Welcome to the final day of the 2016 A-Z Blogging Challenge
and my Wildlife Encounters theme.
I began the Challenge in Africa with A is for Aardvark, so
it seems only fitting to complete the Challenge in Africa with Z is for Zebra.
We were in the Etosha National Park on our self-drive tour
of Namibia. I had a map showing the location of the waterholes because they’re
always a good place to view wildlife.
We were heading towards a waterhole we hadn’t visited before
when we came upon two Burchell’s zebras right on the road.
The animals were very calm and unconcerned by our proximity: it was a perfect photo opportunity.
The animals were very calm and unconcerned by our proximity: it was a perfect photo opportunity.
In fact one passed the car so closely I couldn’t fit it in
the frame!
In Kenya’s Samburu National Park we saw a beautiful male
Grevy’s zebra.
This zebra is chunkier, with narrow stripes shaped like chevrons. It’s the only zebra with an all-white belly.
This zebra is chunkier, with narrow stripes shaped like chevrons. It’s the only zebra with an all-white belly.
I have also seen Mountain Zebra in South Africa, but they
were so distant my photographs of them aren’t worth posting.
Thank you for following my blog during this Challenge – it has
been a real pleasure to meet you and I hope you’ll look in from time to time in
the future.
I usually blog once a week. I have a weakness for running mini-series. Past subjects have been Foreign Markets, Insects and On the Road Surprises – all of which will continue on an ad-hoc basis coupled with new subjects.
I usually blog once a week. I have a weakness for running mini-series. Past subjects have been Foreign Markets, Insects and On the Road Surprises – all of which will continue on an ad-hoc basis coupled with new subjects.
Aha!! A final victory!! Whooppee for me. I think I guessed about five right. That's about 20%. Does that make me a mind reader?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your challenge and making it interesting and fun! I'll look forward to reading and seeing some of your other weaknesses!
So... where to next? I'm at a loss!! ;-)
AJ at Ouch My Back Hurts
I haven't been counting your victories - but that sounds about right, so yes, you can call yourself a mind reader.
DeleteThanks for visiting me during the Challenge - I've enjoyed compiling my posts. It's going to be a bit strange to go back to my usual weekly system.
The zebra was the first and only creature you have featured that I anticipated! Well done me! Susan, thanks for a very entertaining and informative month.
ReplyDeleteMy final A-Z story features 13 neglected Z words
You're most welcome, Keith - it's been quite a month, hasn't it? Thank you for visiting me so consistently and I hope you'll continue to pop in from time to time.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful animals and photos! Thank you so much for putting on an entertaining a-z. I've enjoyed your posts and will continue to visit. Great job with the challenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen - likewise!
DeleteCongratulations on completing the challenge! I can hardly believe how close these zebras are and to think they are wild! The first photo with the road will be in my mind all day. Glorious image.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. I suspect it may have been a different story if we'd been on foot! :)
DeleteYour photos are lovely--you've lived an adventurous life!!! Thanks for playing. I enjoyed it so much.
ReplyDelete@Kathleen01930
Meet My Imaginary Friends
#AtoZchallenge
Thank you, Kathleen. Life is not a rehearsal and I'm of the belief that you only have one chance to live and enjoy it - so live it I do!
DeleteLove the Zebra! Congratulations on such lovely pictures, and for completing the A to Z challenge. It's been fun, but I am glad it's done!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your support through out! And yes, I'll be back for more!
Happy May!
Thanks, Yolanda. It's going to feel quite strange to return to my regular blogging routine!
ReplyDeleteYou got some great shots there. I've enjoyed reading your posts this month!
ReplyDeleteThank you and likewise!
ReplyDeleteZebra! I should have figured that one out! I have loved this series. It's been absolutely awesome. Kudos and looking forward to more:)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandra - I've enjoyed devising my posts - it will seem strange to go back to blogging once a week!
DeleteLove the sky in your Burchell’s zebra photo. Found your blog by visiting Karen O'Connor's Weekends in Maine blog from A to Z. Sounds like you've had as much fun with this year's A to Z as I have. I'm not much of a traveler myself, but thoroughly enjoy your sharing your travels with me. The Bookwright.
ReplyDeleteThank you Claudia - better late than never and hope you'll pop in again even though this challenge is over. :)
DeleteLovely pictures of the Zebra and congratulations on completing A to Z challenge! I loved reading all the posts and will keep reading your posts
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jahnavi - it's lovely to know that you want to continue to visit my blog. :)
DeleteI will miss the forays into the wonderful, fascinating world of those who live above and below the sea. :-(
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roland - it's great to know that my efforts were worthwhile.
DeleteWow, Aardvark to zebra. It's been a wonderful round-the-world journey. Now it's time to relax and celebrate!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bish - it's been quite a journey!
DeleteOh, that close-up zebra is so gorgeous! Did you know that they only walk as fast as the weakest member of the herd, whether young or old? I find that vey endearing! Very much enjoyed reading your posts, Susan, congratulations on reaching the end of your first A-Z! ~Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz. I didn't know that about zebra! I've likewise enjoyed your entries this month - your poems in particular were fabulous. :)
DeleteOne with a white belly! That must have been a pleasant surprise. Congrats for surviving the Challenge, Susan and thanks for the company.You have a most interesting blog.Pity met you late in the day but will follow you forthwith.
ReplyDeleteHank
One with a white belly! That must have been a pleasant surprise. Congrats for surviving the Challenge, Susan and thanks for the company.You have a most interesting blog.Pity met you late in the day but will follow you forthwith.
ReplyDeleteHank
Thanks, Hank - and I shall look forward to entertaining you and my other regulars in the future.
DeleteI'm a little embarrassed to admit that I didn't know that there was more than one kind of zebra! I guess I hadn't really thought about it before.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking us through your journeys and for sharing your beautiful pictures with us this month :)
Tracy (Black Boots, Long Legs)
You're very welcome, Tracy and thank for joining me on this a-z journey - it's much appreciated.
Deletep.s. Don't be embarrassed about not knowing that there are different species of zebra, Tracy! :)
DeleteI've enjoyed your A to Z challenge and meeting so many new animals. Great zebra pictures.
ReplyDelete@WeekendsinMaine
Weekends in Maine
Thank you, Karen - I'm happy to know you've enjoyed my posts - and thanks to you, I've learned many things about Maine! :)
DeleteCongratulations on completing the challenge!
ReplyDelete@ScarlettBraden from
Frankly Scarlett
Thanks, Scarlett - and many congrats to you too! :)
DeleteGreat photos, Susan! Oh, I'll be back for sure... To read the A2Z posts I missed, but also to browse earlier stuff, too. It's been a pleasure to meet you, and to take this exotic journey along with you. Thank you for that! And congratulations on wrapping up the Challenge :)
ReplyDeleteGuilie @ Life In Dogs
Thanks, Guilie - it's great to get positive feedback on my posts and I shall look forward to your visits. :)
DeleteYou had a great A to Z and I love all the animals you posted. You were up close with the zebras and some great pics here. I'm glad I found your blog:)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Birgit. I really enjoyed thinking up my posts - and digging out relevant photos - so I'm delighted that it was all worthwhile. :)
DeleteThis post reminded me of a movie called "Racing Stripes" about a zebra who thought he was a Thoroughbred. They are beautiful and amazing animals, and I love the sound they make!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Li - yes, they make a lovely, musical sound don't they?
DeleteZebra is the perfect ending. Congrats on making it.
ReplyDeleteLiz A. from Laws of Gravity and Unicorn Bell
HI, Liz - thanks for visiting! The challenge has been quite an experience! :)
DeleteZebras are very cool animals. I wonder why they've never been used to ride or as beasts of burdens. Congrats! on finishing A to Z!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the congrats, Stephen... likewise.
ReplyDeleteAs for using zebra to ride etc, attempts have been made in the past but they have proved unsuitable for domestication - largely due to their unpredictable and nervous dispositions. Besides - we have horses - why try to change these beautiful wild animals to suit our purposes? Let's leave zebras and ALL wild animals where they belong... in the wild.
I have thoroughly enjoyed your A-Z, Susan, and admire you for sticking with it to the bitter end. I often wonder if zebras know how beautiful they are?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz - it's been quite a journey, but I have enjoyed researching and writing my posts, so it's been a worthwhile experience.
ReplyDeletep.s. Perhaps the zebra that walked so close to our car wanted to make sure we could see just how beautiful it was! :)
These are such beautiful animals. Love those stripes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the helping to make this a wonderful #atozChallenge!
That's very kind of you to say that! I'm delighted you've enjoyed my blog posts. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your series, I'm sorry I missed the earlier parts of it. I may have to go back and take a peek. You posted some wonderful shots. I loved it all. Gratz on completing the challenge.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeffrey - it means a lot to me to know that my efforts were enjoyed by those who checked out my blog during the challenge. Congrats to you too for finishing! :)
DeleteCongratulations on finishing the challenge! I've learned so much and will continue to follow your blog. Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Zeljka - I hope I can continue to enlighten and entertain you. I also learned so much from your blog - about Russia in particular. Congrats to you too for finishing the challenge. :)
DeleteThat's such a lovely way to end the challenge :D
ReplyDeleteI am glad we connected and I'll be surely following you in future as well ... :)
Congrats on completing the challenge :)
Srivi, The Piscean Me
Thanks, Srivi - it's great to know that you've enjoyed my theme! I shall look forward to seeing again. Congratulations to you too for finishing the challenge. :)
ReplyDelete