This week’s Foto Friday Fun features 6 images chosen by readers from my photo archives. Very heavy in elephants from South Africa this week which is appropriate because today is Nelson Mandela’s birthday and people of the world are being urged to give 67 minutes of their time to better the world we live in. And trust me, if we were more like elephants this Would be a better world.
Yogi chose #40 because it “just popped into my head so I’m going with it. When a dear friend suggested we go to Baja, Mexico for a month during winter 2005 that’s what I did, go with it. I towed her 5th-wheel to San Felipe where we parked on a friend’s lot for a month and explored the area. This closed up house perched on the edge of the Gulf in Puerto Cito called to me. There were several empty and For Sale houses here. Unfortunately the road was more potholes than pavement and very slow going even in our friend’s jeep.
Bo chose #7574, “just because.” She gets my favorite South African animal, plus what could be more adorable than those youngsters. The interactions amongst elephants absolutely entrances me. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to spend more time observing the elephants at Addo Elephant National Park.
Sherry chose #472 and also gets an elephant, a lone bull at Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Didn’t get to see as many every day here as at Addo. Guess I’m spoiled.
Elaine chose #7777. And it’s more elephants, back at Addo, and some warthogs. Seems the matriarchal herd is leaving the water hole as this lone bull approaches.
Jo chose #9000 which takes us to one of her favorite South African Parks, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This is our camp at Twee Rivieren near the southern entrance. I hope to return here but next time with 4×4.
Diane chose #9939 and I’ll bet she’s experienced this scene of Marsh terrapin hanging out around the bird hide on Mankwe Dam in Pilanesberg Game Reserve.
Jonker chose #67 for the number of years Nelson Mandela spent in public working for the betterment of South Africa. Today is Mandela’s birthday. I guess the only connection is that Pilanesberg Game Reserve is in South Africa.
The United Nations officially declared 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day in November 2009, recognizing Mandela’s “values and his dedication to the service of humanity” and acknowledging his contribution “to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world”.
Celebrated across the globe in honor of the late statesman’s birthday on July 18th, the day gives everyone the opportunity to emulate Mandela’s role as public servant.
Individuals, groups and corporates are challenged to give 67 minutes of their time on the day – one minute for every year of Mandela’s public service – to take action to change the world for the better and, in doing so, to help build a global movement for good.
My choice this week in honor of Mandela is the Voting line seen when Jonker toured me through Port Elizabeth. I like to think I take action to change the world for the better every day I work as a Park Ranger talking with visitors about what we can do to make the world a better place to live. But because it’s my day off today, I’m going to sit on the edge of the canyon and think about what more I can do. How about you?
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 9993 in a comment and maybe see your chosen image next week.
Do you have a favorite from this week?
I have so many photos to share from this recent journey in South Africa. So as I label them I’ll post every 100th image on the Geogypsy Facebook page where you can follow along.
Capturing the present for future memories of the past
Love all your elephants, but I do have a soft spot for hippos. I’ve seen them in the zoos, and watching them swim underwater is fascinating, plus one of my daughters became a hippo fan some 25 or so years ago with the I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas song. Of course, the many hippo-themed items we have are the cute and cuddly kind, not reality at all. I’ll choose 729 this week for my coming birthday–no mention of the year of course.
Hippos are amazing to watch as they lazily float in the water all day but not cuddly like stuffed ones.
Have you down for #729.
Happy Birthday!
Oh I do love the ellies, Gaelyn. And simply did a double-take at what my choice of number brought up: Kgalaghadi is our most fave national park ever! I remember when Jonker took you through PE and your photo of Nelson and children cut-outs in that city! I admired that man so much and am taking out 67 minutes to encourage who-ever I come across to be positive about the world in general and South Africa in particular. SA is always under verbal and negative attack from its own people – mostly whites – who say the country is going down. I don’t believe this, never have and never will. Amen! thanks for a WONDERFUL post my dear sweet friend. (((Hugs))) Jo
I think South Africa is one of the most progressive countries and has come so far in only 20 years of major changes.
Have you down for #911 in honor of your Dad.
Oh doh! I forgot to submit my number. Let’s see: 911 which is the date (apart from the 9/11 historical connotation in the USA) on which my dear, beloved dad, Andries, died. He was born in the same era as Nelson and every bit as wise and wonderful as our great statesman. xxx
Just love all those elephant pictures. What a noble creature they are. Wish we could all spend more time observing them. We would learn a lot. Excellent 67 idea. Maybe international rather than national holidays would help make our perspective more global. In that spirit, I would like 6767 for next time please.
Agreed, there should be many more international holidays. After all, we all live on this same chunk of rock. Have you down for #6767.
Love those elephants. Today I am creating a book that I hope will inspire other women as they travel on their journeys. Hard work, vulnerable, but a message that deserves a voice.
In honor of courage and telling women’s stories, number 1882, the year my great grandmother was born, one of the most courageous women I’ve ever known who lived with bravely and perseverance in a world not quite ready for her visionary/independent ways.
You are fortunate to have such a wonderful role model. Have you down for #1882.
A great post and I love the elephant shots. I am not certain that I have seen Marsh terrapins at Pilanesburg but my memory is not as good as it used to be!!! Whatever I have seen them now thanks to you. I am getting a bit confused with numbers but I don’t think I have had 3339. Have a good weekend Diane
The terrapins swarmed the bird hide whenever people were there so I assume they are getting fed. This certainly wasn’t the best shot of them. Have you down for #3339.
I can never see enough elephant pictures!
Hello darling! I love the pic of the tent. I am in love with camping again after all these years of not doing it! We’re heading up to the White Mountains this weekend for one last hoo hah! I believe the secret to a tent is having a proper air mattress:) Hope you are enjoying your Sunday and treats should be there tomorrow. Fingers crossed:) Love me
Have fun in the mountains. Agree about the air bed. Looking forward to my ‘treat’ and I thank you again for sending it.
Gaelyn, what a fun collection of photos!
I love the photo you picked for me and all elephant pics.
I’m picking 996 because that is almost the exact distance from where I live in Tulsa to my Dad’s house in Idaho Falls.
That’s a bit of a drive. Have you down for the #996 miles.
Super shots. Love the baby ‘phants. MB
Didn’t know where to start in catching up here but the words ‘heavy on elephants’ that showed on my Feedly called to me, so here is my start point. I am so glad I didn’t miss this post. Because these animals are wonderful. But also because I did not know about the 67 minutes (or even about Nelson Mandela Day) and I will remember next year. (And the message always of course). Thanks for this lovely post.
Glad you found this one. Thanks for even trying to catch up. I know how hard that is when traveling, and with a lousy signal.