Very soon after we arrived at the elegant and luxurious Chobe Safari Lodge, we booked ourselves onto the 2 hour sunset cruise.  My first thoughts were "We've seen so much already, is this a good idea ?  It looks very touristy".  Well, within minutes my misgivings were dispelled.  Not only were the couple of people on the top deck photo enthusiasts, but the vantage point and quietness were a distinct advantage.


Pretty obviously we saw our old friends the 'Hibo' as a delightful Italian we met a few days before described them as .... and that became our name for them too.


The boat cruise was a bird-watcher's dream, taking us close to this Bee-eater (I think ... but I still have to check up on the species)


... and Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), resplendent with dinner ....


... and more Cormorants than you would care to count.  This one is a Reed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax africanus) I think.  I just love the frozen pose, that they can hold for ages, while the wings dry in the setting sun.


However, the master of disguise and stealth doesn't really bother about concealment from eyes in the water, and therefore is easily visible from the boat.


This rather formidable creature kindly opened his jaws for a quick inspection (actually he is just cooling himself) and a photo opportunity.


Actually, he wasn't that well concealed from the land either.  These two kudu cows were very agitated and would not stopping looking at him, and wouldn't settle down to drink or eat while he was close.


As for elephant, they were so nonplussed by our presence, that I could have spent the whole 2 hours photographing just this one herd as they drank and ate at the river's edge.




All good things must come to an end, and so we turned the boat around to slowly motor back as the sun set properly, but more on that tomorrow.



[Complete Safari and wildlife photo index]
<< Previous | Home | Next >>

Permalink | Posted by: Ian at Monday, September 20th, 2004 23:44:37 | Location: Chobe river, Botswana | Category:  Botswana Safari 

Search