An end-of-the-year reminder: please keep sending in your good wildlife photos, as I can never have too many!
Since September I’ve been posting photos from reader Benjamin Taylor’s odyssey to Africa. Here’s the last batch, all of which were sent in September. His captions are indented:
Last month I went on a camping trip around southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia) and took quite a few photographs.
Grey heron (Ardea cinerea), Chobe National Park, Botswana:
Hippopotamus – probably the Cape hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius capensis), Chobe National Park, Botswana:
Wire-tailed swallows (Hirundo smithii) hitching a ride on our boat:
Dragonfly (species unknown), Zimbabwe:
Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), Zimbabwe:
Victoria Falls (or Mosi-oa-Tunya ‘the Smoke that Thunders’), viewed from the Zimbabwean side:
I was unaware that there were any subspecies of hippo (I was aware of the 2 accepted species), but the wikipedia link states there are 5, based on morphology and geographic range. Ever mindful of the arguments for and against the notion of subspecies, and recalling the discussions surrounding the lumping/splitting of the giraffe species recently discussed here on WEIT, I was wondering if anyone could either back up or refute the morphs-geographic basis for these subspecies with genetic evidence. The wiki article only briefly mentions a study of mDNA of some populations of some of the supposed subspecies, but the study is 11 years old.
Great pics, btw, especially the swallows.
An amazing series of pictures! The dragonfly looks like it may be the Orange-winged dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi).
I love the waterfall pictures!
I have a great pelican picture I’d like to send in. How do I do that? Email?
Google my name and university, and my university email address will come up; use that one.
“The Smoke that Thunders”: if Zimbabwe ever becomes a marijuana exporter, they have a great catchphrase ready-made.
I first read this on another thread. Now it makes sense! And a good one at that 🙂
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all your pics Benjamin. Thank you!
I’m with Heather. Thanks!
Gorgeous waterfall jpegs!
I loved Victoria Falls. Never saw so many rainbows. However, the soaking mist did kill one of my cameras.
The pics of the falls – I almost used all-caps – all I can think of is how exhilarating it must have been! By the way Happy New Year in 56 minutes!
Looking at the Hippo pictures, its hard to believe they are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.
Benjamin:
We are thinking of visiting southern Africa. I am mainly thinking of Zambia. But I am also considering Botswana (I have read all of the Ladies’ No. 1 Detective Agency novels …)
If you were to pick one country, which one would it be, and why?
Thanks!