First we’ll put up the last moiety of reader John Phelps’s submission: photos he took in and around Kruger National Park in South Africa. His captions are indented:
White backed vulture (Gyps africanus) – just left a carcass to roost in a nearby tree:
Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)– quite a common sighting and the young are amusing. This youngster was putting on a show of Jacko’s Thriller dance moves. . . :
Giraffe Calf (Giraffa camelopardalis) – this was part of a large family group:
God’s Window (two photos)– spectacular views looking eastwards over the Kruger NP towards Mozambique:
Three Rodavals – a feature that looks like 3 traditional African huts standing high above the Blyde River Canon near Graskop:
Dragonfly – taken at Spion Kop Lodge in the Drakensberg region of Natal. Spion Kop was the location of a significant battle in the Angle/Boer War of 1899-1901. The battle is also famous because 3 of the participants were Churchill, Gandhi and Jan Smuts. ‘SpionKop’ also became the name of the famous ‘Kop’ at Liverpool football ground…
Impala (Aepyceros melampus) – very common sighting and the fauns are staple for the medium sized predators:
Interesting that the vulture leaves a dead carcass to roost on what looks like a dead tree (you can see leaves on trees in the background).
The posture of the dragonfly is to help it cool down. It’s called obelisking. I am not sure what it is supposed to do, exactly, but perhaps it is pointing the abdomen at the sun to present a smaller surface area to it.
“‘SpionKop’ also became the name of the famous ‘Kop’ at Liverpool football ground…”
The Kop at Liverpool’s Anfield football ground is by far the best known but in fact many English football grounds had or have a terrace called the Kop or Spion Kop. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spion_Kop_%28stadiums%29
Many years ago, I used to glug ale at a bar called the Mafeking. Also, I walked down Alma Street between school and library. And I was kidnapped once to make numbers up for the darts team playing an away match at the Masada Bar.
There are old battle names all over the place. At least, in Britain.
Fantastic photos, John!
Wonderful.
Great photos.
Thanks for all you kind comments. Btw, it’s Pears not Phelps!
Nice shots and tales… thanks.