A Simpson Desert Adventure

Today marks the beginning of a dream come true for me. A few years ago my extended family embarked on a journey of discovery.  They traveled to the Simpson Desert in South Australia. In the photo above you can see two of the party on top of Big Red.

Oh how I longed to go and see all the beautifully wild areas in Australia.  The Lord heard my hearts cry and has blessed me and Sir N. Today that dream is being fulfilled.

Sir N and I will be accompanying my Dad for the trip of a lifetime where we shall spend the next three weeks traveling over 6 500 km in the outback and exploring the rugged beauty of Australia.

We will be going to see The Dig Tree which is an intimate part of Australian history (The Burke and Wills Expedition). In preparation for this journey we are taking along with us an audio book: The Dig Tree by Sarah Murgatroyd.

Please keep us in your prayers.  I am looking forward to photographing this adventure and sharing our journey with you when I return in August.

Blessings
Chareen and Sir N

A trip to Khamai Reptile Centre

When we lived in South Africa 16 years ago we managed a farm called Richmond Game Farm.  On the corner of the farm there was a little park called Swadini Snake Park and we were friends with it's owner.  So on our return to SA we decided to take Sir N and Miss J and go back for a visit.


A lot has changed in 16 years and we had a wonderful day rediscovering Donald's park which has been renamed Khamai Reptile Centre.  I highly recommend his website it is full of interesting information. Donald is an expert on snakes from all over the world so if you have a snake question get in contact with him.

Khamai was opened as Swadini Reptile Park in November 1984.

MISSION STATEMENTS

• To conserve through education and research. 
• To locate, propagate and relocate rare and endangered reptiles. 
• To establish viable captive populations of rare and endangered reptiles.

In the Park there are an assortment of cement figures and one Sir N particularly enjoyed was the life size figure of a Nile Crocodile.  I think he was a little bit overwhelmed by it sheer size (so was I) and enjoyed climbing on it.  We learned about the Nile Crocodile during our Egypt Expedition Earth Study before we went to South Africa.

We then went over and had a look at the small one Donald had in an enclosure just behind the model.

At the Park you can find Lizard Rock Cafe where I can remember enjoying the most wonderful hamburgers for dinner. Sir N enjoyed exploring the interesting dinning room.


There are numerous snake enclosures to explore and I took loads of photo's of snakes and all variety of creepy crawlies.

This is an African Rock Python (Python Sebae).
 

• This snake can grow to 30 feet in length and is Africa's largest snake and the third largest snake in the world.
• They are non poisonous and kill their prey by constriction.
• Females lay eggs of up to 100 eggs in a clutch which she aggressively defends. 
• The babies are 18-24 inches in length.
• These snakes can live up to 12 years in captivity.

This is a Black Mamba.

• They get their name from the blue-black of the inside of their mouths which they display when threatened.
• These snakes can grow up to 14 feet in length and travel at speeds up to 12mph.
• They can strike from 4-6 feet away. Before antivenins were developed, a black mamba bite was 100% fatal.
• The Mamba has a lifespan of 11+ years.
• The fangs are Proteroglyphous and the venom is Neurotoxic.

Snake Skeletons of interest


One of the most interesting displays I found was one showcasing different snake head skeletons.

No Fangs Aglyphous Non Venomous Snakes.

Back Fangs (Opisthoghlphous) Venomous Mostly Semi Venomous but also Boomslang and Vine Snakes.

Front Hinged Fangs (Solenoglyphous) Venomous Adder or Vipers

After a good look around the different enclosures in doors Donald arranged for us to hold, touch photograph a snake.  I must agree with Sir N I don't like touching snakes however Miss J really enjoyed the experience.

There are three Squirrel Monkeys living in the gardens and when they saw we had some lollies they wanted in on the action.

Sir N with a Squirrel Monkey on his shoulder.

It was so good to see Donald and how much his park had grown.  If you ever find yourself in South Africa take some time to pop in and explore the park and take some time to get to know these interesting reptiles.

Blessings
Chareen

A day discovering Mariepskop Picnic site

We went with Dave to explore Mariepskop on Thursday last week.

On the way we found a Chamilion.

Here is a smorgsboard of what we saw and did

Some of the flowers we saw.

Mariepskop Picnic site

A little stream.

Looking up stream at the view points

Sir N enjoying the freedom to climb and explore

Paul enjoying the swinging rope :o)



Taking a moment to enjoy the sights and contemplate.



The view upstream



There are beautiful little streams all over adding to the tranquil feeling.

The view driving home after a wonderful day of memories.

It's been so wonderful watching Sir N explore and discover both himself and his surroundings.  I am enjoying watching him gain confidence with his own abilities.

Blessings from Africa

Chareen

A walk to the waterfall

On Wednesday last week we decided to take a walk up the mountain to look at the waterfall / stream that feeds the house fresh stream water with Sir N. 
In the beginning of the walk he complained bitterly but we persevered and had a wonderful time together.   This experience taught me not to give up too soon with young kids when going on a nature walk.

Here are a few of the sights we saw

The start of our walk

I love the shapes of the trees

Sir N found this rock and wanted to sleep there for the night !

Nearly there

Sir N exploring to find the best way up

Experimenting with shutter speed while the boys explore the mountain

The sun has disappeared behind the mountain. Time to go home.

I'm thirsty Dad!

This place holds special memories for Paul and I as we courted up here.  20 years ago we used come up here with his Dad and the school groups who had come to the farm for outward bound camps.  Paul and his Dad used to rig up abseiling ropes and the classes would climb up here and enjoy the day exploring.

Blessings
Chareen

Week 1 - Photography Challenge Showcase

I love taking photographs and capturing memories. One of the things I desire to learn is how to use my camera more effectively to capture the precious moments that happen around me daily.

I was reading on Erin's blog the other day that she has created a little Photography Challenge for the month of May. The challenge is to a photograph each day and explore a new aspect of photography.

While on holiday I have been using some of Erin's challenges during some of my travels.  Here is my first weeks attempt.

High Angle

Looking down on Jessica the Hippo.

Low Angle

Mushrooms growing at the base of a tree.

Changing Light

Sunrise from the balcony at Trackers.

A pink rose with the sun shining on it from different angles.

Up Close

Macro photography is one of my favourite forms of photography. I love to look for the smallest flower on my travels and see if I can photograph it.

A Frangipani bud.

From a Distance.

Sammy Marks Residence near Pretoria.

Sitting on a rock at The Three Rondavels View Point.

This photograph could be for two divisions. High Angle and from a distance.

Eyes

Miss J holding an African Python at Khamai Reptile Park

Emotion

Sir N didn't want his photo taken !

Thank you Erin I had a lot of fun this past week.

Don't forget to pop on over to Seven Little Australian's Photo Challenge Showcase Blog Hop and see the photographs other friends are taking and be inspired.

Blessings

Chareen

[PS To illustrate the length of time it takes to use the Internet in Hoedspruit:  It took two hours to upload these pics :) ]

Target Practice

One of the fun things to do on a farm is some target practice. 

Paul took out the air rifle and found a safe spot in the garden for us to learn about gun safety and do some target practice.   It's been years since I held a rifle and it brought back many memories.


Paul and Sir N doing some target practice .



Miss J and I had a turn too.

Blessings
Chareen

Kruger National Park

On Tuesday the 17th of April we had the priviledge of going to the Kruger National Park.

The Kruger National Park (KNP) holds many special memories for me as a child.  I remember going here on a few trips growing up and after Paul and I were married.  We also did a special trip to the park just before we immigrated to New Zealand in 1997. In some ways it has changed and grown and in other ways it's still the same.  One of the main things that changed and is a positive step forward in conservation is the Limpopo Transfrontier Park development.

"The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park has been created in keeping with the spirit of cooperation with South Africa and it's neghbours.
The Southern African region has embarked on an ambitious conservation programme with a view to reestablishing in some mreasure the natural migration routes of its animals. Artificial borders and fencing have disruptedthese routes and it has been recognisedthat it is necessary to expand conservation areas through incorporation of existing cross-border areas. Where ever possible expansion beyond these reserves through the establishment of corridors is envisaged." Quoated from the back page of the ©Kruger Nationl Park Map January 2003.

Establishment of the Kruger National Park
The park was established in 1926 comprising of an area of around 19,000 square kilometres which is roughly the size of the Netherlands.

Our day started at 5.30 am with breakfast at 6 am at home and we were on the road by 6:15 to Orpen gate where we entered the park. We stopped at for morning tea and had lunch at Satara camp. The weather was simply beautiful.  It was a cool day with an avearage temperature in the low 20'C.

The Big Five

Rhino, Buffalo, Leopard, Elephant and Lion are known as "The Big 5" and are the animals that people love to look for when entering the KNP.  We were blessed to see four of the Big 5 in one day.  There have been times I have been to the park and seen none of the Big 5. It is wonderful to see these majestic animals in their natural habitat.  The second vehicle in our group did see all five of The Big 5.  We saw lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino. 

• White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum(H: 1,8m' 1,600-2,300 kg; record horn 1,58m;footprint fore 20-25cm) This is the larger of the two species and has a square lip for grazing and is found in the open savannah areas.  The calf always walks in front of it's mother.
• Buffalo Syncerus caffer (H: 1,6 m; 750 kg; record horn 1,29m;footprint fore 12-15cm) live in herds of up to 500 animals and prefer the open savannah with tall coarse greass. The hot-tempered bulls can charge unexpectedly and are therefore considered one of Africa's most dangerous species.
• Elephant Loxodonta africana (H: 3,2 - 4,0m[M], 2,5-3,4m[F]; 5,000-6,300kg [M], 2,800-3,500kh[F]; record tusk 102,3kg;footprint fore 50cm) Elephant communicate over several kilometres using infrasonic sound. They live in groups usually led by a matriarch. Mature bulls form their own herds.
• Lion Panthera leo (H:1m; 180-230 kg [M], 113-160kg[F];footprint fore 12cm) Lions are social animals and form prides. Although the lionesses do most of the hunting the males are present to feed first. When food is scarce as much as 80% of the cubs starve to death.
• Leopard Pantera pardus (H:70-80cm; 40-70 kg;footprint fore 9cm) These animals are solitary and secretive animals. They spend their days in hiding and hunting at night. They live in dense bush, forest or rocky areas.

The Little Five

• Rhino Beetle
• Buggalo Weaver,
• Ant Lion
• Leopard Tortoise
• Elephant Shrew

A family tradition is to look for the Little five of which we saw four in the park: Rhino Beetle, Buffalo Weaver, Ant Lion, and Leopard Tortoise.

We also saw: Plains Zebra, Black-backed Jackal, Hippopotamus, Giraffe, Blue Wildebeest, Warthog, Impala, Waterbuck, Kudu, Common Duiker,
Birds: Glossy-Starling, Crested Barbet, Helmeted Guineafowl, Liac-breasted Roller, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill.
Plants: Impala Lily,

It was a long but wonderful day out at the Park with the family and extended family.  Thank you Dad and Mum R for a wonderful memory of Africa.

Blessings from Africa
Chareen