Tanzania
Africa

Study 6 of 6 - The Serengeti

Composite Work: The primary image of this acacia tree that over time, has weathered storms and prevailing winds, has texture incorporated via 4 composite exposures. These 'texture exposures' are of local material in the very same area, both natural (earth, stone, grass, bark) as well as Maasai garments (hide, woven cotton) from the Maasai village approximately 1km away.

Image story:


It is a very wet blustery and stormy late afternoon as James my guide and I make our way to our next destination in the Northern part of the Serengeti in Kenya.


Dotted randomly about the plains, I see lone Acacia trees, leaning permanently in sympathy with the prevailing wind.


They need to protect against the animals as well but what strikes me right now is the way they seem to be 'hanging in there' braving the gusts of wind and rain.


These flat topped trees are iconic - for those who have lived in Central and Southern Africa, they hold a special place.


It is not just sentiment that makes them special however ref below (Alland and Robert).



Conservation:


The Serengeti ecosystem is a world-renowned natural landscape.


The forward thinking conservationist organisation Alland & Robert say there is overwhelming evidence supporting the critical importance of Acacia Trees in preventing desertification in Africa and climate change. A key part of the eco-balance of this whole wilderness.


And other organisations maintain a keen interest in this area too. The Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) has been a prominent and influential conservation player from 1959 to this day and the Serengeti remains at the core of its conservation work in Africa.


FZS is continuing its engagement in close collaboration with Tanzania National Parks, by providing critical financial and logistical support, information on resource protection, ecological and threat monitoring, and park management in the Serengeti National Park.