In Zimbabwe, I watched a mother giraffe and her "teen" offspring ease down to a waterhole to drink. The mother, of course, was quite cautious. Upon finishing, she headed back toward the tree line, but the youngster decided it would be more fun to hang around the waterhole and play with the zebra and wildebeeste. The mother stopped and waited for her errant son. Finally, she slung her head as if to say, "Come here NOW!", which he dutifully did. Boring? Never!

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MY FIRST GIRAFFE IN THE WILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-D

The giraffe was the first animal I saw on safari in Africa. It was in Nairobi National Park. Therefore I have a soft spot in my heart for them and also one giraffe batik.

May you see many of these lovely creatures shortly.

On Horseback Safari you can canter along side giraffe, albeit at a safe enough distance so as not to be within range of their hind legs! It is a remarkable experience.

This may be old news to some, but this weekend I picked up a wonderful book called Tall Blondes, A Book about Giraffes, by Lynn Sherr, published in 1997.

It has chapters covering giraffe anatomy and habits, famous giraffes, giraffes in history, and the hunting and conservation of the animals.

It's a well-written and lively small book (167 p.) with pictures and bibliography, liberally sprinkled with appropriate quotations.

It was perfect reading for a very rainy weekend, and just whetted my appetite for seeing these wonderful animals.

cw

The first giraffe on the first game drive makes you understand everything is so much better than you’d imagined. When I’m in a vehicle I see curiosity in the eyes of the giraffe and when I’m on foot I see suspicion.

Twiga ni kama maua yanayokimbia pole pole.

cw,
Now I’ll probably look for that giraffe book.

At Tubu Tree, we came upon a giraffe chewing on a bone to get minerals (e.g. calcium). Our guide (Grant) told us the name for this behavior - which I can't recall right this moment. One of the other reasons you don't see much of an animal that's been dead very long. Even the vegetarians take a bite!

hey rizzuto...that was my maiden name!
:)