Richard And Jo Demeester's photos with the keyword: Kruger

These two elephants were head to head, trunks entwined, pushing and shoving. Were they courting? Was it all part of a long, drawn-out fore-play? Or was it a stand-off? Agression or passion? Our knowledge of elephant behaviour is not sufficient to know. Maybe, some day, somebody will enlighten us.

And yet another baby that doesn't stray far from mum. Adorable.

A White Rhinoceros, grazing.

A female Steenbok. Steenboks are amongst the smallest species of antelopes. They are quite timid, and always look so gentle.

A bird cleans fleas, ticks, mites from an antelope, just about climbing into its ears to get the juiciest ones.

Baby gives up trying to keep up on foot, clambering aboard mum for a ride.

Lions are often described as majestic. This face says it all, really.

Probably brothers, these two lions lounged so close for such a long time. They rolled in the sun, they moved a metre or two, they seemed to doze for a bit. Just before we left, they rubbed faces, and then both "plonked" on to their backs, eyes closed, contented, proud, and comfortable in their authority.

Minutes before taking this photo, we witnessed this leopard having an intimate moment with his lovely lady friend! Some modesty was shown, and they went into some tall grass, making the photography a bit difficult, however, we respect the fact that some animals might be shy about some things. Afterwards, he relaxed in the shade, looking very proud of his conquest.

Driving through Kruger, it is amazing who you meet just by the roadside.

This morning, we found the tiniest Rhinoceros in Kruger National Park. A Rhinoceros Beetle was trapped in our sink when we woke. And a little plug for Alisha's Jamberry Nails, too.

Jo spotted the leopard while it was sitting on the ground, near the base of the tree. We stopped and watched, and after a few minutes, it stood, stretched, and leapt in to the tree. There, in one of the lower forks, was an impala carcass. Something caught earlier, and dragged off the ground for safe keeping. It seems we had arrived at dinner time.

Compared to the elephants around, of course it is little. You really lose track of how big they are. And when you start using words like "suckling", you can't help but imagine something cute and cuddly.

Baby giraffe, staying close to mum.

A baby giraffe nervously looks over at us. I love how the light has caught its face.

The braai. The South African barbecue. Every cabin; every campsite; every picnic spot; each has a braai. This was our cabin in the Letaba Rest Camp in Kruger. Just beyond that fence we could watch the animals coming to the river to drink. Mainly hippos and antelopes. What a perfect place for a braai!

We watched this beetle do her thing for quite a while. She wanted the ball of dung up the top of the slope, and everytime she got it near the top, the weight would overcome her and it would roll back down, collecting her on the way, like a cartoon character caught in a giant snowball. Then she would start again. Back legs against the ball, front legs on the ground, and then walking backwards, pushing it all up the slope again. Incredible example of the persistance that stems from innate behaviour.