Day: May 31, 2009

The Kings of Kruger.


She was surveying her domain.

Lions have no fear of people. Although we were in our vehicle here, the window was rolled down and there was nothing stopping them from taking a swipe at us. However, we heard that the smell of the petroleum covers the human scent. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but the lions certainly weren’t fazed by our presence.



This gives a little better perspective on the lions just walking down the road, oblivious to the humans.

Intently watching the grass…


This cub was very distraught. He got separated from the rest of the pride and was trying to find them quickly.

Standing tall.

This is NOT the perspective you want to see a lion approaching you from.

On the prowl.

Man, it’s tough being a lion.

Such powerful creatures.





These guys look like food. Yum.

More kudu on the rock.


We always loved watching the elephants.




Back on another night game drive, we came across one of the most universally reviled animals … the spotted hyena. Our guide told us that someone had been killed by a group of them that week.

The night made them seem that much more sinister. I know it’s being anthropomorphic, but that is what it appeared.

Their gait is so ungainly.

Unlike the lions, these animals definitely knew we were there.

Well, that is the end of our safari. It was a great experience. Many moments of excitement mixed with long stretches where we could just talk, drive slow and enjoy being together. All in all, it was wonderful and I highly recommend the experience.
Up next will be one final post on South Africa … more images from Cape Town.
So, until then…
–Jim

It was another early morning, and we had a spectacular sunrise to watch.



I loved the varying layers of mist as the sun came up and warmed up the savannah.

Somehow, I don’t think the giraffe were impressed by the sunrise.


This unique looking creature is the Secretary Bird. It has an eagle-like body on crane-like legs. In South Africa, the Secretary Bird, while not the official bird, is featured as a symbol on the national coat of arms, representing vigilance and military might, as well as the rise and pride of modern South Africa.


The slender mongoose.

Although I have no idea what it’s sex is, this hippo looks like a female to me. She was startled to see us so close. We were too. Interestingly, the hippo’s closest living relatives are cetaceans (whales, porpoise, etc.). They are also the third largest terrestrial animal after the elephant and white rhino.

Since they spend most of their time in the water, this is normally all that you can see of the hippo.

Here’s a (bird) house with a view.

Pumbaa!!!

Ok, not the most handsome creatures.


Speaking of not the most handsome, this is the Southern Ground-hornbill.

I don’t know if it was something in the air, but this elephant didn’t like us nearby as well.


What can I say? Zebras walking down the road.

Hey, who’s over there??

This zebra was kind enough to strike a pose for me.

They were very cuddly.



These are Peters’ Epauletted Fruit Bats. They were hanging out over our head while we had lunch. Although that may not seem sanitary, we didn’t have any problem.


I think this is the scariest/meanest looking animal we saw.

A Leopard Tortoise sauntering away from us. Although this one was rather small, they can weigh up to 40kg and 75cm long.

More baboons cleaning each other, at or below the speed limit of course.
That wraps up part three of the safari. Only one to go. The star of that one is the lion. Truly kings of their domain.
So, until then…
–Jim