Ghana       Nov. 10  2004 - Feb. 13  2005 & Mar. 20  -  Mar. 22   2005

Images of Ghana

True Mona Monkey, Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, Volta Region, Ghana

Tafi Atome is a small, friendly village who consider the True Mona monkey a sacred animal. For this reason the monkeys hang around the forests beside the village. They aren't as habituated as the Lowe's Mona monkeys at Boabeng - Fiema Monkey Sanctuary on the other side of Ghana, but they are getting more used to people as time goes on. I was awoken by a local guide at 6 am to go look for monkeys in the forest, or so I thought. It turns out the monkeys were in the trees right above the guesthouse! I didn't have to go anywhere to watch these playful creatures. They would cautiously take a banana from our guide's hand but no one else. My second day in the village I decided to walk in the forest for a while in the late afternoon hoping to see some monkeys. I didn't see anything but when I returned to my guesthouse I was pleasantly surprised to find a large troupe of monkeys hanging around the trees and giant clumps of bamboo beside the guesthouse. They stayed till dusk and then made their way into the forest to find a tree to sleep in.

Spider Lily, Volta Region, Ghana

This Spider Lily (Crinum purpurescens) is a simple looking flower, though beautiful with an intoxicating fragrance. The individual flowers don't last long and I was fortunate to find this one in prime condition. Beside a small stream on the nature trail I took from my guesthouse is where I came across this plant. Flowers, especially large, showy flowers like this Spider Lily are rare in the thick shadows of the forest floor. Sunlight reached this plant which was in a small clearing. I stayed 6 carefree days at the peaceful Mountain Paradise Lodge in the mountainous Volta region in Eastern Ghana.

Butterfly, Volta Region, Ghana

I don't know the name of this butterfly but I didn't let that stop me from taking advantage of its lazy attitude which made this photo possible.  I saw it on the nature trail behind the Mountain Paradise Lodge in the Volta region of Ghana.  I spent 5 mellow days at the relaxed, remote and very quiet Mountain Paradise Lodge.  My time was spent exploring the surrounding hillsides which are filled with waterfalls, hidden wildlife and friendly people.

Red Streak Agamid Lizard, Kakum National Park, Ghana

Proudly posing for me, this lizard was a co-operative animal to photograph. It was one of many other lizards that came out after the majority of people left the park at 4pm.  I hung around because I would be spending 2 nights in the park.  Kakum National Park is Ghana's most accessible rainforest park. Well known in the country is its canopy walkway, which gives visitors a different perspective on the forest. The park is very large but unfortunately there are no long distance hiking trails, which is what I like to do. Ants were quite numerous, however, and once they surrounded my open-air shelter where I was sleeping. They did this during the day and it made for a few hectic hours while I tried not to be stung by them. I gave this lizard the name of Red Streak because I don't know what type of Agamid lizard it is.

Shiny Blue Butterfly, Bobiri Forest Reserve, Ghana

The iridescent blue of this beauty caught my eye and I was very happy it let me take its photo. This butterfly was one of over 400 species found in Bobiri. At times large groups of different butterflies would congregate on the sandy road through the reserve lapping up the precious nitrates from the damp soil near a puddle. Walking through a gathering of butterflies like this is a magical experience. When you are in the middle of the group, they are flying everywhere around you. It's like something seen on a nature show or a movie, but it must be experienced in person to get the true feel of it.

Blue And Yellow Butterfly On A Leaf, Bobiri Forest Reserve, Ghana

Bobiri Forest Reserve is also known as a butterfly reserve and it's a fitting name because in the 4 days I stayed there I saw many butterflies. This beautifully colored butterfly let me take its photo. I saw many others that were equally or more impressive but they weren't behaving for me! Taking photos of butterflies, I've learned, is not about the choice of which butterfly you want to photograph but a waiting game to see which butterflies will stay still long enough for a photo. I managed to photograph 7 butterflies in my time there. The forest of the reserve is the most user-friendly forest I've seen. Although there are numerous trails they are all easy to follow and the ground is very flat. There are no spiny bushes waiting to grab you, or leeches waiting to suck your blood or other bothersome insects. Some very gigantic trees were also a factor in my fondness of Bobiri.

Patas Monkey In Deep Thought, Mole National Park, Ghana

It was near dusk when we came across this lazy Patas monkey in Mole National Park. I was on a 2-hour guided safari tour and it was nearing its end when we saw this Patas monkey sitting on a branch contemplating its next move. The Patas monkeys are quite large and mischievous. They are not afraid of humans and will steal food from the table when you turn your head or leave the table, even if only for a short time.  They like to hang around the pool area of the Mole Hotel. Really, I'm not kidding!

Warthog With Babies, Mole National Park,Ghana

Dangerous looking but fairly timid animals, this mother Warthog and her babies were commonly seen at night. They would feed on the grass growing in front of the dormitory at the Mole Hotel. I was able to get close before they would get bothered by me and just move to a new feeding area not far away. They are very interesting to watch as they go down on their knees to eat. I stayed 4 days at Ghana's premier wildlife viewing area, Mole National Park in the Northern Region.

Agamid Lizard at Kakum National Park, Ghana

This Agamid lizard is one of many who frequented the Headquarters of Kakum National Park in Ghana. The park closed daily at 4pm and the place was deserted. Two people and I would be the only ones around because we were spending a few nights there sleeping in the forest in a mosquito net under a shelter. When the crowds of school kids and tourists left the lizards made themselves much more visible. I didn't have to wait long to get numerous images of these beautiful large lizards.

Sphinx Moth, Ghana

Midway through my pasta dinner is when I discovered this unique moth perched on a wooden beam that was supporting the summer hut under which I was eating. I immediately grabbed my camera to capture this upclose image of the beautiful psychedelic yet almost unreal appearance of this night moth. The common reaction I get from this photo is, "Wow, is that real?"

Mona Monkey at Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, Ghana

The intense expression on this monkeys face prompted me to capture this image. This Lowe's Mona Monkey is one of about 600 Monas inhabiting the Boabeng - Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. About 400 Black and White Colubus Monkeys also call the sanctuary home but they are not as friendly or approachable as the Monas. Considered sacred by the locals who live in the twin villages of Boabeng and Fiema which border the forest of the sanctaury, the monkeys flourish here. I was able to get many great photos during my 6 day stay during the Christmas holidays of 2004.

Butterfly With Tails, Amedzofe, Volta Region, Ghana

While looking around the dense forest at the base of Amedzofe Falls, this amazing and unique butterfly caught my eye.  I don't know the name of it but suspect it's in the Swallowtail family. I do know that I've never seen anything like it before, nor has anyone else who has seen the photo.

Blue Tailed Skink, Mole National Park, Ghana

Sunning itself on rocks near the main office of Mole National Park is where I found this uncommon lizard. It took a few minutes for it to stay
still in the right position while I maneuvered around the small rock garden in which it was hanging out . It all worked out and I'm happy with
the way the photo turned out. Although most people go to Mole to see elephants, which I  saw and really enjoyed, I also take great satisfaction in
seeing the small things, be it plants or animals that are often overlooked by people just eager to see large mammals. In fact, I thrive on capturing
images of the small and unusual.

Savannah Elephant, Mole National Park, Ghana

Less than 10 M is all that separates me from this wild Savanna Elephant. I was with an armed guide on a walking safari in Mole National Park which is famous in Ghana as the best place to see Savanna wildlife in a country not well known for animal watching. I thoroughly enjoyed my 4 days here. Besides seeing elephants everyday, I also saw warthogs, Kob Antelope, bushbuck, baboons and other wildlife.

Adaklu Mountain, Volta Region, Ghana

The day before this photo was taken I left the regional capital of the Volta Region, Ho, to come to the small, one-road village of Adaklu. My goal was to climb Adaklu mountain and support one of the many ecotourism sites in Ghana by using local guides and sleeping and eating in the village. It was a very steep climb for me and my 15-year-old guide, only levelling out once we reached the slightly angled plateau on top of Adaklu Mountain. The technical name for this mountain is actually an inselberg which is ancient leftover from a volcano. Great views were to be had from the top of the inselberg.

Larabanga Mosque, Northern Region, Ghana

Larabanga is the oldest mud and stick mosque in Ghana. It was built around the early 1400's, although no one knows the exact date. Visitors are not allowed in the mosque so I had to settle for just taking photos of the outside. It's hard to tell, but this mosque is very small  The doorway entrance is only a little over 1m. Larabanga is located 7 km from Ghana's best wildlife park, Mole National Park. I got there the same way most people do which was by renting a bike from the Mole Hotel, where I was staying at the time. I also really liked the huge Baobab tree beside the mosque and chose this picture to put on the website out of 5 others.

Strangler Fig Tree at Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, Ghana

Standing inside an old Strangular Fig with my camera pointed skywards resulted in this interesting photo. Strangular Figs start life high in the tree canopy after passing through the digestive system of a bird who recently ate a fig fruit. The seedling anchors itself in a suitable position and begins to send its roots down to the ground. Once the roots are firmly anchored in the ground, it begins to grow around its host tree. Eventually it grows so tight that the host tree can't grow anymore and rots and dies. This process can take many years, and after only the empty shell of the Strangular Fig is all that remains. There are many species of Strangular Fig, and they are found all over the tropical world. This tree is in Ghana.

Window at Cape Coast Castle, Ghana

Looking through a window at Cape Coast Castle reveals local people fishing. Founded in the early 15th century by the Portuguese, Cape Coast is an old slave fort now open as a living museum to the horrible practice of slave trading.  A detailed museum of what went on at that time can be found inside. It opened my eyes to something I didn't know a lot about.  It's not a proud moment of human history, but it's one that everyone should be aware of.

©2006 Dan Doucette                        Webdesign by Spiderweed Enterprises