Silverback Gorilla tries to break wild Papaya Tree Virunga National Park, Rwanda Michael Ellis 2026-09-21 | Silverback Gorilla tries to break wild Papaya Tree Virunga National Park, Rwanda
Averys Recital Michael Ellis 2022-01-18 | On May 31, 2015 Avery played the cello for us at her Aunt Carolyn's house in Napa.
Marin Headlands with Michael Ellis, naturalist. Michael Ellis 2021-06-09 | I crafted a public relations video about the Marin Headlands for my friend Kass Green who owns the Inn above Tide. It is a super high end hotel in Sausalito. Gorgeous. Francesco Cesco did the mixing.
BRAZIL 2018 slideshow Michael Ellis 2018-07-17 | In the summer of 2018 Footloose Forays (Michael Ellis) and Biodiverse Brazil (Fabiano Oliveira) joined forces to lead 12 folks on a tremendous adventure. We visited three of the major ecosystems of South America. The Cerrado which is very similar to an African savannah, the Pantanal (the largest wetland in the world) and the Amazon Basin. Here is a little video Michael put together of that remarkable journey.
Tanzania January 31- February 12, 2017 Michael Ellis 2017-03-02 | This was the first of two safaris I did. This one the first two weeks in February. We had amazing sightings including 30 lions at our camp who killed the Cape Buffalo. That was exciting
The Road Michael Ellis 2016-04-26 | The roads in Bhutan, especially in the east, can be quite challenging. Here is a Footloose Forays adventure heading to Dangkar in April 2016. "Bad roads make good country."
Hooping at Dungkar, Bhutan Michael Ellis 2016-04-25 | In April 2016 Footloose Forays with Michael Ellis and Sonam Jutso lead a trip to Dungkar, Bhutan. This part of Bhutan is very remote (near the Tibetan border) and rarely, if ever, gets visitors. Michael always brings his hula hoops and introduces the play and the joy they can give all over the world on his travels.
Songkran Water Festival Bangkok Michael Ellis 2016-04-13 | April 13, 2016. I just came back from one of those perfect traveling experiences. I went out for a little walk to go get some dental floss… Little did I know what was in store for me. The festival of water - Songkran- begins today and it's about purification and also pouring water on everyone. I walked down the street to a little – what you would you would call a bodega In California – and there was music and dancing in the street and water guns and buckets of water and hoses and some kind of white mud. I saw some loud music and some great dancing in the street so of course I was immediately drawn to it. But I didn't know what all that water was about. They proceeded to soak me pretty good even though I had my wallet my passport my little notebook my phone… But I started dancing with them. They were delighted and surprised. This old guy dancing dirty with the young women. I don't speak Thai and they didn't speak any English but we have the universal connection of music and dance. After a while and quite a bit more soaking, I motioned that I would be back shortly and left.Walking back into the hotel lobby – The best Western of all places – all of the staff were smiling at the Tourist who was not only soaking wet but also had his face painted white with the mud. I got my hula hoop and then walked out with only the essentials – iPhone and money – and returned to the party. I feel quite certain I will be in many people's videos tonight to share with their loved ones. We were literally dancing and hooping in the street and having a blast. That really is one Beauty of travel – to walk out with an open heart and a big smile on your face be open to whatever the universe has to offer and see what transpires. What a great afternoon!
The Balloon Adventure Cappadochia Michael Ellis 2015-05-20 | Footloose Forays aloft in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey. What fun. Over 100 other colorful balloons all around us on an absolutely perfect day in May 2015.
The Accelerated Cooking Class Michael Ellis 2015-05-19 | We took a wonderful cooking class in Turkey and I was playing with my GoPro for the first time.
Catching a desert iguana Michael Ellis 2015-04-22 | I use a telescoping fishing rod with a dental floss noose to catch lizards. We can see them up close, learn about their natural history and physiology and then immediately release. I only catch one of each species during my desert trips. It is much easier using the noose on the herp than catching by hand which could result in loss of tail (the lizard's that is).The desert iguana is the second largest lizard in the Mojave Desert after the chuckwalla. Both are vegetarians. This iguana comes out during the hottest part of the day and one individual let his body temperature rise to 115- the record for any vertebrate.
Mobula show Michael Ellis 2015-03-21 | In March 2015 in the Sea of Cortez on a Footloose Forays trips on The Searcher we had the privilege of witnessing smooth tailed mobula rays leaping out of the water. The reasons for this behavior are not entirely clear but it sure is fun to watch.
Its a Fluke Michael Ellis 2015-03-21 | Traveling from San Diego off the West Coast of Baja on a Footloose Forays adventure on The Searcher we were treated to a whale of a tail (s)..
Pet me Michael Ellis 2015-03-21 | March 2015 in San Ignacio Lagoon among the friendly gray whales on a Footloose Forays adventure on the The Searcher. What a remarkable experience for these wild animals to come up to the little pangas and allow us to touch them. Nothing quite like it on the planet.
Land Iguanas, Galapagos Islands Michael Ellis 2015-03-09 | This past January 2015 was my 18th time leading a trip to the Galapagos and Ecuador. I never tire of watching land iguanas. The Japanese inspiration for Godzilla? maybe..
Colobus Delight Michael Ellis 2015-03-07 | Footloose Foray adventure with Black and White Colobus monkeys- moms with white-faced babies- high in the canopy in Arusha National Park in northern Tanzania in January 2015. Tres cute.
Leopard under the Land Rover Michael Ellis 2015-02-27 | During a Footloose Forays Tanzania Adventure in February 2015 we had a fun experience with a leopard in the Ndutu area of the Serengeti. This male had killed a young wildebeest and stashed it up an acacia tree. He was nonplussed by the safari vehicles around and went under one to get some shade. He was quite perplexed when the driver slowly pulled away. I prefer my leopards out in the far wild but this was amusing.
Rescue Me fire hoop Michael Ellis 2014-09-13 | for the folks at my Oak RIdge High School reunion - the Class of 1969. Yep in East Tennessee..
Michael hoops a big one BRC 2014 Michael Ellis 2014-09-03 | Heavy hoop at the wonderful Clue Camp Burning Man 2014. The wind was blowing made it a bit more difficult.
Hooping it up in Memphis, Tennessee Michael Ellis 2014-07-14 | The Elvis people made me delete the song HOUND DOG at Graceland. What BS. Hot time in the summer- Michael Ellis hooping at three of the classic iconic sites in Memphis, Tennessee
Leopard 1 Impala 0 Michael Ellis 2014-03-04 | This leopard is eating an impala he caught earlier in the day and took it up into this tree for safekeeping from the nearby lion pride. February 2014 trip with Michael Ellis of Footloose Forays in the Moru Kopje area of the Serengeti National Park.
Lioness with tiny cubs Michael Ellis 2014-03-03 | In February 2014 on a Footloose Forays trip led by Michael Ellis we had the perfect opportunity to witness this lovely scene in the Ngorongoro Crater. The mother clearly was nonplused by all the vehicles. Her offspring thinks this is "normal" which it is in the crater.
Sharks and Rays in Palau and Yap Michael Ellis 2013-12-07 | There were ideal conditions in Palau and Yap to swim with both white-tipped and black-tipped reef sharks and giant Pacific Manta Rays. Video shows young white tipped hunting schooling fish in the near shore, white tipped in feeding frenzy, sleeping nurse sharks, sting ray sitting on the bottom and finally giant Pacific rays gliding in the etherial shallows.
Tamag climbs at betel nut palm Michael Ellis 2013-12-01 | On the lovely island of Yap nearly everyone chews betel nut. In fact this is the natural habitat of the betel nut palm. So if you want to get the palm fruit you better learn how to climb way up these very skinny trees. Here is our 32 year old guide, Tamag, making it look easy. Bert, our buddy who is in good shape, gave it a try but did not get far.
Yap traditional stick dance and the hoop Michael Ellis 2013-11-27 | In the village of Ngariy in the southern part of the island of Yap, we were treated to a traditional stick dance by the young people. So delightful and colorful. I thought it only fair that I do a traditional California/Burning Man Hoop dance in return. They were delighted and I am going to send them 2 hula hoops.
Hooping in typhoon Haiyan Michael Ellis 2013-11-27 | I was on the island of Yap when the massive typhoon, Haiyan, was bearing down upon us. We had no idea if it would be a direct hit or not. But what the heck. I climbed up the rigging on a bar at the Manta Ray Resort where they fire a cannon off daily to announce happy hour. The wind is beginning to blow but the typhoon is still miles away. Later I hooped in the pounding rainstorm and the last bit is from the waves which are beginning to lap over the road. Haiyan missed both Yap and Palau and split the difference between them. Whew! But then continued on to devastate the Phillopines.
Great Basin Gopher Snake Michael Ellis 2013-09-30 | Black Pt. volcano at Mono Lake, CA. A nice look at a gopher snake cruising under the bitterbrush, chamiso aka rabbit brush on the ashy slope in perfect Great Basin desert habitat.
Vauxs Swifts roost Michael Ellis 2013-09-18 | September 17, 2013. About 4000 Vaux's Swifts swooped into the chimney on this night. They have been roosting in the Rio Lindo Adventist Academy chimney in Healdsburg, CA since 1989, the first year the boiler wasn't producing steam year round. The chimney is still used in the winter when the boiler generates heat for the school campus, but that is after the fall migration. The first small groups of migrating birds usually appear in mid-August. The numbers increase and generally peak between September 10 and 20. In an average year we'll see the count peak between 5,000 and 10,000 birds for a few evenings. The highest numbers that have been observed were in 2008 when a couple evenings the estimate was near 20,000 birds. The lowest was in 2005 when the highest count was only 300.Sometimes a small falcon, a merlin, is here and picks off some of the birds for an evening meal before bedtime. :)
I Want a Little Doggie Michael Ellis 2013-08-05 | What is it about Sundays? Left alone I just gotta hoop!
Backyard Hooping With Monkey Safari Michael Ellis 2013-08-05 | having fun with fire getting ready for Burning Man
Jacks Good Field Guide Michael Ellis 2013-07-29 | The only field guide you need for Sierra Nevada is the one by Jack Laws.. TRUE
Divine Madman Hooping Michael Ellis 2013-07-15 | In the village of Lobesa in central Bhutan is temple of the Divine MADMAN, Drukpa Kunley (1455-1529). He is the patron saint of Bhutan. "He was known for his crazy methods of enlightening others. He shocked the clergy out of their prudish behavior and erotic ways of teaching Buddhism. He turned demonesses into protective deities by hitting them with his penis (known as the Thunderbolt of Flaming Wisdom)." Phalluses adorn the houses of all over Bhutan but are especially prominent in Lobesa. We visited the Temple on a warm, lovely rainy day and the lama blessed us all with the Temple phallus. Giving new meaning to the expression "Dick heads". Hundreds of people from all over the world and the Bhutanese travel to this Temple to receive blessings to increase their fertility. Here it is all about the joining of the male and the female in sexual union. I hula hooped to the song DAT THING by Club des Belugas, which I believe is a song about, among other things, a very cool dude's penis. I am certain the Divine Madman would have loved this!
Bhutan Michael Ellis 2013-06-26 | I have been leading adventure trips to this delightful country since 2002 and it remains one of my favorite places on earth. Fascinating to watch the changes through the last decade. My dear friend, Sonam Jutso, is now CEO of the rival political party in the upcoming elections. This only the second election in this burgeoning democratic country. The Fourth King undemocratically imposed democracy on his subjects!
Black Sea Dancers Michael Ellis 2013-06-25 | In Trabzon along the northeastern coast of the Black Sea in Turkey, these dancers performed a typical folklore dance for us. I saw them gathered closely around a video on an I-phone watching themselves and I decided to make this high quality video for them as a thank you.
Wonderful Lakes Basin Camping trip Michael Ellis 2013-06-21 | A fantastic summer adventure in the northern Sierra Nevada with Michael Ellis, naturalist supreme, and Footloose Forays.
Taksim Square June 12, 2013 Michael Ellis 2013-06-16 | On the night of June 12 I spent 90 minutes in Taksim Square aka Geti among the protestors and the extensive police units. Hard hats and respirators or masks were de rigueur for the evening attire. Street vendors took opportunities and sold the protestors protective gear as well as roasted chestnuts and semit. You gotta keep your strength up at the demonstration! The tension was beginning to build a bit and I have been tear gassed twice in my life - May 1972 in Washington DC and again 25 years later in Quito. Unpleasant. So I hightailed it back to my comfortable hotel room and wished everyone good luck. Freedom of assembly is an important right.
Hooping in a Glass Elevator Michael Ellis 2013-06-15 | In a very nice hotel - Rixos- in Antalya, Turkey I overcame my innate claustrophobia to hula hoop in an elevator. It helped that it was glass. Another great addition to weird places I have hooped. A fellow guest joined me in the elevator and fortunately there was room for both of us. Appropriately enough, the image for the hotel is eerily similar to that for BURNING MAN. How cool!
