Back in Africa - Kariega Game Reserve Blog9

Hello once again. I hope this blog finds you all in the best of health and spirits. Another week has flashed quickly by…but it was a good one for viewing African wildlife. This week I finally saw a Black Rhinoceros and a Caracal. Unfortunately the Caracal was hiding in the bush so I ended up getting some nice photos of the grass in front of its face…but I did manage to get a few images of the rhino.  I’m hopeful that in the next two weeks I’ll see another Caracal (which looks sort of like a small lynx), but I’ll catch him in the open. I think they are one of the most beautiful animals here.

The sun has been brutal most days making it really tough to get decent images.  On a positive note, the good thing about how sunny and bright it is is that I get to try different camera setting in an attempt to get an image that’s not overexposed.  Sometimes it’s just not possible and I end up deleting numerous images (as I did with all of my “big bull elephant at the waterhole” photos this week).

This week we spent a lot of time in the field cutting down wattle trees and girdling pine trees…these are both exotic that compete with the native vegetation.  The game reserve is trying to get rid of all the exotic plants…but to do so is difficult work because of the heat. However, as a reward for our efforts we were invited to eat at the lodge and were treated to a marvelous African dinner. We are normally not used to eating a big meal, but there were just so many food options that I got piggy. Actually I’m glad that we don’t eat there on a weekly basis because there is just too much food. [Now you might be thinking, Well…just don’t eat so much…but after working in the sun and eating sparsely most of the week, it’s just not possible to pass-up free food…especially when it tastes so good.]

This week we also got to go canoeing in the river…which is always a treat on a hot, sunny day. The water is warm and excellent for swimming…and the nice part is that there are no crocodiles or hippos in that part of the river…(however, I must say that I do still keep a sharp eye out for crocodiles or hippos who might not know that they are not supposed to be there).

Anyway, life is good and Pat and I are having an excellent time…so here are a few images from this past week:

[Before we get into images - I'm at the local town on our weekly shopping trip and have run out of time...so can't elaborate on images. Sorry about that...but just glad to get this out.]

 African Hoopoe

 Black Rhinoceros

 Pat and I trying to get some images from our tree platform.

 This giraffe walked over to our vehicle and looked down...sort of gives you an idea of how big they are.

 Blue Wildebeeste fighting...

 Rock Hyrax

 Sunrise in Africa

Well, that was fast and furious...but I'm being called to go. Will try to do better next time. John