This should do it. I do hope everyone who actually sees this blog likes elephants as much as I do….
I noticed when I preview/publish, some of the photos are clipped, as this little guy appears to be. If you click on the photo, the entire photo shows. Frustrating because I don’t know how to fix it!
It’s good to see elephants constantly walking around with grass in their mouths.. plenty for everyone to eat.
I can’t even imagine how many gallons of water must flow. It’s like a hose that is fully on, spewing water at tremendous volume…
These yellow baboons are much slimmer than the others. This is the only place we saw this species.
The Eurasian roller.. again!
Something yummy!
Down it goes…
Hippos don’t usually leave the water to feed except under the cover of darkness. I guess, however, with so much green so close to the river, who can resist?
African elephants look so small in this vast land..
The tall, thick grass makes seeing even the tallest of birds hard to see.
Another little one.. not as confident as some of the others.
Look at all the mud caked on this elephant.
Two little lovebirds….
It’s hard to get tired of photographing zebra. I hope you don’t get tired of looking.
I have seen more braying zebra and all those teeth on this trip than I have all together on previous trips.
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More little jackals..
The following photos don’t do justice to the event they attempt to portray. We encountered three bulls who decided to flex their muscles, so to speak. First they did some mock fighting. Then each took a turn charging the vehicle head on, coming within a couple of meters of the car. All the signs of a mock charge were present, but still it was hard not to hold your breath! Since they were asserting their power, standing up or sticking your head and camera out the side would have been inviting disaster. So I didn’t get the kind of photos I would have liked to have. I do wish I had more experience with the video features of my cameras. Something to practice! After the charging was done, they trashed the bushes they were behind, occasionally looking our way to see what we were doing. Eventually, they were done. I hope they we satisfied with their performance!
Peek a boo! They kept looking over the bushes to see what we were doing. Then go back to pushing and shoving and trashing bushes.
Here comes one, charging us!
Not too well focused.. hard to do it when a running elephant is headed directly for you!
Another failed attempt to chastise us into retreating. I left the shadow of the guide in the photo to show how close he actually was.
Nice to be able to see the eyes on these guys.
This fellow is the last to leave. Just one more check to be sure we have been properly chastised.
Another muddy family…
Amazing how small zebra look next to the giraffe..
More jumping, leaping impala..
A family crossing the river. One mother and calf were bring up the rear.
oops… some youngster forgot to keep up!
You can see the legs of the little calf on the other side of its mother.
River was still low enough and the little one could get across without difficulty. Had they tried to do this on our last day, the outcome might not have been so good.
This bull was staying close to the family. One of them was probably in estrus.
Looks like the bull found who he was interested in while the little calf messes around.
A large group of mongoose. Notice they all look in different directions.
The impala must think he’s a mountain goat!
A little grooming break..
Which ever red billed hornbill this is, he’s quite a poser.
another saddle billed stork, taking a rest I assume…
Another little goober letting us know we had better watch it!
I am very fond of elephant trunks and elephant wrinkles..
This giraffe had quite a mouthful. Looks like it would be hard to swallow.
Oxpeckers
Good bye Ruaha….
My Africa 
Nancy, there is too many photos for me to say which ones stand out the most.
You certainly saw a lot of elephants in Ruaha and captured some amazing photos not just in this blog entry but throughout your entire trip. From Giraffes with their mouths full, to elephants charging the vehicle, to all the birds you have photographed and all the zebras with their amazing patterns, you have been extremely generous with your time and your photos. I have so enjoyed sharing your trip and know you will be wishing you were back there all ready.
What does AWF have planned for next year?
Thank you again for sharing with me the Africa I have not seen in the wet season. While it may have been more difficult to find the animals in the long, lush green grass, it certainly didn’t seem so and the photos you have taken, have shown totally different colours from the dry season.
Thank you again.
You are always so complementary with your comments. Believe me, it’s much appreciated!
This was the first time I saw Africa during the wet season so it was all quite a surprise for me too. I imagine even more so for you since you have been to these places in Tanzania during the dry season!