Sunday, September 30, 2012

Over And Out

A few images I've been unable to squeeze into a post:


A Quiver Tree with it's head in the clouds.


Southern Rock Agama - Males have a white stripe on the back during the breeding season.


A blow-up of the hind quarters of the Agama.


A bareback Horseman on the road.


Sociable Weavers' Nest.


The underside of a Sociable Weavers' nest.


A dead car with a cactus growing from it's nose serves as a Farm-entrance marker.


An Angulate Tortoise - this species is endemic to Southern Africa and occurs in the Southwestern areas of South Africa and a few kilometres into Southern Namibia.


Another view of the Angulate Tortoise - the delicate bottom scales make it look like it's wearing a skirt.


The Cat's Whiskers.

I allowed Mutt (the cat) into the house and left him with Stoffel grooming him on a desk - when I looked again Stoffel had chewed all his whiskers off.


Whiskerless Mutt looks even dumber than normal but it doesn't seem to affect him adversely - it was not the first time Stoffel had chewed his whiskers off - they've grown back again.



My apologies for not visiting your Blogs lately - I've had to deal with a death in the Family and also my broadband connection was down for a few days.

Tomorrow I'm going home to cyber exile again, until the beginning of December, (goodness! how time flies, it's almost New Year again) - October/November are the hottest months in Namibia but, with the weather going haywire all over the World, who knows what it will be like.

I wish you all good health and happiness.

Until we meet again.


.

30 comments:

  1. Graham, I am very sorry about the death in your family. That is always hard to deal with.

    I absolutely love your photos. You really do get some fabulous opportunities to share with us. It took me awhile to figure out that the horse rider was wearing a battered hat. At first it looked like a weird blonde wig, lol. I'm happy to see a horse rider in Nam as I think I only saw horses once in Kenya (and none in Ghana) though I'm sure they do exist in both places.

    Poor cat. I hope those whiskers grow back quickly. Don't cats need them for navigating in the dark?

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    1. Thanks Penny - I don't really know what Cats need whiskers for - Stoffel seems to think that they're unsightly :) ... as far as I can see, the loss of his whiskers doesn't seem to affect him ... Mutt is one of the dumbest looking (and acting) cats I've ever seen and he looks even funnier without his Whiskers ... yes, horse riders are often seen in remote areas.

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  2. p.s. I csn't believe you're gone again for two months. It seems you just got "home".

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  3. I will miss you, Graham!!

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  4. Hi Graham .. my thoughts for you and the family - these are stunning photos - just love them ... such great shots. The MacCartney video is fun to watch .. I wonder when he learnt to ride being a Liverpool boy ... he seems a natural ...

    Hope your Spring and into Summer is relatively normal with the rains arriving as usual - cheers Hilary

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    1. Thanks Hilary - I'm not a great fan of Paul but I do like some of his music - he also rides horses better than I do ... horses don't like me ... :)

      Yes, I'm expecting it to be hellishly hot but I won't be able to complain after all my whining about how cold I've been this Winter ...

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  5. Graham as I said previously my thoughts are with you.
    This is a great selection of photos and the lone horseman seems very happy to see you. I was speaking to a friend in Mafikeng yesterday and he said it had turned very cool again so the weather does not seem to have a clue what it is supposed to be doing in the current time!! They have even arranged to have insulation put in their roof! I had to laugh as I had never heard of insulating roofs until I moved to Europe :-)
    Take care, and as always it will seem odd when you are away and a lack of comments. Hope you will be able to catch up with my travels on your return. Look after your back and avoid the hottest part of the day. Regards and best wishes Diane

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    1. Thanks Diane - touch wood, I've been free of back pain now for about six months ... I'll be sure to wear a hat and try to work in the shade as much as possible - looking forward to catching-up when I return ... :)

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  6. Sorry to hear about your loss and as for mutt's whiskers..here is a page that explains what they are for and why they should never be trimmed or cut Hahahaha..bad Stoffel !!

    http://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/question592.htm

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    1. Thanks for the link Monica - I've learned something new (not that I've ever felt inclined to trim a cat's whiskers) ... I don't understand Stoffel's fetish with whiskers ... Mutt seems to muddle his way through life regardless - if you remember, he is the cat who twice escaped from an escape-proof room when I wanted to take him for castration ... :)

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  7. I am sorry for you loss. I hope you will have a nice time off, going by our weather here, it may be very, very hot. It has been a crazy summer. I don't think it's a good idea for Stoffel to chew off the Mutt's whiskers and you are right, Mutt must be pretty dumb to allow it. Not one of all the cats I have known would let such a thing happen. Most likely Stoffel would get a scratch or two if he tried.

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    1. Thanks Inger - yes, Stoffel has been scratched quite a few times by terrified cats - Mutt is the only one I know who loves being groomed by her - Mutt is a very laid-back cat, nothing fazes him, except other Toms on his turf - then he becomes an absolute terror, he would fight them to the death I'm sure ...

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  8. Great photos, as ever. The tortoise seems to have had a look at you and gone back home. I like Mutt. He seems sharp enough. Two escapes, in addition to living periodically without whiskers. Joining the chorus, I am happy to see you pop up on the reader.

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    1. Thanks Joanne - that day I found two Tortoises within five minutes - it's the breeding season ...

      ... in truth, I'm surprised that Mutt has survived so long in the bush - he's about seven years old now ...

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  9. My condolences to you and your family. I wouldn't think the cat would stay in place long enough to allow the monkey to chew off any whiskers. great pics

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    1. Thanks Bill - yeah, Mutt is a character, a strange cat indeed ... as kittens and one of three siblings, he was the only one who 'befriended' Stoffel - the other two freaked-out as soon as she approached them.

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  10. Those weaver's nests interest me, saw first time on road to Upington about 3 years ago. I was intrigued.

    Take care for the next few months, may you return safely, au revoir

    LG

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  11. Lovely post Graham. Sorry to hear about the family tragedy. I am going to be heading for the Karoo area soon and might take you up on that offer of a room early in next year.

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  12. Heck, you'd only just got back!! And now I've left it till too late, you'll be on your way by now. I'm sure a change will be good for you after going through sad times.
    Glad to hear your back is OK... look forward to the progress pics of your house.
    Caroline

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  13. Thank you for those wonderful photos and eagerly awaiting your return to the internet/1

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  14. Hello Graham, is that a young Quiver Tree?

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  15. Thanks for your comments and greetings LG, Joan, Caroline, Barbara and Fazlisa - I am ok but heartsore ... Stoffel is very ill and I fear for the worst ...

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    1. Hi Graham - I'm sorry to read this ... my thoughts are with you - losing someone, be they human or animal, is always traumatic - animals in someway more so .. I hope life is peaceful for you all - Hilary

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    2. Thanks Hilary - the problem with animals is that they can't tell one how they feel or where it hurts and that makes the situation worse ...

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    3. Hi Graham .. quite understand that .. it is frustrating for us - just wondering and wishing one could give them a hug - but not sure if that will hurt them more ..

      Thinking of you - thanks for replying ... Hilary

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  16. Hi Graham! Just passed by to see your pics (chicken soup for the soul). My thoughts are with you and your family. Nice to hear that you are going well. Big hug friend!

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  17. Our thoughts are with you... is there no vet within driveable distance? I'm so sad for you. Tell us more when you can.
    Caroline

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  18. magnificent images - it has been so long since I have been here - as is always the case the photographs, the land, all the images are astounding

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  19. I hope things are looking up for you. It's the beginning of Dec. so does that mean you'll be back in the blog? (back in the saddle might be more fun depending on how long the ride is)

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