Probably more than you’ll ever need to know about a zebra’s coat, but here goes — the skin is black beneath its fur, and the stripes are formed by black and white hairs growing from follicles that contain melanocyte cells. The melanocytes are activated to produce melanin in the areas that form black stripes, while the melanocytes are deactivated in the areas that form white stripes, resulting in an absence of melanin for the white hairs. But why? The black and white stripes serve multiple purposes, though scientists are still debating exactly which is most important. One leading theory is that the stripes confuse biting insects like tsetse flies and horseflies, which struggle to land on the high-contrast patterns. The stripes may also help with thermoregulation. White hairs reflect sunlight while black hairs absorb it, creating micro-air currents that cool the skin. Additionally, the patterns may offer camouflage in tall grasses and help zebras recognize one another at a distance. And when a group is being pursued by a predator, all those stripes running together can prove very confusing. So now you know. Have a great weekend everyone. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 180, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second.

Elephants wallow in mud to protect their skin from the sun and biting insects. The mud acts like a natural sunscreen and bug repellent. It also helps cool them down, since elephants don’t sweat. For baby elephants, wallowing is especially important because their skin is more sensitive and they overheat more easily. Plus, it’s just plain fun. Young elephants love to splash, slide, and play in the mud as part of their social development. And it certainly looks like this little one was having a lot of fun. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 145mm) ISO 2500, f/5.6 at 1/1600th of a second.

I try not to overlook any creatures we encounter on our safaris (within reason, of course). These are spur-winged lapwings, also known as spur-winged plovers. They’re often seen near freshwater lakes, marshes, and riverbanks. The name comes from the small, sharp spur on each wing, which they use to defend territory and nest. With bold black-and-white plumage, a chestnut back, and red eyes, they are both elegant and aggressive, unafraid to confront much larger intruders. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1100, f/10 at 1/500th of a second.

Some days just call for a portrait of the massive head of a hippopotamus. We saw this guy as we were leaving for the airstrip on our last day in the Masai Mara back in June. Always nice to see them out of the water (and at such close range). In case you’re wondering, a hippo’s head can be 3 feet wide and weigh up to 500 pounds.Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 8000, f/5.6 at 1/250th of a second.

Another of the specialties of northern Kenya is the Somali ostrich. Males, like this one, have bluish legs and neck on either side of that ball of black and white feathers. My sister and I got out early with our guide and caught this one strutting in front of Samburu’s iconic pyramid-shaped mountain. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 165mm) ISO 220, f/5.6 at 1/500th of a second.

Here’s another look at a vulturine guineafowl. These guys are a specialty of Samburu National Reserve in the north of Kenya. Odd looking? Yes. Beautiful? Also yes. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 4000, f/5.6 at 1/1600th of a second.

Here’s another zebra. This time, first thing in the morning as the sun was starting to color the sky above the Masai Mara in Kenya. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 94mm) ISO 64, f/2.8 at 1/250th of a second.

We spent a lot of time with this lion capturing images from many angles. She was in such a great position on what could best be described as a grassy mesa rising from a river bank in the Masai Mara. Eventually she climbed down, walked along the river and up another steep bank. Hiding nearby in the bushes was a male, sleeping through it all. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 140, f/8 at 1/800th of a second.

Reticulated giraffes in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve are always alert to predators, and a leopard in the area can make them visibly uneasy. They will stand tall, scanning the bush with their excellent vision, and may even stare fixedly in the direction of a hidden leopard, sometimes giving away the big cat’s location to other animals on the savanna. And to our guide and us. We knew the leopard was in the area and hiding somewhere in the thick bushes. The giraffes non-wavering gaze gave us our starting point. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 1400, f/5.6 at 1/2000th of a second.