The birds of Hwange (an ode to JRS)

While on safari in Hwange National Park, we saw many beautiful birds.

And of course impalas. Many impalas.  Seriously, impalas are everywhere.

But yet, they are still so beautiful.

Why, hello, zebra!

I've never paid so much attention to birds on a safari before.

Probably because I find them boring, I want to see an elephant...always!

But isn't he a stunner? A yellow billed hornbill.

(I blame my companion for all these bird photos, apparently we learned he loves to watch birds.)

What a beautiful animal.

One shot of this guy wasn't enough. Zimbabwe never disappoints.

Wildebeest coming to drink at the pan at The Hide.

Why, hello, wildebeest!  It's amazing how awesome and ugly they are at the same time.

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Snapshots from the River: Pontoon Safari Style

Hippos chilling at sunset in the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe.

Hello, hippo!

An African Fish Eagle, the national bird of Zimbabwe, on the Zambezi.

The beautiful sunset from the middle the Zambezi River.

Love, love, love the roots on this tree.  Made me think of this awesome tree in Senegal.

Our sweet ride: the pontoon.

On the return to Ruckomechi Safari Lodge, we did a night time safari.

They shine the light on the animals, searching for a reflection of eyes, resulting in a strange psychedelic effect like on this impala.

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Moving through the valley...

Wildebeest running through the Save Valley in southeastern Zimbabwe, Africa.

Eland moving through the valley.

Birds in flight moving through the valley.

A baobab in Save Valley.  Oh! How I miss the baobabs of Senegal.

A hunter's hide on the Hammond Ranch in the Save Valley Conservancy.

A stork in flight through the valley.

One of the pans.

A zebra moving through the valley.

Anyone who knows me knows I love, love, love (borderline obsessed with?) people jumping photos.

Apparently this transfers to impalas leap, leap, leaping!

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The Save Valley Animal Smorgasbord

Elands in Save Valley Conservancy in southeastern Zimbabwe.

Wildebeast running through Save Valley.

Zazu!!  Or better known as a red-billed hornbil.

Zimbabwe is famous for its rock formations.

A kedu leaping.

We watched the sunset from this amazing perch on some rock formations.

Save Valley.

Hello, impalas!

The types of roads taken while on safari in Save Valley.

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Snapshots From the Air: Zimbabwe Safari Style!

Taking an awesome ultralight flight over the Save Valley Conservancy in southeastern Zimbabwe, 

it is impossible not to be stunned by the country's beauty.

Apparently when you swoop over a bull elephant, he's not so much a fan of it...!

I went up in the air just after day break and the blueness reminded me of my beloved Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, Virginia.

Why hello, Zebra!

An elephant herd.

Impalas----don't they look a bit trippy?  It's a lot harder than I expected to photograph from an ultralight with the wind whipping all around

and trying not to whack the pilot in the head with my telephoto lens.  

At least that's how I am explaining how strange but cool this photo came out.

Impalas looking a bit more realistic. Sadly all my photos of giraffes came out so poorly I would be embarrassed to share them!

What Hammond Ranch Safari Lodge looks like from the air.

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Hwange: Some of the Animals

An elephant and her baby in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.

A male lion pacing in Hwange.

Hello, Zebras!

I had no idea that I would think Guinea Fowls were absolutely adorable...

...or that warthog babies are even cuter...

Hello, Impalas!

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