BLOG - Weather
River Trip
22nd February 2012 - 1 comment
22nd February 2012 - 1 comment
I just spent a fantastic weekend on the river, a wonderful bonus of the high water at this time of the year. Very few people visit this area during the rains - and with unpredictable weather, it's easy to understand why - but those that do take the chance and book a boat safari on the Luangwa are in for a treat.
Hippos are one animal that you won't miss; they lie around in languid groups, shifting only slightly when you approach.
Waterbirds cram onto the available sandbanks and if you approach stealthily, you can get close up with some of the Luangwa's more colourful residents. Here Malachite, Pied and (a scruffy looking) Brown-hooded Kingfishers perch above the water waiting to catch fish and insects.
Baboons in the National Park are usually wary of humans, but sometimes even females with youngsters forget themselves and gawp as a tin pot filled with primates passes by.
We were lucky to catch this group of buffalo bulls as they began to saunter back towards the bush. Males rarely associate with the herd except for breeding, preferring a quieter life. Some of the older bulls may never return to the herd, knowing that younger individuals would soon drive them off.
We caught up with a herd of elephants who had just crossed the main river. Afer the breeding herd had moved on, instead of climbing out, the males played in the shallows, climbing on each other's backs and wallowing in the cool water. It was a celebration of weightlessness and a respite from the flies.
As evening came, and the light began to fade, hundreds of Cattle Egrets flew up-river to their roosting site. With failing light preventing fast shutters, blurry motion shots seemed the only answer.
And as always, whatever time of day, the scenery is wonderful.
Hippos are one animal that you won't miss; they lie around in languid groups, shifting only slightly when you approach.
Waterbirds cram onto the available sandbanks and if you approach stealthily, you can get close up with some of the Luangwa's more colourful residents. Here Malachite, Pied and (a scruffy looking) Brown-hooded Kingfishers perch above the water waiting to catch fish and insects.
Baboons in the National Park are usually wary of humans, but sometimes even females with youngsters forget themselves and gawp as a tin pot filled with primates passes by.
We were lucky to catch this group of buffalo bulls as they began to saunter back towards the bush. Males rarely associate with the herd except for breeding, preferring a quieter life. Some of the older bulls may never return to the herd, knowing that younger individuals would soon drive them off.
We caught up with a herd of elephants who had just crossed the main river. Afer the breeding herd had moved on, instead of climbing out, the males played in the shallows, climbing on each other's backs and wallowing in the cool water. It was a celebration of weightlessness and a respite from the flies.
As evening came, and the light began to fade, hundreds of Cattle Egrets flew up-river to their roosting site. With failing light preventing fast shutters, blurry motion shots seemed the only answer.
And as always, whatever time of day, the scenery is wonderful.
Where did all the hippos go?!
04th December 2011 - 0 comments
04th December 2011 - 0 comments
I stood in roughly this same spot about two weeks ago and watched 400 hippos jostling for space in the shallow water. In the space of a few days, they've all moved out.
Add 20 cms to the river depth, which is what the rain in surrounding areas has done, and it becomes uncomfortably deep for a resting hippos. The small amount of rain locally will also have re-filled some of the nearby lagoons, which the hippos prefer to the faster-flowing river.
Add 20 cms to the river depth, which is what the rain in surrounding areas has done, and it becomes uncomfortably deep for a resting hippos. The small amount of rain locally will also have re-filled some of the nearby lagoons, which the hippos prefer to the faster-flowing river.
Will it or won't it.....?
09th November 2011 - 0 comments
09th November 2011 - 0 comments
Each evening this week, the storm clouds build, the humidity rockets.....and then it all comes to nothing. Although I must admit that I was quite glad of the false start today as I was caught out in it with nothing to protect me and all my kit. When will I learn that it's time to start taking my jacket with me...?
These impala looked very much at peace in the evening light as the pink-grey clouds massed to the north east.
These impala looked very much at peace in the evening light as the pink-grey clouds massed to the north east.
What a difference a few months makes.....
21st September 2011 - 0 comments
21st September 2011 - 0 comments
In: Weather
March vs September in the Luangwa...
Stormy Skies
18th September 2011 - 0 comments
18th September 2011 - 0 comments
We saw the first build up of storm clouds today, suggesting that we are heading towards the rainy season a little earlier than usual this year. We always have several false starts, where the clouds mass on the horizon, and the wind begins to blow, and then it all comes to nothing.
This evening the steel-grey clouds mixed with the golden light of the setting sun to give a fantastic mauve effect. This Great White Egret chose to fly down the river at just the right moment.
This evening the steel-grey clouds mixed with the golden light of the setting sun to give a fantastic mauve effect. This Great White Egret chose to fly down the river at just the right moment.
Still Raining
28th March 2011 - 0 comments
28th March 2011 - 0 comments
Even at the end of March, it's still raining heavily several days a week. I don't mind too much as the showers bring a freshness to the air which has disappeared after a couple of days of hot sunshine.
The leaden black skies look stunning as a backdrop to the fresh greenery all around. Birds are mating, insects are at their peak, and the park is lush and green.
This Grey Lourie was enjoying the morning sun after a wet night.
And this Citrus Swallowtail sat drying its wings long enough for me to compose a photo.
And then it rained again. Big, fat, heavy, wetting droplets which thud on the brim of your hat, and soak everything in a matter of seconds!
The leaden black skies look stunning as a backdrop to the fresh greenery all around. Birds are mating, insects are at their peak, and the park is lush and green.
This Grey Lourie was enjoying the morning sun after a wet night.
And this Citrus Swallowtail sat drying its wings long enough for me to compose a photo.
And then it rained again. Big, fat, heavy, wetting droplets which thud on the brim of your hat, and soak everything in a matter of seconds!