Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Water-Wise

I'm back home for a few days again but am not feeling too well - picked up a virus somewhere "along the way" for which I'm being treated. So I haven't got the "strength" to do much but rest/sleep & will only post 2 photos today - one of a typical SA dawn, the other at dusk = a typical highveld sunset. [The promised lion-"series" has to wait for another day].


Water "pumps"


Water "storage"

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Photos from Namibia

I couldn't resist sharing more photos before I leave again - so with this entry, I'm concentrating on photos taken in Namibia. During a boat-trip on the lagoon of Walfishbay, we were virtually inundated by hordes (sorry, the right word is: flocks) of White Pelicans.


What did our skipper call the "invasion"? Oh yes, the pelicans represent the Namibian air-force. A pelican in flight certainly looks "good".



We had a chance to admire some of the largest desert-dunes in the world during a flight (in small 6-seater airoplanes).







Swakopmund
as seen "from the air".










Don't these look just like doll's houses?







Is this a frog? Perhaps a toad?

At first glance this "creature" appears to belong to the amphibian family but actually it's a member of the lizard genus: an agama - which, after all, is described as having a broad, toad-like head.



Although this isn't the first time that I've photographed a dragonfly, I'm "posting" it today ... because I took the photograph in Namibia.




Typically, this Ground squirrel feeds with its bushy tail held over its body like a parasol - to provide shade.






From small to large - a serene scene at a waterhole in the Etosha Game Reserve.


Next entry: "dramatic" lion photos.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Overview

Since I'm home for only 2 days after an almost 4 week tour, I'm not around long enough to make regular "postings" on this blog - but for today: an overview of where we went/what we saw/what we experienced. Our first stop: the Victoria Falls (Zambia/Zimbabwe).



Next on the "list" was the Chobe Game Reserve (in Botswana), with a view towards the Caprivi Strip (Namibia).






Although it might resemble a dog having a refreshing wallow in a muddy pool of water, this is a hippo enjoying "what's on offer".



Mentioning hippo - back in "good old SA" we encountered this pair of hippo males fighting in the Sabie River.

Did you know that the hippo's closest relative is a whale?



At this time of the year the Jacarandas are in full bloom - as especially Pretoria is famous for (with the Union Building in the background).




What a sighting! During our visit to Kruger National Park we encountered this pair of male lions, which had just hunted & tracked down an old buffalo.


On to Namibia - where some of the guests in our group "tackled" Dune 7 (near Walfishbay).


[I promised in our bus to post this & the next photo; just click on any of the photos to enlarge - so you can "recognise" yourself!]



"Victory" - for those who made it to the top! Trying to keep your balance on reaching the "thin" crest isn't easy.