This past week at Lens-Artists, Tina has wanted to know what we were thinking as we took our photos. This led me back to the old Africa album of vintage slides and photos from when we lived in Kenya.
The header photo did not scan too well, but it was such an unexpected moment, it still makes me laugh.
There we were driving along a dry savannah track in the Maasai Mara, the only water (or so we thought) some distance away in the Mara River, when suddenly we were alongside an even spread of water-loving cabbage weed. Weirdly, it seemed to be growing on a level with the grassland. No sign of the water underneath though, and so no sense of depth…
…until up popped the hippos to give us the once over as we passed. It was hard to take in. How could such huge animals have squeezed themselves under this seeming thin layer of weeds. It conjured a surreal image of a large living room with a huge pile rug and numberless unseen hippos lurking underneath.
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Of course you can tell what I was thinking here: African plains with zebra crossing.
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A spot of yoga anyone?
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And now who remembers the Bisto Kids advert? That young lion on the right seems to be savouring some delicious aroma; probably not gravy…Aaah! Wildebeest!
Lens-Artists: The first thing I thought of… This week Tina sets the challenge. What were you thinking when you took the photo.
Great images and thoughts Tish!
Thanks, Anne. Loved your zooming. I think it might be beyond my camera capacity 🙂
You’re welcome Tish! If you have a zoom lens and set a long shutter speed, you can zoom. I hope you give it a try.
Lol..I have to admit most if the time my comments are the first thing that crosses my mind when reading all the blogs I follow..Sometime they make since and sometime they dont..but Feel like if someone takes the time to blog I should at least click “like “.I always enjoy your thoughts and photos.
Many thanks, Beverly. Nothing like first impressions 🙂
Cheetah: The irony of a Cat doing ‘Downward Dog’ ?
That had crossed my mind too, Ark 🙂 Though actually I remember reading they are a bit dog-like, having neat feet and not the usual big cat claws.
Wonderful post Tish – I love when you revisit your time in Africa. Laughed out loud at the hippos poking their heads out when clearly there was no water (or WAS there?!) and your caption on the leopard (or is it a cheetah??) is perfect!
Thanks, Tina. Happy the hippos raised a smile. I think there must have been quite a deep hollow under the weed; maybe a spring. And yes, a cheetah.
Wonderful photos and captions. Love the hippos under the carpet and the Bisto kid.
Happy these hit the spot, Jude.
Beautiful photos.
Your African posts are always something to look forward to, and this one’s different too. Love the Downward Facing Cheetah .. and the hippos.
Thanks, Margaret.
Many thanks.
Tish, you brought some good laughter to my face. The hippos and zebras were wonderful, but the yoga pose was the best. Excellent gallery!
So pleased you enjoyed this post, Egídio.
Love the hippos and the cheetah doing yoga especially.
Thanks, Janet.
Love the images, Tish! Thanks, for sharing. 🙂
Many thanks.
My pleasure.
You tell nice stories.
Great pictures too.
Thanks, Mak. I’ve been thinking about you.
It took me a while to get the first one! What wonderful photos and captions, Tish.
Thanks, Sofia.
brilliant images and captions Tish
Those zebra(s) crossing made me smile. All beautiful images from your African memories
Happy to make you smile, Pauline 🙂
Beautiful wildlife shots with the bonus of some clever captions! I love the hippos in particular, but all are great 😀
Thanks, Sarah.
Your first photo reminded me of a newspaper cartoon I saw probably fifty years ago. It featured three identical panels of two hippos in a lake. In the fourth panel, a cartoon bubble outlined the words spoken by one of the hippos, “You know, I just can’t believe it’s Tuesday!”
Ha! Thanks for that, John. Brilliant.
I have been well, Tish. Been busy with study and school work. How are you?
I’m fine, thanks. Much toil in the shamba!
Enjoy gardening. Sometimes I want to have a small garden but then I recall my younger days and I am traumatised
All the pest control?
In my youth, I couldn’t say to going to the shamba. It was work for the whole family.
Hard work all the weeding. And then keeping off birds, rodents, primates, and insects. Here, I just have pigeons and thrips and aphids to contend with and a very small shamba. But I like the image of the all the family pitching in.
Our biggest problem was squirrels. Have a pleasant day friend.
Bisto Kid: I see just what you mean…
🙂 🙂 🙂