Giraffe are always fascinating to watch. Usually they are sedate and they spend a lot of time browsing leaves to provide nutrition for their enormous bodies. Recently at Kruger National Park we saw giraffes galloping away from an apparent threat, and later a giraffe nearly trod on a ground-roosting nightjar that otherwise we would have overlooked.
Continue reading “From tall giraffes to a ground-dwelling nightjar”
On a morning drive at Kruger National Park, seeing a large group of buffalo approaching we stopped our car to watch. They came closer and closer and then they stopped too. We had thought that we were watching them, but it turned out that they were also watching us.
Continue reading “Scrutinized by buffalos at the Kruger National Park”
We were fortunate to see three species of dwarf antelopes on our recent trip to Kruger National Park. For an idea of their size, they stand no more than about 60 cm (23.5 in) tall at the shoulder and the average weight of individuals is in the region of 8–13 kg (17.5–28.5 lbs).
Continue reading “Three dwarf antelope: Steenbok, Sharpe’s grysbok and klipspringer”
Few words this week as I share a small selection of photos using the zoom lens for a slightly closer look. All these photos were taken on our recent trip to Kruger National Park.
Continue reading “Zooming in: Kruger Park pics for Christmas”
Mopani trees with their butterfly-shaped leaves and variable growth habits are beautiful to look at, and being hardy and nutritious too they support an abundance of life in hot, dry and low-lying areas, such as in the northern sections of Kruger National Park.
Continue reading “Life in the mopane scrub and woodlands at Kruger National Park”
And so we are back from our stay in Kruger National Park, which offered us much in the way of rest and reflection. Here is the first in what is likely to be a short series of posts on observations that captured both my camera lens and my attention.
Continue reading “Companionable creatures at Kruger Park”
Even in conservation areas, wild animals do not always tolerate the presence of approaching vehicles or people on foot. Some are nervous and dash off immediately and others may hesitate before deciding to turn away. But happily many do grant us the privilege of a calm encounter, even continuing as they were before, ignoring intruding visitors or even showing some signs of curiosity. In some ways it’s a shame to view such wild animals mostly through the lens of a camera, but for better or worse here is a random collection of photographs that are special to me.
Continue reading “Here’s looking at you: Some special encounters with African wildlife”
Something is said to be symmetrical when the left and right halves match each other as in a mirror image on either side of a central line. Nature is replete with this kind of symmetry. Our tabby cat, Nina, in the photo above, shows off her wonderfully symmetrical structure and facial markings.
Continue reading “Patterns in nature: Symmetry in animals and flowers”
Mkhuze Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal has many reasons to draw visitors, but watching the animals visiting the reserve’s KuMasinga Hide watering point is always one of its highlights.
Continue reading “At the waterhole: Mkhuze Game Reserve’s KuMasinga Hide”
letting nature back in 