Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Waterways and a dancing elephant...............


Another morning game drive out of Duma Tau had Lazi driving us to the Linyanti River fed by the Savuti Channel, a waterway which had been dry for 30 years but now flows again, a life giving water source for wildlife.
A nearby pond area was a playground for a troop of baboons.  Adults and babies were enjoying a hearty breakfast of the bright green plants, looking a lot like watercress, massed along the pond edge.

Several Egyptian Geese were also drifting about on this pond and along the banks.


Egyptian Goose in a stylish take-off.


Introducing Lazi Junior, a young boy headed for stardom in the bush!  We named him after our guide who agreed he'd never seen a young elephant so set on entertaining the guests.  Lazi Jr. didn't follow mom into the mopani bushes when she moved on, instead he stayed behind..........


......first getting some energy by chewing on a few branches........

.........then performing quite a dance, turning to the right and raising his leg........


.........then to the left and back again, several times.........


........then he waved his trunk................and I'm sure you'll agree that twinkle in his eye showed he was having as much fun dancing as we were watching from about 30 yards away.


After several minutes of 'dancing' Lazi walked off to look for mom....and you have to agree he was SMILING!!!
This was a memorable 'bush moment' for certain.


Another watery Botswana moment.......Hamerkop hitching a ride on a hippo.


Next lovely sighting that morning was this handsome male Kudu at another waterhole.  The red-billed Oxpecker birds are unmistakable, always clinging to game in search of parasites such as ticks.



Greater Kudu - Tragelaphus strepsiceros
A woodland antelope found throughout eastern and southern Africa.  Sparsely populated due to a declining habitat, deforestation and hunting. They venture only on to open plains with lots of bushes.  Males much larger (weigh up to 595 lbs.) than females, with large horns with two and a half twists - starting at age 6-12 months, twisting once at around 2 years of age and not reaching the full two and half twist until they are 6 years old. Males also have large manes running along their throats.


This fine specimen of kudu must be at least 6 years old with his completed twisting horns.


Next day it was time to say goodbye to the friendly people at Duma Tau in Botswana and move on to another country.  Coming next, the flight to Zambia over one of the seven natural wonders of the world.....awesome!

Okavango Delta, Botswana

14 comments:

  1. Absolutely awesome photos. I am enjoying this wonderful trip with you.

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  2. Your photos are more than amazing - they need to be in a photo book - I know I would buy it - after all I know the author :-)

    Beautiful- just beautiful..all God's creatures!

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  3. Good morning Mary, I just scrolled down about four posts and I am commenting on each of them. I am repeating myself but your photos are wonderful and I am thrilled to see them. Lazi, JR. is the cutest thing ever. I would have loved seeing this in person. You captured his dance perfectly. The monkey's are so cute, especially the baby on his mommy's back. The waterfowl and the African antelope are all so interesting. The bird on the antelope's body and the one on the hippo is odd isn't it?
    Time is running out for the moment because we are taking Cheri' to the groomer. I'll be back Mary. thank you so much for taking us on your safari.

    Love you, Jeanne

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  4. That little elephant is just adorable!!!

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  5. I long more and more that I could've been with you on this trip with every photo I see that you've taken... Ugh! Oh well... these pictures are so professional looking I sort of feel like I was there :)

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  6. Mary~~~

    I am having the best time looking at your Africa pictures and reading about your trip! These photos are just wonderful. You must have been taking notes to remember the names of all these animals and birds...all of which are beautiful and amazing.

    Looking forward to more...

    xoxo
    Jane

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  7. The baby baboon on Mom's back is absolutely adorable. How wondrous is it to see a dancing elephant??? Oh, Mary, what a once-in-a-lifetime trip!

    xo
    Claudia

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  8. Looks like another day of great memories. You must have so many!

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  9. Kyle, Jason and I are having so much fun traveling through Africa with you! Every morning Kyle asks if we can visit your blog to see what animals are pictured today!! Luv you!! Jenny

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  10. I love that the birds hitch hike on other animals. I wouldn't mind giving one a lift on my shoulder...however, I would freak out if he pecked a bug off my head!

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  11. There are kudu at the Los Angeles Zoo...but they did not have the friendly bird hitchhikers.

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  12. Amazing...........Thanks for sharing...

    Blessings....
    xoxo Gert

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  13. Hi Mary, I'm back! I had to stop the other night to show hubby all of your photos. He thought it was amazing, and quite a wonderful trip to have taken.
    Loved the little dance the elephant did!! So cute!, and yes he does look like he has a twinkle in his eye. Probably trying to charm you ladies!!
    Those kudu are striking!, especially with their little hitchhikers!!
    Take Care!
    Ulrike

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