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Leopard Hills, Sabi Sands, South Africa — October, 2015


Tom Kellie

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@@FlyTraveler, I believe that is a high-roof version of Beechcraft's King Air

 

@@Tom Kellie, that's a very threadbare-looking Impala under the three oxpeckers isn't it?

 

~ @@Peter Connan

 

Yes, that poor lady impala had seen better days.

Perhaps her bedraggled condition was such that numerous ectoparasites were present, thus providing a smörgåsbord for the oxpeckers.

There's been periods in my life when I felt like she looked. That's why I felt compassion for her, glad that her oxpecker friends were helping her out.

Tom K.

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No, no, no @@xelas, I'm in the front row by @peterconnan on this trip. And Peter must be the current president of the ST GTG committee since my daughter and I also met him at the hotel across the street from JNB for dinner on our last visit. He's a very popular fellow it seems.

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No, no, no @@xelas, I'm in the front row by @@Peterconnan on this trip. And Peter must be the current president of the ST GTG committee since my daughter and I also met him at the hotel across the street from JNB for dinner on our last visit. He's a very popular fellow it seems.

 

~ @@PCNW

 

It sounds as though @@Peter Connan is the Safaritalk Social Director for South Africa!

When he meets @@xelas, it's sure to be a terrific time.

When one's far from home, how welcoming to be met by a Safaritalk friend.

Tom K.

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A Blacksmith Lapwing you say?


Yet where's your anvil, forge and tongs?


Grappling with it as I may,


Your name remains where it belongs.




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Vanellus armatus in an Elephant Footprint







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Where are the elephants? Are any here?


Approaching the river, walking over the sand.


Indifferent to us, drawing so near,


As comfortable in water as on the land.




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First Glimpse of a South African Elephant



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Arriving at the Sand River



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Magnificent Entrance



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Refreshing Quench





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A baby elephant beside its mother's tail,


Awkwardly yet amusingly copying others.


A few small steps and sips, trying hard not to fail,


Continually reassured by many mothers.




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Never Far



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Elephant's Child in Sabi Sands



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Carefree Swinging Tail



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Sipping Stripling





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Undeterred although a late arrival,


This elephant strode over the sandy terrain,


Eating is a matter of survival,


Thus sweet browsing an elephant's life does sustain.




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Undeterred Late Arrival



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Elephant on a Mission



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Indomitable



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Freedom of Navigation



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Splish-Splash!



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Blocking My View





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Meandering through boulders, sand and reeds,

The Sand River attracts elephants, birds and me.
Fully entranced, I wonder where it leads,
If I carefully followed it, what would I see?

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Sand River Vista

 

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If one didn't know how immense they are,


Would one fully appreciate mighty elephant backs?


Why force them to carry guests from afar?


Shouldn't hard-working elephants be allowed to relax?





(for @@SafariChick and @@Kitsafari, who raised my awareness)



(http://safaritalk.net/topic/12032-who-is-planning-for-2015/page-21, posts #407 and #408)




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Backs






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Elephants have that extra something,


Their wisdom apparent if one takes time to observe.


Yet one can't help but sometimes thinking,


That elephant minds lack the respect that they deserve.




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Just Beyond the Grass



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Closer than Ever Before



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My Tusks Are Mine



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Standing On One Foot



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Pachyderm Profile



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So Near, Yet So Far





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Three Arrow-marked Babblers perched in a tree,


Far from silent, their raucous calls resound,


Prompting an amused second glance from me,


Luckily no predators are around.




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Arrow-marked Babblers








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Come back! This glimpse is far too fleeting,


A handsome bushbuck deserves a portrait sharp and clear,


Even though this is our first meeting,


Why not let your features be admired far and near?




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Male Bushbuck



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Disappearing Act





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It wasn't true when I said that I had no goal,

For my heart strongly hoped to see nyala.
When I saw them, the safari was on a roll,
Leopard Hills seemed like a wildlife Valhalla!

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Nyala At Last!

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Split-Level Dining

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Female Nyala on a Ridge

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Tail-Flicking While Feeding

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Female and Male Nyala

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@@Tom Kellie

 

Congratulations on finally seeing the Nyala.

I hope the next installment will be Zorilla?

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@@Tom Kellie

 

Congratulations on finally seeing the Nyala.

I hope the next installment will be Zorilla?

 

~ @@mvecht

 

Ha Ha! That remains my hope, too!

The nyala surprised me by their grace and striking beauty.

Somehow the illustrations in field guides hadn't adequately prepared me for what a striking species they are, both female and male.

It also surprised me that they were more easygoing and less skittish than other antelope species I observed.

BTW: I'm completely serious in saying that if any camp or lodge operator in any location ever suggested that there might be a high probability of arranging night observation and photography of a Zorilla, I'd very likely book a visit!

Tom K.

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Chacma baboons do whatever they please,


Not housebroken, but monkeyish, fun to observe,


These characters stroll about with such ease,


As playful baboons clearly lack any reserve.




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Bright-eyed Baboons



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With Multi-colored Foliage



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On a Sand River Bluff





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For once their strident calls stifled and mute,


This Hadeda Ibis trio probing diligently,


Working together staunchly resolute,


After eating their fill, flying off to roost silently.




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Sand River Ibis Silhouettes



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Hadeda Ibis Trio with a Sandpiper





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@@Tom Kellie

 

outstanding pictures but even more so I am enjoying the poetic eloquence that someone that does not have English as their first language can only dream of.

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such lovingly crafted pictures of the elephants. in post #55, the 3rd picture Magnificent Arrival of the lone elephant on the sands of Sand River with the trees in the background sang to me, as did your poetry.

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@@Tom Kellie

 

outstanding pictures but even more so I am enjoying the poetic eloquence that someone that does not have English as their first language can only dream of.

 

~ @@mvecht

 

Thank you so much for your very kind comment.

When I think of how awkward I'd be flailing around in Dansk, I understand how you feel.

Your birding awareness continues to inspire me.

Tom K.

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Your poetry is tremendous.

 

~ @@Atravelynn

 

Many, many thanks!

You know well the challenges of composing verse.

Your encouragement rekindles my energy.

Tom K.

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such lovingly crafted pictures of the elephants. in post #55, the 3rd picture Magnificent Arrival of the lone elephant on the sands of Sand River with the trees in the background sang to me, as did your poetry.

 

~ @@Kitsafari

 

Thank you for your generous comment.

When that elephant arrived on the scene, my heart soared – it was such a dramatic entrance.

I appreciate your encouragement so much!

Tom K.

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The coming twilight burnished the game drive,


Which had introduced Sabi Sands to me,


Seeing wildlife gloriously alive,


When suddenly wild dogs appeared – Yippee!




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What? A Wild Dog!



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Close Range Wild Dog





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