South Africa — Safari (Part 3)

It was another early morning, and we had a spectacular sunrise to watch.
Safari Web 054.jpg
Safari Web 055.jpg
Safari Web 056.jpg
I loved the varying layers of mist as the sun came up and warmed up the savannah.
Safari Web 057.jpg
Somehow, I don’t think the giraffe were impressed by the sunrise.
Safari Web 058.jpg
Safari Web 059.jpg
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.
Safari Web 060.jpg
Safari Web 061.jpg
The slender mongoose.
Safari Web 062.jpg
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.
Safari Web 063.jpg
Since they spend most of their time in the water, this is normally all that you can see of the hippo.
Safari Web 064.jpg
Here’s a (bird) house with a view.
Safari Web 065.jpg
Pumbaa!!!
Safari Web 066.jpg
Ok, not the most handsome creatures.
Safari Web 067.jpg
Safari Web 069.jpg
Speaking of not the most handsome, this is the Southern Ground-hornbill.
Safari Web 070.jpg
I don’t know if it was something in the air, but this elephant didn’t like us nearby as well.
Safari Web 071.jpg
Safari Web 072.jpg
What can I say? Zebras walking down the road.
Safari Web 073.jpg
Hey, who’s over there??
Safari Web 075.jpg
This zebra was kind enough to strike a pose for me.
Safari Web 077.jpg
They were very cuddly.
Safari Web 078.jpg
Safari Web 081.jpg
Safari Web 082.jpg
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.
Safari Web 083.jpg
Safari Web 084.jpg
I think this is the scariest/meanest looking animal we saw.
Safari Web 092.jpg
A Leopard Tortoise sauntering away from us. Although this one was rather small, they can weigh up to 40kg and 75cm long.
Safari Web 102.jpg
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