2020-12-30: Wordless Wednesday
2020-12-20: Along the river
The Sabie River flows in front of Tinga Lodge, and on an afternoon game drive, only a couple minutes from camp, we came across a huge herd of buffalo. Some were crossing the river, others lounging in it, and others pausing to take a drink. Mixed amongst them were also a number of elephants. We spent a few moments watching all the action, and then carried on across a wooden bridge over the river.
It wasn’t a remarkable moment on safari by any stretch, but a lovely moment none the less and when I came across the photos today when trying to decide what to work on, they made me smile and remember the warm sun, the dust, the slight breeze and the scent of elephant, buffalo and the plants growing along the river bank.
2020-12-13: Leopards at Chitwa Chitwa
Sometimes there are a lot of vehicles all trying to see the same thing, and rangers operate on a first come, first served basis at a sighting, (usually a maximum of three vehicles) and then everyone else puts their name on a list. It’s always been my experience that all the rangers involved do their very best to maximize the viewing for their guests, while still being fair to try and allow everyone to opportunity to have a view. In this situation, we were pretty far down the list on this sighting that happened during afternoon drive, and we were all hopeful that perhaps we would get a glimpse of a leopard before nightfall.
The groups before us only saw the mother leopard. They knew the cub was somewhere in the thicket, but it wasn’t interested in making itself seen at that time. Harley, our guide, navigated our vehicle to the best spot he could find, and after the other vehicle that was there cleared off, the cub popped its head out of the bushes and made its way down to spend some time with Mom. We had a short while enjoying the sighting, and then a second vehicle came along to also get a quick view of the leopards before nightfall. I think it was the second vehicle that spooked the cub back into the thicket, so our vehicle ended up being the only one to see both mother and cub during that sighting. We headed off to give the other vehicle the best viewing spot, and enjoyed a sundowner a short while later.
2020-12-02: Wordless Wednesday
2020-11-23: Monochrome Monday
I was so fortunate to see loads of rhino during my last trip to South Africa, including numerous youngsters alongside their Moms. One of the best sightings, which I didn’t get any photo or video of, was a young calf at dusk whining and crying at its mother trying to get milk, but she was laying down having a rest and wasn’t giving in. Everyone on the vehicle was having a good laugh listening to the antics as it quickly grew dark.
This pair was incredibly relaxed with our vehicle nearby, peacefully grazing and gong about their business.
2020-11-22: Elephants
Just a few random elephant pictures for today, because elephants make me happy. I don’t think I need any other reason than that.
Wishing everyone a wonderful week!
2020-11-15: Francolins
Anyone that has been on a game drive in Africa will be familiar with francolins, spur fowl and grouse, as they are often encountered on the roads and have a funny habit of jogging in front of the vehicle for what seems like a rather long distance (given their size) before ducking into an opening in the grass or bushes. It always makes me chuckle every time I see this. Given where they are encountered though, and their natural behaviour, it is surprisingly tough to get a decent photo pf these birds, unless you are on a vehicle all to yourself… most people aren’t too keen to stop for every bird sighting while out in the bush.
2020-11-09: Monochrome Monday
Such a majestic creature!!! Words really can’t describe how it feels to be close to a big lion like this, or to have them walk by the vehicle so close you could reach out and touch their mane (but you don’t of course, because that would be amazingly foolish!)
Wishing everyone a fantastic week!
2020-11-08: Hosana
I spent part of my last game drive at Chitwa Chitwa with a gorgeous male leopard called Hosana. I don’t often have time to catch any of the virtual safari shows that are shown on Twitter or Facebook, but one of the times I did check in briefly, before my last trip, he was featured, so seeing him “in person” so to speak was quite cool. Kind of the same feeling I get when I watch a nature show filmed somewhere I’ve been, and I actually recognize a landmark; a little point of connection to a place far away, but close to my heart.
Getting three images edited today doesn’t seem like much, but it was more than I had anticipated I would be able to do, so I’ll take it.
Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead.
2020-11-04: Wordless Wednesday
