POTD: The Big Five - Lion

"Resting in the bush,
Lioness with steady gaze,
Full belly at ease."
— h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 10 25 Wildlife of Southern Africa

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Chobe National Park. It is Botswana's first national park, proposed back in 1931, and also the most biologically diverse.

Today's photo-of-the-day is a lion, resting under a bush, guarding her kill, an impala (not shown), of which only the hindquarters are left. We saw another pride of lions, about four or five females and one male, not too far away, also resting under a bush. We were able to drive right up to them to get this close-up photo from about 10 meters away. They pretty much ignored us. We guessed their bellies were full.

POTD: The Big Five - Leopard

"Under Kruger's sky,
Leopard rests in silent grace.
Hunter in repose."
— h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 10 25 Wildlife of Southern Africa

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Kruger National Park in South Africa. It became South Africa's first national park in 1926 (although Hluhluwe—iMfolozi Park was already a game reserve dating back to the Zulu kingdom of the early 1800s).

This is a photo of a leopard, one of the game animals in the so-called "Big Five". "The term was coined by big-game hunters to refer to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot." We saw fewer leopards than any other of the Big Five game animals. This particular one was difficult to spot. It was resting on an outcrop of rocks about 50 meters from the trail we were driving on. Our guide spotted it, and that's how "L" was able to get this photo.

POTD: The Big Five - Rhinoceros

"In Africa’s heart,
Rhinos push with gentle might,
Power without rage."
— h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 10 25 Wildlife of Southern Africa

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Hluhluwe—iMfolozi Park in South Africa. It's the oldest nature reserve in Africa. "Thanks to conservation efforts, the park now has one of the largest populations of white rhinoceros in the world, although this population remains severely threatened by the poaching of hundreds of rhinos every year in the park."

This is a photo of two White Rhinos locking horns. They pushed and shoved each other for a bit, but never really broke out into serious fighting. Maybe they were just posing for the tourists. ;-) Many of the rhinos we saw lacked their distinctive horns. Rhinos are dehorned to make them less attractive to poachers, but there are still some in all of their fighting glory, like these two.

POTD: The Big Five - Elephant

"Gentle giants walk,
Through Chobe’s golden sunlight,
Majestic in stride."
— h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 10 25 Wildlife of Southern Africa

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Chobe National Park in Botswana. It's a photo of a herd of African Elephants, one of the game animals in the so-called "Big Five". "The term was coined by big-game hunters to refer to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot."

We encountered this family group as they crossed the trail that our 10-passenger, open 4WD safari vehicle was driving down, affording us an up-close view of these magnificent animals.

POTD: The Big Five - Cape Buffalo

"Herd of thirty strong,
Footprints mark the dusty trail,
Brawny buffalo."
— h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 10 25 Wildlife of Southern Africa

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe. It's a photo of a Cape Buffalo, one of the game animals in the so-called "Big Five". "The term was coined by big-game hunters to refer to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot." Our guide warned us that what makes the Cape Buffalo particularly dangerous is that it's apt to charge without any warning signs.

We encountered a herd of 30 or so Cape Buffalo when they crossed the trail that our 10-passenger, open 4WD safari vehicle was driving down, affording us an up-close view of this magnificent animal.

POTD: Stretch Goal

"Graceful, towering,
Necks reach for the highest leaves,
Silent, they wander."

— h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 10 25 Wildlife of Southern Africa

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe. It shows a giraffe in its natural setting. Seeing one of these magnificent animals in the wild walking slowly through the bush snapping off branches to feed on is an unforgettable sight.

A bonus closeup is after the jump.

POTD: Vulture Culture

"Victoria Falls.
Bones picked clean by hungry beaks.
From leftovers, life."
— h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 10 25 Wildlife of Southern Africa

Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge in Zimbabwe. The lodge feeds the vultures from leftover meat scraps and bones from the hotel's restaurant. "As well as providing the opportunity for visitors to spot white headed vultures, hooded vultures, lappet faced vultures and white backed vultures, this supplementary feeding program aids the survival of these remarkable, but endangered birds."

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