Monkey

What is this ?

Warthog

Warthogs can become quite tame near camp sites, to the point of being a nuisance. They can push over rubbish bins, open fridge doors etc. Then they act all innocent when caught red handed.

Dragonfly

I photographed this dragonfly in the Kruger National Park. The red against the white flower created a nice picture.

Zebra

A picture of a zebra just seems to work in black and white. Perhaps because the subject is black and white. The background changes but the subject remains unchanged.

Wart Hog

This mother and father are teaching their young one how to be a pig. Wart Hogs photographed in the Pilanesberg nature Reserve.

Elephants

These two elephants photographed in the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve had a bit of a disagreement that needed to be resolved. Sadly the park is starting to fall into ruins as a result of a lack of funding and leadership.

Giraffe

My daughter photographed this giraffe in the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. Occasionally a giraffe will pick up and chew on a piece of bone for the calcium content. This giraffe appeared to be enjoying its piece of bone, throwing its head back, almost like a puppy.

Tough Springbok

I photographed this Springbok in the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. If you look at its back you will see that it appears irregular. Zoom in and you will see that it is an old wound that has healed. The Springbok appeared to be in a worse state than the rest of the heard, but only slightly so. Wild animals are tough. Most humans would probably have died if they suffered a similar wound, probably inflicted by a predator. Springbok reach a height of 75cm at the shoulder and a weight of 35 to 45 kg. It adapts its diet to what is available. It will graze in summer and browse in winter. It has a lifespan of around 10 years.

Impala

I watched these two for a while. The fight did not seem to be too serious, with the main object of the game being to push the opponent's face to the ground.

Bee and flower

I photographed this at a pool in the Kruger National Park. The pool is called 'Lake Panic'. I do not know why the pool is called this. My own experience is that I tend to want to stay there too long and end up having to leave in a panic due to the gate closing time approaching.

Rhino

I photographed this rhino at a waterhole in the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. It is sad that animals like these are killed to "harvest" their horns to be used in eastern medicine.

Elephant balanced

This Elephant likes the new growth on the trees surrounding his enclosure. His enclosure is surrounded by a concrete lined trench rather than a re-enforced fence. He has stripped the leaves back almost as far as he can reach. This picture shows him balanced on the edge of the trench leaning over the trench to reach out as far as he possibly can. Amazing to see an animal of this size balanced this delicately. Go to http://www.coismeyer.com/ for more of my pictures.

Chimp

I thought about calling this something like “After the Office Party”. I photographed this Chimp in the Johannesburg zoo but have seen people in a similar situation after a party,.

Sic Blesbuck

We came across this apparently sic Blesbuck in the Rietvlei nature reserve. Living in a reserve with almost no predators has its benefits. But it also has its harsh side. In a reserve with predators sick or slow antelope tend to be the first to be taken out. It must be hard to be taken by a predator but it must be quicker than just lying there waiting for death. It barely managed to lift its head when we approach. A hard way to go.

Giraffe

It is something special to watch a Giraffe drink water. They are, if possible, even more cautious than other antelope. Possibly because they are at a disadvantage while drinking. They have to spread their front legs apart before bending down to drink. They cannot reach down far enough to reach the water if they do not adopt this stance. Male Giraffes reach a height of up to 5,5 metre and a weight of up to 1200 kilogram. They are browsers who lives in open woodlands, and can exit independent of water sources, subject to being able to find sufficient green foliage.