Not very clear, but this Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was on a sand bank in the Sand River, flowing in front of our accommodation at Umkumbe. We were there for 4 nights, and we were lucky enough to see the Big 5. This fellow caused some excitement as they had not seen crocs here for several years.
Nyala, (Tragelaphus angasii), female in the front and male behind.
IImpala, (Aepyceros melampus), the youngsters were all having fun running and jumping around and around.
African bush or savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana). A 'teenager' being a bit cheeky!!
and a mother with what we were told was probably a two-year-old youngster. Elephants have one temporal gland on each side of the head between the eye and the ear. The temporal gland is a large gland, much like a sweat gland, that sometimes produces a secretion that trickles down the side of the face. In female elephants, these glands may become active when the animal gets very excited or stressed. In male elephants, the temporal glands are active when the male is in “musth”, which is a condition very much like “rut” in a deer.
Burchell's zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) and 2 Blue wildebeest [brindled gnu] (Connochaetes taurinus.)
Wahlberg's eagle (Hieraaetus wahlbergi).
An African sunset.
African lion (Panthera leo), there were two here who were known to be brothers. This one was in hiding, while the other one decided to take a stroll.
Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus). I make no excuse for so many leopard photos. It is my favourite animal with the Wild Dog, and this sighting was incredible. She was very relaxed and ignored us watching her for at least 15 minutes. She was spotted in the evening, after our sight of the lions in the morning. A good day out.
and finally, she decided to scratch an itch :-))
Red-billed oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorynchus) on a kudu female. The red-bill devotes its day to plucking insects and ticks from its hosts.
Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis).
Still more to follow when I have time.
