Jackals

Zululand – a few days in the bush

We recently spent a few days on the beautiful Lake Jozini which borders Swaziland and Zululand to do some Tiger Fishing and then on to Mavela Game Lodge in the Rhino Reserve in Zululand for birdwatching.   Zululand  like the rest of the South Africa, is currently in the grip of a massive drought and the magnificent Lake Jozini has been reduced to 45 percent capacity.  We still however managed to do some fantastic birdwatching with lots of amazing waterbirds, and had great fun Tiger fishing.  

 

Waterbirds

 

Because the level of the dam was so low the vegetation around the dam which would normally have been submerged lent itself to some beautiful photography and the light was just perfect.

Giant Kingfisher

 

One of my favourite sights is this view looking over the vast bushveld.  Although so bare and brown at this time of the year it is still breathtakingly beautiful. Nothing for miles and miles except wild animals and birds.

Zululand-bushveld

 

The lack of thick scrub and grasses allowed me to get some great macro shots with my new Canon 180mm Macro Lens.  It allows you to stay far enough away from your subject so as not to disturb them. As in the case of this female Elegant Grasshopper carrying her mate on her back.

Macro photography

 

And the butterflies were everywhere.  I spent a long afternoon wandering around the camp taking shots of them.

 

Butterflies 1

Butterflies 2

 

We were so lucky to track a pack of wild dogs  and experience  some strange behaviour of  them marking their territory by going up on their front legs.   

 

Wild-dog-behaviour

Zululand

 

Wild dogs and jackal

I couldn’t resist adding this hilarious picture of my first Tiger Fish which tried to get away.  As you can see I wasn’t going to let it get back into that water until someone had taken a picture.

 

My-first-tigerfish

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13 Comments

  • Reply Judy June 17, 2016 at 8:52 PM

    I love your butterfly pictures. Beautiful

  • Reply Carol June 17, 2016 at 8:53 PM

    Ev you are so funny I laughed so hard when I saw you with that fish. Looks like you were more scared than the fish. Xxx

    • Reply Shades of Cinnamon June 18, 2016 at 9:19 AM

      I got such a fright when it started to jump and thrash around, I think the picture was caught at a perfect time. It was such fun.

  • Reply Beverley Mayers June 18, 2016 at 5:52 PM

    I love your blog Ev. You are one extremely talented lady!!!

    • Reply Shades of Cinnamon June 28, 2016 at 4:51 AM

      Bev thanks for your support, it means so much to me to know that people are enjoying it. Miss you my friend, I hope you will be in London when I am there in September. We need to catch up.

  • Reply Elizabeth June 18, 2016 at 7:04 PM

    Wow! What a gorgeous recount of wildlife in beautiful Lake Jozini and Zululand, Ev. Great moments captured of many species happy in their habitat, despite the drastics climate changes you mentioned. I adore your sharing your surroundings. Makes me travel along. I love fish in every form and the freshness of the Tiger fish is unmatched. Great expression, loved it! Please keep showing your travel discoveries through your macro lenses. Can’t wait to see what’s coming. Hugs xoxo! 🙂

    • Reply Shades of Cinnamon June 19, 2016 at 4:11 PM

      Elizabeth your support means so much to me , thanks so much. This is a beautiful country I live in, although very different to most. Have a wonderful week. xxx

  • Reply ratna June 19, 2016 at 8:36 AM

    Loves those pictures.Macro lens trial results are fantastic. To think all the animals and birds you photographed are in their natural habitat is amazing. Thanks so much for sharing.

    • Reply Shades of Cinnamon June 19, 2016 at 4:09 PM

      Thanks so much Ratna, thats why I love where I live – to think that just three hours drive from my home abounds with wildlife. Makes me so happy. Have a great week xxx

  • Reply Joanie June 20, 2016 at 7:42 AM

    Absolutely stunning photography Ev. Can see you’re enjoying your new lens. Brilliant.

  • Reply Susee Thomas June 21, 2016 at 3:21 PM

    Wow Ev, those photographs are amazing. You’ll have to link up with David Attenborough and his team . So nice to see you last Friday and on Saturday.

    • Reply Shades of Cinnamon June 21, 2016 at 3:33 PM

      Thanks Susee, and it was fantastic seeing you too at our “very extended” lunch. We loved “To Skin a Cat” it was amazing, you can be so proud of Colwyn, what an amazing achievement, and so much hard work and dedication. I hope someone buys the documentary as it would be amazing for people outside South Africa to see it. If anyone is interested in viewing this amazing documentary, please have a look at this link http://www.toskinacat.org/

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