Vervet Monkeys

While at Zimanga Game Reserve with Wildlife Act, our group was fortunate enough to have two sessions in their fantastic bird hides.  The first was an afternoon session in the Bhejane birdbath hide, and the second, where these photos were taken, were from a morning session at the Mkhombe birdbath hide.  The morning session provided over 900 photos, and not just of birds; warthogs and the vervet monkeys came from a drink as well.

While the vervet monkeys can be incredibly cheeky around a lodge or camp, snatching food and wrecking havoc should they decide to go inside, I find them fascinating to watch and love seeing their antics.  Around the birdbath, they were more concerned with each member getting a drink than getting into any mischief (although there was one snacking on the scattered birdseed).  I especially loved to see the moms with the tiny babies clinging to their stomachs, and I believe there were either two or three babies in the troop.

Mom inspects the water while the baby peeks out between her arms. 1/1600sec, f7.1, ISO1600
Mom inspects the water while the baby peeks out between her arms.
1/1600sec, f7.1, ISO1600
The little one on the right was close to falling into his drink! 1/1600sec, f9.0, ISO1600
The little one on the right was close to falling into his drink!
1/1600sec, f9.0, ISO1600
Careful Mom! The baby's head is dangerously close to the rocks as she leans in to drink. 1/1600sec, f9.0, ISO1600
Careful Mom! The baby’s head is dangerously close to the rocks as she leans in to drink.
1/1600sec, f9.0, ISO1600
Everyone likes to make silly faces at babies! 1/1600sec, f9.0, ISO1600
Everyone likes to make silly faces at babies!
1/1600sec, f9.0, ISO1600
A vervet monkey leans in for a drink at the Mkhombe birdbath hide. 1/1600sec, f7.1, ISO1250
A vervet monkey leans in for a drink at the Mkhombe birdbath hide.
1/1600sec, f7.1, ISO1250
It's always nice to have a drink with a friend. 1/1600sec, f7.1, ISO1250
It’s always nice to have a drink with a friend.
1/1600sec, f7.1, ISO1250

Zimanga Game Reserve

Wildlife ACT

Mama and baby rhino

On one of my South African trips, I was lucky enough to see this white rhino cow and calf having an afternoon rest.  Mama was providing a shady spot away from the afternoon heat for her baby, but they were very quickly startled by our presence and moved off just a moment after I pressed the shutter down.

A white rhino cow and calf resting in the afternoon heat, with a trio of oxpeckers accompanying them. 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO800
A white rhino cow and calf resting in the afternoon heat, with a trio of oxpeckers accompanying them.
1/800sec, f5.6, ISO800

Reclining Giraffes

Heading back to the volunteer house one morning, we came across a group of giraffes reclining in the grass - within about 100m of the house.  Even sitting down, the giraffes tower of the nearby impala.
Heading back to the volunteer house one morning, we came across a pair of giraffes reclining in the grass – within about 100m of the house. Even sitting down, the giraffes tower over the nearby impala.

Wild Dogs at play

My first trip to Africa, I was lucky enough to see a pack of wild dogs, and we spent a short amount of time with them while they lazed away a hot afternoon under the trees.  This trip, I spent a great deal of time with the pack, as we tried to monitor them twice a day; first thing in the morning as they were settling in for their days rest, and then in the late afternoon as they set out on the move.  This much time in close proximity of the dogs gave me ample opportunity to witness a variety of pack dynamics and behaviours.  Watching them play was definitely one of my favourite moments with them.

One of the dogs rolled in the dirt for ages, kicking up quite the dust storm. 1/1250 sec, f7.1, ISO 1600
One of the dogs rolled in the dirt for ages, kicking up quite the dust storm.
1/1250 sec, f7.1, ISO 1600
Time for a headlock! 1/1250sec, f7.1, ISO 1600
Time for a headlock!
1/1250sec, f7.1, ISO 1600
A pair of dogs wrestle on the road, while another member tries to catch up on sleep. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO 1600
A pair of dogs wrestle on the road, while another member tries to catch up on sleep.
1/500sec, f5.6, ISO 1600

wildlifeact.com

zimanga.com

Leopard Tortoise

While we were out looking for the cheetah on our afternoon drive, Graeme came across a leopard tortoise that was dangerously close to getting stuck in the electric fencing at the property perimeter.  Thankfully he managed to free it without giving himself a shock, and I managed to snap a couple photos as the tortoise headed off on its way.

Leopard Tortoise

One week done already – Zimanga Game Reserve with Wildlife ACT

Here is a selection from some of the hundreds of photos I have taken over the past couple days at Zimanga Game Reserve with Wildlife ACT.  I’ve seen quite a bit of Kalahari, the beautiful cheetah over the last couple days.  He will definitely need a few posts dedicated just to him!  But right now, I must dash as time to head out and find the wild dogs!

My first afternoon spent with the cheetah called Kalahari.  He's such a beautiful creature, and so photogenic!
My first afternoon spent with the cheetah called Kalahari. He’s such a beautiful creature, and so photogenic!
A yellow billed hornbill calling.
A yellow billed hornbill calling.
A mountain reedbuck coming in to land just outside the fence at the volunteer house at Zimanga.
A mountain reedbuck coming in to land just outside the fence at the volunteer house at Zimanga.
I took a morning boat trip on the Jozini Dam and was lucky enough to see a breeding herd of elephants :) Happy happy Jen!!!
I took a morning boat trip on the Jozini Dam and was lucky enough to see a breeding herd of elephants 🙂 Happy happy Jen!!!
The yard at the volunteer house at Zimanga Game Reserve is filled with birds :)  This yellow fronted canary was in the tall grasses outside the kitchen window.
The yard at the volunteer house at Zimanga Game Reserve is filled with birds 🙂 This yellow fronted canary was in the tall grasses outside the kitchen window.

zimanga.com

wildlifeact.com

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