We set out just before sunrise as usual and as we reached the perimeter fence (designed to keep larger, dangerous animals out) we saw a small herd of Common Waterbuck jumping out of camp - they've clearly realised it's a safe place to spend the night, away from predators.
At one time (certainly around 2012) Tortilis Camp had its own little airstrip but I understand from Dickson that it was too expensive to maintain for the few times each week it got used. Although some of the white stones are now out of alignment, you can clearly see where the runway was.
A visitor just outside camp. We've been lucky with the weather so far but I think today the clouds will remain all day which will mean low light levels for photography so quality photos today are unlikely.
It's unusual to see Scrub Hares during the day as they are generally nocturnal and all you see is their little tails as they bob from side to side in the truck's headlights.
Grey Crowned Cranes - we've never seen the male with its neck feathers fluffed up in mating mode, but I think his efforts are wasted as the female seems to be far more interested in eating.
Long Tailed Shrikes (again)
Red-Rumped Swallow
As we were driving along, Dickson suddenly called out that there was a rainbow behind and when we stopped and turned around this is what we saw. I think it's known as a Sun Dog or parhelion, although there was no sign of the sun whatsoever.
There wasn't a great deal of wildlife around, but we did bump into this small herd. I know, more elephants, but I make no apologies as I love them and, besides, they are what Amboseli is most famous for and they are so magnificent.
This little one looked like it was presenting me with a posy.
Talking about stopping the traffic, she could certainly turn the truck over if she decided to.
But of course she didn't, she's clever enough to know we are of no threat and she happily carried on.
To be honest, we seemed a bit aimless this morning; with the heavy cloud and lack of game, we just drove around. As this was our last full day at Tortilis, I suspected we would be going for a "bush breakfast" so Dickson would have been told not to get us to the venue until a certain time.
So here are a few photos taken but there is not much narrative to add and they are quite "noisy" due to the low light levels.
Driving through a small wooded glade, there was a troop of olive baboon, some feeding on seed pods and others just sitting around.
It then proceeded to dive bomb this Eurasian Hoopoe before I could get a decent photo, although it did prompt it to raise its crest.
We then had a hilarious, high speed drive across muddy ground, with wheel spins and mud flying in all directions. After what seemed like an age we finally got to the breakfast destination which was the same as in 2018 but looked very different in the gloom.
And just as before, Chris was waiting for us with hot water and a towel.
Our table was ready waiting for us.
This time the cooking station was considerably smaller as there were only us and another table (for the lovely Swiss ladies we chatted to most mealtimes). As a result there was a limited choice of cooked food available (just omelette) but it was still lovely to be breakfasting in the bush.
We were all concerned the rain in the distance would soon wash out our breakfast.
Chris and Ian having a chat about football.
Our lovely guide Dickson, with his infectious grin.
We left the staff to clear up and make a slow journey back to camp.
Speckled Mousebirds (again, but they are quite difficult as they're well camouflaged)
They get their name from the length of the tail, which you can clearly see in this photo.
A couple of Red Billed Oxpeckers cleaning ticks off. We always thought it was a totally symbiotic relationship but recently learned that as well as getting blood from the ticks etc. the oxpeckers are also known to prevent wounds from healing by pecking at them. This giraffe looked perfectly fit and well though.
At first glance I got quite excited as I thought this was a Red and Yellow Barbet, but on closer look I think it's another D'Arnaud's.
Ring Necked Dove
Vervet monkeys sucking the sap from the blades of grass.
I'm not sure if this little one is reciting Shakespeare or dancing to Saturday Night Fever.
Not that far from camp is a Rangers Station where the accommodation looks basic to say the least. Often if there is food left over at camp it is given to the rangers to supplement their fairly meagre rations. These guys do such vital work in keeping poachers out and generally ensuring the animals are healthy.
Dickson showed us this elephant skull and explained how they go through six (occasionally 7) sets of molars during their lifetime and as a tooth wears out through grinding, another molar pushes forward to replace it.
And to finish off the morning a Pale Chanting Goshawk
