November 3, 2013

As I opened the garden gate this morning this Blue Headed Tree Agama gave me quite fright as it jumped off the gate and on to the pole fence - missing me by inches. Can you imagine the hysterics if it had landed on me with those long nails digging into my skin? I would probably have slapped myself silly to try and get it off me! (and dropped my camera in the process!)

The look in that eye tells me it is probably thinking "I tried but I missed - WHY didn't I land on her?? "

This has to be the same one I photographed in February. It had a rather bad injury on the upper mouth where the white patch can be seen. It seems to have healed up nicely and although the upper 'lip' still seems raw, it might just be because there are no scales to cover it. Judging by the increase in size it has to be eating well. The February photo can be seen by clicking on the link directly below the photo. 

November 2, 2013

A 'quick' trip to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park often turns out to be much longer than planned!

The Elephants were on the move - and I was one of the lucky visitors to witness some of them passing through to cross the river at Maphumulo and disappear into the bush on the other side.

Although it was clear that the Elephants were going to cross the road the driver of this vehicle did not attempt to move back -  he did not even have the car engine running at the time...

Each group would stop off to eat, drink, swim or wallow in the mud en route to the river. No hurry.  Please note the tiny little baby second from the left

Big Daddy lingered long after the rest of the clan had moved on. Love those eyelashes!

 The youngsters were very reluctant to leave the water after crossing the river.

Part of this group can be seen moving off through the opening in the trees.

This is how far the Elephants were crossing from the Jetty that I was standing on.

During the few hours that I spent in this area the groups of Elephants kept coming.

As I was leaving, I came across another group that seemed to be the last.

All long the way back the road was strewn with branches and plant material

Were the Ellies attending a party to celebrate the rain or perhaps a business conference?

Considering the upcoming elections it might even have been a political rally ;)

November 1, 2013

  As you can see I am back and I hope to be posting photos on a more regular basis! 

The drought left me quite despondent because I would walk around with my camera for ages and all I would see was the effect of the drought!  Depressed might be a better description and as photo opportunities became less I  no longer enjoyed what I was doing.  I felt that I needed a break and so, after three and a half years of regular postings I bailed out for a while! 

I apologise for the long absence - September and October also happened to be a very busy and trying time for our family. My mother and niece were both very ill, but we are thankful that they have recovered and are back home after a lengthy stay in hospital.

To top it off, we had twenty puppy paws pattering around the house - gorgeous little creatures, but a lot of hard work was involved!  Fortunately the puppies have found good homes and all tails are wagging!

We have had our first Summer rains and thunder storms.  Not to mention power outages :)

Coming back after a visit to my mother late this afternoon, I was surprised to find this Long-Crested Eagle perched on a fence pole still in the same area where I spotted it earlier when I could not stop because there was a vehicle close behind me. 

 The bird was clearly keeping a beady eye on anything that moved on the ground!

Hopefully it found itself a tasty snack for dinner.