Silhouetted against the orange African sunset several elephant bulls ponder around the pan testing the water. It's too muddy for these fussy guys. But the sandgrouse come in in their flocks and are happy with any liquid. Then Snorkel saunters over to see what I'm up to on the ground AND to show off his wares, seen from a very different angle. Less

This giraffe bull is really old. So old he's going grey. And he's covered in oxpeckers, a sure sign he's not in good condition. The oxpeckers are generally useful birds cleaning him of external parasites. And they're doing this all over his body. But they've targeted an old injury and are now boring into his body, eating him alive. How much can he tolerate? Less

http://live.pirillo.com - When you open up your Web browser, what is your home page set as? I know that many of you will answer Google or Yahoo. Some of you may be using a site like Facebook or MySpace as your main page. Mine is often just blank (on purpose), but when I do use one, it's Alltop. Less

There's no doubt that hyaenas are the best at laughing. And it's not surprising they're laughing when even the females have one just like the males. A typical greeting turns into a hilarious laughing match as a male pleads for mercy while the big mammas throw their weight around. Less

In the heat of the day elephants will often rest for several hours and while doing so throw dust over themselves to keep away annoying biting flies. They do this subconsciously, almost in their sleep. They really are just chilling out even though they look slightly busy. Less

With temperatures 35 degrees C in the shade the elephant bulls were chilling out at Hwata pan. But for others it was all about the stump. With tender, love and care the stump is fondled by an elephants trunk. Then it tries to sit on it, well not really as it serves a more exciting purpose. And others want to share this lovely stump. Less

While the elephant bulls hog the good water at Hwata pan, the cow herds arrive at pace, not wanting to drink but wanting to cool off in todays heat. They waste no time in splashing themselves down. When a bull hassles them they are quick to protect the little ones, surrounding them with a barrage of legs and attentive trunks. The little guys dive in for a quick last wallow before rushing after mom. Less

While the adult elephants behaved like boring old adults waiting to drink at Hwata pan, these little calves went crazy having a wild time in the mud. And when mom moved off they panicked to catch up falling over themselves in the mud. Decidedly human like! Less

It's dusk at the hyaena den and a mom decides it's time to wake up the pups underground. Not being able to get into the den she calls from the entrance. One of her pups emerges from another entrance. Another mom arrives and grooms the more dominant mom. The 2nd cub arrives, but with a trophy. Mom pesters it when all the cub wants to do is chew on its bone and all mom wants to do is groom her little one. Less

This hyaena cub is only 4 months old as he battles to chew through a grass stem. But soon those jaws will crush bone. He spends his days and nights at the safety of the den and is totally dependent on his mother's milk. Less

The hyaenas have scored an impala carcass, no doubt killed by themselves. A dominant female carries the remains while others trail her hoping to pick up the scraps from her table. But none dare challenge her and the male that comes in too close is sorted by a higher ranking cub. Less

My first day at the hyaena den and the cubs are curious about my vehicle. The 6 month old cubs call the 3 month old cubs out to play but first they must familiarise themselves with who's who and the little guys are not sure of me, probalby seeing a vechicle for the first time in their lives. Less

The Knobthorn Acacias are still in full flower and the baboon troop has taken over the trees. But their wasteful feeding provides food for all as the impala follow the troop from tree to tree picking up what they drop. Flowers that would otherwise be out of their reach. Less

The shores of Malilangwe dam are alive with bird activity and this flock of Spoonbill Storks were no exception as they frantically searched the shallows for aquatic life. Less

While the others rested in the shade this lioness initially braved the midday heat to stalk a warthog. But with the warthog long gone she continued down to drink at Sosigi dam and then the long walk in the sun back to rest. Less

Giraffe find themselves in a rather compromising position when drinking, but elephant have adapted and been lucky to develop a trunk. While the giraffe drink the oxpeckers take time out from their hosts to drink. A Lesser Striped Swallow gathers mud for nest building and an elephant bull finds himself an handy tree stump to rub on. Less

The big elephant bull dominated the clean water at Hwata pan. A young bull, bored of standing around, entertains himself with his trunk, sucking up water and then spraying it around. Each time he creates different patterns. A true circus performer. Less

At dusk the Double-banded Sandgrouse gather at Hwata pan to drink. The birds have a lovely call and as they gather so the sound picks up. It's only in the last light of the day that the birds drink for a few minutes and then it's all over again. Less

The elephant bulls came in to drink just as the sun was setting. They appeared to be drinking liquid gold to the accompaniment of Double-banded Sandgrouse that also arrive at this time of night to drink. Less

The Knobthorn trees are flowering early this year and the baboons are having a feast. Gingerly making their way through the vicious hooked thorns they get to stuff themselves with the creamy flowers faster than they can chew. Less