Baboon Mother and Child. A human observer doesn't have to strain to completely understand and relate to this loving moment between a mother and her young child. I see my own children in this moment, when they would stop their world of play for the reassurance of a loving cuddle.
#zimbabwe #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconseTrvation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #mammals #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #ethicalwildlifephotography #primates #savannah #baboons #Chacma

Flamingos Without Their Pink On: These flamingoes were feeding near a waterhole in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. These shallow ponds or "pans" are freshwater, and have none of the krill that give flamingoes that famous hue. I did wonder, what would happen if I fed them blueberries? #Africa #Zimbabwe #hwange #bird #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #ethicalwildlifephotography #oiseaux #oiseau #natur #vogel #birdwatching #oiseaux #naturfotografie #birdsofpixelfed #Ornithologie #birds #natgeo #natgeonature #flamingo #flamingos #birdspotting

A Tender Moment Before Killing
This lion pair had just finished their "honeymoon" / mating cycle, and their "appetites" were clearly shifting toward food. They were beginning to take interest in the wildebeest and warthog around them, but still remained close and loving toward each other. #zimbabwe #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #ethicalwildlifephotography #predator #bigcat #bigcatsofafrica #lions #africanlions #Löwen #africansavannah #Zimbabwe #Africa #bigfive

Hornbill with a Morsel of Food
Such a huge bill to grab such tiny snacks with. No wonder they always look a little grumpy.
#Africa #Zimbabwe #hwange #bird #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #ethicalwildlifephotography #oiseaux #oiseau #natur #vogel #birdwatching #oiseaux #naturfotografie #birdsofpixelfed #Ornithologie #birds #natgeo #natgeonature #hornbill

All Zebras Here! Certainly no small and succulent impalas to be found. Predators who don't want to fight a big tough herd can just move along.
#Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #mammals #ethicalwildlifephotography #zebras #impala #herdanimals #mutualism #symbiosis

Does any other creature on earth match an elephant's joy at a watering hole? Who knew a moment to hydrate could be such an immersive, full body experience? #elephant #africanelephant #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #tierwelt #mammals #ethicalwildlifephotography

Lion Mating Season
When a lioness begins estrous, she chooses her mate and they head off to the honeymoon suite, near enough to the pride that they can connect if needed, but distant enough to get a little privacy (this is, if the weird human with a camera would get lost). I had no idea that mating would happen so often during estrous- once an hour or so, sometimes even more frequently.

I feel like someone is going to tell me this is NSFW, but my I believe that animal reproductive activity is quite benign!
#lion #lionness #Africa #Zimbabwe #Hwange #savannah #wildlife #predator #wildlifephotography #ethicalwildlifephotography #conservation #nature #naturephotography #natur #natgeo #Löwe #ethicalwildlifephotography #wildlifeconservation

Frightened but Fierce Mother Baboon


A very large troop of over 100 baboons had come to a watering hole. They were disconcertingly humanlike. Parents were playing with kids, couples were lounging together, and young adults were flirting to various degrees of success. The gathering seemed jubilant and I was enthralled watching.

Suddenly, two terrified screams rang out: a large baboon was chasing and attacking this mother in an attempt to kill her suckling baby. Male baboons who join a troop may seek higher status by mating with a powerful baboon’s partner, usurping that baboon’s position. Killing the baby stops the mother's lactation cycle and ovulation can begin.

Each of the male’s vicious attacks met with ferocious response from the mom, shrieks from the baby, and some tenuous backup from other males, who seemed to want to help but were unsure of what to do. I assume that baboons have politics too, and fighting a high status male may not be the way to go. In this way, they were disconcertingly human-like too.

The happy news is that when the troop finally moved on, mom and baby were alive and well. I’m still rooting for them from afar and hope the babe is doing okay!

Mama bears may be tough cookies, but don't ever mess with a mama baboon.
#zimbabwe #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #mammals #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #ethicalwildlifephotography #primates #savannah #baboons #Chacma

Lion, King of the Grassland
I'll agree that "King of the Jungle" is a silly misnomer since they don't live in one. But I'll anoint them King of the Savannah because, out of the zillions of species who share the African grasslands, lions are the only ones I saw relax. They aren't looking over their shoulder for the scarier animal to come along (unless it's an even stronger lion!).
#zimbabwe #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #mammals #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #ethicalwildlifephotography #predator #bigcat #bigcatsofafrica #lions #africanlions #Löwen #savannah

Spotted Hyena
I'm not sure why hyenas get such a bad rap. They're truly beautiful, no to mention multitalented- they can both hunt and scavenge well. As hunters they can easily kill an antelope or a wildebeest. As scavengers, they will clean up the whole animal, even the bones. They are affectionate and protective with their clanmates, are great communicators, and take great care of their babies. #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #mammals #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #ethicalwildlifephotography #hyenas #spottedhyenas #predator #scavenger

Arrow--Marked Babbler
As someone who has also been called a babbler, I must object to the name on behalf of this lovely, mellifluous creature.
#Africa #Zimbabwe #hwange #bird #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #ethicalwildlifephotography #oiseaux #oiseau #natur #vogel #birdwatching #oiseaux #naturfotografie #birdsofpixelfed #Ornithologie #birds #natgeo #natgeonature #babbler

Old Elephant Bull Paying Respects at a Friend's Gravesite

This moment was among the most profoundly moving and memorable experiences of my life- yet it was so gentle, so quiet, had I been distracted I would have missed it.

The longer tale, if you are so inclined: I spent many days near a single watering hole on Hwange, Zimbabwe, where an elephant skeleton lay nearby. Many young elephant families passed through, without giving the bones much attention. But one day, an older bull elephant, walking slowly, stopped at the bones. His ears lowered and his trunk stooped in solemn reverence. He grazed the bones with his trunk and then massaged the skull for a very long time- elephants who mourn at the bones of their loved ones favour the skull, which I assume is more individual and recognizable. It was extremely hot, and other elephants, mothers with their babies and lone bulls- charged toward the watering hole, eager for a drink and a bath. The bull was surely hot and parched- but unrushed, every part of him connecting with the bones before him.

I asked a local, a former guide, if he knew who the elephant was who died. He was also an old bull, so old his last set of teeth had worn out completely, and he lived at the watering hole, soaking grasses to make them soft enough to eat. He died nearby of natural causes last year. This old bull, the visiting mourner, was very likely a good friend, maybe even a travelling companion.

There are detractors who say we can't know for certain that the behaviour at these boneyards really is mourning behaviour. I can't help but think that such detractors have never witnessed first hand the palpable emotions of a grieving elephant. #elephant #africanelephant #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #tierwelt #mammals #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #animalsareamazing

Zebras Caught Snuggling
Zebras have not shared a horse's fate of domestication and human use because their biting and kicking habits re too strong, ingrained, unpredictable, and often fatal to humans. Sometimes, it pays to be the wild child.
#zimbabwe #hwange #Africa #savannah #wildlife #ethicalwildlifephotography #conservation #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #natur #naturfotografie #natgeo #natgeonature #natgeotravel #animalplanet #ecosystem #grassland #wildplanet #wildanimals #zebras #zebra

Lovebirds: Bonded Pair of White Backed Vultures
Ahhh, vultures. I love them so much. By breaking down bacteria, they make the world a safer and better place. They form loving, monogamous, lifetime bonds, with strong ties to their colony as well. Yet, they face such peril from us humans. In sub Saharan Africa where these vultures live, they are poisoned en masse by poachers, because their overhead circling pinpoints the poachers' illicit kills. And pesticide toxicity, and using vulture parts in traditional medicines, and... well, you get the idea. When humans are left without resources they need and deserve, it affects the whole ecosystem. I was so honoured and truly thrilled to meet Zimbabweans who work brilliantly and tirelessly to improve opportunity for all of Zimbabwe's inhabitants! #victoriafalls #zimbabwe #hwange #Africa #savannah #wildlife #ethicalwildlifephotography #conservation #vultures #vulture #birdsofafrica #scavengers #bird #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #oiseaux #oiseau #natur #vogel #birdwatching #oiseaux #naturfotografie #birdsofpixelfed #Ornithologie #birds #natgeo #natgeonature #natgeotravel #animalplanet #ecosystem #Geier

Baby Elephant at a Watering Hole
What little kid can resist splashing in the bath? That expression of exuberance and joy is so recognizable across species- seeing this little guy frolic made me nostalgic for my own kids' bath times.
#elephant #africanelephant #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #babyanimals #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #tierwelt #mammals

Lioness Basking in the Sun
I was in awe of her size and strength while at the same time desperately wanted to rub her tummy.
#lion #lionness #Africa #Zimbabwe #Hwange #savannah #wildlife #predator #wildlifephotography #ethicalwildlifephotography #conservation #nature #naturephotography #natur #natgeo

Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park : Rochus flavirostris (Yellow-billed Hornbill #africa #zimbabwe #hwange #safari #travel #bird #hornbill #ornithology