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Boats on the Limmat, Zürich
Birds-eye view of boats on the Limmat near the Zürisee.
Beautiful Zürich, Switzerland
Birds-eye view of the Landiwiese on Lake Zürich
Matterhorn Over Stellisee
This shot of the epically beautiful Matterhorn was taken while hiking the 5-Seenweg (Five Lakes Hike), which offers 5 stunning lake views of the alps and is a true Swiss classic.
Etosha National Park II, Namibia
It breaks my heart to say that this is my LAST post from my trip to Africa. It was truly the trip of a lifetime, both as an incredible family adventure as well as a photographers dream destination.
Days 13-15. As mentioned in my previous post, the tail end of our trip was in Etosha National Park. The last three days were spent in the Erindi Private Game Reserve with such creature comforts as a cool bed, air conditioning, and all you can eat buffets surrounded by clean smelling tourists. It really felt odd to be experiencing Africa in this manner, and we frequently longed to get back to the true bush. The morning and evening driving safaris were now with the private Erindi team (our FANTASTIC guides Sascha and Jimmy from Southern Cross Safaris had left us in Erindi and headed back home to prepare for their next trip). These tours now felt a little more like theme park rides in that many of the larger animals were radio tagged for easier tracking, and there was often a number of vehicles surrounding the larger animals. Overall, it was still a fantastic experience and we were treated to a huge and diverse variety of animals on every tour.
Finally, I want to thank Southern Cross Safaris for an epic experience. Sascha and Jimmy made us feel like family, and their wilderness knowledge and experience opened up a world to us that few get the opportunity to see. We can’t wait to return!
Click to enlarge images.
Drinking
Momma and Baby
Out for Dinner
Swainson’s Spurfowl
Baby Elephant
Mongoose
Weaver Birds Nests
Momma and Baby Black Rhino
Black Rhino
Baboons
Sandgrouse
The Gang
Me and the Girls
Our Last Namibian Sunset
Goodbye Africa…
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Days 11-12. When planning our trip, we designed the last few days to be a little on the easier and more comfortable end of the safari spectrum. Rather then set up our own tents and cook our meals while isolated in the deep wild, we decided to stay in two different safari lodges (complete with hot showers and beds…and crowds of clean tourists and all you can eat buffets overlooking watering holes). It was a bit of a shock, and we felt awkward experiencing Africa in this more controlled and catered manner. The first two days were spent at the Halali Camp, and luckily our original guides stayed with us at this camp and also took us on the early morning and evening game drives in Etosha National Park. Click to enlarge images.
Black Nosed Impala
Earth’s shadow
Etosha Pan
Evening Springbok
Momma and baby Black Nosed Impala
Pale-Chanting Goshawk
Pale-Chanting Goshawks
Etosha Pan
Southern Black Korhaan
Springbok
Grandma and the girls
Waterbuck
Etosha Pan Posse
Etosha Sunset
Crismon-Breasted Shrike
There was nothing in Namibia that impressed us more than the spectacularly beautiful mating season courtship rituals of the crimson-breasted shrike.
Jackals and Hide
Namibia Day 11 began with a morning game drive, our first at Etosha National Park. Soon into the drive we came across a fresh kill, a springbok that had been taken down recently by presumably a cheetah. By the time we arrived, the cheetah had eaten its fill and moved on, leaving the remains for the scavengers. What ensued appeared as somewhat of a survival “dance” between the jackals and the vultures as they repeatedly parried each other for a chance to feed.
Click on the image below to view a short video of the encounter. Caution: Gory! Also, please change quality to 1080p (auto is 720 ) and view full screen!
Lightbox3D 