Jadyne and I gifted our three kids their spouses, and their children to an ersatz African safari in the hills around Santa Rosa. It took eleven months for them to find a date that would allow for everyone’s work and custody schedules to coalesce, and Friday, November 11th, Veterans Day, was it.
Andrew, Isla, Kennedy Susanto, Hazel, Hawthorn, Lilly, and in front, Kim, Jennifer, Jason, Jadyne, yours truly, and John.
We rode in an open air four-wheel drive vehicle outfitted with a seat on top that would hold four. On this private tour we had a very knowledgeable driver, and we spent more than two hours on the grounds, having the opportunity to see animals in areas that were fenced only at the perimeter. They have the freedom to cover acres of ground, but they are fed by the staff. Many were born in captivity, but their living situation at Safari West is an improvement over zoos.
So here they are.
Cheetah
Unlike African hyenas, these guys were clean.
Cute? Cuddly? A pet perhaps?
The self-feeding hyenas in Tanzania.
The ostrich was a big hit. We watched this one with the big eye for several minutes. To the delight of the grandchildren, he walked to the front of our truck, lifted his tail feathers, and went about his business. Hawthorn, of course, has a video of the event, and no doubt when he goes to school tomorrow, he’ll share it with all his friends.
Ostriches can run 30 mph for a half hour, so they can escape predators. Their eyes are larger than those of elephants, but their brains, alas, fit into a space, well, just look at the close-up. Not much room to think.
They have two toes, and can run forever. The feathers don’t give them any lift. Ostriches cannot fly.
Impalas are beautiful, graceful, and in Africa, so plentiful that when we went on safari in Tanzania we called them “Ubiquitas”
An African impala.
Greater Kudu
Eland
Antelope, Roan “Antelopes are missionaries…”
“Zebras are reactionaries…”
“Giraffes are insincere…”
Male White Rhinoceros.
Female White Rhinoceros. They think she’s pregnant.
Cape Buffaloes can pick up a 400 pound lion with its horns and toss it away. One of the five most dangerous animals in Africa.
Aoudad. Very shy. Ran away when we arrived. Like mountain goats.
Helmeted Guineafowl
Gazelle, Dama
Gray Crowned Crane
Oryx
Gemsbok
A recently discovered species of unknown juvenile something or others.