We popped in to see if the lake had its annual dry up, and it did.
Not any buck, as it was a famous Springbuck that South Africa's world champion, rugby team is named after.
The reason for our rugby team adopting a springbuck for their name is that the springbuck is fleet footed, very fast and it can jump very high.
So, what a surprise to see a buck crossing over on the hot, sun hardened mud of the lake.
Springbok inhabit the dry areas of south and southwestern Africa. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources classifies the springbok as a least concern species. No major threats to the long-term survival of the species are known; the springbok, in fact, is one of the few antelope species considered to have an expanding population. They are popular game animals, and are valued for their meat and skin. The springbok is the national animal of South Africa.
A narrow strip of water in the distance behind the buck, still had some flamingos in it, but I wasn't geared up to walk long distances in the sun in order to get closer. Which gave me the idea to come back here on another day geared up to also cross the lake in order to get better photos of the flamingos. So stay tuned to see if I was successful.
During spring and summer, everything that you see here below is covered in water, with birds of all kinds coming in to breed and swim around in the lake. The flamingos also come down from the north of the African continent every year to breed and to raise their young, before they return back up north to escape our winter season.
Finally, just two shots below to show you how different the dried-up lake looks in autumn during our approach to winter.
So, we did go back to the lake, and I did walk across it to get closer to the flamingos. But I still have to sort the pictures and will most likely share it a bit later in the week.
Here below is a sample of what you will see.
We continue to struggle with power cuts here, and the most irritating one is the 10-12:30 evening one, which means that I have to get everything done before 10 o clock. Some of my hive friends only post after ten, and I spend the early mornings to catch up with them. A real hassle methinks.
But in any case, life goes on and we can only do what we can.
Such is life!
I hope that you enjoyed the pictures and the story.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon PowershotSX70HS Bridge camera.
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