While staying in St. Lucia on the North Coast, we took a classic, two-hour boat ride into the iSimangaliso wetlands (whose list of rules includes "Never try to push elephants off the road"). It was billed as a "hippo" tour, and it didn't disappoint. Hippos galore. Hippos everywhere. Kinda of like those "African" rides at Disneyland.
They seemed to tolerate us, though sometimes only barely, like this gal.
They seemed to tolerate us, though sometimes only barely, like this gal.
We checked in on several families - usually meaning a female and a few young, like the pair below. The males tend to be out fighting for dominance - a many-species malady. Alpha males tend to get displaced about every 5 years, a good habit to keep the gene pool diverse.
Patience sometimes grew short, and we got a few of these toothy displays; basically "I've got bigger teeth than you do, so shove off!"
But the boat trip also gave us good views of birds, like this majestic African fish-eagle.
And this Yellow weaver protecting (or maybe admiring) is workmanship.
And a whole tree full of these Yellow-billed kites.
And, of course, a crocodile lying on the bank, luring you in with those ever-hungry, ancient eyes.
Looks like a fabulous trip.
ReplyDeleteFabulous pictures!
ReplyDeletefabulous. I took a similar boat ride a number of years ago. those bird photos are awesome. that last photo of the hippo with its mouth wide open to the sky is pretty much how i and most people we know are feeling about the current state of affairs (and lack thereof) in the US. enjoy your time and I look forward to more.
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