Tag: animal

Celebrating the King

Today in the Netherlands it is Kingsday. Dutch people all over the world celebrate King Willem-Alexander’s 50th birthday.

The lion is called the ‘king of the jungle’. A bit of a strange label, since lions live on the African savanna and not in the jungle. But I can imagine what makes the lion king-like: his mane circles his head like a crown, and his pose is absolutely majestic.

That’s not to say that a lion is never afraid or threatened. Just before this photograph was taken, two lions – locally known as Ginger (the albino) and Garlic – were resting in a very relaxed manner. Then two elephants approached.

The approach

The lions were immediately alert, and moved away when the elephants came closer. Like any earthly king, the lion is not almighty…

Blessed be!

May the roads rise to meet you. 
May the wind be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rain fall soft upon your fields 
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand. 

Photo taken in Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

Slowly by slowly

The chameleon is one of my favorite animals, and the rare occasions that I find a chameleon in the garden are very special. This one was very small, only about five centimeters – it’s probably a baby. Unfortunately, many people are scared of chameleons, and harm them. And I have to say, they are mysterious animals. Chameleons can change their color to match their surroundings. Today I learnt that in Afrikaans, the chameleon is known as ‘verkleurmannetjie’ – little man that changes colors. Chameleons are very shy. Their color makes them hard to spot, and besides that, chameleons make an effort not to make any sudden movements. They move slowly, haltingly – a bit like my internet connection at the moment…

 

Rock paintings?

I love to experiment with the editing of my photographs. What I like about this one is that it is so reminiscent of age-old rock paintings found in the region. Isn’t it wonderful that one can create such a thing?

Or do you like this version better:

20170409-DSC_4426-bewerkt-2-bewerkt

Pictures taken in Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa

Elephant on the road

This morning, according to the news, a herd of eight elephants on the loose near Pretoria are being led back into the game reserve they escaped from. I can’t imagine the sight of a herd of elephants trudging to the suburbs…

We met this bull on a recent visit to Pilanesberg National Park. In the bushes on either side of the road there the herd with several baby elephants was foraging. The aggressive bull would not let any car come close, let alone pass. We didn’t even attempt to get nearer. Elephants are said to be ‘gentle giants’, but to me they are the most scary animals one can encounter on a safari!

Goodmorning sunshine

Is the morning cold and grey where you are? Do you have a bad-hair-day? Are you struggling to find the inspiration to start the new week? I know how you feel.

My antidote today is this beautiful Lilac-breasted Roller. There is my color and warmth – and who cares about hair if you’ve got colors like that! So let’s get this week started…

See the world

This is our world. It is cruel. It is harsh. It is unfair. It hurts, while others are smiling with their bellies full. And it’s not just this cheetah. Humans are even worse. The cheetah does what he must do. Humans have a choice.

What do we do with that choice? Still there is inequality. There is pain inflicted on the innocent. And so little mercy for those who are seeking a better place in life. Because we benefit from the way things are. Because we don’t know where to start to change them.

And still. There is beauty in this world. There is beauty in this bloody cheetah. It gives me hope. There must be something to redeem the world. (Or Someone to redeem us…)