The Delta

Okay so after Jordan, Botswana seemed to be somewhat lacking in anything but boats and animals. I have to admit that at the time it was fantastic - considering I was planning a career in wildlife photography that should come as no surprise. But looking back on the shots I took, there was the realisation that we didn't see much of the country or its people at all - a couple of days poolside, a couple more days in the Delta, and a couple more days getting from there to elsewhere.

Anyway, there are some nice shots, so don't let me dissuade you from reading further. Here's a bird (egret?).There were two great places we visited. First up was Chobe National Park. It was special cos it was small, good looking, we got to go on a boat, and it had hippos.And elephants ...Impalas ...And lions - a lionese in this case (quite proud of this shot thanks very much)Here's the lay of the land.After Chobe we sat poolside getting bored, putting on makeup, doing our hair, inventing games involving a pool and a ball. To break the tedium we went flying.It had been a dry season so there weren't as many animals around as usual - at least that's the story we got. This herd of elephants was really about all we saw. But after this was the Okavango Delta which was just way cool.Firstly we camped in the middle of the park somewhere. Not a public camping ground, but a good old bush camp reminder of scouting days. Secondly we had to be ferried to the campsite on old gondola style boats. And the odd friend came along for the ride (so cute - the leg's not bad either).Being in the middle of a National Park surrounded by numerous wild, and potentially lethal, animals had its exciting points. The fact that we weren't allowed to wander far from the camp without a guide did temper the excitement value somewhat. But when we did get to go out with a guide we got to walk for miles in the early morning air and look for said numerous wild, and potentially lethal, animals.We saw some too, like these um numerous, very wild, and potentially extremely lethal um ... giraffes. Talk about scary!! They ran like the wind (or at least like a bunch of giraffes).Here's a nice misty morning just to prove that I can sometimes get up early.And here's an elephant we chased later that same morning. We were a bunch of stalkers. It was exciting but I did feel for the elephant as it was just trying to go about its day, and there we were interrupting its breakfast - pain in the arse bloody tourists.And I Know by now you're all going "yes but Mr Microphen what about the boats, sure you've mentioned them but where are the photos?". Don't you fear. Here they are in their arty splendour.