Over Victoria Falls, Elephants and vultures -- 21 Nov. 2018

There is a mongoose family that lives just up the hall from our room. Got a photo of one this morning.

We are doing what’s called the “Elephant Encounter” this morning. It’s getting up close and personal with elephants in their natural setting.

Linda was calling me “Safari Bob” all morning. Think that is a nice way of saying that I usually dress like a slob, but this morning I was looking sharp. As smart as elephants are supposed to be, I could just hear them joking about me among themselves if I dressed as I usually do.

Selfie of the day as we head out to see the elephants.

This one is finishing up eating a branch. They don’t eat the wood, they eat just the bark.

Peggy discovering how soft the ears are.

Linda being amazed at just how high an elephant can reach.

I discovered the hair on the ears is very fine and soft.

Linda doing the duck and dash under the elephant.

Linda did not escape unfazed, as this display of elephant snort  shows. People see elephants, some touch elephants, but not many people at all get snorted on by elephants. I always knew Linda was special, just not in this way. Bad Bob.

Irina giving a great big elephant hug .

Luis’s hug was more of the touch and run variety.

The beautiful smile says it all.

Feeding time.

Feeding sounds simple. Either throw a handful of these pellets into the elephants mouth, or drop the handful into their upturned trunk.

Going.

Going. See the pellet dust to the left of the camera in Linda’s hand.

Gone.

And a little pat from Linda for a trunk well done.

Everyone survived our elephant encounter with all digits intact. Actually elephants are very aware of those around them. Think of all those photos we have taken of their baby’s underneath and beside them as they walk along.

Second selfie of the day.

 

Up, up and away over the falls.

The scar at the bottom is the present day falls. The series of scars marching towards the top are where the falls were at various times in the past.

What an awesome time it was.

Vulture feeding time coming up. And even a couple of storks plan to get in on the action.

Getting the food out.

He runs from the food as they run towards.

Moments later showing why he runs. This really is one of those you have to see it to believe happenings. Photos and videos can simply not do it justice. All your senses have to be involved.

Squabbles break out all over the place.

Major face off.

Can’t get to the food? No problem. Jump on top and burrow your way down.

Head down, it’s going in.

Tummy full, it’s time to head for the trees.

After they eat, they raise their body temperature to kill all the microbes in the carrion. One method is to spread their wings to absorb the heat from the ground.

Nothing like a nice drink of water after such a delicious meal.

After all that we needed a drink of our own.

My choice for lunch was a crocodile wrap. Now I can say I’ve eaten crocodile and leave it at that.

Our afternoon was on our own. Linda went shopping with the girls, while I opted to spend the time writing the blog. Sometimes I wish I didn’t write the blog, then Linda reads me the comments, and a year or two later Facebook pops up a where you were and we go back and read and relive memories. Life is is what you make it.