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."

The Union (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Union (2024): A regular Joe construction worker is recruited by an old girlfriend into a high-stakes espionage mission. An action/thriller/comedy that doesn't succeed in any of those genres. A talented cast, mostly wasted. C+

Netflix

Freud's Last Session (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes

Freud's Last Session (2024): Soon before his death, Freud has a fictitious meeting with C.S. Lewis. Naturally, they debate the existence of God. The arguments are simplistic and unconvincing, which they would have known. Freud's daughter is the most interesting character but is undeveloped. C+

Netflix