Christmas in Texas
Holiday fun with the Gerber & Reid families.
Ruckomechi Camp
August 24, Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
The last camp is one of the best. Lions, crocodiles and more.
Extra-Vehicular Manuevers
August 23, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
The elephants at Hwange, Part 2. A watering hole with a gusty wind made for some excellent images. We were (safely) outside of the vehicle, downwind and low to the ground.
Brad the Dog
This is Brad, my cousin Greg's new puppy.
"I'm so cute."
Tasty grass.
"A new trick--can't wait to try this at home!"
Brad and Slick.
The Hide
August 22, 2016 - Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
The elephants at Hwange, Part 1. These pictures were taken from a hide not far from our camp, Little Makalolo. We had to clear out the baboons first and the moment we left they came right back in.
Thristy herd.
Big mama.
Smile.
Mud bath.
Zam to Zim
August 21, 2016 - Victoria Falls & Hwange National Park
We depart Kafue and fly to Victoria Falls. Our local guide is all too eager to share his encyclopedic knowledge of Dr. David Livingstone, which could take up to three hours if we indulge him. We opt for the short version...
On the way to camp we encounter the first of many elephant herds.
Zebras in love.
A rare treat--baby ostriches.
Sometimes, I swear, it was like the animals posed for us.
A horn-billed something or other. Or as I like like to call him, Angry Bird.
"We all get along just fine together."
Coalition
August 20, 2016 - Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park, Zambia
When male lions work together, they form a coalition. These two fellas where a part of the same pride as the lioness (aka The Killing Machine) and her cubs.
When members of a coalition first meet up they rub heads together.
This is called "flehmening" which is what some animals do when they investigate a smell of interest. They can detect pheromones and sexual readiness of potential mates.
The Lion King.
I love this shot.
Morning Over the Plains
August 20, 2016 - Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park, Zambia
The "wakey-wakey" call is 5:15 am for those of us going up in the balloon. We are a bit delayed by The Killing Machine and her cubs--they are standing at the edge of camp, no more than 10 feet from us. Two adult males swing by as well. We'll see them in action later in the day.
Sunrise.
Water is life.
A controlled fire burn.
Hippos are hard to photograph.
The Killing Machine
August 19, 2016 - Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park, Zambia
We spend the morning stalking lions. The guides at BBC refer to one particular lioness as The Killing Machine given how consistently successful she is at hunting prey in the concession. We find her along with her two sub-adult males. The cubs remain close by and practice their hunting moves on each other while she watches the plains for weak and slow prey. We are on the verge of seeing her take a puku or a lechwe, but one young lion blows the hunt by getting to close to mom, tipping the herd off.
The Killing Machine.
Ready, set, go!
Leapin' lion.
Play.
Practicing the hunt.
Takedown!
This is how it is done.
Brothers.
Watching and waiting...
Playtime is over.
The Welcome Crew
August 18, 2016 - Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park, Zambia
Newton picks us up from the airstrip and we drive 30 mins or so to Busanga Bush Camp. Along the way we see many different species of antelope, including sable, lechwe and puku.
The buggy ride with Bill as navigator. I left out the part where we swatted away the tsetse flies. Painful little buggers...
Black sable.
See those rock-like formations? Those are termite mounds. And the tree in the back is actually an island when the plains flood during the rainy season.
Puku on the move.
The first elephant (aka Ellies), but not the last. 🐘
Lusaka to Busanga
August 18, 2016 - Lusaka, Zambia
The journey begins.
During a light breakfast with my Aunt Shannon and Uncle Bill we meet our NatHab guide, Thuto. I'll (at best) retain about 25% of what Thuto points out over the coming days. And when it comes to the birds, well, let's just say that I'll never become a birder. 😏
You gotta love the handwritten boarding passes.
Our awesome pilot.
The airstrip near Busanga Bush Camp (BBC).
