Cape Buffalo

The buffalo were grazing very conentedly on the side of the road, competing with each other as they looked for the best patches grass.  For us this was great as it provided some good photo opportunities. There was the occassional "moo," not as strident as the bellow of cattle but a low, gentle almost imperceptable sound that belied their size.

The peaceful mood was suddenly disrupted by a loud scuffle, as these two buffaloes somehow got entangled. The one with its nose pressed in the dirt was trying frantically to lift its head, while the other one was intent on pushing its head down, so that it could move off. It was an interesting tussle, almost like a yo-yo going up and down, but they eventually extricated themselves and resumed their grazing as though nothing had happened.

New life - Cape Buffalo

For a long time the buffalo herds have eluded us, when we did see them they were in the distance, or quickly retreated into the dense bush. We have often come acoss a mean and manky looking old lone bull on the side of the road, who would fix a beady eye on us as if to say, get out the car and let me show you what I am capable of.

Well finally our luck changed when we met a herd with a good sprinkling of calves that were willing to let us photograph them. It was almost like watching a herd of cattle grazing. It was a delight to watch this calf as she pranced along beside her mother, as they headed into the wide open spaces.

Loner

A lone buffalo bull, caked in dried mud and looking very much the worse for wear with his torn ears. He is not the type you would want to walk into unexpectedly in the bush.

Happy New Year

I cannot believe that 2010 is over and with it the first decade of the new millenium. Where did it all go? It seems like just the other day that the world was worried about the Y2K damp squib and now we are going into the second decade.

As 2011 draws nigh I would like to wish you all a really wonderful New Year.

Don't worry about the New Year's resolutions because they generally go out the window in the first week. Rather try and avoid the rat race and take more time out to relax and chew the cud, you'll be a lot happier for it.

A one horned Cape Buffalo relaxing at the Addo Elephant National Park

Cape Buffalo

In all our years of visiting the Addo Elephant National Park this was the fiirst time we encountered the herd of buffalo during the day. Don't be fooled by the docile bovine look, this is one of the most dangerous animals you will encounter in the African bush, when it is provoled.
..........

The big guy ................



.........and the little guy

Antelope and buffalo

This old buffalo bull looks very benign, but don't be deceived by his bovine looks. The old bulls can be very dangerous and there are many reported cases of them goring people to death. If you happen to be on foot in the bush, give these guys a wide berth.



My favourite antelope is the kudu. Their population seems to have exploded in Addo.



Kudu cow browing. I once bottle reared an orphaned kudu, which is why I have such a soft spot for them.



Red hartebees.

When seen from behind these antelope seem to be wearing boxer shorts.