Moon and Venus in close "approach" on February 27, 2009

Photos shot with a Sony DSC-H1 camera.

Guided walking safari, MalaMala

Impala on the Sand River and oxpeckers on the impala.

View of Main Camp, MalaMala, from the Sand River

A Nyala visits us in MalaMala Main Camp

No fence or other barricade means equal access for man and beast at the Main Camp.

Some of the birds seen in the MalaMala Game Reserve

The Yellow-billed Hornbill, aka "Flying Banana". During display calling pairs bow their heads and fan their wings.

The Pied Wagtail.

The White-fronted Bee-eater.

Giant Kingfisher.

Giant Kingfisher.

The Purple Roller. Their display flight involves spectacular aerial tumbling.

Tree Agama

Blue tailed skink

Well fed mothers nurse their cubs at night

On our night game drive we found the lionesses again, this time with cubs nursing.

Tensions mount as lion jaws chomp closer

We have a ring-side seat for the cataclysmic finish to the Nyala feast.

Six lionesses at lunch at last!

Look how close we can get! We are admonished to remain seated in the profile of the vehicle,lest we stand for a better picture and be seen as an easy snack!

On the menu today was a Nyala.

Several lionesses "networking" for a meal

Note how close we can get when we go "off road" in the brush.

Another Game Drive!

Finishing breakfast and overlooking The Sand River.

Good to get an early start on the morning game drive.


Many interesting birds in view. This one is a Lilac-breasted Roller.

A Kudu!

This Kudu has a "passenger" on his back, an Oxpecker, looking for ticks and other delectables.

Elephants abound in the Mala Mala Game Reserve

MalaMala Game Reserve is the largest private Big Five game reserve in South Africa . Comprising 13,300 ha, MalaMala shares a 19 km (12 mile) unfenced border with the world-renowned Kruger National Park and lies sandwiched between the National Park and the Sabi Sand Reserve.

On the Origin of Species, by means of natural selection

February 12, 1809, Darwin's birthday, 200 years ago. His five years as naturalist aboard the HMS Beagle laid the foundation for his treatise on evolution. His remarkable insight is even more noteworthy when you consider that genes, DNA and bioinformatics were unknown at that time!

On our Expedition to Patagonia we retraced the voyage of the Beagle, through the Beagle Channel.

Note that Darwin has an island ("Isla") named after him, eastward from O'Brien Island, in the Beagle Channel.

Mala Mala Game Reserve, South Africa

"Room" 3 at The Mala Mala Game Reserve camp. Tent camping was never like this!

A ninety minute flight from Johannesburg to the Geater Kruger National Park, and then a short drive to a classic thatched safari camp situated amid shady trees and manicured lawns on the bank of the Sand River. Let the game drives begin!

Two days at The Mala Mala Game Reserve

View from room 3 at the Mala Mala Game Reserve camp. These antelopes are female Nyalas.