A Guest Blog From South Africa
My trip to South Africa was an incredible experience. Now that I'm back, I need a little time to settle in and to organize the many photos that I took. In the meantime, I'd like to share an amazing guest blog with you, photographed by twenty-five-year-old Marlon du Toit. Marlon, a South African, has worked at Singita Game Reserves for two years and was assigned to us, as our guide, at the Lebombo Lodge in Singita for the game drives. He is well adapted as a guide and is knowledgeable about the animals, birds, and the flora. Marlon and Themba, our tracker, (he looks for tracks and has extremely keen vision) found us the 'big five.' We did not see a kill, but we did witness some altercations between elephants and lions. We also saw the carcass of an impala after a leopard kill. The photos in this guest blog are some of what Marlon sees on a daily basis in the park. These images may seem a bit alarming, but all of this is part of the natural cycle of life in the preserve - it is the way of life there.
1 We never got a sighting of the African dog.
2 This leopard is busy with her dinner.
3 This male lion is very busy with his new girlfriend. She appears quite submissive.
4 Now the lioness seems to be getting an idea of what is happening.
5 This lioness is enjoying her dinner.
6 Part of a crocodile - we never even got to see the entire creature.
7 Marlon's friend, Maggie, works in the Singita store. We took her on our last drive.
8 This leopard dragged an impala into the crook of a tree - rather frightening.
9 We saw many zebras, but none fooling around like this.
10 Here are two cape buffalo locking horns.
11 Birds seem to be frequent hitchhikers on other animals.
12 A herd of elephants of various ages
13 A journey of giraffes
14 A young male lion enjoying his latest kill
15 Two hippos cavorting
16 A large flock of vultures
17 A happy hippo with its pod in a green algae-covered stream
18 Two lions, mother and cub, with a recent kill - they seem to have driven two impalas into the muddy waters of a stream.
19 The mother lioness starting her feast
20 Wading through the muddy water to retrieve another animal
21 Got it!
22 Another lioness with her kill
23 And another
24 Two male lions going at it with viciousness
25 The paw of a lion
Oh my, Martha!! Amazing, and somewhat startling photos. . .
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | March 1st, 2010 at 12:19 am
I'm kind of speechless. This is so unlike what I come to your blog for. Has this site been spammed??
I'm voting a BIG no for any shots of animals being killed. That's not my bag. I know it happens and I'm glad some beautiful creature has a belly full of food, but these are not images I need or want in my head. Geez, Martha. Too grotesque.
Posted by: Marie | March 1st, 2010 at 2:23 am
Incredible pics Martha! Hope you had a great time here in SA, visit again soon!
Posted by: Joash | March 1st, 2010 at 3:13 am
Dear Martha, Welcome back really missed you. So lucky to go on this trip. We booked for the summer to watch FIFA World Cup my sons are so excited. I was following your tweets on Twitter and twitpic, I was born and raised in West Africa and I love African art. Looking forward to seeing your photos.
Regards,
Rowaida
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | March 1st, 2010 at 3:27 am
Thank you so much for sharing these magnificent photos. Being South African, now living in Australia, it always fills me with such pride and joy to see how magnificent our African animals truly are. I would imagine that your time spent there was very special - it's a special place which sadly I am unable to call home anymore. It will always hold a treasured place in my heart though.
Posted by: Ilka Dahms | March 1st, 2010 at 7:06 am
No thank you! I would not want to go on a safari and watch animals hunt other animals. I would want to be as far away from that as possible! Out of Africa is what I want to see - the wide vistas, animals from an airplane or playing or relaxing- the romance of the countryside! That inspires me!
P.S. My daughter Lynn is interviewing this Friday for a web site position at your offices. She had a geography/anthro major as an undergrad and received her M.A. in Digital Tech. from Parsons. She is very bright and creative! You would be remiss in not hiring her!
Posted by: Kandy Maharas | March 1st, 2010 at 8:53 am
Awesome pictorial! Thanks for sharing. Nature isn't always warm and fuzzy!!, but she is always amazing. The circle of life is a beautiful thing.
Posted by: IowaCowgirl | March 1st, 2010 at 9:33 am
Amazing images!
Posted by: Amie | March 1st, 2010 at 9:41 am
Love these photos! I did a student internship in Namibia with cheetahs and I love seeing all the animals. There wasn't much time to go on safari there, we only spent a day at Etosha and we never managed to see all of the big 5 so I'm a bit jealous!
Posted by: Kelly | March 1st, 2010 at 9:57 am
Dear Martha, thank you for sharing your photos and welcome back. Doing safari tour is one of my list to see/do and it is nice to see some great photos taken. It would be nice to see pictures of what actually you saw when you were at the tour. Anyway, as always it was a great excursion of yours. Take care. Hilda
Posted by: Hilda | March 1st, 2010 at 10:52 am
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It's interesting that this selection of photos mostly depict the demise of life. On the other hand i revere all life. My respect for the right of all creatures to survive as best they may, need not be recorded here. An amateur naturalist, with Viking ancestry - i'm not what you could call a 'patsy'.
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The following was prepared yesterday, to welcome you home, even though you never read them.
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Dare To Think Spring
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As the temperature gently rises, it's time to rejoice.
Signs of winter fading as birds regain their voice.
Days are longer, brighter as they start to warm.
Surely not the worry of another winter storm.
.
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Stalwart trees that tusseled with the heavy winds,
Stand proudly as the sheltered saplings sing.
And snow that clings tenaciously to everything.
Will start to dissipate and reluctantly herald spring.
.
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Hiding underneath the white a little snowdrop peeps,
Daffodil bulbs begin to murmur as their secret keeps.
Somewhere down there the roots start to wriggle,
In the dark where nobody sees the sap begins to giggle.
.
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It will be a wee while 'til meadows spring to life,
They must overcome and revitalize old winter's strife.
Spring rains will do their part and release the blooms,
Brooks tumbling along enrich the wetlands,camera zooms.
.
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Skies of blue will prevail and let the glorious sun through,
Little by little wildlife will be seen and cows grazing too.
Buds are bustin' to expand and clothe the trees in green,
Clouds are sailing colors start protruding shy yet to be seen.
.
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with love as always - i'm not smiling.
.
Posted by: celia stock | March 1st, 2010 at 11:40 am
Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. I'm jealous!! I loved the photos. I have always been fascinated with the animals of Africa. You're right. It does seem savage to see some of the pictures, but it is the cycle of life.
Posted by: Lori Stewart | March 1st, 2010 at 11:46 am
Amazing photos. These are certainly memories never to be forgotten.
Posted by: Heather Ozee | March 1st, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Martha,
Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures with us in the plane back home the other night. It was nice to share the love for animals with you.
I have a couple of great pictures of you in the train and winery the other day with Massimo that I would love to send you.
It was great meeting you in Cape Town!
Beatriz
Posted by: Beatriz Cifuentes | March 1st, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Welcome home Martha! Amazing as life is in the preserve, I would rather look at beads and penguins. Thanks for your pictures on Twitpic and I'm really impressed with your camera lens. You definitely need something like that on safari. Trish
Posted by: Trish | March 1st, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Nature is awe-inspiring and fearsome, indeed! My cousin spent time in Zimbabwe, and she reported that Hippos kill more humans than lions do!
Posted by: Lynn from For Love or Funny | March 1st, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Great photos-so glad you enjoyed your stay in S.A. Was at your talk in Cape Town-i'm a huge fan,enjoyed seeing you in person!Come back some day!
Posted by: Kari | March 1st, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Wow. These have to be some of my favourite pictures so far on your blog
Posted by: Yolanda | March 1st, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Amazing! Thank you for sharing these photographs. I've never seen anything like it. I'm not sure If I'd want to see animals killing in person (I'm a bit squimish!) but these photos are beautifully taken. I hope you enjoyed your trip and I'm glad you made it back safely.
Thanks!
Posted by: Christina | March 1st, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Thanks for taking me along on the ride. I see the lense is in use and it does appear it was able to capture the distant and close shots just as described. Your lion foot shot must be an example of how detailed you can zoom into.
Glad you made the trip safely.
Posted by: Margie | March 1st, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Ooops, I did read your introduction and when I saw you and the lense I just "forgot" what I had been told. Sorry.
I am happy you made the trip safely and are sharing the event with us.
Posted by: Margie | March 1st, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Simply amazing photos! It is rare to see such powerful, unadulterated shots of life in the wild in South Africa. Marlon du Toit has a great eye and must be a fabulous guide.
I don't think these photos are too much for your blog. One reason I love your blog is the great diversity and generosity of your vision. Keep it up!
Posted by: Sophia | March 1st, 2010 at 4:53 pm
I love the pictures - they captured an incredible expression. I've also been so fascinated in how the animals live in their environment on a day to day basis. I was wondering - was there a moment when you felt a little scared as you were observing them?
Posted by: Sherry | March 1st, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Great Pictures! My son and I went to South Africa last May it was his college graduation present. It was an amazing place with amazing people. We also went on safari in the Thorny Bush Game reserve. It was the highlight of the trip, it was amazing to be out in the bush no cell phone, TV, phones we stayed at the Jackalberry Lodge. We saw the big five and it was amazing to be up so close to wild animals. At first I kept praying we did not see a kill I wasn't sure how I would handle, we didn't see a kill. But after talking to the rangers I realize it is survival of the fittest in the wild and this is how the animals survive, it may seem wrong to us but that is life in the wild. We loved South Africa so much we are planning on returning next year.
Posted by: Alicia | March 1st, 2010 at 5:43 pm
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On Animals of Africa's Loins....
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PULSE STONE
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Serpentine tension, whitening, tightening.
Gripping ballooned in pulsating red.
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Racing and chasing, a breath torn with lightning.
Beating the drum on Africa Bled.
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Its stone on the ground cradles slowing pulse, swallowed.
Eye of the cat spins white solid glaze.
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The muscle of nature arches balance, life borrowed.
Beauty... not always measured in gaze.
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ajs
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Posted by: andyjspencer.blogspot.com | March 1st, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Hi Martha, This was a very unusual and intense blog. Marlon's photos of your visit to the Singita Game Reserve were really great, even though many were about felines eating their recent kill. I know this is nature at its best, but sometimes it's hard to look at. I can hardly wait to see your photos of your fantastic visit to South Africa. I know they will be superb. I got my copy of 'Everyday Food Fresh Flavor Fast' at Costco yesterday and love the great recipes! Will start cooking some soon. Your TV show was really fun again today. I'm really anxious for next year's shows being at 10AM on Hallmark Channel. Welcome back-I missed you, too! Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 1st, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Martha, Thank you for sharing this guest blog. The photos were absolutely stunning, and although I see many people find them distasteful, they really do show the circle of life and the reality of the world we live in. I have always appreciated your honest approach to everything you do and share with us. I wouldn't have a role model who was any other way. Best Regards.
Posted by: Angela | March 2nd, 2010 at 12:06 am
I agree with the other blogger.
I know that this is natural life in the wild, but my husband and I turn the tv to another channel whenever we see one animal attacking another.
Posted by: Nan | March 2nd, 2010 at 7:16 am
I am so surprised to see the negative comments about this blog. I grew up in the bush in South Africa and it is a world I love and admire - nature and it's laws at its absolute finest (the most exquisitely beautiful and exquisitely painful).
I am also vegetarian by the way and do not find animals killing animals repulsive although I'm always sad and root for the weaker one to try get away.
I wonder how many people who have commented here eat meat every day. Seems to me they are in the same cycle of life, but get someone else to do the killing of animals for them!
Posted by: Kikapu | March 2nd, 2010 at 9:15 am
Ah yes, sometimes reality is not pretty.
Once again, you have made us think..
Posted by: ann | March 2nd, 2010 at 10:55 am
Kikapu --
I am not interested in eating meat. I love animals but cringe when I see them hunt, which is a very natural way for them to exist. I just don't like to see it before me, such as on a tv program.
Celia --
You never let us down with your wonderful writing!
I think Martha would do well to hire YOU for a writer!
Posted by: Nan | March 2nd, 2010 at 11:12 am
I missed the name of the flip camera you used on your absolutely exciting trip. Could you please email me the name or website I could purchase it from?
Martha you are amazing. I have been watching you ever since your first shows! I have gotten quite the education in cooking.
Thank you.
Suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne | March 2nd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Hi Martha,
I am a South African, married to an American, recently relocated to USA, 7 months to be exact!
I miss the African bush...thank you for sharing your experiences, they made me laugh and cry!
Before we left South Africa, we treated our daughters (10yrs and 12yrs) to an African Safari in Phinda Private Game Reserve, it was a truly memorable trip...
I am an African, and my heart belongs to Africa.
Posted by: Sandra Hodkey | March 2nd, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Marlon's photos are incredible, it represented the reality life in the wild. We were in Botswana and Zimbabwe in 1999 just before the Zimbabweans political problems and uprising started. Being on a safari the first few days, we had to remind ourselves that we are not in a Disney production or the movies...these animals are real and dangerous. The Land Rover safaris seemed the safest as the animals think the jeeps are one of them (so they are less elusive to be observed),and also will not be too close to the vehicle. Our safari guide would go on this but will not go to a boat or canoe safari because of ingrained fear of hippos and crocs. We courageously canoed the Zambesi river that is populated by the same and happily survived it to tell the tale. We plan to return to the continent and experience the Kalahari dessert in Botswana and maybe South Africa.
Thank you for bringing back such exciting memories of an African experience Martha.
Posted by: Nikki | March 2nd, 2010 at 3:15 pm
So glad, Martha, you finally visited part of South Africa. I come from Cape Town where my heart will always be and now live near Chicago where I had met you at a book-signing. I do commend your wonderful pictures taken while on Safari; I was hoping you would show your pictures of Cape Town, cited as being amongst the 5 most beautiful cities in the world. Why did you not show them?
There are so many exquisite sights, incredible restaurants, delectable foods and wonderful works of art there. All people think about when speaking about South Africa are animals! This is the impression I acquired when talking to Americans here. I felt quite taken aback...
Welcome back, Martha!
YVETTE
Posted by: Yvette | March 2nd, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Hearing about your trip brought back wonderful memories of my own 5 years ago. Thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime, but I can't wait to go back. (Except I'm now afraid of hippos after a close call with one!) Keep expanding the horizons of your audience. The photos are magnificent.
Posted by: Kim | March 3rd, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Always see things here that I've never seen before. Thanks Martha.
Posted by: Cathybytheriver | March 3rd, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Hi, Martha! Congrats on a wonderful blog entry! I live in SA and are forever in total awe at the magnificent animals we have around us. We tend to take it so much for granted that these wonderful creatures are always willing to share their space with us!
As to the negative responses, I can only smile at people's ignorance. Just because we choose not to see, doesn't mean that nature will stop doing what it is supposed to do. God created it to be this way, so why question God's will?
Ridiculous!
Bunny huggers! I detest them, cause they are so quick to pass judgment.
Thank you for being different and for sharing your wonderful experience with us!
Posted by: MAGDEL | March 4th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Hi Martha Thank you for visiting Cape Town and for your inspirational chat. I hope you chose to ignore the comments by young designers who dont appreciate how you have turned home making into an art. (gitter comments). They are all young and it seems, quite arrogant. Thank goodness for you and Oprah who inspire creative homemakers on a daily basis.I am a creative person who has chosen to give up my career to really enjoy my children and I find my creative inspiration through publications like yours. So glad you enjoyed the african bush - animals are a great stress reliever. Looking forward to see what ideas you have taken back home with you from Africa. Jacqui
Posted by: Jacqui Bennie | March 8th, 2010 at 3:57 am