Monday, January 13, 2020

A few more photos from our visit to South Africa last year.

Maximum temperature in the Charente today 10C, minimum 4C. 2mm of rain measured this morning but we had a dry day. 23km/h south-westerly winds with gusts up to 45 km/h.

African elephant (Loxodonta africana).
Again, I will not state exactly where animals were seen because of poaching risks.

Note those long eyelashes!!

African hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) out of the water grazing. Usually, grazing occurs during the evening or the night, but looking at the amount of grass around I guess they need more feeding hours.  Recent rains have fallen in many places in South Africa but some are still drought-stricken.

Greater kudu, female (Tragelaphus strepsiceros). Note the Red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) on her back

As above; see she has an oxpecker on her head.  The birds do a fabulous job of keeping the animals free from ticks and parasites.

Kudu male.  The female does not have horns.

Lion (Panthera leo)...

and lioness.

Common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus).

Waterbuck  (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)...

As above

African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

Sometimes one has to just relax, hook your trunk over a tusk and close your eyes for a snooze

Last but not least this couple totally ignored us. Females are receptive to mating for three or four days within a widely variable reproductive cycle. During this time a pair generally mates every 20–30 minutes, with up to 50 copulations per 24 hours.



See also my



37 comments:

  1. I had no idea an elephant could flop its trunk over its tusk like that!

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    1. A friend of mine has a photo of an elephant standing in front of a leaning tree with its trunk resting the length of the tree. They are obviously very heavy 😊 Thnaks for the comment, Diane

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  2. It is a stain upon humanity that you have to decide not to divulge where you have seen these wonderful animals, Diane, but I strongly suspect that the poachers have more information than you do.

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    1. I am sure you are right David, they know far more, but I am not about to reveal even in photos some of what we saw. One of the largest living tuskers will remain a total secret from my blog. It was very special and will remain a lasting memory with me. Keep well Diane

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  3. The birds on the back of the kudu are interesting. The photos are beautiful and so interesting.

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    1. The oxpeckers do a fabulous job on many animals in Africa. Have a good day Diane

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  4. Oh wow, that trip must have been totally amazing. Great photos Diane!

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    1. Africa is very special when it comes to wildlife. Enjoy the rest of the week Diane

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  5. Hi Diane - love the photos ... and seeing all the animals in various guises. Loved the warthog - they're my favourite!! Cheers Hilary

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    1. I am not so fond of warthogs we had six at the Vet Research Lab that I worked at many years ago in Rhodesia. Difficult fellows to handle and those tusks are soooooo sharp!! Happy week, cheers Diane

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  6. Great photos as usual, Diane! I didn't realize lions are so busy. Glad you don't disclose locations!

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    1. Haha busy indeed. As David says, the poachers surely know more than I do, but I have no intentions of giving a helping hand !! Hope all is well have a good week Diane

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  7. Fabulous shots Diane. It's so bad that poaching is still a big thing, if the demand for whatever wasn't there the poaching would cease. Every 20/30 minutes .. oh la 😉

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    1. You are right Grace if only we could stop the demand, people just believe such rot thinking that all these horns etc are good medicine!!!!!! As you say oh la la!! Keep well Diane

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  8. Oh wow, those photos are stunning, such a joy to watch!

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    1. Thanks Natalia, they are a joy to watch, just wish Africa was a little closer to home!! Keep well Diane

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  9. Great photos. The wild animals are beautiful. Not everyone has the chance to see them in their natural home.

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    1. I know how lucky I am to see these animals in the wild, I feel very honoured. Hope all is well Diane

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  10. Great pictures! They are all such beautiful animals. I detest poachers!

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    1. I put poachers and hunters into the same category, both unnecessary killing of animals who have as much (if not more) right to live here as we do. Glad you like the photos. Hope the rest of the week is a good one, Diane

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  11. I was just checking some blogs and i get stock on yours because you wrote such a beautiful things and the main part i like the way you present your picture ...

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    1. Thanks so much for your visit and kind comment. Have a great week. Diane

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  12. Lovely photos of your South African trip. Love the photo of the elephant resting his trunk on his tusk, how cute!

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    1. Thank you Sami for your visit and comment, much appreciated. Have a good day, Diane

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  13. So sorry to hear you aren't feeling well Diane, winter is a tricky time. My cough is back also, and it's summer here 💛

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    1. Grace I have really felt bad over the last couple of days, feeling slightly better today, but of course the cough lingers!! Hope you can get rid of yours. Diane

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  14. I'm so enjoying these photos of your trip, it is wonderful to see animals in their wild habitats and not locked up in cages. Those close-ups of the elephant are amazing.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. All animals should be seen in the wild. So sad that any have to be locked into a cage!! Keep well Diane

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  15. It seems beyond incredible that you’ve seen these amazing animals. I can only dream. Both your blogs are the next best thing g to being there.

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    1. Keep dreaming, maybe it will come true one day 😊 So glad that you are enjoying the blogs. Diane

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  16. Remarkable photos, especially the lions.

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    1. Thanks for the comment Linda. Have a great day.

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  17. I love seeing them all and exceptionally unusual to see hippos out of water during the day.

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    1. I was surprised to see them out, but as I said it could be that they grazing was bad so they have to eat at any opportunity. Hope all is well. Diane

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  18. Wonderful images, Diane, of some fabulous creatures. The last Elephant image is my favourite, but the Lion is the most impressive!

    I hope you're feeling better. Best wishes to you both - - - Richard

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    1. Hi Richard, that elephant was really taking a good rest and totally ignored us. As for the lions, well what more can I say !!

      I feel much better thanks Richard but the cough persists and I know from the past it will do so for some time.
      Hope you are both well now, Diane

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  19. I love the close-up of the elephants. Such beautiful creatures.

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