It is 28C as I type this at 11am on Saturday morning but every day it is over 30C in the afternoon. Since we have been here there have been numerous storms which are more than welcome as they have had serious drought restrictions. Yesterday they had 57mm in half an hour. I think we brought our rain with us. The people here are happy though!
Typical Agamas (Agma).
Southern Masked Weaver (Ploceus velatus).
Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix).
As above.
White-tailed Mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda). Seconds before was the perfect photo when it turned and looked straight at me but I had the lens cover still on!!!!!
White-browed Sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali.)
A family altercation!!! Yes there are
House Sparrows here as well. (Passer domesticus).
Giant African Millipede (known as a Chongololo), (Spirostreptus gigas)....
As above
As above when coiled defensively.
Gastropoda of one kind or another making sure they do not end up on the endangered list.
Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris).
The garden is beautiful but all succulents...
I think this may be a Golden Barrel Cactus (Kroenleinia grusonii). Very spiteful!
Typical Agamas (Agma). plus lunch!
Western honey bee (Apis Mellifera) on one of the Bottle Brush plants..,
As above.
Christuskirche (Christ Church) in Windhoek if interested more info here
As above...
As above...
and as a bonus, we got to see wedding photos being taken.
Wall mural down the road. It looks like a kudu horn has been converted into a wind instrument.
We leave for a 3-week safari next week so I may only get to catch up again in March,
WOW!!!!!! In spite of the 'iffy' start to your visit, Diane, I can immediately see why you were keen to return to Africa. These are absolutely gorgeous photos of fabulous creatures. The other aspects are rather fine too. I hope that all goes well for your safari and that you have plenty of memory cards with you. Wishing you and Nigel all the best of luck - stay safe - - - Richard
ReplyDeleteThanks Richard for those kind words. I hope the iffy start remains only the start, I keep saying nothing else can go wrong but it has. The place we are staying at is central Windhoek but it is a big plot of land and there is a river at the bottom. So many birds that I have not managed to get photos of, namely Mouse Birds and Lowries. There are also many little birds which I need my book for, but as it is so heavy I left it behind! Some beautiful blue waxbills but they hide in the branches and the only photos I have so far managed to take they look like silhouettes, no sign of the beautiful colour. Lots of time still though if no mishaps over the next 8 weeks.
DeleteI will be thinking of you both over the next few weeks. Take care and good luck. Diane
Great to hear from you, Diane. I don’t envy you those temperatures over thirty degrees, but I do wish I was there to see these beautiful animals with you. Many of them bring back memories of my visit to South Africa, way back in 2008. Hard to believe it was so long ago. The last picture is a little reminiscent of a shofar. So many customs and traditions in different cultures have similarities. I hope that Nigel is mobile enough to be enjoying this vacation in Namibia. Bon samedi, bonne journée, bonne vacance, gros bisous - David
ReplyDeleteThanks David, we are lucky we picked a beautiful spot to stay here in Windhoek.
DeleteWe had a few dramas along the way which I could write a book about, but N is having treatment for his back which we hope will be OK for next week. I managed to get what might of been a spider bite quite soon after arriving here and I had a day in hospital. I am still on treatment, other than that all is well😊
Gros bisous, bon weekend, Diane
Amazing shots of those animals! It's a privilege to see so many exotic and beautiful critters. Lucky you, Diane.
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie, I never tire of Africa and the wild life here. Sine moving to Europe it is the one thing that I miss so much. Take care and have a good weekend, Diane
DeleteHi Diane - gosh you both have been in the wars ... spider bite - I sincerely hope it heals fully, while Nigel's back needs a lot of attention - take care and enjoy what you can, without further damage. I do love that part of the world - I had one trip up the Skeleton coast back in the 1980s ... stunning area. I envy you the safari ... so enjoy - the bit and back: not so much! I'll be thinking of you and bring back memories of my days out in southern Africa - Delightful photos for us to enjoy - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary, everything pretty much went wrong from the moment we landed in Frankfurt. When I have a few days to spare when we get home, which I hope will run very much smoother then coming here, I will send you an email!! I will try to get another blog done when we stay in Swakopmund. I hope you enjoy the photos. Cheers Diane
DeleteI envy you, you see and experience some really cool critters.
ReplyDeleteHi Pam, good to hear from you though it is me that has not been keeping up!! I hope that we are going to see lots more animals along the way, watch this space :-)) Take care and keep well Diane.
DeleteLucky you! Have the best time!
ReplyDeleteThese photos are exceptional, from the animals to the plants and humans!
Thanks Marie we are trying to do just that :-) Cheers Diane
DeleteSO many awesome shots!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam, for the kind comment. Cheers Diane
DeleteGreat photos of beautiful birds. Loved the mongoose story. Happened to me too often. We have those big prickly cacti in the village gardens.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane , so annoying to miss a good shot through carelessness!! Cheers t'other Diane
DeleteGood to see your photos Diane. And to see that you are enjoying lots of creepy crawlies too. That millipede looks a little scary, even to me although a size comparison with a coke can might be more frightening. The wedding party made me smile, all in their Sunday best. I think our rain might rival your own at the moment!
ReplyDeletePhil the millipedes are harmless and if you touch them they just roll up. it is the longest of the diplopods: the largest individuals recorded measure 38.5 cm in length and 2.1 cm in diameter. It has 256 legs.
DeleteKeep well and take care, Diane
Hello Diane and Nigel - its been sometime since we have made contact and I stopped blogging some years ago with life changes. I hope all is well with you both but one never knows with a gap in contact. We would love to make contact once again as we will be back in France September one last time - our 8th trip to say hello to old friends. Leon and Sue.
ReplyDeleteHi Leon, we are in Namibia for 9 weeks at the moment but please keep in touch as we should be around in September. Would love to see you again. Cheers Diane and Nigel
DeleteGreat photos: everything is beautiful there. I would like to visit those places ..... if only my wife was not scared of flying!!!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time in Namibia!
You certainly will have to find the right cruise ship :-) It is beautiful here. Diane
DeleteBeautiful photos. Good luck on your three week safari. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks Yvonne for the visit, comment and kind words. Cheers Diane
DeleteOh my goodness, those are really beautiful photos Diane! Such interesting wildlife and others. Have a great, great time on your safari. I look forward to those photos too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise lots of great sighting and sooooooooo many photos to go through! Cheers Diane
DeleteVery nice pictures! Lens covers! What a pain they often are!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Oakhill, Somerset, UK
Hi Stewart, I guess you are in holiday as well ! Not often I forget the lens cap but this was a critical moment!!!! Cheers Diane
ReplyDelete