Just a few…

/ moragnoffke

Do you ever see wild animals?

Do I ever see wild animals? Just a few. I was going to say that I am blessed to have “the wild” available to me but actually I am an adventurous person that appreciates the wild. All of these animals I have seen in the wild:

Africa

In Africa: Lions, elephants, leopards, rhino, hippopotamus, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wort-hog, too many types to deer to recall, hyena, cape bat eared fox, baboons, monkeys, porcupines, guinea fowl, rock rabbits, moles, field mice, snakes, tortoises, lizards, geckos, iguana, crocodiles and scorpions. Most of these animals I have seen when we traveled through Southern Africa. I have sailed the ocean and enjoyed seeing the dolphins frolicking along next to our yacht. I have been on the shore and watched whales breaching, slapping, lobtailing and sailing. I have swam in the waves (unintentionally) alongside a young seal. I have visited the penguins. We have seen many seals, whales, dolphins, sharks and penguins along the coast of South Africa.

Here are some images I have collected over the years.

Whales Playing, unfinished painting done in egg tempura, ground eggshells and powder paint by Morag Noffke, 2020
Zebra on the way to Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, 2013
Baby Crocodile and iguana, Lake Kariba, 2013
Baby Croccodile and iguana, Lake Kariba, 2013
Grysbok at Rondervlei Reserve, photo compliments of Dalton Gibbs.
Vervet Monkeys, Victoria Falls, Zambia, 2013
Night image of rhino, Namibia, 2013
Elephants, Namibia, 2013
Photo by Anand Dandekar on Pexels.com
Zebra at Etosha Nature Reserve, photo by Morag Noffke.
Gemsbok, Etosha Nature Reserve, Namibia, 2013
Zebra at Etosha Nature Reserve, photo by Morag Noffke.
Etosha Nature Reserve water hole, 2013
Etosha Nature Reserve water hole, 2013, by M. Noffke
Zebra at Etosha Nature Reserve, photo by Morag Noffke.
African antelope, Kongoni, Etosha, by Morag Noffke
Warthog on the side of the High way, photo by Morag Noffke
Giraffes In Namibia, 2013, Morag Noffke.
Augrabies Falls Platysaurus (flat Lizard), 2013, by morag Noffke.

Canada

In Canada I watched a grisly bear cross my path 50 meters in front of me. It was not intentional (on either party’s side), I think. It was one of my most scariest moments while traveling. I have a post about it. Some Canadians said that they were jealous as they had never seen one close up in the wild, some people from Africa thought I was lucky to encounter one. I feel blessed to be alive. I think I am lucky to not have been attacked. I have as much respect for bears as with any wild animal in Africa, eg. lions, leopards, cheetah, elephants, hippos, rhino etc.

Canada, 2014, by Derek Noffke
Bear, Canada, 2014 by Derek Noffke.
Sorry it is blurred, 2014.
Canada, deer (possibly mule deer?) 2014 by Derek Noffke

Scotland

In Scotland, now, I see deer, fox, badger, hedgehog, rabbits, and pheasants. Unfortunately I think I have seen a lot of roadkill too during my life. I feel very sad about roadkill.

Wild beasts, deer by Morag Noffke, 2004

To end off…

Just to mention some wild animals are dangerous and you should not try to befriend or pet them. I enjoy viewing them from the safety of the vehicle or viewing hide or water hole. I also appreciate having a knowledgeable guide with me.

Although I have never been to a zoo I think I would enjoy going to an animal sanctuary where animals are rehabilitated and I sometimes even think of volunteering. Maybe some day.

Of course I see wild birds all the time, too many to discuss.

I was surprised to see that I have observed over 33 different types of mammals and reptiles in my adult life time. It was a pleasure reflecting on the wild animals in my life over the years.

Thank you for reading my post.

Take Care
– Morag Noffke

33 thoughts on “Just a few…”

  3. I’ve had a few encounters with wild animals. I rescued a hawk who had flown into our garage window and had a concussion. I tried to rescue a large snapping turtle in the middle of the road. I love the squirrels and occasional rabbits we have here. I’ve seen deer. The best place where I saw animals was at the large zoo, nearby with large areas where they could run and live. That’s the place I love the best for animals.

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      • Aww. That snapping turtle’s shell was a foot to a 1 1/2 feet wide. I tried but couldn’t pick it up. Two men who drove a truck for road repairs blocked traffick coming towards me. When I tried to pick the turtle up, it was too heavy. When I tried to use my cane to change its direction towards the side of the road, it literally flipped around on its tail. One of the men came and picked it up and carried it down the hill to a creek. I was so thankful they knew how to handle a big snapping turtle without losing a finger of three!

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  4. Wow! A detailed and fascinating account! You’re lucky that you could see so many wild animals. In one of the sanctuary, I waited for hours, but couldn’t see a single lion.

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  6. I’m always interested in local wildlife but it is not very exotic! Zoos are good & the best one we visited was Gerald Durrell’s on Jersey. The huge silverback gorilla there watched every move we made; it actually spooked my wife. It was only after we left that I realised that the person holding the gate for us at the exit, was GD himself! A missed opportunity as both my wife & I loved ALL of his books! 🙋‍♂️

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    • I love local wild life… Earth is not complete without wild life. It touches the soul, refreshes the mind. What a lovely experience you had in Jersey island. If I visit there I will definitely visit the zoo. You are an inspiration! I would love to have his collection. I should visit some Secondhand book shops. I hope you had a good weekend. 💐🙋‍♀️

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  8. I have seen plenty of elk, deer, bears, snow lions and even a young cougar in Canada. They very rarely attack, if they see you first. However, I always treat them with huge respect as wild animals are wild animals!!! I also did a couple of safaris in Kenya – and saw elephants, tigers, lion and Thompson gazelles. So many Thompson gazelles!!! But I don’t have as beautiful photos as you. Those are gorgeous pics. The one of the elephants is truly an amazing shot!

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