I somehow didn't publish this post back in September! So here it is now.....
The South African "Watch For Wildlife" signs are much like ours in the U.S., but instead of deer they feature springing spiral-horned antelopes, which I found quite charming. And watch for wildlife, I DID.
A game drive vehicle |
Mom baboon and her kidlet |
I saw baboon families, with the mothers carrying or escorting their exploring babies ~ this youngster had dismounted to look around, but finding itself in the tall grass it leaped back up on its mom's back for a free ride and a much better view.
kudu buck on point |
It was hard to NOT get great photos of many of the animals, as they allowed us to pull up rather close to them without wandering off. The vehicles in the park must remain on the road (or on the shoulder) so there was no roaring off across the plains to find a good picture site. And because they aren't chased by cars, the wildlife tends to ignore them entirely.
Zebras are picturescue |
warthogs on parade |
A blasé Scops Owl |
Lizard on poker plant |
This is a starling! |
There are many colorful birds in South Africa, but one of my favorites is the yellow-billed hornbill, about as common, and about the same size, as a crow in the U.S. They are everywhere, and seem to be curious about human doings.
Yellow-billed hornbill, my favorite |
I mean, who DOES that?
There were so many things to draw, even in winter. These gorgeous red-rimmed flowers were on the restaurant grounds, so I'm not sure they're native ~ but they're sure pretty, and a bright touch in the sere, dry winter environment on the veldt.
There were seven lions here, including half-grown kittens |
Giraffes are gorgeous. |
I am particularly fond of giraffes. I could watch them all day. There is something amazing about that long neck topped by a delicate fuzzy-horned head. An 18-20" prehensile tongue definitely adds to the allure ~ and don't forget the long, beautiful eyelashes! What's not to like about a giraffe!
an elephant teenager - check ear size |
Mom elephants is still hungry |
Apparently not a "moveable feast"... |
No WAY were they going to abandon that lovely bit of roadkill they had found at the edge of the road. These two pictures are among my favorites ~ the sidelong glance of the one hunkered down on the road's edge is a real hoot.
I thought you might enjoy seeing my sketch of the hyenas ~ of course, there was no chance to sketch in the game viewing vehicle so I drew it later that night from my camera screen. This is a combination of two photos I had, one with the left hyena looking back over its shoulder and the other standing as shown in the image above. I moved them closer together to make the image work a little better.
More later ~ but I'm going to be traveling next week, so I can't guarantee how soon that might be. I have a lot to do to get ready (including briefing the house-sitter), then I'll be on the road awhile, visiting, going to a wedding, etc.
So until......