AFRICA

Let me talk to you a bit about my plans for this late spring: 11th April I shall be leaving Austria for a 4 weeks Safari in southern Africa. I'll be flying to Harare, Zimbabwe and from there, by stretch Rover, accompanied by one of the foremost guides of Zim, I shall be roaming part of Zimbabwe, the Hwange Game Preserve, then cross into Botswana, where the Chobe National Park, then, Moremi, a wild life nature park, situated right in the middle of the famed Okawango Delta, will be our home for 4 nights. The Okawango Delta is the largest inland Delta, created by the Okawango river, as it empties into a swamp in the Kalahari Desert. The Okawango absolutely abounds in wild life:
African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippos, Giraffe, Black Rhinos, many varieties of antelopes, such as Wildebeest, Lechwe, Topi, Kudus and Sable Antelpe. Of course there are Lions, Cheetah, Hyenas, the rare African Wild dog and who knows what more. There are also about 400 (yes, I said 400 ) variety of birds, including the African Fish Eagle, Crested Crane, the Lilac Breasted roller, Hammerkop and Ostrich and 395 more. I could fill pages and pages talking about the people of this area. But many books you may consult do this better than I can.
From the Okawango delta we shall travel South/East to the for me unpronouncable Makgadikgadi Pan. This is a "Salt Pan" which, in the dry season supports little wild life, but forms an important stop over for migrating animals during, or shortly after the rainy season.

From there, Southward to the "Central Kalahari Game Reserve"...
There have been uncountable books written and filmed documentaries created, which talk about and play in this wonderful part of the Kalahari Desert of Botswana.

This is only the beginning of this trip. I shall be taking many many pictures and I will make copious notes, so I may be able to talk about this Safari to anybody who wants to listen and even to those who wish I'd shut up already.
Till the next time.
Bert

For "Ant Kashula"

I am posting these pictures for Ant.
This coming April, I will spend 4 weeks in Botswana
and Namibia, with Ant as my guide.
I am posting these images strictly for Ant's
amusement.
Above: With 2 Anti Poaching Rangers in Chobe, Botswana.

"After a drink"
on the Zambezi River

"Breakfast in ManaPools"

Miscellaneous MUST BE VIEWED LARGE

The Oyster Plant
Since I have not posted much lately,
because I have not been around and about
to take exciting pictures,
I thought I should dig in my treasure chest and show you a few
images you might find pleasing to the eye

The first signs of fall.
This image simply must be viewed
in the Large Format.



In the 30,000 islands, the Georgian Bay Region
The sun rises slowly

Yesterday and Today ! ! Tomorrow ??

Without Comment...

Ohne Worte

VIEWS FROM THE "HOCH OBIR"

It started out to be a wonderful clear day.
So I went for a hike up the "Hoch Obir."

After about 2 hours the clouds closed in
just about at the level to which I had reached.

I have to be satisfied with those shots I got
just before I got "clouded in"

The Merry-Go-Round

Is this not what life is all about?

...round and round and round it goes

where will it stop? Nobody knows !

The KITE SURFER

Kite Surfing is a popular sport
on Lake Neusiedl

In our back garden....

Chicadees ??
from sunrise to sunset these birds
beleagure our bird feeders.
they are such a delight to watch.

Disandat from our Vacation in Canada

The skyline of Toronto with the
CN tower, the Roger Center (football and baseball stadium)
and many many Condos

The Festival Theatre in Stratford on Avon, Ontario.

I didn't think I'd ever see this:
Christin at a "hot dog stand".

...and now for something different:
The Atlantic Ocean at Petit Rocher, P.Q.

VIEW TO THE "OETSCHER"

early morning and the fog still hangs low
in the mountains.

The "Oetscher"
in Austria

The Moose in Algonquin Park

We came within almost paddle reach

An old, strong Moose...in rut..
so you had better be careful.

What can I tell you....
Our hearts beat in our throats.

This time of the year it is best to be careful.
It is "rutting-season" and the bulls do not like to be bothered.
They have a one track mind: "I love that cow"!!!
and I want these people in their stupid canoe to leave.

DIGBY, NOVA SCOTIA

Toward the town of Digby

A "Tall Ship" in the harbour

Fixxing the riggin'
Not a job for those faint of heart.

A study of new dorys

Simply more Whales

With her left fin she waves to us as in a greeting.

...some more tail fin action

the image below:
The greatest disappointment:
The Whale "breached"...meaning she rose from the water,
her whole body arching in the air. With a mighty splash
she came back down.
I WAS TOO SLOW;
ALL I CAN SHOW YOU IS THE SPLASH.
PITTY.!!!

MORE WHALES...

The whales stay in the Bay of Fundy, feeding
until October, when they move south

...waving us a fond farewell.