The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Nairobi, Kenya

Description: Elephants are one of nature’s greatest, but most gentle giants. As humans we show an incredible lack of respect to these great mammals, failing to recognise their majesty and grace. Poachers, drought and man-made boundaries are threatening the lives of these amazing creatures.

It’s heartbreaking to think how some people can stand in front of these giants, stare past the long beautiful eyelashes into their tiny glassy eyes and think of them nothing more than a trophy that’s there for the taking.

Through trips to Kenya, I’ve had the incredible experience of spending time with elephants both in the wild and at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Nairobi orphanage. It’s impossible for your heart not to break as your orphaned elephant grabs your finger with his trunk and looks into your eyes with a trust he’s only just beginning to understand. You cannot fail to shed a tear as you witness a new orphan being brought into the orphanage, scared, shaking and crying.

A sneaky treat

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:50:52 GMT

]]>Scientific name: Loxodonta africana

Location: The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Nairobi, Kenya

Freedom Through A Cage

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:51:16 GMT

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You Are Different

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:54:21 GMT

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Hippo encourages crocodile to keep distance

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:09:22 GMT

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info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:37:51 GMT

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Above The Treetops (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:41:07 GMT

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Play (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:41:10 GMT

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Sullen (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:41:09 GMT

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Tusk against thorn (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:41:08 GMT

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Hello. (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:42:13 GMT

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Herd (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:42:34 GMT

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In My Own Space (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:42:34 GMT

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Protected? (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:42:29 GMT

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Travail (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:43:12 GMT

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Forward As One (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:42:54 GMT

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Bateleur Landing (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:44:43 GMT

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Mother (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:45:12 GMT

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The Hunt - Foregone Conclusion (monochrome)

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 23:44:07 GMT

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The Bank

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:46:17 GMT

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Tranquility

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:47:43 GMT

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No Pain

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:48:39 GMT

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The Lost Parade

info@tarajiblue.com (Taraji Blue Photography) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:51:17 GMT

]]>A herd of elephant disappear amongst the tall trees and vast skies in the Tsavo National Park, Kenya.