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Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Aug 30

Brachiosaurus enjoying some scenery in the Seychelles.

Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Aug 16

A digital SLR was not in the budget for our Africa trip, but scoring a used Nikkor 70-210 lens for $89 gave me a way to pull the Masai Mara wildlife into range with my Nikon F80.

“Pick up Velvia from the lab” day is one of the best days. Now it’s time to fire up the Nikon Coolscan.

Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Aug 5

First skate session after three weeks in Africa. Spent the tail end of golden hour on old standards, then got into new material. Frontside noseslides are new trick #2 since joining Team 50+.
Fingus the Gutter Rat needs to work on his framing.

Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Aug 3

Awesome, thanks. I’m new to Monsieur Dutronc’s music and really digging it.

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Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Aug 1

Thus, I ended up with a $100 (annoying to use) and a sheaf of $1’s and $5’s (too raggedy to use). But I could put that Benjamin on the outside and feel like the cock of the walk.

Please note: Carrying a Kansas roll in Nairobi is a terrible idea.

Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Aug 1

Anatomy of a “Kansas Roll” (as defined in Miles Davis’s autobiography).

Things one learns quickly in Nairobi:
- USD is commonly used
- ATMs default to dispensing $100 bills
- Most places reject bills that are wrinkled or 10+ years old and will unload these on unsuspecting dupes at any opportunity

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Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Jul 29

Discovered this ‘60s garage gem while watching “Roadrunner: A film about Anthony Bourdain” on a flight from Nairobi.
Et moi, et moi, et moi. By Jacques Dutronc.
Catchy simplicity at its best with great lyrics (I had to dig back into my high school French).

youtu.be/mTj8rizW9Bg?...

Et moi, et moi, et moi

YouTube video by Jacques Dutronc - Topic

youtu.be

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Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Jul 24

If you’ve read @waub.bsky.social’s Moon of the Turning Leaves, you’ll get the coincidence of finding this old Nat Geo beside the TV at one of our vacation stops.

I recommend it if you’re interested in a different angle on post-apocalyptic storytelling (read Moon of the Crusted Snow first).

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Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Jul 21

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Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Jul 21

A day in the life of a lion pride: The lionesses take down a water buffalo and get to snacking. The male(s) ambles up to take advantage of the ladies’ hard work. Then everyone lays down in the shade for a serious nap.

Masai Mara National Park in Kenya with Wildebeest Safaris.

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Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Jul 18

That female crossed right in front of us - presumably to hang with the male and female off in the distance. They’re in there, I promise.

Masai Mara National Park in Kenya with Wildebeest Safaris.

Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Jul 18

Birdwatching feels different when the birds can kick your ass. I like ostriches because these weirdos are the closest I’ll get to seeing an ornithomimosaur.

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Jeff Chan @jeffchanimal.bsky.social · Jul 16

These two giraffe bulls went from sunrise posing to full-contact sparring. They’d swing their heads into the other’s body and it sounded like dropping a king-size futon off of a four-story balcony.
Masai Mara National Park with Wildebeest Safaris.