What A Year It’s Been!

Birthdays are supposed to be times of celebration, right? But not so much for me. 2018 has been quite the year. Some of the most savage and some of the most amazing things have happened to me all in the same year. I’m yet to recover from some of the nasty experiences while simultaneously celebrating the good ones, so I’m in a mixed feelings type of space. Was listening to a certain preacher who said “…when every birthday is just a reminder of all the things you haven’t accomplished yet…” and I felt that. Yet looking back at the year I’ve achieved many things I’ve never imagined doing…

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Sewage, Dust and Other Stories

This year I’ve been making deliberate efforts to travel more as opposed to waiting for trips to be announced. From the day I found out by looking at Google Maps that there are several places near home that I can visit, I realized I have no excuse to not travel. I began by going to Chania Falls in March, and Fourteen Falls in September.

Camping At Olorgesailie/ Magadi Waterfowl Census

I can’t believe I’ve been to Magadi twice this year. The place is so fascinating to me. It’s wild and looks like somewhere on another planet. I don’t know how animals and plants thrive there. My first experience in January involved the drama of walking barefoot through muddy pools and on sharp pebbles. The second visit in July had drama also, but of a different kind.

Birding At Giraffe Centre

Before this year, it had been long since I visited the Giraffe Centre in Karen, Nairobi. Too long- almost 20 years actually. So when it was announced during a bird walk in June that we’d be going there, I was elated. One thing about Nairobi is that there’s so much to see. But sadly most residents don’t explore these places. In this post I give you a chance to virtually experience the Centre.

Camping & Caving At Chyulu

Before this trip, the last time I went camping with Nature Kenya is December 2016 when we went to Samburu. This is mostly due to 2017 being the year I was at my lowest- financially. My travel diary was dry. But thank God I’m not broke now. 🙂 During the Madaraka Day long weekend, I joined fellow travel junkies on a trip to Chyulu Hills.

My Blog Turns 2!

Yes peeps! I’ve been officially posting on here for two years. TWO years! It’s been quite a journey. As I mentioned in this post here, this year began on a savage note. Some of the most hurtful words ever said to me in my life came from a close family member. Comments about what I’m passionate about not being a real career. Words that cut so deep that I felt a heaviness in my chest for 3 days straight. True story. But this is also the year of great things…read on to find out.

2018 Thika Sewage Waterfowl Census with Nature Kenya

As promised a few weeks ago, today’s post covers a Waterfowl Census closer (to my) home. There are 2 categories of census: those out of town and others near Nairobi. Thika Sewage Treatment Plant falls in the latter.  And so I was eager to attend this one. At least I didn’t have to wake up at an insane hour to make it, since it’s so near. Or so I thought. The day threw me a big surprise!

Birthday Celebration + Highlights 2017

Hey peeps and happy birthday to me! Someone’s growing old. As the year draws to a close I decided to do a recap of the last 12 months. It has been quite a year hasn’t it? Full of surprises like the U.S President’s tweets. And closer home, Embu County employing workers to manually kill Fall Armyworms. Yes, you read that right! Anyway, if you missed last year’s summary post, catch up here –> (Highlights 2016) Maybe I could make this a thing, reviewing every year. What do you think?

Shooting in Nairobi Redefined- WWIM16

I first learnt about Instameets in 2015 and was fascinated. At the time I was just getting into photography and would look for every opportunity to shoot. So when the Worldwide Instameet 16 for Nairobi was announced, I didn’t hesitate to attend. And what an experience it was! You may be wondering what is an Instameet? Possibly many definitions exist but mine is: an event where Instagrammers meet to know each other beyond the screen and for a specific purpose. For photographers that purpose is, well, to shoot. After being away from these meets for 2 years, I was elated to attend one this year.

Manguo Swamp Waterfowl Census with Nature Kenya

Hey peeps! After a momentous election season, it’s time to get back to ‘normal’. I still don’t get why it has to be such a big deal. I mean, our neighbor Rwanda held her election around the same time and it was over before we even realised…yet here life came to a standstill for a whole week! That being said, I went for a birdwalk in an unexpected location a few weeks ago and it was such an interesting experience!