This is type of wondrous morning sky you need
when you are out on a game drive.
It pays to look up.
The clouds can make for great photographic subjects
Something I had not seen before…
Bandit Mongoose drinking at a waterhole.
For some reason I had not pictured them having to utilize a water source in this manner.
But, they DO need to drink.
The process was completed is sharp bursts
as they had to keep an eye open for predators.
Years ago a field ranger told me that buffalo looked at humans as if we owe them money.
Since then I have not been able to look at them without remembering that “fact”.
Buffalo are NOT placid bovines…
they are bovines on steroids and will charge, often for no apparent reason.
In my opinion they are probably the most dangerous of all the African game species
Up close and personal.
This elephant could use some wrinkle cream.
This is the business end of the same elephant.
We sat quietly in the vehicle as this giant pachyderm browsed
just a few feet away.
One of the most maligned species.
The Hyena (in this case, one of the Spotted variety)
have a very important role to play in the bush hierarchy.
If it was not for them, the plains of Africa would be littered
with rotting carcasses.
THIS is why I come to Sabi Sabi.
The area is well known for leopard sightings.
The animals literally fall out of the trees during game drives.
I have never been to this reserve an NOT seen at least one.
We had such great sightings that they will be the subjects of their own posting
The most inquisitive of their species…
The Dwarf Mongoose might run initially,
but then they will stop and take time to contemplate the humans watching them.
They can be found living it abandoned termite mounds
and I have seen them in old tree stumps that have fallen and died.
Usually Warthogs run when they see the game drive vehicles arrive.
I found this male in the grounds of Selati Camp
and he seemed prepared to allow me to snap this shot.
Hip, hip Hippo.
Locally known by the field guides as “The Rock”
for his habit of just lying in the water,
he chose to put on a display for us that I won’t forget in a hurry.
Playing hide and seek with a White Rhino…
This is Sydney…one of the best trackers that I have ever
had the privilege of being on a vehicle with.
He spent some time telling me and the other guests
about the healing properties of the Sjambok Pod (Cassia Abbreviata)
And an African sunset is a must to end off any day in the bush.
I had asked our tracker to find us a chameleon.
This is a ‘trick’ that many of them are capable of doing…
if you know how to spot this tiny reptile in almost pitch darkness.
But it was too early in the season for chameleons.
Not to be dissuaded from finding us something different,
Sydney spotted this scorpion as
our spotlight briefly lit it as we drove past in the dark!
We went back so that I could get a picture to prove this sighting.
To find out more about this camp and what it offers,
visit their website:
When it is time to print out my special images,
this is the company that I rely on to do that.
Bush gear to make me blend in…
When I get home. I rely on this ISP
to provide me with high speed fibre connectivity
to enable me to get my postings published in record time.
www.cisp.co.za
This powerbank is my constant companion
while I am travelling.
It can do up to 4 full re-charges of my phone before
needing to be charged.
Supplied by…
When offered an option…
ALWAYS be Batman.
The newest of my travelling companions.
To find out more about the collectable Funko range of figurines,
visit:
My new addition, this awesome laptop bag from Solo.
Padded for protection and with enough pockets to keep
almost everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink in,
this is definitely an stylish addition to any business presentation.
Be it in the boardroom or the bush.
This bag can also be worn as a backpack.
There are straps in a hidden compartment that can be deployed
when you need both hands for other purposes.
To find out more about the stylish Solo range,
visit:
A new “tool” in my camera bag.
This locally made product was indispensable when using a long lens.
The ball and socket might look simple…and it is,
which is why it should be in the gear bag of every serious photographer.
This locally made, deceptively simple device is ideal
for tracking birds in flight or animals in motion.
The base can be used on a beanbag or a tripod,
with the ball being fitted to the camera.
The simplicity of the device allows to to move from supported
to hand held in a fluid motion.
There is also a version that can be used on a car window.
To see more about the product,
visit their Facebook page:
Or order directly from:
Follow me on Twitter: @davidbatzofin
Visit my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/david.batzofin
Travel & Things Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/travelandthings
Coming soon: http://www.db-photo.co.za/ and www.fbtours.co.za