South African adventures - Part 1 Game viewing.
I have just returned from a trip to South Africa. Part of the holiday was spent in a private game reserve close to Kruger National Park. This blog contains photos of some of the animals that we saw during our stay.
Cape Buffalo - This is an old bull, known locally as 'dagga boys'. These animals can weigh up to 800kg.
This grumpy old bull is trying to keep cool in a muddy pool.
White Rhino - Gets it's name from the Afrikaans word 'weid', meaning wide , describing the Rhino's mouth.
Rhinos are endangered due to the mistaken belief that the horn has medicinal properties.
Waterbuck- This is a male, the horns can reach a length of over 90cm.
Female Waterbuck - as the name suggests they are found close to water.
Hippopotamus - a mature male can weigh over 2000kg.
Hippos spend daylight hours in water to protect their skin from sunburn.
Impala - males live in small batchelor groups, waiting for a chance to win a harem of females.
Impala females live in herds for protection, they are hunted by many predators.
Leopard - This is a male, the most numerous of the African big cats but very difficult to spot.
Burchell's or Plains Zebra - Identified by the shadow stripe between the main black stripes.
Blue Wildebeest - often graze alongside zebras as they eat different grasses.
Blue Wildebeest calves - the umbilical cord is still visible on on of the calves.
African Elephant - this is a breeding herd herd containing a few very young calves.
A very mischievous young Elephant.
The Elephants loved playing in water - they spent ages splashing around for fun.
A lone male Elephant feeding on the fruit of a Merula tree.
Kudu - a large antelope, lives in dense bush and relies on acute hearing for protection.
This is a female Kudu - the males have the longest horns of all the antelopes.
Lion - the largest of the African big cats.
This male Lion was followed around by his brother with a damaged rear leg. He has looked after his brother for over 3 years.
This group of Lionesses were alerted by Impala warning snorts.
This Lioness was part of a group living without a male Lion.
- dickylloyd's blog
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Wow what an adventure !!! stunning images too - a great blog and a big 'like' from me
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really good blog something i reaslly want to see one day but in the meantime the zoo will have to do
good blog well done
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Hi Richard
Wow, you get so close to so many different animals. That looks to have been a great trip you went on. the photos are very good indeed. Of the lot, I think the 2 Impala is my fave shot followed closely by the Leopard. A great blog I hope you had a brilliant time, this is on my to do list, then again, so is to walk on the moon!!! Lol
Great stuff. Thanks
Steve
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One word. Fantastic.
Dave.
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loved it and am so jealous
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Most enjoyable blog. It must be exciting to see these animals in their natural environment.
My sister used to live near the Kruger, but I never visited.
Thanks for showing.
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Great blog.
Mike
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Hi Richard,...Thank You !...A wonderful set of photos...liked them all...and some were just stunning ! and the animals Beautiful !
All The Best....Ian
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super blog Dicky - all the images are superb but I really like the impala shot the best - the two males are really stunning
thank you for sharing with us
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Well, these are brilliant photos, the 2 impalas are my favourite, I never realised how close you could get to the animals~or did you have a big zoom(?)
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Lovely blog. Liked the shot of the impala best.
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Brilliant blog. I am soooooo jealous - I've always wanted to go on a safari. Lovely pics and nice narrative. Like from me.
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Wow, a brilliant set of images. Surprised you were able to hold the camera steady so close to some of those animals - I'd have been shaking like a leaf! Thanks for sharing.
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Wow, wonderful photos...difficult to choose a favourite but it would be the leopard and the impala shots.
Karen.
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Terrific stuff Dicky, the pair of Impalas has to be my fave!! I'm quite jealous actually...lol
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Hi Dicky, I'd have to say the Leopard is pretty damned good, but then so is the Lion and the Impala, hell there all good !! THANK YOU
brill blog. Debs 
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That's a hell of a blog Richard,you must have enjoyed every moment of your holiday,I agree with Kev on the Impala picture,it really stood out for me,pin sharp,great colour and composition,so has to be my favorite as well
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Brilliant blog Richard.. What an adventure you appeared to have had. So many photographic opportunities. Bet you took hundreds of photos. Thanks for sharing
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Thats a brilliant blog, to see all of these creatures in the wild must be amazing. Very jealous indeed, thank you for posting.
All the best
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Oh wow, how fantastic is this blog!!
All those different animals and you've captured them brilliantly, these images are superb!!
Thanks for downloading and sharing, brilliant stuff.
Viv
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Everything in Africa bites The Safari bug most of all. I have been going often since 1978 and then based in Dar es Salaam setting up Avis Tanzania and Uganda I started operating Photo Safaris and also to Kenya. Now based back in the UK since 2000 I operate as a Safari Consultant going with small groups of photographers my next group leaves on Feb 7th and is now full. I have added to the above South Africa for people with mobility problems do see www.epic-enabled.com for more details of this or contact me all at prices that will amaze you by going direct you pay the airfare and the ground agent You to can get shots like dickylloyd perhaps not as good but then as Photographers or you would not be here. Africa is in your roots and is reachable. Like Marmite try it and see.
Well Done dickylloyd when is your next trip bet it won't be soon enough.
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The last picture is my favourite, what an expression on her face!
Very interesting. I always wanted to go 'on safari' until I developed an allergy to bright sunlight!
Well done.
Jen xx
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Impressive - you've got the full set there! Great pics.
Ray
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Interesting blog, magnificent animals. Who travels a lot, can tel/show a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Alice.
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Really, really fabulous photos.
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A terrific blog, Richard. Great images and informative narrative. Thanks for posting.
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Great blog. I'd love to go to Kruger.
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A fabulous blog and great pictures, I've been to S Africa but never on safari, I must go next time it looks incredible. I love the rhinos but my favourite has to be the two Impala, a terrific shot.
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Hello again. I had a chance to look at Part 1 or your South African Adventures. Wow! How great to see these animals out in the open, and not in cages. And you are great with pictures, framing and backgroung and closeup, it makes it super real Elizabeth :) Thanks so very much for your comment on my sparrow blog, I have a few other blogs, but they are probably not as fascinating as yours. Thanks again.
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Super Jungle safari.Great shots ,very close & sharp.
This time will pass.
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wonderful nature
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Wonderful photos. Thank you for sharing them. Your doing an excellent job as a photographer. Keep it up.