Frank Picchione

On Safari

I'm off to visit my elephant babies and other wild things in Kenya and Tanzania. Back in March with lots of photos and stories.

Yatta & Yetu

I am always amazed by how very tiny elephants are when they are born. They walk among their giant herd, weaving in and out of tree trunk sized legs, and somehow are never ever stomped on by mistake.

In November I blogged about Mulika, a former orphan who had been reintroduced back to the wild, who brought her wild born calf Mwende back to the orphanage to meet those who reared her. This week another former orphan, Yatta, brought her newborn, Yetu, to the Ithumba Camp. It turns out Yetu and Mwende are half sisters sharing the same wild father. To read their story and see some incredible photos of this new small creature click here. Next month, after a day in Nairobi visiting the nursery, Cam and Chris and I are driving deep into to the Tsavo wilderness to stay at the Sheldrick Ithumba Camp before continuing our safari in Tanzania. Along with our guide we will be the only guests at the camp, where we will be immersed in the daily lives of the elephants, and hopefully meet these two new additions. Below is Sheldrick's description of the Ithumba Camp and the adventure that awaits us.

The Ithumba Camp was built as a self help camp, in an effort to open the Northern Area of Tsavo East to the discerning traveller.  This area is remote, wild and untouched, and is not for everybody, but for those that seek solace in Nature and Wilderness; this is Kenya’s largest untouched wild expanse, where a visitor can spend time undisturbed in a pristine area.

Puerto Vallarta Orange

The Puerto Vallarta sunsets over the Pacific are breathtaking. I took these photos during Chris and Camilla's beachside rehearsal dinner.

Puerto Vallarta Blue

The blue view from Casa del Quetzal's pool, high up in Puerto Vallarta.

Palatine Hill, Rome

Rome's Palatine Hill, with its views of the Forum below and the Colosseum in the distance, is one of the most beautiful, peaceful places I have ever been. I wandered for hours in the hot sun, among the citrus trees and olive groves, and never wanted to leave.

Happy Birthday Camilla!

In honor of Cam's birthday and our trip to Africa I have fostered tiny Kithaka in her name. Happy birthday Cam! We will see your new foster Kithaka at the Nairobi Nursery!

Lotsa Shots

Yesterday was vaccination day for my trip to Kenya and Tanzania next month. I had to get shots for yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, and polio (the last one I probably did not need, but better safe than sorry). Truthfully,  removing those heavy duty bandaids hurt a lot more than the injections. I also got a prescription for big pink pills that prevent malaria and a powerful antibiotic to take along for the ride.

Santa Barbara Farmers' Market, Part Two

More of the beautiful produce at the Santa Barbara Farmers' Market.

These were the biggest, ripest, sweetest peaches any of us had ever seen!

There were thousands of tomatoes in every color, shape and size.

Busy Bees

This sweet little garden was my favorite spot at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, especially these purple globe flowers that were abuzz with bees.

Santa Barbara Farmers' Market, Part One

Last month I was in Santa Barbara and went to the best farmers' market I'd ever seen. It by far surpassed even the markets of Rome in variety and abundance of produce. I took so many pictures that I must post them in multiple installments. Here is the first.