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| This male stole the warthog kill from the females, eventually leaving the remains for the hungry females. |
“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”
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| Enormous crocodile at the Crocodile River. It’s no wonder that humans and boats aren’t allowed on the river. |
Yesterday around noon, Tom noticed a posting on Facebook on the Marloth Park River Viewing page stating lions had been sighted from the fence in the park into Kruger National Park.
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| Bloody-faced lions after eating their kill. |
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| Female lion on the hunt. |
The scenery on the river banks along with the lion’s colors makes it nearly impossible to spot them, even though the viewfinder of a camera or the lens of binoculars.
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| Four female lions were lying on the rocks. |
Tom makes every effort to provide me with landmarks that indicate where he sees the lions using his binoculars. But this is tricky. Everyone has a different way of explaining what they see through their own eyes, often different from what others see through theirs.
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| Two female lions were lying on the rocks. |
After considerable effort and having no luck spotting them through the viewfinder in the camera, Lois stepped in and in a single sentence from her description, I was able to spot the lions. From there, magic happened.
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| Another view of four female lions on the rocks on the bank of the Crocodile River. |
And, although the photos aren’t as perfect as I’d like based on the limitations of the only camera and my occasionally unsteady hand from such a distance, overall we were pleased with what we’re sharing today, not due to any skill on my part but based on the scene that unfolded before our eyes.
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| The four of us were thrilled to witness these magnificent scenes. |
Nature? Wow! Remarkable! How did we get so lucky to witness such acceptable acts in heart? Undoubtedly, part of it is “safari luck,” which Tom and Lois certainly seem to possess, as well as we’ve been in awe over our sightings since they arrived ten days ago. The time is going so quickly.
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| Mom and baby. |
Not only has this tremendous experience reshaped their views on wildlife and nature, but it’s also provided us with an opportunity to see these fantastic scenes through their perspective, only enhancing the enthusiasm we’ve already experienced in these past eight months in Marloth Park.
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The cub wanted to nurse, but mom was having none of it!
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I couldn’t wait to return to my laptop to download the photos we’re sharing in today’s post. As often is the case, we deleted many of the lesser quality shots and saved the best for posting on our site.
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| The cub gave up the pursuit of suckling and settled down. |
As for our guest photographer, Lisl, whom we met at Ngwenya Lodge and Restaurant on Thursday night, we’re grateful she took the time to send us her three photos we’re posting today.
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| Lisl also took this excellent rhino photo to forward to me. Thanks again, Lisl. |
I had made the mistake of bringing the destroyed camera to Ngwenya instead of the working camera and wasn’t able to take the precious and unusual shots. Our friend Tom only had an iPhone with him and it doesn’t have the capability of distant shots.
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| Lisl’s photo as darkness fell. |
Subsequently, I approached Lisl as she sat on Ngwenya’s veranda with her son and husband, asking if she’d send me a few of her photos. What a kind person she is to have done so! Thanks, Lisl! It’s so appreciated!
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| Lisl, our guest photographer, took this rhino family. Thanks, Lisl! |
As for today, we’re staying in while we prepare an American-type dinner for guests Louise and Danie and a couple from the US we’ve never met, Gerhard and Rita. We’re looking forward to another beautiful evening in the bush with friends!
Be well. Be happy!
Photo from one year ago today, October 21, 2017:
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| Basilica Nuestra Senora de las Piedades church in Naranjo, Costa Rica. For more photos, please click here. |