This week’s Foto Friday Fun features 8 images chosen by readers out of my photo archives. They really asked for a lot of multiples of the same digit. These are still from my recent journey in South Africa.
Jonker – Firefly chose #7531, “random as it comes with a bit of a pattern in.” Although zebra stripes form a pattern no two are alike so they are definitely ‘random as it comes’. An underground bird hide at Addo Elephant National Park allows for viewing wildlife up close and personal. There are two little ponds that you can’t see in this image so it’s always a surprise who comes down to the water.
Yogi chose #6666, “because I’m feeling especially evil.” So am I when I ask for no more multiple 6s as I’m out of choices. However there is no evil view of the Indian Ocean from the challenging Waterfall trail hiked during this return to Tsitsikamma National Park. Yet there is a contrast between the endless crashing waves and the peaceful pools intermittently separated by ancient rock.
Jo chose #3477. I’m betting she’s seen fields of pineapples like this growing along the N2 (National Road) between inland Nelspruit and St Lucia along the coast on at least one of her road trips in South Africa. Look closely because the pineapples are there but not ripe yet.
Sherry chose #5005. Along her motorhome travels she walks the US east coast beaches quite regularly and often finds interesting tracks in the sand. Yet I can’t imagine her seeing tracks like these left behind by a giraffe on a sand road in Kruger National Park South Africa. But maybe she’ll get to one day.
Diane chose #4444. I know hyena is not her favorite animal but who can resist babies. We saw Mom and two hyena pups one morning before they were active. This youngster tried to nap in the grass along one of the roads in Kruger National Park. A sight worthy of being up way to early in the morning.
MaryBeth chose #9997. She’s a horse lady so may be happy to know that equines seem to be related to zebras in some way. I can see a lot of comparisons, yet in both kinds of zebras only saw these Burchell’s in Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Would you like to ride one these?
Bibi chose #8888, “because someone took the one I was going to (4444).” Took me a while to see the notable red sand dunes buried under more vegetation than usual due to unusual heavy rains at Kgalagadi (meaning “Place of thirst”) Transfrontier Park that straddles the border between northern South Africa and Botswana.
Sallie chose #66. Well actually she didn’t choose this week (hopefully an over sight) but last week she chose “6, 66, or 666” so I’m giving her the second choice. Due to a lot of flooded and rutted out sand roads during our second visit to Pilanesberg Game Reserve we did more birding than usual. Every time we stopped at the bird hide this Pied Kingfisher occupied the same tree.
My choice this week is a shot I’d been trying to capture during the entire South African Eco Tour. The dark purple of a giraffe’s tongue has fascinated me ever since childhood when licked by one at Brookfield Zoo in Illinois. Only had to wait a few decades to see this at Pilanesberg Center (a restaurant and shop) within the game reserve where an enticing salt lick in view brings in a variety of wildlife. Wouldn’t you wash your lips after multiple licks on the salt?
Thank you for joining in Foto Friday Fun where readers choose a number from my archives and I share the corresponding photo and a story. To join in the fun for next week leave a number between 01 and 9997 in a comment and maybe see your chosen image next week. And now that I have access to my all my photos images shouldn’t be only from South Africa.
Do you have a favorite from this week?
Look for other photos posted on Geogypsy Facebook page not usually seen here.
It was an oversight, but I’m tempted to let you choose my number each week because I absolutely adore that Kingfisher! (His cousin, the one we have here, is one of my very favorite birds and I just recently finally got a picture of one after trying forever.)
Love all the pictures though and am fascinated by the idea of an underground bird hide.
Happy you got home safely and I will choose 1579. For no reason. Just because it’s not a multiple and doesn’t have a 6 in it ;>)
All the many species of Kingfishers in South Africa were awesome.
The bird-hide is mostly underground built into a small bank so viewing is at ground level.
Have you down for #1579.
Your Africa photos have been marvelous! Though I am from So Cal I posted about Arizona this week so I can attest that it is still there and warming up nicely for Spring at least as far North as Ash Fork. You may even know the guys at the Ash Fork Mobil I included in my post!
Thanks so much Janis. South Africa makes it pretty easy to get good photos. A don’t frequent Ash Fork much but know the Mobil and not guys. I’m loving spring.
I love the snoozing hyena and the dunes you posted for me remind me of these dunes here in Serbia. I’ll have #2 next week!
The dunes do look similar. Have you down for #2.
Love giraffes and would be SO excited to see them and their tracks in the wild. And zebras and lions and….. I would like #4644 next week please.
When you go on safari these are animals expected to be seen. Have you down for #4644.
Again great images, my favorites are the first Zebra shot and I just really love the sand dunes underneath the daytime moon.
I’m glad you are back safely but I’ve really enjoyed your posts from over yonder especially so since I know you were camping and blogging must have been difficult especially when a knucklehead steals your computer.
Anyways, my number for next month is 321123
Learning and setting up a new computer certainly made blogging more challenging.
I am confused Yogi, “Anyways, my number for next month is 321123” you write. So I can only assume you want me divide this number in half for two numbers for two weeks left this month. ???
The Pied Kingfisher makes such a gorgeous subject for the photographer. This is a male! Can you IMAGINE? We are going to St Lucia area on hour May holiday to revisit where we lived for 12 years where our youngest, Angus was born (well in Empangeni!) and he and John spent their boyhood! (I will look out for the pineapple fields!) I simply LOVE giraffe’s purple tongue. You a meticulous lady, Gaelyn. Imagine remembering the giraffe licking you all those years ago. I’m still suffering from a virus so my head is a bit thick. I’ll just choose number 3500 this week (no reason) ! Blessings and (((Hugs))) Jo PS Are you safely home?
I like all the detailed Kingfishers.
I liked the St Lucia are very much. Hope the pineapples are ripe for you.
Have you down for #3500.
Sending healing prayers your way.
The pictures are all beautiful. Looks like you had an absolutely fantastic trip.
I most certainly did. But, it’s good to be home.
You are right no they are not my favourite animal, but they do look cute when they are sleeping 🙂 9966 for next week 🙂 Take care Diane
I think so too. Have you down for #9966.
Love the Zebras. they are so funny. similar but different as the equine species go. Thanks. MB
The Zebras remind me of a friend’s Icelandics.
Its been more than a week since reading blogs so catching up quickly. Some beautiful photos as always, but I think the one taken in the Kgalagadi with the moon is absolutely stunning.
Busy guy in the new joy huh? Have you been to Kgalagadi?