The Flickr Openplains Image Generatr

photo rights reserved by Ben

Kvemo Kartli is a region in southeastern Georgia, bordering Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is a region where you can find both historic monasteries and lonely, quiet landscapes — ideal for adventurous travelers. We’re on our way to David Gareji monastery, tucked between colorful hills and bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. Down in the valley, countless cows graze peacefully in the evening stillness. The monastery lies in eastern Georgia — a land of vast emptiness and rolling hills, near the border with Azerbaijan. It offers a striking contrast to the lush, mountainous regions found elsewhere in the country. Here, an expansive semi-desert landscape unfolds, with soft, undulating hills, dusty paths, and endless horizons. The earth glows in shades of yellow, red, and brown, especially when the sun hangs low in the sky, and the silence feels almost tangible. You’ll often have the entire landscape to yourself. The surroundings are perfect for quiet walks, picnics, or simply soaking in the silence. From time to time, shepherds pass by with their flocks, adding to the timeless, almost dreamlike atmosphere. Especially in the early morning or at sunset, when the light turns golden and the hills glow in warm tones, the area feels truly magical.

In the remote east of Georgia, near the border with Azerbaijan and Armenia, lies the region Kvemo Kartli, surrounded by sweeping semi-desert hills. The landscape here is vast and colorful, glowing in warm tones as the sun rises or sets. This tranquil setting offers a sense of solitude and timelessness, with shepherds occasionally passing by and cows grazing in the silence. It's an ideal place for peaceful walks and quiet reflection, where nature feels untouched and almost magical.


Kvemo Kartli is een regio in het zuidoosten van Georgië, grenzend aan Armenië en Azerbeidzjan. Het is een regio waar je zowel historische kloosters als eenzame, stille landschappen vindt — ideaal voor avontuurlijke reizigers. We zijn onderweg naar David Gareji klooster verscholen tussen de kleurrijke heuvels en badend in het warme licht van de ondergaande zon. In het dal grazen talloze koeien, vredig in de avondstilte. Het klooster ligt in het oosten van Georgië — een wereld van uitgestrekte leegte en golvende heuvels, vlak bij de grens met Azerbeidzjan. Het vormt een intrigerend contrast met de groene, bergachtige streken elders in het land. Hier ontvouwt zich een indrukwekkend halfwoestijnachtig landschap, met zachtglooiende heuvels, stoffige paden en eindeloze horizonten. De aarde kleurt in tinten geel, rood en bruin, vooral wanneer de zon laag aan de hemel staat, en de stilte is bijna tastbaar. Vaak heb je dit landschap helemaal voor jezelf. De omgeving leent zich perfect voor rustige wandelingen, een picknick, of simpelweg het genieten van de stilte. Zo nu en dan trekken herders voorbij met hun kuddes, wat bijdraagt aan de tijdloze, bijna dromerige sfeer. Vooral in de vroege ochtend of bij zonsondergang, wanneer het licht goudkleurig wordt en de heuvels oplichten in warme tinten, voelt deze plek werkelijk magisch aan.

photo rights reserved by Ben

We’re on our way to Udabno, tucked between colorful hills and bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. Down in the valley, countless cows graze peacefully in the evening stillness. b>Udabno lies in eastern Georgia — a land of vast emptiness and rolling hills, near the border with Azerbaijan. It offers a striking contrast to the lush, mountainous regions found elsewhere in the country. Here, an expansive semi-desert landscape unfolds, with soft, undulating hills, dusty paths, and endless horizons. The earth glows in shades of yellow, red, and brown, especially when the sun hangs low in the sky, and the silence feels almost tangible. You’ll often have the entire landscape to yourself. The surroundings are perfect for quiet walks, picnics, or simply soaking in the silence. From time to time, shepherds pass by with their flocks, adding to the timeless, almost dreamlike atmosphere. Especially in the early morning or at sunset, when the light turns golden and the hills glow in warm tones, the area feels truly magical.

In the remote east of Georgia, near the border with Azerbaijan, lies the quiet village of Udabno, surrounded by sweeping semi-desert hills. The landscape here is vast and colorful, glowing in warm tones as the sun rises or sets. This tranquil setting offers a sense of solitude and timelessness, with shepherds occasionally passing by and cows grazing in the silence. It's an ideal place for peaceful walks and quiet reflection, where nature feels untouched and almost magical.


We zijn onderweg naar Udabno. verscholen tussen de kleurrijke heuvels en badend in het warme licht van de ondergaande zon. In het dal grazen talloze koeien, vredig in de avondstilte. Udabno ligt in het oosten van Georgië — een wereld van uitgestrekte leegte en golvende heuvels, vlak bij de grens met Azerbeidzjan. Het vormt een intrigerend contrast met de groene, bergachtige streken elders in het land. Hier ontvouwt zich een indrukwekkend halfwoestijnachtig landschap, met zachtglooiende heuvels, stoffige paden en eindeloze horizonten. De aarde kleurt in tinten geel, rood en bruin, vooral wanneer de zon laag aan de hemel staat, en de stilte is bijna tastbaar. Vaak heb je dit landschap helemaal voor jezelf. De omgeving leent zich perfect voor rustige wandelingen, een picknick, of simpelweg het genieten van de stilte. Zo nu en dan trekken herders voorbij met hun kuddes, wat bijdraagt aan de tijdloze, bijna dromerige sfeer. Vooral in de vroege ochtend of bij zonsondergang, wanneer het licht goudkleurig wordt en de heuvels oplichten in warme tinten, voelt deze plek werkelijk magisch aan.

photo rights reserved by Ben

We’re on our way to Udabno, tucked between colorful hills and bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. Down in the valley, countless cows graze peacefully in the evening stillness. b>Udabno lies in eastern Georgia — a land of vast emptiness and rolling hills, near the border with Azerbaijan. It offers a striking contrast to the lush, mountainous regions found elsewhere in the country. Here, an expansive semi-desert landscape unfolds, with soft, undulating hills, dusty paths, and endless horizons. The earth glows in shades of yellow, red, and brown, especially when the sun hangs low in the sky, and the silence feels almost tangible. You’ll often have the entire landscape to yourself. The surroundings are perfect for quiet walks, picnics, or simply soaking in the silence. From time to time, shepherds pass by with their flocks, adding to the timeless, almost dreamlike atmosphere. Especially in the early morning or at sunset, when the light turns golden and the hills glow in warm tones, the area feels truly magical.

In the remote east of Georgia, near the border with Azerbaijan, lies the quiet village of Udabno, surrounded by sweeping semi-desert hills. The landscape here is vast and colorful, glowing in warm tones as the sun rises or sets. This tranquil setting offers a sense of solitude and timelessness, with shepherds occasionally passing by and cows grazing in the silence. It's an ideal place for peaceful walks and quiet reflection, where nature feels untouched and almost magical.


We zijn onderweg naar Udabno. verscholen tussen de kleurrijke heuvels en badend in het warme licht van de ondergaande zon. In het dal grazen talloze koeien, vredig in de avondstilte. Udabno ligt in het oosten van Georgië — een wereld van uitgestrekte leegte en golvende heuvels, vlak bij de grens met Azerbeidzjan. Het vormt een intrigerend contrast met de groene, bergachtige streken elders in het land. Hier ontvouwt zich een indrukwekkend halfwoestijnachtig landschap, met zachtglooiende heuvels, stoffige paden en eindeloze horizonten. De aarde kleurt in tinten geel, rood en bruin, vooral wanneer de zon laag aan de hemel staat, en de stilte is bijna tastbaar. Vaak heb je dit landschap helemaal voor jezelf. De omgeving leent zich perfect voor rustige wandelingen, een picknick, of simpelweg het genieten van de stilte. Zo nu en dan trekken herders voorbij met hun kuddes, wat bijdraagt aan de tijdloze, bijna dromerige sfeer. Vooral in de vroege ochtend of bij zonsondergang, wanneer het licht goudkleurig wordt en de heuvels oplichten in warme tinten, voelt deze plek werkelijk magisch aan.

As part of my first visit to the region, I had just under a week to explore Kyrgyzstan with my brother in April. We rented an old 4x4 and set off to explore and had an absolutely wonderful visit. The roads were challenging at times, but loads of fun. People were incredibly friendly and kind. The food was delightful. The horse herds and landscapes fascinating. Before the visit I didn't know what to expect, but Kyrgyzstan absolutely delighted us with its kindness, hospitality and beauty.

For licensing or usage requests please reach out directly.

To learn more about the trip please see virtualwayfarer.com or my videos.

As part of my first visit to the region, I had just under a week to explore Kyrgyzstan with my brother in April. We rented an old 4x4 and set off to explore and had an absolutely wonderful visit. The roads were challenging at times, but loads of fun. People were incredibly friendly and kind. The food was delightful. The horse herds and landscapes fascinating. Before the visit I didn't know what to expect, but Kyrgyzstan absolutely delighted us with its kindness, hospitality and beauty.

For licensing or usage requests please reach out directly.

To learn more about the trip please see virtualwayfarer.com or my videos.

As part of my first visit to the region, I had just under a week to explore Kyrgyzstan with my brother in April. We rented an old 4x4 and set off to explore and had an absolutely wonderful visit. The roads were challenging at times, but loads of fun. People were incredibly friendly and kind. The food was delightful. The horse herds and landscapes fascinating. Before the visit I didn't know what to expect, but Kyrgyzstan absolutely delighted us with its kindness, hospitality and beauty.

For licensing or usage requests please reach out directly.

To learn more about the trip please see virtualwayfarer.com or my videos.

As part of my first visit to the region, I had just under a week to explore Kyrgyzstan with my brother in April. We rented an old 4x4 and set off to explore and had an absolutely wonderful visit. The roads were challenging at times, but loads of fun. People were incredibly friendly and kind. The food was delightful. The horse herds and landscapes fascinating. Before the visit I didn't know what to expect, but Kyrgyzstan absolutely delighted us with its kindness, hospitality and beauty.

For licensing or usage requests please reach out directly.

To learn more about the trip please see virtualwayfarer.com or my videos.

As part of my first visit to the region, I had just under a week to explore Kyrgyzstan with my brother in April. We rented an old 4x4 and set off to explore and had an absolutely wonderful visit. The roads were challenging at times, but loads of fun. People were incredibly friendly and kind. The food was delightful. The horse herds and landscapes fascinating. Before the visit I didn't know what to expect, but Kyrgyzstan absolutely delighted us with its kindness, hospitality and beauty.

For licensing or usage requests please reach out directly.

To learn more about the trip please see virtualwayfarer.com or my videos.

As part of my first visit to the region, I had just under a week to explore Kyrgyzstan with my brother in April. We rented an old 4x4 and set off to explore and had an absolutely wonderful visit. The roads were challenging at times, but loads of fun. People were incredibly friendly and kind. The food was delightful. The horse herds and landscapes fascinating. Before the visit I didn't know what to expect, but Kyrgyzstan absolutely delighted us with its kindness, hospitality and beauty.

For licensing or usage requests please reach out directly.

To learn more about the trip please see virtualwayfarer.com or my videos.

Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya
East Africa

While perhaps not as widely distributed as Grant's, Thomson's are still the most common gazelles in East Africa. Though their numbers have diminished in some areas, in others they have persisted on ranches and farmlands long after other species have disappeared.

The graceful "tommie" is noticeably smaller than the Grant's gazelle, which it resembles in shape and color. It is also distinguished from a Grant's by the dark side stripe that runs from the shoulder to the flank and the white patch on the rump.

The males are larger than the females and have strongly ridged, almost parallel horns that curve backwards, with the tips curving forward. Female tommies have short, smooth, pencil-slim horns, or none at all. The face is accented by a black stripe running down from the eye, a dark marking on the nose and a light patch on the forehead.

Although more reliant on water than Grant's gazelle, the tommy has adapted to the open plains and grasslands of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. – Wikipedia

One of the largest eagles in southern Africa. Took off obligingly from a roadside power-pole and then circled.

Moremi Game Reserve
Okavango Delta
Botswana
Southern Africa

The common tsessebe or sassaby (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus) is one of five subspecies of African antelope Damaliscus lunatus of the genus Damaliscus and subfamily Alcelaphinae in the family Bovidae. It is most closely related to the topi, korrigum, coastal topi and tiang (all subspecies of Damaliscus lunatus), and the bangweulu tsessebe and bontebok in the same genus. Tsessebe are found primarily in Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and South Africa. Tsessebe are the fastest antelope in Africa and can run at speeds over 90 km/h.

Adult tsessebe are 150 to 230 cm in length. They are quite large animals, with males weighing 137 kg and females weighing 120 kg, on average. Their horns range from 37 cm for females to 40 cm for males. For males, horn size plays an important role in territory defense and mate attraction, although horn size is not positively correlated with territorial factors of mate selection. In the wild, tsessebe usually live a maximum of 15 years.

Tsessebe are primarily grazing herbivores in grasslands, open plains, and lightly wooded savannas, but they are also found in rolling uplands. The periods before and after feeding are spent resting and digesting or watering during dry seasons. Tsessebe can travel up to 5 km to reach a viable water source. To avoid encounters with territorial males or females, tsessebe usually travel along territorial borders, though it leaves them open to attacks by lions and leopards.

The IUCN Species Survival Commission observed a general population decline that would result in the population becoming vulnerable to extinction by the year 2025. Tsessebe populations once were present in much greater numbers, but populations declined due to habitat destruction, with bush encroachment playing a primary role. - Wikipedia.

Okavango Delta
Botswana
Southern Africa


One of the most characteristic images of the plains of Africa is that of the tsessebe and topi standing on a termite mound vantage point. Once thought to be a show of dominance this pose is now known to be more of habit than any show of domination.

The tsessebe and topi of East Africa are subspecies that could interbreed if they occurred over the same range. There is a slight variation in horn structure and coat shade, and the herd structures of female tsessbes are smaller than those of the topi.

Tsessebe have pre-orbital glands which they rub on grass stems which leaves an advertorial secretion. They will also rub their faces and horns in mud. It is thought that this is to make their horns look bigger but as the females also do it the theory is not accepted by everyone.

The tsessebe are grazers and prefer feeding on new shoots. They are known to be the first animals to arrive on an area after a burn, where they feed on the new growth. The tsessebe are often found with other species such as zebra and wildebeest. There is generally not competition for food as all three species prefer different parts of the plants they feed on.

On the plains of Africa, the tsessebe is the fastest antelope.

Southern-Ground-Hornbill_(Bucorvus leadbeateri)_w_7145

About the size of a turkey, the southern ground hornbill is the largest species of hornbill on Earth. It can fly up to 18 miles an hour and has an impressive wingspan that reaches about four feet across. The bird is recognizable by its jet-black feathers, yellow eyes, and bright red throat. The fleshy part of the bird’s throat, called a wattle, identifies its sex: The throat of a male hornbill is completely red, whereas a female sports a patch of violet blue. Male hornbills can inflate their wattles during mating season to attract females. This vocal bird also uses its wattle to make booming calls that are so loud, they’re often mistaken for a lion’s roar.

Habitat and diet
The southern ground hornbill lives throughout the southern part of Africa. The bird makes its home in grasslands and woodlands, as well as open savannas as long as there are nearby trees to roost in and build nests for its young.
The southern ground hornbill spends most of its time slowly walking around with a group in search of food. Although its diet sometimes includes fruits and seeds, this hornbill is more likely to eat insects, toads, lizards, snakes, and tortoises. It also preys on mammals, such as hares, rats, squirrels, and even small monkeys. The bird uses its long, curved bill to slice its food and to rub slimy frogs and snails on the ground before eating them.

Behavior and reproduction
Southern ground hornbills live in groups that usually range from two to nine members. Only the dominant male and female of the group breed, and most pairs remain monogamous throughout their lives. The other group members are primarily male birds that help defend the group’s territory and care for the chicks. Although female birds lay one to three eggs at a time, only one typically survives.

Threats to survival
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the southern ground hornbill as vulnerable to extinction, though its global population is difficult to quantify. Pollution, logging, and agricultural expansion often result in the destruction of nesting habitats. Flooding and severe weather due to climate change has wreaked further damage, as has widespread use of pesticides by farmers in hornbill habitat. Researchers estimate that the bird’s original range in South Africa has shrunk by two-thirds over the past century, and by a fifth in the past 15 years alone.

But habitat destruction isn’t the only danger to southern ground hornbills. Many birds are deliberately poisoned because of their reputation for breaking windows when attacking their reflection. Humans also hunt southern ground hornbills for use in rituals and traditional medicine. During times of civil unrest, birds are killed when they inadvertently step on landmines, often while approaching an insect nest for food. These threats are compounded by the fact that southern ground hornbills are among the species of birds with the lowest reproduction rates.

Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya
East Africa

While perhaps not as widely distributed as Grant's, Thomson's are still the most common gazelles in East Africa. Though their numbers have diminished in some areas, in others they have persisted on ranches and farmlands long after other species have disappeared.

The graceful "tommie" is noticeably smaller than the Grant's gazelle, which it resembles in shape and color. It is also distinguished from a Grant's by the dark side stripe that runs from the shoulder to the flank and the white patch on the rump. The tommy is a dark fawn or cinnamon color on the topside and white on the underside. The black tail seems to be constantly in motion.

The males are larger than the females and have strongly ridged, almost parallel horns that curve backwards, with the tips curving forward. Female tommies have short, smooth, pencil-slim horns, or none at all. The face is accented by a black stripe running down from the eye, a dark marking on the nose and a light patch on the forehead.

Although more reliant on water than Grant's gazelle, the tommy has adapted to the open plains and grasslands of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania.- Wikipedia

Colorado, Nebraska & Kansas State Lines Area.

The Tri-State Site commemorates the various surveys that were done in the 19th century near the corner point of Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. Some of those surveys related to the 6th Principle Meridian which marks the border between Kansas & Nebraska.

The Arikaree Breaks are badlands in northwest Kansas. They form a two-to-three-mile-wide break of rough terrain between the plains of northwestern Kansas and eastern Colorado and the south sides of the Arikaree and Republican river basins. The breaks extend from Rawlins County, Kansas westward across Cheyenne County, Kansas and into Yuma County, Colorado.
The Arikaree Breaks were carved by water. The soil here called Loess was blown to the area around 10,000 years ago. The soil has a tendency to erode, forming nearly vertical cliffs. This kind of soil is also found in northeast Kansas, southwest Nebraska, and Iowa. The soil in that part of the state forms the Loess Hills.