In considering this day in Botswana, I find no particular storyline, so rather than a lot of text, it's time to enjoy a lot of photos.
I posted some of these giraffe photos earlier, but here's the whole sequence. We knew these two were juveniles, so we stopped to photograph them.
They weren't alone. There was an adult nearby.
Then a baby popped its head up from the acacia bush.
Here are all three of the youngsters.
We saw a lot of black-backed jackals. Seems like every day we would see a few.
Not too many hyenas, though. Here's an adult and a youngster.
Then we came upon some lions with very big tummies. We call them "flat cats" when they are well-fed and sleeping. Not likely to be any activity then.
 |
| Makes my stomach hurt just looking at that belly. |
They dined on a wildebeest. That's the rib cage behind the bush.
Resting in the shade.
About an hour after the first lions, we found more with big tummies. I think these were from a different pride.
Some Burchell's zebra.
Birds!!!
 |
| Fork-tailed drongo. |
 |
| A Sabota lark. |
 |
| Common myna. |
The big treat was close to camp. A number of tiny antelope called Klipspringer. Less than two feet high at the shoulder, and weighing 18 to 40 pounds, these little guys have unique feet.
From the internet: Klipspringers possess unique, specialized hooves, about the size of a dime, designed for navigating steep, rocky terrain in sub-Saharan Africa. They walk on the very tips of their hoof digits—resembling ballet toe shoes—with a rubbery texture that provides exceptional, suction-like traction and shock absorption for jumping.
 |
| Peeking around a tree trunk. |
Below is one of the several bushbucks that live in or near Tuli Lodge grounds. They feel safe from predators there. These little creatures are about three feet at the shoulder.
One of them beds down a few feet from my tent.
And, back at camp. I love how they incorporated trees into their structures.
We have time for lunch and a couple of hours to rest in the heat of the day before the afternoon game drive, and it will be special! Promise.
Quite a morning for pictures!! The full bellies on the lions made ME feel full. The hooves on the antelopes are fascinating. Isn't it amazing the wonders of creation? Lots of great photos, and you had an afternoon ahead of you yet!! We continue to stay acutely ready for the next chapter. Patti and Cap
ReplyDeleteI think the dwarf antelope are incredibly cute and I often wish I had a yard full of them to hug every day.
DeleteI've been using bold face type intentionally. DO you find it easier to read the text now or before?
DeleteI DO like the bold face type.. easier to read!! Of course we are going to be front and center no matter what type you use!! Patti and Cap
DeleteGullible you began by saying.. "It's time to enjoy a lot of photos." Nothing could be finer than 33 of your amazing and enjoyable photos!! Smiles. Cap and Patti
ReplyDeleteI wish you and Patti could experience it in person. It isn't like driving around all day and never seeing a moose. These animals are everywhere, and you don't drive more than a few minutes before coming upon more.
DeleteThat is a bunch of beautiful photos showing the diversity of wildlife in Africa. There are just so many things to see.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Bud. I sure wish you could see those animals in person.
DeleteYet another fantastic post. Tiny antelope! I follow along, and really enjoy your posts. Oh to be so close to lions. What an experience that must be. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKit in SoDak
Thanks, Kit. I've had lions, leopards, and cheetahs walk RIGHT under my seat in a safari vehicle. The animals have learned to use them for shade, for sneaking up on prey, etc. It's quite and experience to be so close to them. They do not look upon the vehicles as a source of food. Not yet, anyways. As long as passengers mind their animal manners and do nothing to make them think otherwise, such as call attention to themselves. The predators just see the vehicle as a whole, not something with tasty individuals.
Delete