#central african rock python

[sitting-on-me-bum]

Central African rock python (up to 16.5 feet)

Central African rock pythons are Africa's largest snake, reaching lengths of 16.5 feet.

(Image credit: Michele D'Amico/Getty Images)

[firelord-frowny]

today's open wikipedia tabs are...

-Blair Witch (film) -Bungarus -Michael Bruce Ross -Central African Rock Python -Paenungulata -Denisovan -Pythonidae -Micha Sloat -Struthiomimus -Golden Poison Frog -Barred Spiral Galaxy -Dinornis -Perissodactyla -Vulcan Nerve Pinch

[puzzled-pegasus]

"DudE." Pythons and crocodiles DO coexist naturally. Many species. In many parts of the world. For example, the central African rock python and the Nile crocodile.

Penguins and polar bears do not coexist at all. Even if crocodiles and pythons didn't coexist naturally, that would be an example of the point I was making--how Wings of Fire habitats don't make sense in terms of the animals that are thrown together that actually live in wildly different parts of the world. You read the one example I gave to make a point and were like, "well these two animals that don't make sense together also are thrown together, so you're wrong!"

To give more examples, so you understand I was making a point: Ostrich and Rattlesnake, or hippos living in pyrrhia and other savannah creatures living in Pantala, or even jaguars existing on the same continent as aforementioned savannah animals when in our world they live across the ocean from them.

I love wof but heres some annoying technical things I despise about it

The scaling of Pyrrhia is nuts. You're telling me they flew across the ENTIRE world in a few weeks?? Like bro. And Pantala is basically an island, not even a continent with how much space the damn Hives take up.

Also the populations? There should be MILLIONS of dragons but naw, just a few hundred of each tribe. What? I mean I guess the war and whatnot but like?? They're the dominant species of the world??? Can't tell me that RainWings are the largest tribe when SandWing have all that space too and SeaWings have the entire ocean, but naw RainWings. SandWings I can understand cause so many of them were killed but SeaWings aren't more populated??? SeaWings?????

The scaling of dragon to scavengers is completely inconsistent and drives me nuts. Are they the size of a mouse? A cat? A monkey? How do they compare to other animals??

SeaWings "turning on" their night vision. Girl how do you think eyes work?

SkyWings being red and orange instead of sky colors. I mean I guess if it was like males that were bright and females were more bluish gray, sure, but it seems weird they'd need to stand out so much. Though I suppose if you even see one it's too late cause they're so fast.

Surely dragons must have better senses of smell? It's not talked about much at all.

OH MY GOD THE TWO THOUSAND YEAR GAP WHERE DRAGONS ALL LOOK AND TALK EXACTLY THE SAME AS THEY DID. DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG TWO THOUSAND YEARS IS. TWO *HUNDRED* YEARS AGO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WAS WILDLY DIFFERENT. 2000 YEARS AGO, CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG BUT ENGLISH DIDN'T EVEN EXIST

Language evolution is a thing, Tui, especially over Two Thousand Years. Do you know how cool it would have been for Darkstalker to at least have an accent or speak Olde English but nooo. In the actual book Darkstalker, I understand; as making them speak a weird old language for the entire book would be exhausting and meaning is better interpreted if the language makes sense. But like? When he's talking to dragons 2000 years later? Some contrast would have been cool. Like every thirty seconds he says some weird extinct word out of habit and everyone is like ??

How come in 3000 years one species of dragon evolved into 10 tribes but 2000 years didn't even give them any new inventions or language changes. Ain't no way. Also there's no explanation of how or why they evolved that fast and adapted all their wildly different traits. A dragon tribe family tree would be so cool.

Not an unusual opinion but erasing animus magic. I had PLANS! Come on!

Why do IceWings have spikes? Why?

Also why are there IceWings named Penguin and also ones named Polar Bear. Penguins live in the SOUTH POLE. If this planet does not have a SOUTH POLE, there should be no PENGUINS. If it DOES have a SOUTH POLE, we need to MEET the SOUTHERN ICEWINGS.

Various other animal and habitat glitches: animals that live nowhere each other being used for names in the same tribe.

SEASONS???? SUMMER AUTUMN WINTER SPRING?? I'M SEEING THE NAME WINTER BUT I'M NOT SEEING A FKING WINTER?? RAINWING DRY SEASON WET SEASON?? SANDWING SEASON OF STORMS?? AUTUMN LEAVES? LIGHT SEASON AND DARK SEASON WAY UP NORTH WITH THE ICEWINGS?? HOLIDAYS IN THE DARK SEASON TO CHEER THEM UP?

Why do IceWings all have blue eyes if their blood is blue? Are they all albino? Has Tui ever heard of snow shine?? These poor dragons should all have eye damage cause their poor unpigmented eyes don't protect them from the snowshine burning their retinas

Why don't MudWings have fins or webbed talons? They don't need gills but they are semi aquatic so?

Every time it mentions HiveWings flapping their wings instead of buzzing I lose a week off my life expectancy

[draconesmundi]

So the african cryptids were removed, but do you have the art/entries for them saved somewhere? It’d be interesting to see, and might work as a sort of “sneak peak” without revealing any actual book content

Art and bio entry were done on paper, but I do have the mythology entry recycled into the makara/grootslang chapter (as this animal has a range covering South Asia, West Asia and Africa) and it looks a little like this:

Cryptozoology in the Congo Basin:

The Congo Basin in Central Africa contains one of the largest areas of undisturbed rainforest in the world. It is home to both pygmy civilisations and tribes from the Bantu language groups. Europeans will often use the Congo rainforest as an imagined home for all sorts of monsters; the pseudoscience of cryptozoology (the study of ‘hidden animals’) places many terrifying reptiles in this area.

Many of these imagined creatures, or ‘cryptids’ have features of both elephants and reptiles, and therefore may be inspired by the makara, who has been known to live in that part of Africa.

The most famous of these cryptids is mokele-mbembe – a cryptid loosely based on local words of the Bangala people. The cryptid was first reported by Carl Hagenbeck in 1909 as a mysterious ‘half elephant half dragon’. In 1913  Ludwig Freiherr von Stein was the first to report the name Mokele Mbembe, and added that it was brownish grey in colour, the size of an elephant, a long neck, a single long tooth or horn. The animal was known to attack boats but leave its victims dead and uneaten. Since 1913 there have been 12 more expeditions into the Likouala swamp region specifically in search of the Mokele-Mbembe, with results ranging from rare sightings to just broken twigs.

German adventurer Lt Paul Gratz in 1911 reported a crocodile-like creature with scale-less skin and clawed toes in Lake Bangweulu, and named it Nsanga.

Alfred Aloysious Smith’s 1927 memoir about exploring the Congo mentions the discovery of a giant pan-sized footprint with three claws – he named the owner of this footprint Amali. He also mentions the Jago-Nini or ‘giant diver’, who was known to emerge from the water to eat people.

While many of these monsters can silently sneak up on people, the Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu is known for its loud ‘mbielu’ call, and is named for it. Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu is a large reptile with ‘planks’ or wedge-shaped plates coming out of its back in the Likouala region of the Republic of Congo, reported by the people living in the villages of Bounila and Ebolo.

Another creature, the Nguma-monene was sighted near the Dongu-Mataba river, with a low slung belly, and triangular dorsal plates similar in appearance but smaller than those found on the Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu; another large and dangerous reptilian animal first sighted by a European but barely mentioned in local mythology, reported by Joseph Ellis in 1961 and in 1971.

The Emela-ntouka (or ‘killer of elephants’, also called Aseka-moke or Ngamba-namae) is a large brown animal possessing a single horn or tusk, lacking dorsal plates or ridges (a common feature in many Congo lake monsters) and has the overall appearance of a reptilian rhinoceros with elephant ears. One of the earliest descriptions of this animal was in 1954 by Lucien Blancou – a game inspector for Likouala game reserve. Two expeditions were made in 1980 and 1981 by Dr Roy P Mackal.

The Badigui or Ngakoula-ngou is described as giant snakelike animal, while the Chipekwe is a giant lizard that preys on hippos, elephants and rhinos. The Irizima, said to live in Lake Edward, is black, larger than a hippopotamus, horned, and breathes so heavily it can cause large waves in the water.

All these creatures are reptilian, some are serpentine, and many have the ears of an elephant, suggesting there is some connection with them and the makara. The only other large reptiles in the Congo Basin are the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), the West African slender snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus), the African rock python (Python sebae), none of which are so monstrously huge that they could tackle rhinos and elephants.

Some notes

As this was lifted from a list of notes I have on world mythology, the prose in itself is almost list-like. I know a few people who are better at sentence structure than I am, and will get notes from them in the next edit.

Also the ‘makara’ is a creature from Indian mythology. I have a dragon with elephantine features (which are always changing, so I’m not posting the biology bio yet until I have this down to a point!) and I am using the ‘elephant dragon’ chapter to talk about the Makara in Indian mythology, the Grootslang in South African and sometimes Benin mythology, a brief overview of cryptids in the Congo and some links to ‘Mesopotamian Chaos Serpents’ - these are huge aquatic serpents with vast ranges, and therefore dwell in a variety of locations. In my 2020 rewrite I might make the Indian, West Asian and African ‘elephant faced dragons’ into different species or subspecies, or I will keep them all as one very diverse species. Who knows?

Sharing My Work

Obviously I need to share more stuff, but for things with complete bios AND complete images, I need to go back to 2017, or I would need to show current works in progress - the former option shows outdated words and art, the latter option shows things which are in constant change.

When I complete a full 2020 rewrite of a chapter, should I put the 2018 version of the chapter somewhere on my blog for easy access? I was planning to have a gallery of 2017 artworks and maybe the 2018 artworks as well if I replace them all with new art, but would art+writing be appreciated?

[sojournsafaris-blog]

Places to Have the Best Adventure in Kenya

Kenya - the name is practically synonymous with "safari." Perhaps no other spot on the planet summons such a spirit of experience and sentiment. The decent variety of activities astonishes all who visit and review the nation's plenteous natural life beat the rundown. Being part of adventure tours in Kenya of reputed tour operators see crowds of wildebeest roaring over the savanna during the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara; come eye-to-eye with an elephant in Amboseli; or wonder about Lake Nakuru, spotted with a huge number of flamingos. In these sun-doused lands, antiquated tribes, for example, the Maasai, Kikuyu, and Samburu, hold their customary traditions, living in relative amicability with the common world.

Past the world-renowned safari parks lies a trove of beachfront treasures. You can snorkel and dive fish-rich coral reefs, unwind on silvery shorelines, experience the blend of societies and foods in Mombasa and Malindi, and explore tropical islands saturated with Swahili history.

Geographically, Kenya is staggering. Encompassed by calderas and mountain ranges, the Great Rift Valley separates the nation. Toward the east of this broad valley, you can climb the snow-shrouded tropical pinnacles of Mount Kenya and fish for trout in perfectly clear streams. Hell's Gate National Park harbors obsidian caves and murmurs with normal fountains and natural aquifers. To encounter the sentiment of Kenya's vivid colonial history caught in the film Out of Africa, head to Nairobi. This clamoring capital is the door to one of the world's most reminiscent and energizing travel goals.

Maasai Mara National Reserve Maasai Mara National Reserve likewise called "Masai Mara" is one of the world's most eminent game reserves. Flanking Tanzania, the Mara is the northern expansion of the Serengeti and structures an untamed life passageway between the two nations. The name is after the statuesque, red-shrouded Maasai individuals who live in the recreation center and graze their creatures here as they have accomplished for quite a long time. In their language, Mara signifies "mottled," maybe a reference to the play of light and shadow from the acacia trees and cloud-studded skies on the vast prairies.

The recreation center is popular for the Great Migration, when a large number of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson's gazelle travel to and from the Serengeti, from July through October. In the Mara River, crowds of hippos and crocodiles hide. The recreation center is likewise known for giving fantastic predator sightings, because of its enormous populaces of lion, cheetah, and panther - particularly in the dry a very long time from December through February. Because of the recreation center's height, the climate here is mellow and delicate all year. The adventure tours in Kenya give you the best opportunities to enjoy and experience this amazing natural feature.

Amboseli National Reserve Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's most astounding pinnacle, Amboseli National Reserve is one of Kenya's most prevalent visitor parks. The name "Amboseli" originates from a Maasai word signifying "salty dust," an adept depiction for the recreation center's dry conditions. The reserve is probably the best place in Africa to see huge groups of elephants very close. Another natural life normally seen in the recreation center incorporates huge cats, for example, lion and cheetah, just as giraffe, impala, eland, waterbuck, gazelle, and in excess of 600 types of birds. Nature sweethearts can explore five unique territories here, going from the evaporated bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulfur springs, savannah, and forests. Search for the nearby Maasai individuals who live in the zone around the recreation center.

Tsavo National Park Kenya's biggest park, Tsavo, is in two parts: Tsavo West and Tsavo East. Together these parks include four percent of the nation's all-out zone and incorporate waterways, cascades, savannah, volcanic slopes, a gigantic igneous rock level, and a great assorted variety of untamed life. Halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa, Tsavo East is a place for photographing commendable sightings of huge elephant crowds rolling and washing in red dust. The palm-bordered Galana River winds through the recreation center giving astounding game view and a rich contradiction to the parched fields. Different features here incorporate the Yatta Plateau, the world's longest magma stream; Mudanda Rock; and the Lugard Falls, which spill into rapids and crocodile-filled pools.

Tsavo West is wetter and geologically progressively shifted, with probably the most delightful view in the northern ranges of the recreation center. Features here are Mzima Springs, a progression of characteristic springs with enormous populaces of hippos and crocodiles; Chaimu Crater, an incredible spot for seeing birds of prey; and Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. Untamed life is not as simple to see in Tsavo West due to the dense vegetation, yet the wonderful landscape compensates all.

Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba National Reserves On the banks of the palm-lined Ewaso Nyiro River, Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba Reserves lie in a dry locale in the remote north of Kenya. Shaba National Reserve is one of two zones where George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the lioness, put on the map in the film Born Free. The untamed life in each of the three stores relies upon the waters of the waterway to endure, and numerous species are uncommonly adjusted to the dry conditions, for example, Grevy's zebras; Somali ostriches; and gerenuks, the long-necked antelope that remain on two back legs to arrive at the crisp shoots on upper tree appendages.

A top fascination in Samburu National Reserve is the Sarara Singing Wells, nearby watering gaps where Samburu warriors sing customary tunes while pulling water for their cows to drink. You may likewise be compensated with sightings of enormous felines and wild hounds.

Lake Nakuru National Park Lake Nakuru National Park, in Central Kenya, is renowned for its immense herds of pink flamingos. The feathered creatures crowd on Lake Nakuru itself, one of the Rift Valley lakes that include very nearly 33% of the recreation center's region. The recreation center was set up in 1961, and in excess of 450 types of birds have been recorded here, just as a rich decent variety of other untamed life. Lions, panthers, warthogs, waterbucks, pythons, and white rhinos are only a portion of the creatures you may see, and the scenes run from clearing prairies flanking the lake to rough bluffs and forest.

The recreation center likewise secures the biggest euphorbia candelabrum backwoods in Africa. These tall, expanding succulents are endemic to the area and give an intriguing textural component to the parched scenes.

Lake Naivasha A shelter for birders, Lake Naivasha lies at the highest point of the Great Rift Valley and has been known to recoil extensively in the midst of outrageous dry spell. A prospering floriculture industry in the region is likewise affecting water levels and quality. Perhaps the ideal approaches to see a natural life is by vessel. You can spot in excess of 400 types here, including African fish falcons. Hippos slosh in the water, and giraffes, zebra, bison, and eland touch around the edges of the lake. Keep a watch out for Colobus monkeys in the coverings, as well.

Close Lake Naivasha, the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary includes an untamed life rich nature trail. Only south of Lake Naivasha, the moderately reasonable Hell's Gate National Park ensures a wide assortment of natural life and offers brilliant climbing openings with two wiped out volcanoes and the red precipices of Hell's Gate Gorge. On the southern shore of Lake Naivasha, you can fly in for some tea at the Elsamere Conservation Center, the previous home of the late Joy Adamson, creator of Born Free and her better half George.

Mount Kenya National Park In the Central Highlands, east of the Great Rift Valley, Mount Kenya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site including the nation's namesake most noteworthy mountain at 5,199 meters and giving the uncommon sight of the tropical day off. Shaped by a progression of volcanic emissions, Mount Kenya has three ice sheet shrouded crests. The most astounding is Batian, in spite of the fact that Nelion, the following most astounding, is a harder trip. The most reduced pinnacle, Lenana, is the least demanding trip, albeit erratic climate can posture difficulties.

View changes from icy masses, lakes, and mineral springs to high woodland and thick pockets of bamboo. The assorted variety of greenery gives compensating chances to adventure. Among the natural life here, you may spot Colobus monkeys, bison, elephant, tree hyrax, panther, and hyena.

In order to have the best adventure tours in Kenya, it is wise to contact Sojourn Safaris. They have years of experience and knowledge to organize the best adventure safaris and enable you to explore untamed Kenya while you have perfect comfort and safety. Call or whatsapp at (+254) 722 661 827 to speak to their safari specialists.

[cyanocoraxx]

natural history of the ball python

the humble ball python has been a troublesome captive as early as the 1990s. in the year 1997, it’s reported that around 94,000 individuals were imported to the united states alone, constituting 5.5% of imports for that year. now, despite being bred extensively in captivity, they retain many natural traits that go on to affect how they are kept, their feeding behaviour and general needs. to understand these factors, it’s important to look into the lives of wild bps.

native range

ball pythons occur across sub-saharan west and central africa, notably in ghana. the majority of ball pythons exported to the pet trade originate from togo, benin and ghana, with togo and benin becoming the more popular export sites. where they are often ranched rather than wild-caught. in addition to the aforementioned countries, the species has been recorded in guinea, sierra leone, liberia, ivory coast, burkina faso, nigeria, cameroon, niger and chad.

habitat types

ball pythons are found in a wide variety of habitats in their native range. journals cite that ball pythons have also been discovered in lowland rainforests, edges of tropical forests (consistently 25-26°C), savannas (consistently 20-30°C), sparsely wooded plains, fallow land, the forest-savanna mosaic and in agricultural land. the clearance of forests is encouraging these snakes onto farmland, where they appear to be thriving on the pest rodents that frequent them. now, ball pythons play an important role in pest control and some farmers appreciate their presence, though many still persecute them out of fear; this persecution however doesn’t appear to be affecting the population as a whole. in ghana, the savannas are home to many yellow-orange ball pythons, and across their native range, albino and pied specimens have been encountered.

where they're found

ball pythons have been found in a variety of places; journals report finding these snakes under rocks, under trees when digesting a meal, in trees, in cassava patches, in bush close to water, on the outskirts of villages, inside termite mounds, inside hollow logs, inside tree hollows and even in piles of trash. termite mounds are ideal incubators for a python's eggs - humidity inside a mound can reach 100% without being wet. this is a huge contrast when compared to the surrounding savannahs, which remain starkly dry and hot for extended periods of time. interestingly, males display more semi-arboreal behaviours than females, especially at night when they are most active.

natural prey species

in their native habitats, ball pythons would encounter a range of prey species not commonly available as feeders. african giant rats, spotted grass mice, pygmy mice, jerboas, jirds, gerbils and multimammate rats are found in west africa. when a ball python fasts for extended periods of time, many keepers recommend offering a gerbil due to the instinctive response to them. in addition to rodents, wild ball pythons will take ground-nesting birds and lizards. wild-caught ball pythons are often troublesome to feed in captivity as they don’t readily habituate to the commercially-available rodents we offer them.

[southrift-galaxy-safaris-blog]

Nakuru, an idyllic place

Nakuru... As you approach the Great Rift Valley from Nairobi, the scenery changes and you are thrust into a world of idyllic vistas. Nakuru simply means “Dust or Dusty place”. Don’t let the word fool you because you will be amazed at the brilliant sites the place has to offer. Nakuru and the regions around are endowed with cosmic resources that attract both domestic and foreign tourists and has ideal view points such as; Lion hills, Baboon cliff, and Out of Africa hills, others include Enasoit hill, Honeymoon, Lion hill ridge, waterfalls-Masalia, and very unique vegetation. Rift Valley views The economy of Nakuru depends mainly on agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Tourism is the most important economic activity in Nakuru.  Here are the major tourist attractions;  LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK 140km northwest of Nairobi, the park lies in Central Kenya in Nakuru district of the Rift Valley Province. The alkaline lake has a crusty shoreline, surrounded with wooded and bushy grasslands. Famous for its flamingos (Greater and Lesser) that turns the shoreline crimson including 450 species of birds. There are also a variety of other animals like the endangered white rhino, giraffes, python snakes, leopards, lions, black rhinos Lake Nakuru Activities Game drives, Bird watching, Camping, Boat rides  Major attractions Flamingo (Greater and Lesser), Great white pelicans and other water birds including a variety of terrestrial birds numbering about 450 species. Different species of animals including black rhinos, white rhinos, lions. View-points: Lion hill, Baboon cliff and Out of Africa.. Hills: Enasoit, Honeymoon, Lion hill ridge. Waterfalls: Makalia. About 550 different plant species including the largest euphorbia forest in Africa; yellow acacia woodlands. Cycle with Rhino fund raising event every September. MENENGAI CRATER Located eight kilometres from Nyahururu – Nakuru main road, Menengai Crater, a dormant volcano is the second largest crater in the world and plunges 483 metres from the rim. The volcano was formed about 200,000 years ago. The 12 x 8 km caldera formed 8000 years ago. Menengai is one of the best-preserved calderas in the world. The crater floor is ideal for hiking. The summit is accessible by foot or vehicle. There is geo—thermal prospecting in the crater for energy. Menengai Crater  Attractions Crater walk, Few places in Kenya to see the South African National flower, the Protea growing wild Bird watching Lord Egerton Castle Lord Maurice Egerton built the castle hoping that the woman he fell in love with would agree to live in it, but she turned his proposal down and broke his heart.  She had turned down his first offer to stay in his first six-bedroom house calling it a chicken coop and when he built the castle, she did not accept his proposal either. The castle is located about 12km from Nakuru Town. The castles’ design is beautiful both in and out. It sits on beautifully landscaped land. It is one of the places to visit in Nakuru County for a taste of aristocratic lifestyle of the last century. Lord Egerton Castle Ol Donyo Eburru Ol Donyo Eburru is the highest peak of Mount Eburru. This attraction is part of the Eburru ecosystem, which spreads over Nakuru County. Eburru Forest has a variety of flora and fauna species. Indigenous trees weave a maze offering shade and habitat to the hundreds of birds. Other wildlife animals to see are giraffes, bushbucks, gazelles, waterbucks, monkeys, buffalos, bongos, baboons and leopards.     Kigio Wildlife Conservancy This community owned conservancy is in Gilgil. It has about 3,500 wildlife animals that include buffalos, elands, waterbucks, leopards, Rothschild giraffes, hyenas and hippos. Makalia River and Falls The Makalia River rises in the south-west of the Mau Forest, and is a key source of water for Lake Nakuru. It is one of three major rivers, along with the Njoro and the Enderit, which also originate in the Mau Forest complex and drain into the lake, together with treated water from the town’s sewage works and the outflow from several springs along the shore. The falls area is usually a scenic site where the roar of rushing water provides a background to birdsong and the occasional impala grunt or baboon bark. When dry, as now, it is eerily quiet, and provokes the question: how much damage has been done to the Mau ecosystem (through uncontrolled deforestation) to cause the drying up of this (and other) once perennial rivers?   Makalia Falls and river Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site The famous Leakey family discovered this Neolithic site in 1927, and excavations began in 1937 to reveal fossils dating back to 1500 B.C. They found tombs, human settlements and skeletons of 19 bodies. These and other fossils are preserved in the Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site and Museum. Hyrax Hill   Kariandusi Pre-historic Site The Leakeys discovered this site in 1928. The fossils excavated hand axes of the Stone Age period, a molar of an elephant with a straight tusk, algae skeletons and knives. This attraction is a short distance from the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway in Gilgil. Kariandusi Pre-Historic site Olkaria Hot Spa Olkaria Hot Spa is adjacent to Hell’s Gate National Park. After a safari in the park, walk into the spa for another round of thrilling fun. This spa has naturally heated water, cooled to a temperate fit for human skin. The large outdoor spa attracts dozens of adventure seekers daily. Baboon Cliff. The Baboon cliff and its lookout point offer finest view across the lake and over the shimmering fringe of pink around the lake's white shores. There is a nature trail of 100 meters long which winds its way along the cliff. Picnic tables and lavatories are available. You may spot rock hyrax at the top of the cliff near the picnic site and baboons in small trees hanging over the cliff and awaiting for food. The Baboon cliff is covered by euphorbia, acacia and olive trees. Out of Africa Hill and Lion Hill In the southern part of the the park, the Out of Africa hills have spectacular views along the edge of the towering black Baboon cliff and it is the greatest sundowner spot of the park, specially for people staying at the nearby Naishi house. Note that the hills offer no facilities. The Lion Hill is located at the eastern part of the park and the hill is fully covered by strange cactus-like trees, the Euphorbia candelabrum (known also as candle tree), forming the biggest euphorbia forest in Africa and a unique preshistoric forest. Lodges Nakuru offers accommodation that suit all budget giving you both comfort and affordability. Lake Nakuru lodge, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, Flamingo Hill Tented Camp, Sopa Lodges. Self-Catering-Wildlife Clubs of Kenya hostels and house, KWS Naishi house. Special Campsites-Naishi, Chui, Rhino, Soysambu, Nyati, Nyuki and Reedbuck. Public Campsites-Makalia and Backpackers. Contact us on offers or Connect with us on Social Media for more information. FACEBOOK TWITTER YOU TUBE Email: info@southriftgalaxysafaris.com Call us on +254 720 824 502 / +254 720 823 229  Holiday Packages Visit our WEBSITE  for more offers   Top holiday deals in Kenya Best Deals on Major Seasonal Holidays – Valentine, Easter, Madaraka, Mashujaa, Jamhuri & Christmas. Variety of options – Safari adventures, Beach, Getaways & International. Only top-rated destinations & pocket-friendly prices. Weekend Getaway Deals in Kenya Self Drive Holiday Deals in Kenya Outdoor Activities in Kenya Madaraka Express SGR Holiday Deals in Kenya Seasonal holiday Deals in Kenya Top Self Drive Holiday Deals in Kenya If you think you have to travel far to enjoy a nice weekend, you may never get away. Besides, you can enjoy a beautiful weekend right here in Kenya. There are countless wallet-friendly Kenyan self drive getaways that won’t even break your budget. Don’t spend your weekend, doing absolutely nothing at home. Whether you are looking for romantic destinations, pristine beaches, and adventurous outdoor activities, there are plenty wallet-friendly getaways that will satisfy your weekend desires. Malindi & Watamu Self Drive Deals Mombasa South Coast Self Drive Deals Mombasa North Coast Self Drive Deals Masai Mara Self Drive Holiday Packages Lukenya & Machakos Self Drive Meru Holiday Self Drive Deals Mt. Kenya & Aberdare Self Drive Holiday Deals Nyeri Holiday Self Drive Deals Samburu Holiday Self Drive Deals Read the full article

[alohaexpeditions]

Saiwa-Swamp-National-Park-The smallest national park in Kenya

Saiwa-Swamp-National-Park-The smallest national park in Kenya A dense, vibrantly green realm of swamp, bulrushes, sedges and surrounding riverine forest, Saiwa Swamp - Kenya’s smallest national park, was created specifically to protect the habitat of the rare and endangered semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope. Rarely visited, well-off the tourist track but charmingly rewarding, this compact Park is unique in that it is the only place in Kenya where vehicles are prohibited and the walker reigns supreme. Fact File Altitude: 1,860-1,880 m. Area: 3 sq km. Location: Cherangani Hills of Trans-Nzoiya - Rift Valley Province Distance from Nairobi: 400 km north-west of Nairobi. Gazetted: Gazetted as a National Park in 1974. Climate: Typical African wetland climate, ranging from warm to cool and humid to semi-arid (wet seasons March-June and October-November). Vegetation: Swamp and riverine forest, tall bullrushes and sedge. Wildlife: Sitatunga, monkey, spotted-necked otter, giant forest squirrel, leopard, bushbuck, ratel and African civet. Birds: 372 species including such rarities as Ross' turaco and the blue-headed coucal. Roads: The Park has no roads, only walking trails. One of only two parks in Kenya where you can go walkabout This Park is unique in that it is only accessible by foot. Traversed by some 7 km of well-maintained wooden walkways and trails, it also offers three timbered viewing platforms where you can stake yourself out for a glimpse of the elusive Sitatunga antelope. Well-marked trails skirt the perimeter of the swamp, which can also be traversed via the wooden duckboards that go right across it. Spot the swamp star, the secretive Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei). Known in Swahili as the ‘Nzohe', the remarkable and rare Sitatunga (pronounced ‘statunga') is a long-legged antelope that has adapted itself to exploit the abundant food resources of the swamp habitat. Its shaggy coat is oily and water repellent while its elongated and splayed hooves allow it to walk on submerged vegetation with impunity. So specialized are these feet that the Sitatunga can easily outrun its predators in the swamp, though on land it has a much clumsier gait. Reddish-brown with a vaguely moth-eaten look, it has very large ears and (on the males) horns. Moving with slow deliberation so as to avoid detection, the Sitatunga enters the water gently and sinks down until nearly all of its body is submerged. It then spends most of the day submerged or resting in reedy shade. A good swimmer, when alarmed the Sitatunga dives deep and remains submerged but for the tip of its nose. Crepuscular and extremely shy it prefers to feed morning and evening and occasionally leaves the swamp after dark to browse. Found in scattered locations throughout western and central Africa (particularly the papyrus swamps of Lake Victoria and in the Kingwal Swamp near Kapsabet), it is only at Saiwa Swamp that these elusive creatures have become habituated to the proximity of humans. How to see a Sitatunga Watching and waiting are the tricks of the trade. You might also keep watch along the paths and tunnels that the Sitatunga makes through the reeds and rushes - especially between 6pm and 10am when they are most active. Other stars in the Saiwa Swamp cast Very conspicuous are the silken coats of the black and white colobus monkey and the white-bearded faces of the distinctive de Brazza monkey. You will also see plenty of blue and vervet monkey. Spotted-necked otter and giant forest squirrel will prove more difficult. Leopard are around, but it's unlikely you'll see one. Ornithologist's nirvana A great draw for ornithologists, the Park boasts over 372 species of birds. Rare birds include crowned hornbill, Ross' turaco and eastern grey plantain eater, while the riverine forests shelter one of Kenya's most spectacular forest birds, the Narina trogon. Most conspicuous around the Park are the grey-crowned cranes, but large numbers of ibis, duck and heron feed conspicuously in the more open patches of water. Cinnamon-chested bee-eaters are plentiful along the trails, as well as paradise flycatchers and black-headed gonoleks. Ludher's bush-shrike is also found here, but is difficult to spot being infinitely shyer. Cisticolas and warblers flit around the base of the observation towers, and long-crested eagles can often be seen perched high on the bare branches of dead trees. Blue-headed coucals can often be caught taking in the sun among the bullrushes while the reeds are home to Hartlaub's marsh widowbird and yellow bishop. When in fruit, the fig trees also offer a potent lure for double-toothed barbets. Lush flora The Park offers an interesting mix of forest and swamp vegetation and an extraordinarily diverse plant habitat. Dominated by tall bullrushes and sedges, it is bordered by a mixture of grassland, riverine forests and yellow acacia trees. Epiphytic ferns and orchids also proliferate. The wetter riverine forest is marked by gigantic strangler figs while Syzygium trees, with their dark-purple fruits, are not uncommon along the fringes of the swamp. Iridescent insects The swamp makes an ideal habitat for all manner of gorgeous dragonflies and damselflies while a profusion of jewel-hued butterflies dance along the trails (such as swallowtails and charaxes, and notably the African mocker swallowtail (Papilio dardanus). Reptiles and amphibians Home to numerous frogs and toads, and specifically the tree frogs, which are particularly noisy after a rainstorm, the swamp is also a preferred haunt of Bell's hinged tortoise. Snake life includes the forest cobra and the African rock python. As you follow the trails, you might also watch out for a side-striped chameleon. Conservation challenges The Park is entirely surrounded by intensively cultivated subsistence smallholdings (known as ‘shambas'), and so its perimeter fence marks a sharp divide between two very different habitats. Cultivation tends to be small-scale and by means of hand tools but the neighbouring farmers plough as close to the fence as possible, dramatizing the delicate balance that must be maintained between human well-being and the struggle to sustain a healthy bio-diverse habitat. Survival of the Park, therefore, is very much dependent upon close co-operation between the Kenya Wildlife Service and the surrounding community. Read the full article

[biofunmy]

Apple TV+ debuts Oprah, Jennifer Aniston series for streaming service

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Apple announced its own TV and movie streaming service, enlisting superstars to try to overcome its rivals’ head start. (March 25) AP

It’s almost time to take a bite out of Apple’s new streaming service.

The company is launching Apple TV+ on Nov. 1 with nine original programs for $4.99 a month. The new programming includes dramas, comedies and movies with big-name stars and producers such as Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston and Jason Momoa.  (Several of them attended a major kickoff event in March to showcase the new service.)

But can Apple TV+ replicate the success seen by other services including Netflix, Amazon and even Hulu? Take a look at what will be offered to its streaming customers on its first day and beyond, and judge for yourself.

Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon star in the new Apple TV+ series “The Morning Show.” (Photo: Apple)

‘The Morning Show’ (Nov. 1)

First, this isn’t a morning show: It’s “The Morning Show,” a drama about a “Today”-like show. The series stars Aniston as an over-the-hill news anchor, Reese Witherspoon as an upstart and Steve Carell and a #MeToo’d anchor (think Matt Lauer). Apple has already picked up a second 10-episode season.

‘Oprah’s Book Club’ (Nov. 1) 

Apple announced a multi-year partnership with the talk show legend and founder of the OWN cable network. The deal includes the series “Oprah’s Book Club,” a feature made popular on Winfrey’s talk show after it was first launched in 1996. For the first Apple TV+ episode, Winfrey interviews author Ta-Nehisi Coates about his new book “The Water Dancer.”

‘See’ (Nov. 1) 

Jason Momoa (“Aquaman”) and Alfre Woodard (“Luke Cage”) star in this dystopian drama set 600 years in the future. The series follows the struggle and survival of the human race after a virus kills a large number of humans and leaves the survivors blind.

‘Dickinson’ (Nov. 1) 

Hailee Steinfeld (“Bumblebee”) plays “Dickinson” – yes, it’s a comedy – about the early life of poet Emily Dickinson, with Jane Krakowski (“30 Rock”) as the poet’s mother.

‘For All Mankind’ (Nov. 1) 

The new space series explores how different our world would be if the space race had never ended. The show is being created by Ronald D. Moore (“Outlander,” “Battlestar Galactica”) and stars Joel Kinnaman (“The Killing”) and Sarah Jones (“Alcatraz”).

‘Helpsters’ (Nov. 1) 

The team behind “Sesame Street” takes on this series about lovable monsters who help solve problems.

‘Snoopy in Space’ (Nov. 1) 

Get the gang together and bring the dog, too! The beloved characters from “Peanuts,” created by Charles M. Schulz, will make Apple their home for series, specials and shorts based on “Peanuts” characters. The agreement includes STEM content in partnership with NASA. First up: “Snoopy in Space,” about a dog who wants to become an astronaut.

‘Ghostwriter’ (Nov. 1) 

A mysterious ghost in a bookstore enlists the help of four kids to release fictional characters from literature. The show is a reboot of a 1990s PBS series.

‘The Elephant Queen’ (Nov. 1) 

Apple TV+ will also take on nonfiction fare, including this documentary that follows a mother elephant and her herd.

‘Servant’ (Nov. 28)

A tragedy creates a rift in the marriage of a Philadelphia couple, which opens a portal for a mysterious force in this series from thriller creator M. Night Shyamalan.

‘Truth Be Told’ (Dec. 6)

Octavia Spencer (“Hidden Figures”) and Aaron Paul  (“Breaking Bad”) star in this series, which  examines true crime podcasts and the consequences of America’s obsession with this new form of media.

‘The Banker’ (January)

Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson, who both recently starred in “Avengers: Endgame,” play entrepreneurs trying to provide housing loans to African Americans in 1950s Texas. The project also stars Nia Long (“NCIS: Los Angeles”) and Nicholas Hoult (“Tolkien”). The movie will premiere in theaters on Dec. 6 before it appears on Apple TV+.  

‘Little America’

This new anthology series captures  the stories of immigrants in the United States. Based on a collection of stories in Epic Magazine, the show will be executive produced by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, the husband-and-wife team behind “The Big Sick.”

‘Hala’

A high school senior struggles to balance her life as a teenager with her traditional Muslim upbringing. The movie was an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival.

The following Apple TV+ projects are among those expected to appear in 2020 and beyond. 

Chris Evans project

Evans has been tapped to executive produce and star in “Defending Jacob,” a drama based on the book by William Landay. Evans, best known as Captain America in the Marvel movie franchise, plays a man whose 14-year-old son is the prime suspect in a murder.

Brie Larson series

Larson, who triumphed at the box office with “Captain Marvel,” will try her hand at producing and starring in an Apple TV+ series. The untitled project is based on the book “Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA,” by former CIA undercover operative Amaryllis Fox.

Bill Murray movie 

Director Sofia Coppola is reuniting with her “Lost in Translation” star Murray in “On the Rock,” a film about a larger-than-life figure who reconnects with his daughter during an adventure in New York City. Rashida Jones (“Parks and Recreation”) is also set to star.

‘Time Bandits’

The new comedy series, about a young boy picked up by a group of time travelers, is based on the 1981 movie from  “Monty Python” alum Terry Gilliam. “Thor: Ragnarok” director Taika Waititi has been added to the project to direct and co-write the pilot. He’ll also be a producer on the series. 

J.J. Abrams and Jennifer Garner will be reunited for a new Apple TV+ series. (Photo: Christopher Polk, Getty Images)

‘My Glory Was I Had Such Friends’

Jennifer Garner and director J.J. Abrams, who teamed up on ABC’s “Alias” more than a decade ago, are reuniting for this limited drama series about a group of women supporting a friend waiting for a heart transplant. The show is based on the memoir by Amy Silverstein.

‘Sunny’ Day  

Fans of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” will be happy to see Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day working on the new Apple+ series “Mythic Quest” as writers and producers. McElhenney also stars in the workplace series about a video game studio alongside F. Murray Abraham (“Amadeus”) and Danny Pudi (“Community”).

Kevin Durant’s ‘Swagger’

The Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant’s life in youth basketball is the basis for the drama “Swagger,” which explores the lives of players, families and coaches in an amateur basketball league. The NBA star is an executive producer along with Brian Grazer (“Friday Night Lights”).

Spielberg’s ‘Amazing Stories’ returns

Executive producer Steven Spielberg is rebooting his NBC anthology series “Amazing Stories.” The 1985-87 sci-fi/fantasy series’ cast includes Edward Burns (“Saving Private Ryan”) and Kerry Bishe (“Halt and Catch Fire”) . 

Animated ‘Park’

“Central Park,” about a family of caretakers in the famed New York City park, includes the voice talents of Josh Gad (“Frozen”), Kristen Bell (“Frozen,” “The Good Place”), Leslie Odom Jr. and Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton”) and Tituss Burgess (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”).

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Fantasy Verse Census: Redux

Below is a list of the characters who survived and are now in the time skip. They will be split into species rather than clans as all gods, demons, and dragons are counted as different clans. For dragons I will list what kind they are for reference.

Myrrdin McGrath - Rowena (Snowy Owl)

Rhiannon McGrath

Casey McGrath - Erskine (Ocelot) cirquedeyokai

Brian McGrath - Frederick (European Rabbit)

Sif McGrath - Gunilla (Wolverine), Eira (Bonded Horse)

Guinevere McGrath - Cedric (Southwest African Lion)

Khione McGrath - Altair (Snow Leopard)

Chulainn McGrath - Kelvin (Rock Sparrow)

Brianna McGrath - Druce (Golden Eagle)

Albion McGrath - Llyr (European Hedgehog)

Cairbre McGrath - Jennifer (Red Fox)

Ullr McGrath - Malvyn (Scottish Wild Cat), Cid (Carbuncle)

Eumolpus McGrath - Cecil (Arctic Fox), Lugh (Carbuncle)

Liam McGrath - Sheamus (Mountain Hare), Emil (Carbuncle)

Isolda McGrath - Aislyn (Red Squirrel), Claire (Carbuncle)

Tyr McGrath - Calahan (Pine Marten), Desmond (Carbuncle)

Elpida Vassos

Gaia Vassos - Ismene (White Common Ground Dove)

Nemesis Vassos - Myra (Panther), Cassiopeia (Bonded Wyvern)

Poseidon Vassos - Delphinus (White Common Bottlenose Dolphin)

Amphitrite Vassos - Leviticus (Great White Shark), Aegis (Bonded Wyvern)

Hades Vassos - Atlas (Western Jackdaw), Cerberus (Hell Hound)

Semele Vassos - Ula (Spotted Seal)

Arsen Vassos - Cleon (Transvaal Lion) hanaeemi

Susanna Vassos - Amara (Masai Lion) hanaeemi

Hermes Vassos - Aquila (Red-tailed Hawk)

Melinoe Vassos - Nicodemus (Barn Owl)

Triton Vassos - Lazarus (Angel Shark)

Voluptas Vassos - Nemea (Pampas Fox)

Aesop Vassos - Lici (Masai Lion) hanaeemi

Julia Vassos - Zoro (Snow Leopard) hanaeemi

Alec Vassos - Jase (Carpet Python) hanaeemi

Macaria Vassos - Group of Fireflies, Arete (Carbuncle)

Tyche Vassos - Ophelia (Hooded Sisikin), Lycus (Carbuncle)

Pallas Vassos - Alexios (Gray Seal), Perseus (Carbuncle)

Ra Sabah - Ahkanaten (Saker Falcon)

Mut Sabah - Senusret (Arabian Oryx)

Sobek Sabah - Thesh (Nile Crocodile)

Aerith Sabah - Kalwyn (Southern River Otter)

Tefnut Sabah - Nefertiti (Masai Lion)

Khonsu Sabah - Qa’a (Horned Viper), Mutenhotep (”Bonded Horse”)

Osiris Sabah - Raneb (Apis Bull)

Hera Sabah - Lucina (Green Peacock)

Anhur Sabah - Djoser (Masai Lion)

Mehit Sabah - Semerkhet (African Lion)

Horus Sabah - Khafre (Peregrine Falcon)

Hathor Sabah - Sahura (Egyptian Long-horned Cow)

Imsety Sabah - Sneferka (White Rhinoceros), Muntu (Carbuncle)

Duamutef Sabah - Tiu (Side-striped Jackal), Anpu (Carbuncle)

Qebehsenuef Sabah - Baeufre (Gyrfalcon), Urshu (Carbuncle)

Aten Sabah - Khaba (Egyptian Mongoose), Nekht (Carbuncle)

Ptah Sabah - Amhose (Crested Gecko), Thutmose (Carbuncle)

Qetesh Sabah

Thor Bystrom - Okilinir (Himalayan Brown Bear), Bjorn (Bonded Horse)

Himechi Bystrom - Hertha (Eastern Cougar), Sassa (Bonded Horse) hanaeemi

Balder Bystrom - Brimir (White Mule Deer), Asmund (Bonded Horse)

Ananke Bystrom - Augustine (White Crested Eagle), Asta (Bonded Horse)

Loki Bystrom - Fensalir (Dire Wolf*), Viggo (Bonded Horse)

Yui Bystrom - Kibou (Peregrine Falcon), Senso (Bonded Horse)

Freyr Bystrom - Gullinbrusti (Central European Boar), Brynjar (Bonded Horse)

Hachiman-Jin Bystrom - Yuki (White Turtle Dove), Sarumaru (Bonded Horse) hanaeemi

Freya Bystrom - Sindri (Norwegian Forest Cat), Brynhildr (Bonded Horse)

Tove Bystrom - Ove (Prarie Falcon), Unn (Bonded Horse), Bunbun (Carbuncle) hanaeemi

Agape Bystrom - Bifrost (White Siberian Tiger), Brenna (Bonded Horse), Lars (Carbuncle)

Eirik Bystrom - Gustav (European Goldfinch), Hemming (Bonded Horse), Olav (Carbuncle)

Fenrir Bystrom - Embla (Dire Wolf*), Finn (Bonded Horse), Sven (Carbuncle)

Jormungandr Bystrom - Skjalduf (Titanoboa*), Agnar (Bonded Horse), Vathlauss (Carbuncle)

Hnoss Bystrom - Sigrid (Iberian Lynx), Gunnar (Bonded Horse), Otto (Carbuncle)

Gersemi Bystrom - Shy (Japanese Crane), Brunn (Bonded Horse), Lala (Carbuncle) hanaeemi

Hel Bystrom - Ingrid (Carrion Crow), Hilda (Bonded Horse), Aslaug (Carbuncle)

Ryujin Totsuka - Arata (Striped Dolphin)

Umi-hime Totsuka - Ami (Hourglass Dolphin)

Hotei Totsuka - Hitomi (Japanese Badger)

Toyotama-hime Totsuka - Mitsuki (Showa Sanshoku Koi Fish)

Fukurojuku Totsuka - Hayate (Japanese Weasel)

Tamayori-hime Totsuka - Miki (Hi Utsuri Koi Fish)

Amaterasu Totsuka - Hikari (White Japanese Sparrow)

Ame-no-Uzume Totsuka - Izumi (Black Pipe Fox) hanaeemi

Tsukuyomi Totsuka - Usamaro (White Japanese Hare)

Susano’o Totsuka - Hiraku (Manta Ray)

Kushinada-hime/Samarah Totsuka - Mayumi (Yellow-lipped Sea Krait) huntersxandxangels

Sakuya-hime Totsuka - Koharu (Japanese Sparrow)

Ninigi Totsuka - Ryunosuke (Shiba Inu), Atsushi (White Pipe Fox), Furusawa (Carbuncle)

Hoori Totsuka - Isamu (Sika Deer), Akuma (Hell Hound*), Koetsu (Carbuncle)

Suseri-hime/Leila Totsuka - Kenji (Spotted Eagle Ray), Asha (Bengal Tiger*), Touya (Carbuncle) huntersxandxangels

Haru Totsuka

Hitoshi Totsuka

Bolin Ruan cirquedeyokai

Lilu Ruan cirquedeyokai

Nu-Wa Ruan - Chang-Pu (Clouded Leopard)

Beiji Ruan - Fai-Li (Chinese Ferret Badger)

Lung-Mo Ruan

Yao-Jin Ruan

Azure Ruan cirquedeyokai

Zhilan Ruan cirquedeyokai

Guan-Yu Ruan - Wu-Tao (South China Tiger)

Xi-Fe Ruan

Po-Shang Ruan cirquedeyokai

Liling Ruan cirquedeyokai

Cho Ruan cirquedeyokai

Ao-Qin Ruan

Li-Fen Ruan - Duan-Xia (Golden Pheasant)

Ao-Shun Ruan

Zhu-Li Ruan - Fu-Zhong (Chow Chow)

Dionysus Ruan - Cyrus (Amur Leopard), Callista (Amur Leopard)

Jin-Hai Ruan

Ao-Bing Ruan

Vonungein Ruan cirquedeyokai

Jade Ruan cirquedeyokai

Hanba Ruan

Meng-Po Ruan - Biming (House Mouse)

Xing Ruan - Liang-Shui (Black Giant Squirrel)

Feng Ruan cirquedeyokai

Zong-Ying Ruan - Tao-Ping (Giant Panda)

Bao Ruan cirquedeyokai

Ren-Shu Ruan - Liao-Ming (Carbuncle)

Kundo-Star Ruan - ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Aoi Ruan - ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Yin-Lin Ruan - Yi-Huo (Carbuncle)

Mei-Lin Ruan - ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Mao-Yu Ruan - Su-Jian (Carbuncle)

Shai-Ming Ruan - Min-Wu (Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat), Wang-Guo (Carbuncle)

Chung-Tao Ruan - Mei-Wu (Lesser Short-nosed Fruit Bat), Zhen-Xun (Carbuncle)

Bo-Xiu Ruan - Cheng-Gong (Yangzte Chinese Softshell Turtle), Hoo-Gwo (Carbuncle)

Many unnamed members.

Marduk Nidnantum - Autu (Gray Wolf), Rigiljo (Bonded Griffin)

Benthesikyme Nidnantum - Helene (Commerson’s Dolphin), Sophie (Bonded Griffin)

Dumuzi Nidnantum - Lugalngu (Arabian Oryx), Uras (Bonded Griffin)

Ishtar Nidnantum - Kuwari (Eurasian Otter), Urnina (Bonded Griffin)

Atar Nidnantum - Omarosa (Sumar Leopard), Enusat (Bonded Griffin), Balum (Carbuncle)

Lulal Nidnantum - Humbaba (Striped Skunk), Samuqan (Bonded Griffin), Bau (Carbuncle)

Shara Nidnantum - Sabit (Spotted Hyena), Inanna (Bonded Griffin), Anbu (Carbuncle)

Yol

Sil

Okaaz

Sonaan

Dinok

Suvulaan

Vul

Dong-Mei

Kun

Vulon

Klo

Gol

Od

Diin

Qo

Strun

More unnamed members.

Acheron Iblis - Mandala (Canadian Lynx), Bael (Nekomata), Cairo (Wyvern*) cirquedeyokai

Bael Iblis - Merida (Dire Wolf*) cirquedeyokai

Amunet Iblis cirquedeyokai

Eve Iblis

Titania

Calypso Iblis - Eerie (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Seti Iblis - ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Ariel Iblis - Houdini (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Alister Iblis - ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Felisha Iblis - ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Kufu Iblis - ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Mei-Li Iblis - ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Arthur Iblis - ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Suzaki Iblis - ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Ayato Iblis - ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Lucas Iblis - Pete (Carbuncle)

Maksis Durand

Maria Durand

Roen (Durand)

Aiko Durand - Roen (Hell Hound)

Lilith Fuza

Urie Fuza - Charon (Hell Hound)

Rem Arlond - Jasper (Hell Hound)

Akemi Durand - Hazel (Carbuncle)

More unnamed members.

Amoxtli/Tatsuya Coaxoch

Ihuicatl/Rei Coaxoch

Anna Coaxoch

Lyra Coaxoch - Cindy (Carbuncle)

Tezcacoatl/Sho Coaxoch 

Mage Himura - Harper (Hell Hound)

Alice Himura hanaeemi

Shuu Himura hanaeemi

Rachel Himura hanaeemi

Ichijo Himura hanaeemi

Hima Himura hanaeemi

Sosuke Durand - Rin (Carbuncle) hanaeemi

More unnamed members.

Regime Abernathy werekxnglives

Dexter Abernathy werekxnglives

Erebus Abernathy - Life (Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox) werekxnglives

Nyx Abernathy - Echo (Golden-capped Fruit Bat)

Tai Abernathy/Wepwawet Sabah - ? (? Jackal) werekxnglives

Kenta Abernathy werekxnglives

Alexandria Abernathy werekxnglives

Mordred Abernathy werekxnglives

Reed Abernathy werekxnglives

Aisha Abernathy werekxnglives

Isaac Abernathy werekxnglives

Yuki Abernathy - Shiro (White Pipe Fox)

Maddie Abernathy - ? (? Pipe Fox) werekxnglives

Hajime Abernathy

Sakura Abernathy

Neville Abernathy werekxnglives

Helios Abernathy werekxnglives

Hypnos Abernathy - Nike (American Black Bear), Chronos (Carbuncle) werekxnglives

Demona Abernathy - Raichu (Carbuncle) werekxnglives

Cain Abernathy - Deadpool (Carbuncle) werekxnglives

Ozalie Abernathy - Thunder (Snow Leopard*), Starlight (Carbuncle) werekxnglives

Madoka Abernathy - Etsuko (Carbuncle)

Arsene Lupin

Reah Argyris - Baron (Persian*), Opal (Carbuncle) renas-rp-universe

Impey Barbicane - Sisi (Corgi*)

Menta Barbicane - Tippy (Corgi*), Cupcake (Carbuncle) renas-rp-universe

Abraham Van Helsing

Kaori Kasegawa - Hak (Peregrine Falcon*), Shirayuki (Carbuncle) renas-rp-universe

Victor Frankenstein

Cardia Frankenstein - Garnet (Carbuncle)

Saint Germain - Nicholas (Javan Leopard)

Neith Germain - Itet (Lesser Bird of Paradise)

Markos Thanos - Mirage (Sumar Leopard), Karnak (Wyvern*) cirquedeyokai

Serqet Thanos - Unas (Yellow Palestine Scorpion), Moswen (Giant Cobra*)

Grimm Thanos cirquedeyokai

Syrina Thanos - Sarabi (Jaguar), Nightmare (Bonded Unicorn), Luxor (Wyvern*) cirquedeyokai

Destroyer Thanos - Sherlock (Great Horned Owl) cirquedeyokai 

Hecate Thanos - Arcadia (Least Weasel)

Thoth Thanos - Djaty (Egyptian Ibis)

Seshat Thanos - Dalila (Southern African Cheetah) hanaeemi

Kuk/Riaghan Thanos - Imhotep (Caracal) cirquedeyokai

Sekhmet Thanos - Bijou (White Masai Lion) cirquedeyokai

Makoto Thanos - Chiasa (Ocelot) cirquedeyokai

Bast Thanos - Kakhent (Panther)

Sinbad Thanos

Seth Thanos

Dante Thanos - Mim (Timber Wolf), Archimedes (Timber Wolf), Cali (Ammit Child), Ruby (Hell Hound*), Milo (Phoenix*), Aodh (Dire Wolf*), Vesper (Wyvern*) cirquedeyokai

Wenet Thanos - Kashta (Desert Cottontail Rabbit), Omen (Dire Wolf*)

Viper Thanos - Nagi (White Indian Cobra), Nox (Dire Wolf*) cirquedeyokai

Apollon Thanos - Leon (Forest Raven), Iiakada (Phoenix*), Fos (Pegasus*)

Ming-Chi Thanos - Shiva (White Siberian Tiger), Lin (Bonded Wyvern) cirquedeyokai

Anubis Thanos - Ahmes (Golden Jackal), Kemet (Hell Hound*)

Yue Thanos - Amun (Clouded Leopard), Khan (Bengal Tiger*), Willow (Dire Wolf*) themoondragoness

Zephyrus Thanos - Rhode (Blue Jay)

Iris Thanos - Group of Monarch Butterflies

Eris Thanos - Menwi (Serval), Laika (Dire Wolf*)

Kaito Thanos

Dupree Thanos werekxnglives

Zarah Sabah - Nenet (House Sparrow), Hawkeye (Dire Wolf*)

Asteria Thanos - Balthazar (Dire Wolf/Hoshi-no-Tama*), Areiseus (Carbuncle)

Maahes Thanos - Akudo (Ragdoll Cat), ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Kebechet Thanos - Pepi (Golden Jackal), Seka (Carbuncle)

Sah Thanos - Rino (Screech Owl), Evermore (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Citlali Thanos - Chipahua (Margay), ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Ajit Thanos - Samar (Lion-tailed Macaque), Starsong (Bonded Griffin), Imaran (Carbuncle)

Sati Thanos - Himmat (White-bellied Sea Eagle), Ishvara (Carbuncle)

Esi Thanos - Cleopatra (Eurasian Wolf), Neema (Carbuncle) hanaeemi

Dakar Thanos - Ramses (Eurasian Wolf), Khem (Carbuncle)

Orpheus Thanos - Icarus (Harz Roller Canary), ? (Carbuncle) cirquedeyokai

Melete Thanos - Jocasta (Red Salamander), Aurora (Carbuncle)

Pothos Thanos - Aenea (Cardinal), Cygnus (Carbuncle)

Eurydice Thanos - Roxanne (Papillon), Dione (Carbuncle) 

More unnamed members.

Sherlock Holmes - Annabelle (Corgi*)

Xanthe Vermillion - Chamomile (Carbuncle)

Nanase Sabah

Shirah Zaliyah huntersxandxangels

[randomconnections]

Writer’s Block, again

Call it writer’s block, winter blahs, or post-inauguration depression, but for whatever reason I’ve just not felt like blogging. That doesn’t mean I haven’t been doing interesting things, each worthy of their own post. It’s just that I haven’t been able to muster the energy to do in-depth research or document our adventures. However, on this lovely Sunday morning I have a bit of peace and quiet, so I’ll try to backtrack a bit and bring everyone up to date.

I’ll back up a bit more than a week…

Furman Church Music Conference Thursday, January 26 – Friday, January 27

Taking part in the Furman Church Music Conference was a last-minute decision for me this year. Even though I haven’t directed a church choir in ten years, I’ve been trying to attend so that I maintain my network for when I do return. This year I wasn’t so sure, though. We will be out of state next year, so that would push my church choir involvement back another couple of years. However, I decided I’d go, and I’m glad I did.

The clinicians for this year were Andre Thomas from Florida State University and John Ferguson from St. Olaf College. Thomas led a dynamic session on rehearsal techniques, as well as several fascinating sessions on African-American music traditions. I actually wound up buying his book on the subject. He is also a phenomenal gospel piano player. Ferguson is an equally gifted organist. He did a session on organ registrations for hymn singing and for anthem accompaniment, as well as a session on hymnody.

On Thursday night of the conference First Baptist hosted a Hymn Festival. It was done in the style of Lessons and Carols, but with texts from Epiphany through Easter. Ferguson is known for crafting these types of hymn festivals, and wrote the readings and reflections to focus on music. The Furman Singers, First Baptist Church Choir, and Westminster Presbyterian Choir participated in the event. Given all the political turmoil, the music was a balm. I was glad I had participated in both the conference and the hymn festival.

Old South Tour with Upstate Minis Saturday, January 28

Saturday morning Laura and I got up early to participate in the annual Old South Tour with Upstate Minis. I had done this tour a couple of years ago as my first outing with the group. This time Laura joined me.

The group gathered at BiLo in Fountain Inn. From there, Don and Rosalyn Western led on us through back roads that took us through Woodruff, Enoree, Cross Anchor, and Cross Keys. As I learned on previous outings with this group, they are more interested in driving that stopping to explore. The most I could do was make note of places I wanted to check out later at a more leisurely pace. We did stop for a break in Cross Anchor, then again for a photo break in front of Rose Hill Plantation.

From there we drove through Union and on to Midway BBQ in Buffalo for our lunch stop.

There was more zig-zagging through the countryside until we wound up at our final stop of the day, Walnut Grove Plantation. I’d never visited, so I was glad to have this opportunity. We posed for a group photo on the steps of the main house, then were given tours.

Most of the photos I took were at Walnut Grove. Here’s the Flickr album slideshow from the event:

We’ve made some good friends through this group, and it was fun to be on another outing with them.

Kites and Downtown

The next day, Sunday, was cold, but windy. I met Chip and his kids at Legacy Park with my kite collection. I flew the stunt parafoil and let Chip try his hand out it. Olivia and Ethan were able to fly the small kites I had brought for them. Even though it was quite cold, we had a good time.

By Tuesday the weather had warmed significantly. February 1st was bright, sunny, and gorgeous. I had been doing housework for a couple of days straight and needed to get out a bit, so I wandered downtown. I was armed with my big Nikon DSLR, but a strange thought hit me. It seems that I always come down here looking for the perfect new photo opportunity, or place to explore. I don’t come down here just to enjoy the park. Next time I have the opportunity on a pretty day like this I’m bringing nothing but maybe my hammock and a book.

However, I was stuck with a camera, so I explored. I resisted the urge to take photos of things I’ve photographed so many times before. I found the new underpass for the Swamp Rabbit Trail at River Street. That looked very cool, but a bit spooky.

I wandered up to Main Street to see what was happening at the old Greenville News site. A dude with a yellow python was walking down the street.

I walked down South Main to the old Army Navy store and poked around a bit, then crossed the relatively new bridge over to the road behind County Plaza, then back down through the old Arboretum.

Todd Creek Falls Wednesday, February 2

For Wednesday I had a plan. Ken Cothran had been wanting to show me a new coffee place in Clemson, and I wanted to explore a possible paddling venue. I drove over early and picked him up. Our agreement was that we would not discuss the orange turd at all. So, we sat and had a couple of pleasant cups of coffee at All In Coffee in downtown Clemson.

From there I wanted to drive over to Lake Issaqueena and see if it might be suitable for paddling. The small lake is situated entirely within the Clemson Experimental Forest. Sadly, all of the access roads were gated for some reason. Folks were biking and hiking the trails, but the roads themselves wouldn’t reopen until March 1. I guess I should have checked first.

Ken came up with a back-up plan. We would try to find Todd Creek Falls, located just north of Central. I drove to the location Ken pointed out and parked on the other side of a bridge at a power line clearing.

The trail headed south along the power line right of way, following Todd Creek. It was an easy hike, with the exception of one short tricky bit at some exposed rock.

The falls themselves are located in a small hollow. The cascade drops into a pool that looks like it would be an ideal swimming hole, then the stream takes a sharp right angle to the west. We paused on the trail overlooking the falls for a couple of shots.

Down below at the edge of the pool we took more photos from various angles. I used a neutral density filter and slowed the exposure, even though I didn’t have a tripod with me.

We decided to explore further downstream, which became more languid and wider as it turned away from the powerline clearing and through a wooded area.

Ken explained that we were in the backwaters of an old mill dam. We came to a boggy area, and on the other side was a spring with a brick wall.

I wanted to head on down and find the millpond and dam. Ken’s vision makes crossing unsteady ground difficult. More importantly, he didn’t have the right footwear in case he made a misstep. I didn’t have the right footwear, either, but my eyesight is marginally better than Ken’s, so I forged on. The trail dipped down across a couple more tributary streams, then gained a ridge around a point with a view of a silted, beaver-dammed pond. I didn’t want to abandon Ken, so I headed back before finding the dam.

So, even though we couldn’t explore Lake Issaqueena, we still found some cool waterfalls.

That should bring readers up to date. I do have a few more explorations coming up. Perhaps I’ll get back on track with my writing. It is therapeutic, if nothing else.

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[cyanocoraxx]

natural habitats of common snakes

- ball python: found in west african savannahs, grassland, scrub forests and sparse woodlands. during the day, they hide within mammal burrows and tree hollows. some sources suggest that these snakes live in termite mounds, but this is often disputed.

- burmese python: found throughout southern asia in the edges of woodlands, grasslands, marshes, swamps, rocky foothills, river valleys and jungle clearings. often found near running water.

- cali kingsnake: widely distributed throughout oregon, california, nevada, utah, arizona and northwestern mexico, where they prefer woodland, grassland and desert habitats. they are terrestrial but will climb low branches and shrubs when hunting. notably, they are not found in the damp redwood zone of california which may indicate a preference for habitats with lower humidity.

- common boa: found in central america and northern south america, where they prefer rainforest clearings but also occupy savannahs, woodlands, tropical deserts, semi-deserts and scrubs. they tend to hide in mammal burrows and will also climb trees when given the opportunity.

- common garter: indigenous to north american grassland, forests, streams, wetlands, meadows, marshes and ponds, never far from water as they need a water source to hunt. they rest in decaying logs, tree stumps, stream banks and rodent burrows.

- corn snake: north american ratsnakes that prefer deciduous woodland, grassland and rocky outcrops. they are found in rocky crevices, logs and burrows.

- green tree python: found in indonesian and australian tropical rainforests. found in bushes, shrubs and trees where they spend most of their time climbing for safety and to hunt.

- honduran milksnake: prefers nicaragua’s tropical rainforests where they can be found in and under leaf litter. providing leaf litter can help to simulate this habitat and encourage natural behaviours.

- rainbow boa: endemic to south american tropical rainforests, humid forests and savannahs, where humidity can reach up to 100% and there is an abundance of plant cover and climbing opportunities.

- reticulated python: also found in southern asian rainforests, woodlands, wetland, swamps and bogs. they are often found near waterbodies for camouflage, protection and access to prey and will happily make use of a large water bowl in captivity.

- rosy boa: lives in the dry shrublands, granite outcroppings, rocky slopes, deserts, and near-desert areas of southwestern america and northern mexico. interestingly, they appear to prefer south-facing hillsides at elevations from sea level to over 2,000 meters and are often found very close to rocks for cover.

- western hognose: found throughout southern canada, united states and mexico in prairies, river floodplains, thornscrub, grasslands, semi-deserts and oak savannah. they enjoy burrowing in loose, sandy soil and will replicate this behaviour when given the opportunity in captivity.