Nothing says SPRING in The Smokies better than a cool, misty, soft day in May. We had planned to take all day on Wednesday this week to continue our quest for baby bears, and I must admit that I was disappointed when we listened to the latest weather forecast before we left. As it turned out, it rained and misted all day, but ended up being a wonderful day anyway.

Although I'm still not having much luck getting the incredible bear shots that a lot of photographers are, it was a great day for mountain landscapes, cabins, birds, horses, and churches, and I think the images adequately portray what an exciting time Spring can be in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We did manage to snag a few wet bears along the way! ... See MoreSee Less

How exciting it was to walk out to our mailbox today and find another $600 in donations for Unity School! We are now ALMOST HALF WAY TO OUR GOAL with two weeks remaining.

WE CAN DO THIS! Send checks to 405 Rodeo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934 or Venmo to Doug Wielfaert. Thank you so much...you guys are the best!! ... See MoreSee Less

A highlight of every Tanzania adventure is our visit to Unity School! Our May departure date is just a little over two weeks away now, so time is running out to donate.

Doug and I feel so honored to have the privilege of helping these children and would love to have you join us. Please send checks to 405 Rodeo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934 or Venmo to Doug Wielfaert. We hope to receive enough funding to continue our bathroom project as well as another total classroom repair and renovation. In addition, we'd also like to provide more new student desks and chairs ($60 each). I must admit that I'm really second guessing my goal of $5000 because donations have not been nearly as numerous as in times past. Thank you and may God bless you for your assistance! ... See MoreSee Less

Doug and I spent most of the day yesterday in Cades Cove looking for bears. We only had a very short encounter with new cubs one time, and they were so far away that it was impossible to get any good shots, even with my longest wildlife lens. Even so, it was a good day. The little ones are so much fun to see whether or not you actually come away with any good images. ... See MoreSee Less

SAFARI MOMENT!

I'm often asked to reveal my favorite safari animal, and most of you probably know by now that I have many "favorites," so it's almost impossible to pick only one. Elephants do rank right up there, though, and there is no better place to see, observe, photograph, and enjoy elephants than Tarangire National Park.It was the first day of our most recent February safari, and we had started the day by saying goodbye to our many friends at Lake Duluti Lodge and beginning the 2 1/2 hour drive to Tarangire. Known as "The Elephants Paradise," this first two night destination is one I always look forward to. Although it is a much smaller park than Serengeti, we always see so much, including fabulous landscapes anchored by the amazing baobab trees that I never tire of photographing.We had enjoyed our drive, checked in, savored a tasty poolside lunch, settled into our room at Sopa Lodge, and had a nice rest before setting out on our late afternoon/sunset game drive. Anticipation was high and cameras were ready, as we enjoyed sightings of baboons, a very entertaining group of ostriches, and some fabulous landscapes, but it was getting close to sunset before we saw the day's highlight. Just as the light moved into golden hour, we found a beautiful group of elephants, gathering themselves to settle in for the night. Elephants are committed to their family groups and are led by one of the most senior females. The leader of a female group, usually the oldest cow, is known as the matriarch. Males (bulls) leave their family groups when they reach puberty and may live alone or with other males. Adult bulls mostly interact with family groups when looking for a mate. They enter a state of increased testosterone and aggression known as musth, which helps them gain dominance over other males as well as reproductive success. Calves are the center of attention in their family groups and rely on their mothers for as long as three years. Elephants can live up to 70 years in the wild. They communicate by touch, sight, smell, and sound, and use infrasound and seismic communication over long distances. Elephant intelligence has been compared with that of primates and cetaceans. They appear to have self-awareness, and possibly show concern for dying and dead individuals of their kind.Elephants can move both forward and backward, but are incapable of trotting, jumping, or galloping. They can move on land only by walking or ambling, a faster gait similar to running. When walking, the legs act as pendulums, with the hips and shoulders moving up and down while the foot is planted on the ground. The elephant’s fastest gait does not meet all the criteria of running, since there is no point where all the feet are off the ground, although the elephant uses its legs much like other running animals and can move faster by quickening its stride. Fast-moving elephants appear to 'run' with their front legs, but 'walk' with their hind legs and can reach a top speed of 16 mph. At this speed, most other quadrupeds are well into a gallop, even accounting for leg length. Spring-like kinetics could explain the difference between the motion of elephants and other animals. The cushion pads expand and contract, and reduce both the pain and noise that would normally come from a very heavy animal moving. Elephants are capable swimmers, and they can swim for up to six hours while completely waterborne, moving at 1 mph and traversing up to 30 miles continuously.Instinct Tours safari guides are in no hurry! We spent about 45 minutes just enjoying this group and repositioning our vehicle often to observe and photograph from the very best vantage points. Believe me, you don't have to be a photographer to be immersed in the moment and witness the miracle of God's creation. I can assure you that time with elephants is well spent and always makes an impact. These moments...where the distractions of politics, cares of life, and personal concerns are totally forgotten...are priceless. You soon realize that these experiences are exactly why you have come to Africa and that your life will never be the same. For me, God is so present during these special times, and I believe that sensing His presence in these simple moments is the real reason that pulls us back there again and again.The cost of the journey, the long plane trip over, and the tiredness of long safari days all fade away quickly. Hoping you will enjoy a few of the images that were captured with my lens on this first night of the February 2025 safari. To fully appreciate each one, view full screen and read accompanying commentary.We still have openings for February, June, and September 2026 and would love to escort you to Tanzania! ... See MoreSee Less

HELP NEEDED!

Departure for our next journey to Tanzania is now only three weeks away, and we are nowhere near our funding goal for Unity School. Would you consider assisting us as we continue to help with renovation, supplies, and additional bathroom construction?It's easy to donate! You may either send a check or make a donation electronically, but we need to have everything collected a few days before we leave, so time is running out. At this point we only have two donations, but are hoping and believing that we can still reach our goal of $5000. ... See MoreSee Less

Festival season is upon us, and we are already preparing for the Lenoir City Arts and Crafts Festival taking place on June 7th and 8th. We love this event (our biggest of the year) and will be ready to go as soon as we return from Tanzania on June 5th. Make plans now and put this one on your calendar! ... See MoreSee Less

Maryville Maker’s Market! Maryville College Campus. Come see us … ... See MoreSee Less

IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR 2026 TANZANIA TRAVELERS!

Deposits are due April 30th. February is filling fast, with plenty of room right now in both June and September. ... See MoreSee Less

Just received pictures this morning of three of our large framed canvases now hanging on the walls of Downtown Dental in Knoxville! Thank you, Dr. Marsha Hickey and husband, Tim, for choosing Marcy's Photo Journey.

We'd love to do some custom work (or show you our current inventory) to freshen up your office or business space. Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation, and explore the possibilities! ... See MoreSee Less

EASTER 2025...It was a good day!

Church, dinner, hammock time, porch sitting, and backyard relaxing...just being together was so good. I especially loved that all of the granddaughters (and dog Oliver) joined in the egg hunt to make it much more exciting for Reagan. Her smile says it all. ... See MoreSee Less

OH HAPPY DAY!

We leave again for Tanzania just five weeks from today, and of course we will once again visit our special friends at Unity School. Yesterday morning Doug and I were discussing the best time to begin our spring fund-raising drive and decided that we should probably wait another couple of weeks because we didn't want to wear you out or annoy you by asking once again for money. About an hour after our talk, the mail came, and a $1000 CHECK ARRIVED from a friend in Wyoming, TOTALLY UNSOLICITED.Well, we took that as a sign that we needed to go ahead and officially begin our campaign for donations to the school. When we visited in February, we saw the new bathrooms (one for boys, one for girls, and one for teachers), renovated classroom, repaired windows, exterior paint job, new desks and chairs (for one classroom), and refurbished chalkboards. When the bathrooms were put in, it was necessary to spend quite a bit of our donated funds to hook into the city sewer system, since Unity did not have flush toilets until this time. Therefore, we were somewhat limited with the number of toilets and sinks that could be installed. It was mentioned that sometime in the future, as funds allow, an additional, second stall for boys and one for girls may be added.I don't even have words to express how much your donations mean to this school! Doug and I wish every single one of you could be there to see the changes taking place. They are getting so much for our money that it is mind blowing. We had no idea that they would honor us by acknowledging our contribution publicly with the desk and wall inscriptions, but it both humbles us and, at the same time, makes us so proud of "our team" here in the US who continue to support our efforts.So the time is here once again. If you would like to add to our first $1000 and help us reach our most ambitious goal yet of $5000, we'd love to have you on board. Donations are accepted electronically through Venmo and PayPal or you can mail a check to 405 Rodeo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US BLESS THESE CHILDREN! ... See MoreSee Less

"Our National Parks," the latest collection in our boxed notecards series, is finished and ready to go! These photos put you right there in many of our best US national parks during all seasons.

Pick up your set at Grit & Grace Market in Cleveland or order directly from us. Each box contains 24 unique cards and envelopes with stunning scenes from our favorite parks. We print these on our best linen finish paper, and are extremely pleased with the end result. Priced at $30 per box plus $5.00 shipping, unless you'd like to pick them up at our home in Knoxville.Great gift item! ... See MoreSee Less

Announcing the completion of our latest boxed notecard collection: "Safari Moments." We are especially excited about this set and think it features some of our very best photography.

You can purchase your set at Grit & Grace Market in Cleveland or order directly from us! 24 cards and envelopes (every card unique, no repeats) elegantly presented in a lovely white box, and finished with a black satin ribbon. Priced at $30, (plus tax if you are a Tennessee resident), and $5.00 shipping (or we will also make arrangements for pick up if you are local).Our notecard collections make great gifts! ... See MoreSee Less

Time is running out to take advantage of our GALLERY CLOSING SALE at Painted Tree Boutiques - Knoxville, TN! Come by soon to save 50% on all remaining photographic artwork. We still have a good variety of wildlife, travel, Smokies, Knoxville, and Tennessee framed canvases and metals. Find our work in G 9-10, B 15, and D 22.

If you are not local and see something you'd like to purchase for your home, WE WILL SHIP. (Please note: not all images pictured in these gallery photos are still available. Some have already been sold.) ... See MoreSee Less

ZANZIBAR: AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY!

After our first life-changing safari trip to Tanzania, Doug and I added on a four day excursion to Zanzibar. We honestly had NO IDEA of what to expect, but thought that since we were traveling all the way to east Africa anyway, we should take advantage of this extra adventure before returning home. We are so glad we did!Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa. Located in the Indian Ocean, it consists of many small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, referred to normally as Zanzibar) and Pemba Island. The capital is Zanzibar City, located on the island of Unguja. Its historic center, Stone Town, is a World Heritage Site. We landed in Stone Town and soon discovered that we were in another world!Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region that united with Tanganyika in 1964, and formed the present-day United Republic of Tanzania. The archipelago's main industries are spices, raffia, and tourism. Spices produced here are cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut, and black pepper. Tourism in Zanzibar is a more recent activity, driven by government promotion that caused an increase from 19,000 tourists in 1985 to 376,000 in 2016. The Indian Ocean was beautiful! We stayed two nights each in two different resorts. The first was in Stone Town where we toured the bustling market on our first morning. What an experience! We also visited a nearby jungle where we observed the rare red colobus monkeys (currently on the endangered list), a spice plantation, a mangrove swamp, and several interesting historic sites. Our second resort, also oceanside but located on a more remote part of the island, was ideal for resting, relaxing, and enjoying sumptuous gourmet meals and gorgeous ocean views, while storing up some energy for our long trip back to Tennessee. THE ZANZIBAR EXCURISON IS OFFERED TO ALL OF OUR TANZANIA TRAVELERS WITH Instinct Tours BEGINNING IN 2026! We are very excited about the addition of this optional add-on and can hardly wait to visit Zanzibar again ourselves. Deposits ($2000 per person) are now being taken through April 30th for next year's tours. If you are interested in including the Zanzibar excursion in your tour package, please let us know, and we will provide the details. ... See MoreSee Less

For the last month, we have been trying to get to Cades Cove, but with the closing of one gallery, our ongoing work with Instinct Tours, and other obligations, we just couldn't make it happen. Finally, this past Thursday was our first visit to the Smokies in way too long. Dogwoods, rain, mist, puddles, new life everywhere, and SO MUCH GREEN.

Even though it wasn't really the best day for photos, we enjoyed it so much. Every year I tend to take so many of the same pictures that I've taken in past years, but I never tire of it. We saw no bears, but hopefully we can return this coming week and enjoy the excitement of new cubbies! ... See MoreSee Less

“Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on earth. Once you have been there, you will never be the same. But how do you begin to describe its magic to someone who has never felt it? How can you explain the fascination of this vast, dusty continent, whose oldest roads are elephant paths?" Brian Jackman, author

Through personal experiences in Africa, we have found these words to be on point. CONSIDER JOINING US AS WE ESCORT TRAVELERS TO TANZANIA IN FEBRUARY, JUNE, AND SEPTEMBER, 2026! Each time we go, we are changed...for the better. ... See MoreSee Less

It will be four years ago this July since we created our shop in Painted Tree Boutiques - Knoxville, TN in west Knoxville. Certainly there have been some difficult months, but even so, we have sold way more framed wall art, cards, and prints than we could ever have imagined. We were so excited to finish 2024 strong with record high sales, and we looked forward to continuing on that path in the new year.

However, the first three months of 2025 have been a struggle, to put it mildly. With the uncertainties of the current economy, artwork is a low priority for most. Therefore, we are left with no option but to close our Knoxville gallery.Beginning tomorrow, ALL WALL ART (CANVASES AND METALS) AND MATTED PRINTS WILL BE 50% OFF. This sale will last until May 3rd, and the gallery space will be cleaned out on May 4th. If you get a chance to stop by soon, we have a large variety of work available, including the images below.We extend a HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR KNOXVILLE CUSTOMERS who have supported us over the last four years. It's been a great ride! ... See MoreSee Less

HELLO APRIL!

If you've ever considered placing a custom order with Marcy's Photo Journey, your time has come. From Tennessee to other great locations in the USA, and on to Italy, France, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Costa Rica, Africa, and many more locations all over the world. WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.The process is simple. Let us know what you're looking for, and we'll go through our extensive image portfolio and provide options We love to work closely with our customers to create the perfect art piece to your specifications. Enjoy looking at the photos below, and know that our range of locations and variety of styles gives you some wonderful options! (Location of each picture is listed.)Through the month of April, we are offering 20% OFF ALL CUSTOM ORDERS. Free consultations and estimates are provided without obligation. WE SHIP TO ANY LOCATION IN THE US. Contact us today!(Shares are encouraged and greatly appreciated.) ... See MoreSee Less

SAFARI MOMENT!

While on safari, we ALWAYS see plenty of giraffes and yet I find myself excited every single time one is spotted. I especially love to see these awkward looking animals run with such grace and beauty, and being able to watch a mama and baby giraffe together is definitely an experience that never gets old. Tanzania chose the giraffe as their national animal for their grace, as well as their long necks which represent the ability to be visionary – seeing the past and the present. And so, giraffes serve as a reminder for Tanzanians to view life from all angles.Interesting facts:1. Giraffes are the tallest mammals on Earth. Their legs alone are taller than many humans—about 6 feet. 2. They can run as fast as 35 miles an hour over short distances, or cruise at 10 mph over longer distances. 3. A giraffe's neck is too short to reach the ground. As a result, it has to awkwardly spread its front legs or kneel to reach the ground for a drink of water. 4. Giraffes only need to drink once every few days. Most of their water comes from all the plants they eat. 5. Giraffes spend most of their lives standing up; they even sleep and give birth standing up. 6. Newborn giraffes can stand up and walk after about an hour and within a week, baby giraffes start to sample vegetation alongside their mothers.7. Despite the mother's attempts to stand over their calves during attacks by lions, spotted hyenas, leopards and African wild dogs, many calves are killed in their first few months. 8. A giraffe’s spots are much like human fingerprints. No two individual giraffes have exactly the same pattern.9. Both male and female giraffes have two distinct, hair-covered horns called ossicones. Male giraffes use their horns to sometimes fight with other males. 10. Giraffes only need 5 to 30 minutes of sleep in a 24-hour period! They often achieve that in quick naps that may last only a minute or two at a time.Years ago, it was thought that giraffes did not make any sounds, but this is now known to be untrue, as giraffes bellow, snort, hiss and make flute-like sounds. They also make low-pitched noises beyond the range of human hearing.It's not a surprise that so many of our fellow travelers on Instinct Tours say that these amazing creatures are among their top three safari animals! TRAVEL WITH US ON ONE OF OUR THREE ADVENTURES IN 2026 AND HAVE THIS LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE FOR YOURSELF. A $2000 deposit will hold your spot with full payment balance not due until 90 days before departure. I GUARANTEE that you will never regret your decision to see first hand what all of the excitement is about! ... See MoreSee Less

Coming soon!

Since returning from Tanzania five weeks ago, it's been very busy around here. Doug and I have both been highly engaged in our work for Instinct Tours, but also spending extra time on our local endeavors. I am happy to announce the development of two new lines of boxed notecards that will be in both of our shops real soon. "Safari Moments" and "Our National Parks" The Safari Moments Collection highlights some of our favorite animals and birds from our visits to Tanzania, and Our National Parks contains stunning vistas from our favorite parks. As always, each box has 24 unique cards with no repeats. Enjoy a few of the cards pictured below.Be sure to look for these at Marcy's Photo Journey, located in Painted Tree Boutiques - Knoxville, TN and Grit & Grace Market-Cleveland TN. They will also be available at marcysphotojourney.etsy.com. ... See MoreSee Less

SAFARI MOMENT...

After elephants and rhinoceroses, the hippopotamus is the next largest land mammal. Hippos are recognizable for their barrel-shaped torsos, wide-opening mouths with large canine tusks, nearly hairless bodies, pillar-like legs, and large size. How dangerous are hippos? The hippopotamus is a very aggressive wild creature and is the deadliest large land mammal on the planet.Hippos are able to breathe air while being almost entirely submerged, thanks to high-set nostrils that protrude out of the water. These can be sealed when the animals need to dive. They can last about five minutes between breaths, long enough for an animal that lives in shallow rivers rather than the ocean depths, where it is never far from a fresh lungful of air. Despite their huge size (2200-9900 pounds) and short legs, they can run from 19 to 28 miles per hour.We always see many hippos while on safari in Tanzania. From the safety of our safari vehicles or observing at a distance from a riverside cliff, we have never felt unsafe or in danger. They are interesting and fun to observe, but on a few occasions, the stench has been off-putting to say the least! COME WITH US TO TANZANIA IN 2026! An Instinct Tours safari opens up a whole, new world for everyone who experiences this magical place. Contact us now for more information.#arnoldmakinda #instinctours #tanzaniasafari #tarangirenationalpark #serengetinationalpark #safariphotography ... See MoreSee Less

Just heard from our dear friend and brother, Arnold Makinda, in Tanzania. after he recently checked in to see the most recent progress at Unity School. Although they certainly did not need to recognize us for helping them, it was exciting to see that the school wanted to publicly thank you for your donations! With the donations from our trip last month, another entire classroom has been rennovated. Windows repaired and replaced, floor and walls repaired and freshly painted, and all new desks for each student.

Closer to the May departure, we will once again be collecting donations for this worthy cause. Every dollar you donate goes directly to improvements for these precious students. Doug, Makinda, and I can not thank you enough for supporting us in this effort. ... See MoreSee Less

INSTINCT TOURS has added a BRAND NEW PHOTOGRAPHERS SAFARI TO THEIR SCHEDULE!

March 13th (departing US) -26th (arriving home), 2026 has been set aside as a special time for any photographer who is interested in an exclusive excursion geared specifically to you. A more rigorous schedule will be followed in order to capture all of those photos that can only be gotten during the optimum early morning hours. Vehicles are limited to four passengers each, allowing extra room for camera equipment and the ability to move around easier for best composition opportunities.The cost of $7485 per person includes all transportation and guide services, accommodations, meals, and park fees. It DOES NOT INCLUDE flights. There are only eight spots available for this trip. Doug and I will be available to help answer inquiries, but will not be accompanying the group to Tanzania. All participants should be knowledgeable about their camera equipment as PHOTOGRAPHY INSTRUCTION is not part of the package. If you are interested in finding out more, please leave a comment below or let us know through messenger.(PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHER!)#arnoldmakinda #instinctours #wildlifephotography #tanzaniasafario#tanzaniatravel ... See MoreSee Less

I have been so blessed to travel to Tanzania and photograph some of God's greatest creatures! Lions are among my favorites, and I've taken many, many pictures of these majestic cats. The images I'm sharing today are from our trip last month. For the first time, the opportunity to see a beautiful male lion in a lush green meadow, dotted with wildflowers, presented itself in the Lake Ndutu area of The Serengeti.

I have to give a lot of credit to Arnold Makinda of Instinct Tours. He is an incredible spotter, and we hung with this lion for a long time until Makinda was able to position our vehicle exactly in the perfect spot. I can hardly wait to order one of these on canvas! Which one is your favorite? ... See MoreSee Less

Our last location on this safari was the Ngorongoro Crater. A crater is defined as a feature which is formed as a result of an outward explosion of rocks and is circular in appearance, while a caldera is formed as a result of inward collapse of a volcano and has uneven sides. Ngorongoro is very scenic and consists of forest, savannah plains, and a soda lake. It is thought to have formed about 2.5 million years ago from a large active volcano.

Often described as Tanzania's "Garden of Eden," descending down into the crater is always a special and enjoyable experience. It's literally like another world there, and I think my favorite thing is being able to capture unusual landscapes with wildlife in them. The crater is our best option for seeing rhinos, and we did actually see two this time, but at great distance, making it very difficult to get decent images.Today's pictures wind up our February 2025 safari, and I hope you've enjoyed seeing just a small bit of all we saw. We are now in full swing for 2026 and still invite you to jump in and join us during February, June, or September next year. Contact us for specific information! ... See MoreSee Less

PICTURE OVERLOAD TODAY!

These are all from Lake Ndutu and will definitely show you why I love this area that we are only able to visit during February safari. The amount of lions we saw was nothing short of phenomenal!! But there were also SO MANY OTHER wonderful wildlife and bird sightings. Would you believe I'm already looking forward to February 2026? We now have one full vehicle for that adventure, but would love to have 15-18 people for a total of three vehicles. If you are interested in joining us, please let us know NOW and we'll send you all of the information. Our 2026 prospective travelers February newsletter will be sent out by this weekend to everyone on our list.#instinctours #arnoldmakinda #lakendutu #serengetinationalpark #tanzaniasafari #tanzaniatravel #africanwildlife #africansafari ... See MoreSee Less

Birds spotted at Lake Ndutu. Hopefully, Arnold Makinda can help me out with those I've misidentified or can't remember their names! ... See MoreSee Less

SAFARI MOMENT:

It is only during the February safari that we visit the Lake Ndutu area of the southern Serengeti. That visit is one of many reasons why I love to be in Tanzania this special time of year. I've only been twice now to Lake Ndutu, but it has become a favorite spot for me, and as I review my pictures from this last trip, I love this area most for the photographic opportunities.Wildebeest, also called gnu, are part of the antelope species of mammals and are native to eastern and southern Africa. They belong to the family Bovidae, which includes true antelopes, cattle, goats, sheep, and other even-toed horned ungulates. In East Africa, the blue wildebeest is the most abundant big-game species and is a huge part of the annual migration of over 600 miles through The Serengeti. Wildebeest often graze in mixed herds with zebra, which gives heightened awareness of potential predators. They are also alert to the warning signals emitted by other animals such as baboons.By the end of February millions of wildebeest are enjoying the short grasses of the southern Serengeti and giving birth to their young. Many of them are settling down for a time in the Lake Ndutu area, so we are able to enjoy them there. On several occasions, we have been immersed in herds where you can look in all four directions (for miles) and not see the end of the wildebeest herd. The sounds of these animals grunting and moaning can be deafening!I have found it somewhat difficult to adequately capture the experience, but Doug is currently working on a video that he will post soon. Today's pictures will give you some insight into these animals.#arnoldmakinda #instinctours #tanzaniasafari #tanzania #tanzaniatravel #africanwildlife ... See MoreSee Less

Fully aware that African wildlife is not everyone's cup of tea, I plan to wrap up this adventure over the next couple of days. Today's images are from our three day visit to Serengeti, without a doubt one of the premiere wildlife habitats in the world. ... See MoreSee Less

ARE THEY PLAYING OR FIGHTING?

No visit to Serengeti is complete without visiting the hippo hangout! This pool is located fairly near one of the camps where we stay, and we are usually there early in the morning when the hippos are returning to the river after a night of roaming and grazing on land. One night on an earlier trip, I awakened to hear what I at first thought was Doug snoring, but soon realized the noise was not coming from Doug! When I questioned our night guard the next morning, he said a hippo had been lying right next to our tent part of the night, and I was hearing him breathing.From Wikipedia- "After elephants and rhinoceroses, the hippopotamus is the next largest land mammal. Despite their physical resemblance to pigs and other terrestrial even-toed ungulates, the closest living relatives of the hippopotamus are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises). Hippos are recognizable for their barrel-shaped torsos, wide-opening mouths with large canine tusks, nearly hairless bodies, pillar-like legs, and large size. Adults average 3,300 pounds for bulls (males) and 2,900 pounds for cows (females). Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 19 mph over short distances.Hippos inhabit rivers, lakes, and mangrove swamps. Territorial bulls each preside over a stretch of water and a group of five to thirty cows and calves. Mating and birth both occur in the water. During the day, hippos remain cool by staying in water or mud, emerging at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippos rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos typically do not display territorial behavior on land. They are among the most dangerous animals in the world due to their aggressive and unpredictable nature. "Hippos will not win any awards for their beauty and they are not among my favorite animals, for sure, but they do have their place in the world and always provide entertainment when we visit their habitat.#arnoldmakinda #instinctours #marcycphotojourney #tanzaniasafari #wildlifephotography #hippopotamus #hippo #serengeti #serengetinationalpark ... See MoreSee Less

Another rare sighting! It was our first time to see Klipspringers. We spotted them on a group of large boulders in The Serengeti. Unfortunately, the light was not conducive to good photos, but you have to work with what you have. 🙂

Standing less than 2 feet tall at the shoulder, they can jump 10 to 15 feet straight up in the air without breaking a sweat—and their specially adapted, hold-tight hooves allow them to scamper among the rocks without breaking anything else! I assume this was a pair and believe the female was resting while the male contemplated a jump.#instinctours ... See MoreSee Less

Looking straight up, right outside my window! He was at the edge of the road as we went by and literally couldn't have been any closer. Giraffes are "browsers" and are constantly on the move from treetop to treetop eating leaves. The giraffe is the official national animal of Tanzania, and we always see plenty of them on every safari. They're definitely a personal favorite.

#instinctours ... See MoreSee Less

On the February safari, we visit four different wildlife viewing areas: Tarangire National Park, The Serengeti, Lake Ndutu (part of southern Serengeti), and Ngorongoro Crater. All four are fantastic spots to see an abundance of wildlife, and it's really hard to choose a favorite of the four locations because they are all quite different. Today's featured images were all taken in Serengeti National Park. During our visit there, we stayed in Embalaki Tented Camp, one of my favorite spots. It's many notches above camping...more in the "glamping" world. The accommodations are wonderful, food is amazing, and the staff is ready to meet your every need.

We are now taking reservations for February 2026 and would love to have you join us! If you are interested in receiving information, please let us know.(Click on each picture for best viewing and to see accompanying commentary. ALL SHARES WELCOME AND GREATLY APPRECIATED.) #instinctours #arnoldmakinda #serengeti #tanzaniasafari ... See MoreSee Less

A third rare sighting was the serval cat. We saw one in the Ndutu Lake area and another in Ngorogoro Crater. Unfortunately, the one in the crater was almost beyond the reach of my longest lens and the other one refused to turn my way. These shots are heavily cropped and not exactly what I was hoping for, but at least they give you a good idea of what this little cat looks like. ... See MoreSee Less

And another rare sighting...BAT-EARED FOX PAIR

We found these two nestled in the weeds in the Ndutu Lake area of the southern Serengeti.#marcycphotojourney #instinctours #arnoldmakinda #lakendutu #serengeti #tanzaniasafari ... See MoreSee Less

ALMOST THERE! Now in Dulles Airport awaiting boarding for Knoxville. What better thing to do than check back over some of the thousands of photos from the trip?

One of the great things about this latest adventure was seeing a few rare sightings. The images below show a caracal cat that was one of the first things we saw upon entering The Serengeti this time. They are a little larger than a house cat and really pretty, but rather elusive, so we were thrilled to have a chance to get a picture of this one. #instinctours #arnoldmakinda #tanzaniasafari #serengeti #marcycphotojourney ... See MoreSee Less

A fun and relaxing last day! We started the morning at Unity School (more details later), then had a memorable visit and leisurely lunch with Makinda’s family, and mid-afternoon headed to the airport. We’re now in the Addis Ababa, Ethiopia airport awaiting our flight to Washington, DC. If all goes as planned, we arrive in Knoxville tomorrow afternoon at 2:00. Yes, we’re tired,, but happy. 😍 It was a wonderful trip! ... See MoreSee Less

As it turns out, our last night here we have great internet, so I thought I'd catch up a bit. All of these images were taken in Tarangire National Park, our first safari location and a great place to see many, many elephants. We also spotted several beautiful birds in Tarangire, as well as mongooses, baboons, impalas, giraffes, and summer landscapes. One morning we saw a whole pride of lions on a recent cape buffalo kill, but I prefer not to post those pictures. It's a good thing I never get tired of photographing elephants!

#instincttours #arnoldmakinda #marcysphotojourney #safari #safariphotography #tanzania #tanzaniasafari(SHARES ALWAYS WELCOME AND GREATLY APPRECIATED!) ... See MoreSee Less

SAFARI MOMENT:

ARE YOU MY MAMA?We happened upon this lone baby wildebeest on the shore calling for mom. The huge herd of wildebeest were all on the other side of the lake. He wandered for awhile, obviously not knowing what to do or where to turn, and then plunged into the water frantically swimming for the other side. We held our breath as we saw him struggle for several minutes, but he finally made it across. Did he find his mother? Likely, he did not. Wildebeest mothers often forget they even have babies and abandon them as they run with the herd. Since there were tens of thousands in the massive herd, he probably remained lost and will never be able to reconnect with her. Over 600,000 wildebeest babies are born each year, but only 20% survive to adulthood, falling prey to predators like lions and hyenas. #instincttours ... See MoreSee Less

As we move from one location to another, it's never boring. There are so many things to see and enjoy along the way. I'm always telling people that these safari trips are so much more than animals! We have found the people of Tanzania to be beautiful, kind, and so joyful. Featuring a few images today that were taken along the road as we left Arusha and drove to Tarangire National Park. #instincttours ... See MoreSee Less

You've probably figured out by now that internet has been slow and spotty so far. Here's just a few images from the first two days while in Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is known as the elephant's paradise, and we won't question that after SO MANY incredible elephant sightings. #instincttours ... See MoreSee Less

While here in Tanzania, we are really loving having time with Makinda to finalize plans for 2026 Instinct Tours. This morning we visited an authentic Maasai village, and we plan to include this experience as part of our cultural and educational emphasis. This little goat was born early this morning, and I couldn’t resist a cuddle. ... See MoreSee Less