Feb 18th, 2010 by Keith Chaloner
For those expecting (another) evening of East African animal pictures along with an account of 10 days or so in the sun and dust, they didn’t get it! Martin started his ‘tour de force’ by displaying a number of fine CIBA chrome prints, many of which had achieved awards in major competition. We were amused by the account of one Gold Medal winning print achieving a ‘6’ by a Club judge!
The following slide show commentary encompassed the diversity of Kenyan flora and fauna, its geology and the interactions between. From Mount Kilimanjaro to the Rain Forests and arid desert regions; to the Rift Valley, the Highlands and Soda flats, all and more were referred to and illustrated. The relationships between the animals and their habitat was explored as was the complex interdependence of the species and the food chain.We were shown a bewildering variety of Antelope including the endangered ‘Hunters Antelope’; an animal so rare that the photograph was taken in the company of an armed guard.The temperature regulating posture of lizards, the way that desert animals control their metabolism to survive; the impact of tourists on the hunting habits of Lions were but some of the fascinating details of Martin’s discourse. We saw brilliant blue, cream and black striped Guinea Fowl, learned that Cheetah are one of the most successful predators with a 50% success rate when hunting and saw the beautiful Pied Kingfisher (apparently the worlds largest hovering bird).There were of course, Lions, Elephants, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Vulture and numerous others of the ‘expected’ images; plus many not expected.
That Martin grew up in East Africa and has enjoyed a continued, and expert, relationship ever since will be of no surprise to anyone who enjoyed this magical evening.
Thank you Martin.
Keith Chaloner
Posted in News | No Comments
