#wildlifewednesday — Public Fediverse posts

Common Blue, Part II 🦋 #wildlifewednesday

#photography #amateurphotography #butterfly #commonblue #wildlifephotography #closeup #macro #insect #insectsofthefediverse #flower #bloomscrolling #urbannature #clover #macromittwoch #italy #canon #canonphotography

DE: Höckerschwan
EN: Mute swan
(Cygnus olor)

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B6ckerschwan

#Höckerschwan #MuteSwan #CygnusOlor #WildlifeWednesday #WildtierMittwoch #BirdPhotography #Vogelfotografie #Wildtierfotografie #WildlifePhotography

📰 Global Rewilding Effort Airlifts Zebra Sharks Back To Indonesia

🌏 SE Asia: A coalition of aquariums and conservation groups successfully transported endangered zebra shark eggs across continents to a protected marine sanctuary in Raja Ampat.

🦈 The project aims to reverse functional extinction in Southeast Asian waters and demonstrates unprecedented international cooperation for species recovery.

🔗 https://insideclimatenews.org/news/12082026/indonesia-zebra-shark-repopulation/

#WildlifeWednesday #Biodiversity #MarineConservation #Rewilding #Conservation #EndangeredSpecies

📰 Offshore Oil Exploration Blocked on South Africa’s Wild Coast

⚖️ In a landmark ruling, South Africa’s Constitutional Court struck down Shell’s exploration rights. This is a major win for coastal communities who fought for years to protect their waters, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.

🌊 The judges affirmed that 'meaningful consultation' isn’t a box‑checking exercise but a matter of dignity, recognizing communities’ constitutional rights and the ecological importance of the Wild Coast’s rich marine life.

💪 Local fishers and advocacy groups say the decision strengthens community power in environmental governance and sets a precedent for future cases across the region.

🔗 https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/08/south-africas-top-court-blocks-shell-oil-exploration-off-countrys-wild-coast/

#WildlifeWednesday #Biodiversity #MarineConservation #EnvironmentalJustice #Conservation #Environment

King Gizzard II 🦎 for #wildlifewednesday

Didn't want to put up a second one of these on my main profile - so I'm leaving it here! 😂✨

#photography #amateurphotography #summer #lizard #gecko #reptile #reptilesofthefediverse #closeup #macromittwoch #macro #macrophotography #nature #animal #naturephotography #urbangarden #dark #moody #creepy #cute #night #flash #nightphotography #natura #italia #italy #bologna #urbannature #canon #canonphotography

#WildlifeWednesday

A Cornell deer 🦌 Not really afraid of humans, just like the deer in Nara. My local Darby Creek deer never let me take their photos like this 🤔

#Hiking #Walking #Wildlife #Nature #Deer #CornellUniversity #Animal #Photography

7/27/2026

📰 Komodo Dragon Trafficking Ring Dismantled

🌋 Indonesia: Wildlife authorities shut down a major trafficking network targeting Komodo dragons, a decisive win for one of the planet’s most iconic reptiles.

🐉 The bust protects vulnerable populations and strengthens community‑based monitoring across the islands where these ancient giants still roam. Follow-up investigations uncovered a Facebook front for a group exploiting wildlife in other ways.

🔬 This operation highlights how coordinated enforcement and local stewardship can safeguard species facing intense illegal trade pressure.

🔗 https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/05/indonesia-busts-wildlife-trafficking-ring-targeting-komodo-dragons/

#WildlifeWednesday #Conservation #EndangeredSpecies #WildlifeProtection #Biodiversity #WildlifeConservation

📰 Komodo Dragon Trafficking Ring Dismantled

🌋 Indonesia: Wildlife authorities shut down a major trafficking network targeting Komodo dragons, a decisive win for one of the planet’s most iconic reptiles.

🐉 The bust protects vulnerable populations and strengthens community‑based monitoring across the islands where these ancient giants still roam. Follow-up investigations uncovered a Facebook front for a group exploiting wildlife in other ways.

🔬 This operation highlights how coordinated enforcement and local stewardship can safeguard species facing intense illegal trade pressure.

🔗 https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/05/indonesia-busts-wildlife-trafficking-ring-targeting-komodo-dragons/

#WildlifeWednesday #Conservation #EndangeredSpecies #WildlifeProtection #Biodiversity #WildlifeConservation

📰 Komodo Dragon Trafficking Ring Dismantled

🌋 Indonesia: Wildlife authorities shut down a major trafficking network targeting Komodo dragons, a decisive win for one of the planet’s most iconic reptiles.

🐉 The bust protects vulnerable populations and strengthens community‑based monitoring across the islands where these ancient giants still roam. Follow-up investigations uncovered a Facebook front for a group exploiting wildlife in other ways.

🔬 This operation highlights how coordinated enforcement and local stewardship can safeguard species facing intense illegal trade pressure.

🔗 https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/05/indonesia-busts-wildlife-trafficking-ring-targeting-komodo-dragons/

#WildlifeWednesday #Conservation #EndangeredSpecies #WildlifeProtection #Biodiversity #WildlifeConservation

📰 Komodo Dragon Trafficking Ring Dismantled

🌋 Indonesia: Wildlife authorities shut down a major trafficking network targeting Komodo dragons, a decisive win for one of the planet’s most iconic reptiles.

🐉 The bust protects vulnerable populations and strengthens community‑based monitoring across the islands where these ancient giants still roam. Follow-up investigations uncovered a Facebook front for a group exploiting wildlife in other ways.

🔬 This operation highlights how coordinated enforcement and local stewardship can safeguard species facing intense illegal trade pressure.

🔗 https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/05/indonesia-busts-wildlife-trafficking-ring-targeting-komodo-dragons/

#WildlifeWednesday #Conservation #EndangeredSpecies #WildlifeProtection #Biodiversity #WildlifeConservation

📰 Komodo Dragon Trafficking Ring Dismantled

🌋 Indonesia: Wildlife authorities shut down a major trafficking network targeting Komodo dragons, a decisive win for one of the planet’s most iconic reptiles.

🐉 The bust protects vulnerable populations and strengthens community‑based monitoring across the islands where these ancient giants still roam. Follow-up investigations uncovered a Facebook front for a group exploiting wildlife in other ways.

🔬 This operation highlights how coordinated enforcement and local stewardship can safeguard species facing intense illegal trade pressure.

🔗 https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/05/indonesia-busts-wildlife-trafficking-ring-targeting-komodo-dragons/

#WildlifeWednesday #Conservation #EndangeredSpecies #WildlifeProtection #Biodiversity #WildlifeConservation

#Photography :blobcatcamera: "Special Topic Days" tag list! 📍

Together with awesome folks, I am working on making a list with all the special tags for photography.
Not "just" all the tags, but the ones that have a special topic-day.
When you see the list, you (probably) will understand what I mean... :ablobcatangel:

If you know any of these kinds of photography tags that are missing, do let me know, and I will try to add them all to the list! ✅

This is what we have collected so far:

Monday:
#MonDog
#MountainMonday
#MonochromeMonday
#FotoMontag (new pix only!)
#MacroMonday
#MinimalismMonday
#Mohntag
#MallardMonday
#MuscovyMonday
#MushroomMonday
#MotoringMonday
#BumDayMonday

Tuesday:
#TongueOutTuesday
#ThickTrunkTuesday (or Thursday)
#MardiPatisserie (tasty treats)
#TextureTuesday
#ChickenChoosday
#TakoTuesday
#ToesOutTuesday 🐇
#ToeBeanTuesday
#TreesOnTuesday / #TreeTuesday
#TrainTrackTuesday
#TurtleTuesday
#Entendienstag / #DuckTuesday
#TilesOnTuesday
#Toothday
#TabbyTuesday
#Bienstag
#PawTuckTuesday

Wednesday:
#WaterfallWednesday
#MeerMittwoch / #SeaWednesday
#MERcredi
#RoseWednesday
#WaterwayWednesday
#WoodlandWednesday
#WhiskersWednesday
#MähMittwoch / #DefaidodonDay / #DyddDefaidodon / #Defaidodon / #Ewesday
#WildlifeWednesday
#WaterWednesday
#WavyWednesday
#WildflowerWednesday
#FluffyButtWednesday
#MacroMittwoch
#Wrensday
#WolfWednesday
#Wedsneigh
#WoodslandWednesday

Thursday:
#ThickTrunkThursday (or Tuesday)
#Doorsday
#ThrowbackThursday / #TBT
#ThursdayBins
#ThistleThursday
#Birdsday / #Birbsday

Friday:
#FensterFreitag / #WindowFriday
#FootpathFriday
#ForestFriday
#FlowerFriday
#FungiFriday / #Mushtodon / #ShroomScrolling
#FernFriday / #FernsOnFriday / #Feniverse / #Farnsehen
#FrüchteFreitag / #FruitFriday / #FruitsFriday
#FingerPostFriday
#FencepostFriday
#StaircaseFriday

Saturday:
#Caturday
#InsektenSamstag / #InsectSaturday
#SchiffSamstag / #SchiffSamstag / #ShipSaturday
#StatuenSamstag / #StatueSaturday
#SpookySaturday
#SaturdaySinage
#SquirrelSaturday
#SaturdayScenery

Sunday:
#SilentSunday / #StillerSonntag
#StandingStoneSunday
#CemeterySunday
#BunDay 🐇

Please, if I missed any, do let me know! I hope to make this list as complete as possible. 📸

Edit: this Toot will get edited when new tags are shared. :ablobcatwink:

#WildlifeWednesday 📰

🌳 A new study has revealed that forest remnants are not 'islands' and efforts to retain their #biodiversity can be successful with certain interventions.

🐦‍⬛ Improving the surrounding landscapes with even modest increases in tree cover can dramatically increase a remnant's ability to retain bird species.

🐦 This is true even when the forest fragments themselves are small or isolated.

https://phys.org/news/2026-03-wildlife-friendly-landscapes-boost-biodiversity.html

#Conservation #ForestRestoration
#EcologicalRestoration #Environment #Wildlife #Forests

Wall lizard (2018)
lat. Podarcis muralis
Photo ©️ Dietmar Bachmann
📍Zurich, Switzerland

#wildlifewednesday #wildlifephotography #photo #photography #wildlife #lizard #animals #fauna #amphibians #Podarcis #Lacertidae #Zurich #nature #naturephotography #Switzerland #Natur #LeicaQ #Naturfotografie #Foto #Fotografie #Wildtiere #Eidechse #Tiere #Fauna #Amphibien #Wildtierfotografie #Mauereidechse

"Oh, you again, Daddy mentioned you! Well, looks like you don't have a choice this time - the unimaginable is coming right this way!! HOW FAST CAN YOU RUN?"

This time seen near the #RiverLea between #Hertford and #Welwyn

#Fox #NaturePhotography #wildlifewednesday #RiverLea #TellingStories #wildlife #wildlifePhotography

A mother cheetah teaches her cub how to hunt on the Masai Mara. It took mother two hours to finally catch the gazelle. This is nature taking its course ~ hunter and prey, the endless circle of life…

#WildLife #WildLifePhotography #Photography #Cheetah #CircleOfLife #MasaiMara #Africa #Bigcats #CatsOfMastodon #WildLifeWednesday

A mother cheetah teaches her cub how to hunt on the Masai Mara. It took mother two hours to finally catch the gazelle. This is nature taking its course ~ hunter and prey, the endless circle of life…

#WildLife #WildLifePhotography #Photography #Cheetah #CircleOfLife #MasaiMara #Africa #Bigcats #CatsOfMastodon #WildLifeWednesday

A mother cheetah teaches her cub how to hunt on the Masai Mara. It took mother two hours to finally catch the gazelle. This is nature taking its course ~ hunter and prey, the endless circle of life…

#WildLife #WildLifePhotography #Photography #Cheetah #CircleOfLife #MasaiMara #Africa #Bigcats #CatsOfMastodon #WildLifeWednesday

A mother cheetah teaches her cub how to hunt on the Masai Mara. It took mother two hours to finally catch the gazelle. This is nature taking its course ~ hunter and prey, the endless circle of life…

#WildLife #WildLifePhotography #Photography #Cheetah #CircleOfLife #MasaiMara #Africa #Bigcats #CatsOfMastodon #WildLifeWednesday

A mother cheetah teaches her cub how to hunt on the Masai Mara. It took mother two hours to finally catch the gazelle. This is nature taking its course ~ hunter and prey, the endless circle of life…

#WildLife #WildLifePhotography #Photography #Cheetah #CircleOfLife #MasaiMara #Africa #Bigcats #CatsOfMastodon #WildLifeWednesday

Impala battle

#WildLife #MastoArt #Impala #Photography #WildlifeWednesday #SouthAfrica

A green heron, an egret, a chipmunk, and a wood duck in High Park.

Some wildlife shots from last summer.

#wildlifewednesday #birds #birdphotography #ducks #woodducks #herons #greenherons #egrets #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography #photowalks #chipmunks

#handsoff2025 Protest today!!!!! Join up with others to say #HandsOff our democracy and fight for your freedom!!!! Find Your LOCAL PROTEST HERE; https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/

#UnplugTrump #PuckFutin #democracy #freedom #freespeech #life_liberty_happiness #betheblizzard #theavalancheofjustice #capitalism #CapitalismIsADeathCult #CapitalismKills #SurveillanceCapitalism #deforestation #DrillBabyDrill #deforestation #DefundDeforestation #DefundExtinction #progressive #TransRights #FreeSpeechTv #america #americans #americana #defiance #truth #TruthToPower #truth2power #protest #protests #theflagisforthepeople #eagle #pollution #corporations #corporations_are_not_your_friends #NoisePollution #ClimatePollution #thereisnoplanetb #fiftyfiftyone #VoteWithYourWallet #boycott #boycottusa #UnplugTrump #ElonMusk #elonmuskisanazi #gofuck_elonmusk #PutinIsAWarCriminal #PutinWarCriminal #putin #enviroment #enviromental #TheEnviromentExcuse #FreeMedicareForAll #peace #PeaceNow #PeaceTalks #PeaceLink #PrayForUkraine #fascism #NoFascism #fascismo #fascisme #Ukraine #UkraineWar #UkraineRussiaWar #_ukraine #Russia #russian #russiaToday #climate #ClimateCrisis #ClimateAction #ClimateChange #greed #CapitalistGreed #PharmaGreed #FearandGreedIndex #bigpharma #peaceonearth #tariffs #tarrif #Tariff #slavery #minimumwage #minimumwageraiseplz #Aristocrat #RunawayAristocrat #aristocrat #HumanRights #HumanRightsDay #media4humanrights #portugal4humanrights #usa #usa2025 #ușa #northcarolina #northcarolina1stcongressionaldistrict #northcarolina8thdistrict #northcarolina1st #DonaldTrump #UkraineIsOurFriend #trump #trumptariffs #newyork #rejectproject2025 #project2025 #project_2025 #project2025cansuckit #2025project #2025reads #election2025 #revision2025 #eatthe1percent #EatTheRich #EatTheRichs #eatREADsleep #bird #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #birding #wildlife #nature #NaturePhotography #NatureLovers #NatureArtist #WildlifePhotography #WildlifeWednesday #WildlifeMurals #mouse #reptiles #MarineReptiles #SquamateReptiles #reptile #ReptileWorld #ReptileLovers #ReptileDatabase #boycott #Boycott4Wildlife #boycott4widlife #BoycottGold4Yanomami #boycott4palestine #ChildLabor #freespeech #freespeech4all #freespeech2 #tree #trees #tree_magic #TreeTime #déforestation #DefundDeforestation #amphibians #amphibian #AmphibiansOfInstagram #instagram #_instagram #facebook #FacebookFeed #FacebookFeed #twitter #TwitterMigration #twitter2 #Hippie #beachHippie #beach #BeachTown #BeachTravel #BeachCamping #google #degoogle #GooglePixel #GooglePlay #GoogleGo #yahoo #exclude_applenews_and_yahoo #degoogling #degooglenow #diversity #BioDiversity #DiversityEquityInclusion #DiversityMatters #censorship #Queer #QueerRights #QueerInkSquad #QueerWriters #NeuroDivergent #NeurodivergentWellbeing #NeurodivergentMood #NeurodivergentThinking #autism #AutismSpectrumDisorder #AutismPride #neurospicy #neurotypical #disabled #DisabledArtist #DisabledMastodon #lgbtq #lgbtqia #LGBTQIA2S #lgbtq_plus #lgbtqAlly #StraightAlly #lgbtqia2 #lgbtqia2a #straight #gardener #GardenJoy #forest #ForestTrails #ForestWhitaker #forest_deepness #forest #foresttherapy #therapy #leaf #leafLitter #sexuality #gender #GenderEquality #GenderPayGap #GenderVerbot #dirt #cloudflare #FascistGOP #gop #native #NativeAmerican #NativeAmericans #NativeBirds #insectpopulationdecline #insect #insects #InsectID #bug #bug2038 #black #peopleofcolor #eatlocal #macdonalds #camp #camping #ElderAbuse #elder #old #OldBuildings #conservation #OceanConservation #science #ScienceMastodon #OpenScience #OpenSource #mastodon #mastodonsocial #MastodonTips #lake #LakeErie #LakeCity #river #HudsonRiver #RiverSoul #river_plate #prairie #PrairieLife #pinetree #oldgrowthtree #ocean #OceanBeach #OceanHealth #flowers #WildFlowers #DailyFlowers #sky #SkyTonight #skype #discord #FuckDiscord #DiscordServer #DisneyboundingDiscord #ubuntu #UbuntuLinux #linux #linuxmint #linux_gaming #linuxgaming #GreenwashingKills #GreenWashing #furry #FurryArtist #furryart #furryfandom #totoabafish #VaquitaCPR #vaquita #fish #fishing #FishArt #FishCrow #MarineMammal #NativeMammal #mammal #StopPrimateShipments #primate #animalrights #NaturesRights #transrightsarehumanrights #TransRightsAreHumanRights #transrightsreadathon #transrights #lesbian #LesbianVisibilityWeek #LesbianArt #SydneyGayandLesbianMardiGras #gay #gayMAN #GayPride #GayMastodon #intersex #IntersexRights #IntersexAwareness #TransAndIntersexPrideDublin #asexual #AsexualPride #pride #asexuality #BoycottExxon #verizon

#handsoff2025 Protest today!!!!! Join up with others to say #HandsOff our democracy and fight for your freedom!!!! Find Your LOCAL PROTEST HERE; https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/

#UnplugTrump #PuckFutin #democracy #freedom #freespeech #life_liberty_happiness #betheblizzard #theavalancheofjustice #capitalism #CapitalismIsADeathCult #CapitalismKills #SurveillanceCapitalism #deforestation #DrillBabyDrill #deforestation #DefundDeforestation #DefundExtinction #progressive #TransRights #FreeSpeechTv #america #americans #americana #defiance #truth #TruthToPower #truth2power #protest #protests #theflagisforthepeople #eagle #pollution #corporations #corporations_are_not_your_friends #NoisePollution #ClimatePollution #thereisnoplanetb #fiftyfiftyone #VoteWithYourWallet #boycott #boycottusa #UnplugTrump #ElonMusk #elonmuskisanazi #gofuck_elonmusk #PutinIsAWarCriminal #PutinWarCriminal #putin #enviroment #enviromental #TheEnviromentExcuse #FreeMedicareForAll #peace #PeaceNow #PeaceTalks #PeaceLink #PrayForUkraine #fascism #NoFascism #fascismo #fascisme #Ukraine #UkraineWar #UkraineRussiaWar #_ukraine #Russia #russian #russiaToday #climate #ClimateCrisis #ClimateAction #ClimateChange #greed #CapitalistGreed #PharmaGreed #FearandGreedIndex #bigpharma #peaceonearth #tariffs #tarrif #Tariff #slavery #minimumwage #minimumwageraiseplz #Aristocrat #RunawayAristocrat #aristocrat #HumanRights #HumanRightsDay #media4humanrights #portugal4humanrights #usa #usa2025 #ușa #northcarolina #northcarolina1stcongressionaldistrict #northcarolina8thdistrict #northcarolina1st #DonaldTrump #UkraineIsOurFriend #trump #trumptariffs #newyork #rejectproject2025 #project2025 #project_2025 #project2025cansuckit #2025project #2025reads #election2025 #revision2025 #eatthe1percent #EatTheRich #EatTheRichs #eatREADsleep #bird #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #birding #wildlife #nature #NaturePhotography #NatureLovers #NatureArtist #WildlifePhotography #WildlifeWednesday #WildlifeMurals #mouse #reptiles #MarineReptiles #SquamateReptiles #reptile #ReptileWorld #ReptileLovers #ReptileDatabase #boycott #Boycott4Wildlife #boycott4widlife #BoycottGold4Yanomami #boycott4palestine #ChildLabor #freespeech #freespeech4all #freespeech2 #tree #trees #tree_magic #TreeTime #déforestation #DefundDeforestation #amphibians #amphibian #AmphibiansOfInstagram #instagram #_instagram #facebook #FacebookFeed #FacebookFeed #twitter #TwitterMigration #twitter2 #Hippie #beachHippie #beach #BeachTown #BeachTravel #BeachCamping #google #degoogle #GooglePixel #GooglePlay #GoogleGo #yahoo #exclude_applenews_and_yahoo #degoogling #degooglenow #diversity #BioDiversity #DiversityEquityInclusion #DiversityMatters #censorship #Queer #QueerRights #QueerInkSquad #QueerWriters #NeuroDivergent #NeurodivergentWellbeing #NeurodivergentMood #NeurodivergentThinking #autism #AutismSpectrumDisorder #AutismPride #neurospicy #neurotypical #disabled #DisabledArtist #DisabledMastodon #lgbtq #lgbtqia #LGBTQIA2S #lgbtq_plus #lgbtqAlly #StraightAlly #lgbtqia2 #lgbtqia2a #straight #gardener #GardenJoy #forest #ForestTrails #ForestWhitaker #forest_deepness #forest #foresttherapy #therapy #leaf #leafLitter #sexuality #gender #GenderEquality #GenderPayGap #GenderVerbot #dirt #cloudflare #FascistGOP #gop #native #NativeAmerican #NativeAmericans #NativeBirds #insectpopulationdecline #insect #insects #InsectID #bug #bug2038 #black #peopleofcolor #eatlocal #macdonalds #camp #camping #ElderAbuse #elder #old #OldBuildings #conservation #OceanConservation #science #ScienceMastodon #OpenScience #OpenSource #mastodon #mastodonsocial #MastodonTips #lake #LakeErie #LakeCity #river #HudsonRiver #RiverSoul #river_plate #prairie #PrairieLife #pinetree #oldgrowthtree #ocean #OceanBeach #OceanHealth #flowers #WildFlowers #DailyFlowers #sky #SkyTonight #skype #discord #FuckDiscord #DiscordServer #DisneyboundingDiscord #ubuntu #UbuntuLinux #linux #linuxmint #linux_gaming #linuxgaming #GreenwashingKills #GreenWashing #furry #FurryArtist #furryart #furryfandom #totoabafish #VaquitaCPR #vaquita #fish #fishing #FishArt #FishCrow #MarineMammal #NativeMammal #mammal #StopPrimateShipments #primate #animalrights #NaturesRights #transrightsarehumanrights #TransRightsAreHumanRights #transrightsreadathon #transrights #lesbian #LesbianVisibilityWeek #LesbianArt #SydneyGayandLesbianMardiGras #gay #gayMAN #GayPride #GayMastodon #intersex #IntersexRights #IntersexAwareness #TransAndIntersexPrideDublin #asexual #AsexualPride #pride #asexuality #BoycottExxon #verizon

A suspicious-looking great blue heron and some ducks. (3/3)

#wildlifewednesday #birds #birdphotography #ducks #woodducks #mallardducks #herons #egrets #greatblueherons #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography #photowalks

Full post: see link in description.

Some more egrets! (2/3)

#wildlifewednesday #birds #birdphotography #ducks #woodducks #mallardducks #herons #egrets #greatblueherons #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography #photowalks

Full post: see link in description.

Some shots of egrets I took this past summer in Grenadier pond. (1/3)

#wildlifewednesday #birds #birdphotography #ducks #woodducks #mallardducks #herons #egrets #greatblueherons #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography #photowalks

Full blog post: see link in description.

Blue Morpho Butterfly Wings 🦋
https://jan-matson.pixels.com/featured/blue-morpho-butterfly-wings-jan-matson.html

An oil painting of a blue Morpho butterfly with vibrant blue and gold wings.

#BlueMorpho #BlueButterfly #butterfly #insects #WildLife #WildlifeWednesday #OilPainting #artist #nature #NatureArt #JanMatson #artist #painting #art #MastoArt #garden #spring #gardening #artwork #MorphoMenelaus

Umkumbe Safari Game Drive Highlights

https://youtu.be/Ugw5IA1rXvQ

Our first South African safari at Umkumbe Safari River Lodge was an unforgettable adventure. The lodge is nestled near Kruger National Park in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, where the wild roams free due to the unfenced boundaries. Over three thrilling days, we witnessed all of the Big 5—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—and I captured three of them on video. The rest of the Big 5 were immortalized in images at our next camp.

Getting to Umkumbe was a breeze, thanks to a quick flight from Joburg to Skukuza Airport and a seamless transfer to the lodge. During our transfer, we spotted a wide variety of animals, from elephants to lions, thanks to our driver’s sharp eyes and willingness to stop so we could take photos and videos. Our timely morning arrival allowed us to enjoy a delicious lunch before embarking on our first afternoon game drive.

The lodge’s riverside location provided a front-row seat to a procession of wildlife quenching their thirst and grazing on the riverbanks. From our room’s patio, we were mesmerized by the parade of elephants, giraffes, impalas, monkeys, and hyenas, setting the tone for an extraordinary trip.

After our exceptional stay at Umkumbe, we moved on to our next camp (nThambo Tree Camp), which I’ll detail in upcoming posts. Then, we ventured towards the water for the highly anticipated annual Sardine run. Trust me, I’ll get back to my underwater images soon!

Highlights from the Logbook

• World Elephant Day in 10 Frames

• Graceful Giants of the Savannah – Giraffes

• A Few More Lion Images