Kruger Park South Africa

Kruger Park, South Africa, May 2009 / Geoff Sutton

 I visited Kruger Park in South Africa in May 2009. The adventure began early in the morning as I drove a van full of university students to the park. Fortunately, my South African friend, Johan Mostert, took the wheel as we approached the park. This post includes photos and videos of our visit.

Soon after we entered the park, we watched a female lion reject a male's interest. They roared close to the road. We're pretty excited. What majestic animals!

Here's my short video from YouTube.

A large elephant approached our kombi so we zipped out of the way!

 Luckily, I got a good shot. I also posted a video on my YouTube channel.

At one point we stopped as zebras meandered across the road in front of us.

Off to the side, a secretary bird took flight.

Watching the giraffes is an awesome experience. It's like being in a nature film.

Following are some additional photos from this amazing park.

Gacelle

Hippopotamus

We spent a night in the park, which I highly recommend.

This Baobab tree symbolizes so much of the cycle of life because they can live for thousands of years.

See more wildlife at KENYA SAFARI

    and India's Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

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Google map of Kruger National Park

Big Cats at St Louis Zoo Missouri USA

 

Cheetah/ Photo by Geoff Sutton 2012
Nikon Coolpix

We have been visiting the St Louis Zoo for about 50 years. It's a fabulous zoo located in beautiful  Forest Park St. Louis, Missouri. I decided to make this page about the Big Cats because they are the favorites of my grandchildren.

Lions are social animals living in groups called prides. They live in the grasslands and savannas of Africa. The male is larger than the female and has a large mane about its head.*

Lion by Geoff Sutton, 2021/Cannon EOS 70D

I took this photo of a cheetah 22 October 2021-- the cropped version is at the top of this post. The cheetah is the fastest land animal with speeds of 80 to 128 kmh (50 to 80 mph). They range in length between 3.6 to 4.9 feet and the adults weight between 20 to 65 kg (44 to 143 pounds). ***

The coluring of the tigers is amazing. And this one is a fitting specimen to represent the Missouri Tigers though I would hope the athletes are more energetic.

Tigers can be found in India, Nepal, Russia and China. They weigh between 220 and 660 pounds and measure 6 to 10 feet in length. They may live as long as 20 years in the wild.

Tiger 10 March 2021/Geoff Sutton

Jaguars are the largest cats in South America. Leopards look similar to Jaguars but one key difference can be found in the "spots." The rosettes on the Jaguar have inner spots but those on Leopards do not. There is a size difference, which may not be obvious in a zoo. Jaguars weigh 36 to 158 kg compared to Leopards, which range from 17 to 90. Here's a useful link panthera.org.

I took all of the photos on this page at the St Louis Zoo using either my Nikon Coolpix camera or my Canon SLR EOS 70D.

As of the date of this post, admission to the St Louis Zoo is free but there is a charge for parking. Free parking can sometimes be found along the side of the roads around Forest Park. 

See more Big Cats

A female lion eyeing a giraffe in Kenya

My YouTube video of a female lion rejecting a male lion Kruger Park South Africa

My YouTube video including a lion in Kenya at Kenya Wildlife

My Tiger video in Ranthambore wildlife park, India 

My lion video from the Smithsonian Zoo

My tiger video from the Smithsonian Zoo

Notes

* Read more about lions at wikipedia.

** Read more about tigers at world wildlife

*** Read more about cheetahs at wikipedia

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Smithsonian's National Zoo

Panda National Zoo / Geoff W. Sutton 2017

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is famous for its Pandas. The zoo is worth a day's visit to enjoy a walk around a beautiful wooded park. People of all ages will find something of interest.































Fees- there is no charge to enter the zoo. There is a fee for some attractions

Food service- there are several places to purchase food and drink. It is expensive compared to nearby restaurants. You can bring in food and drink.

Photography is permitted but the lighting and glass enclosures make some shots difficult.


Parking- limited but available at the park for a fee

Metro- we got off at the Woodley Park metro stop and walked the short distance to the zoo.

Website- you will find helpful information on the web nationalzoo.si.edu


My website Geoffrey W. Sutton

PLACES TO VISIT IN WASHINGTON DC

Here’s a few places to see along with some photos and links to information.

United States Capitol

White House

National Archives

Library of Congress

Supreme Court

National Zoo

U S Botanic Garden

Union Station

Monuments and Memorials

Washington Monument

Lincoln Memorial

WW II Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Museums

American History

Air and Space Museum

Natural History Museum

Postal Museum

National Art Gallery

National Postal Museum

Holocaust Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of African American History and Culture

And here’s my webpage  www.suttong.com

And some books I have published

My Travel Blog

My YouTube Travel Site

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum Springfield MO USA

The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum in Springfield Missouri USA is an entertaining and educational experience. The galleries are first class. The adventures take visitors on a wide-ranging safari across North America and into Africa with side trips to view wildlife in other parts of the world.






I've been to natural history museums in the US and elsewhere and find the Wonders of Wildlife galleries as good or better than those you will find in places like Chicago, New York, and London. Of course, you do not see the variety of natural history exhibits that you would elsewhere since the focus here is on wildlife. But when combined with the adjacent aquarium, you have a full day's worth of an awesome experience.


You enter up the stairs near the main entrance to the Bass Pro Shop. You can get tickets online or onsite. The tour begins with an optional film then a walk through the Native American Gallery, past Theodore Roosevelt's Cabin, along the Lewis & Clark journey, and into America's National Parks.

Bass Pro Stuff

The galleries include Boone & Crockett, Bucks & Bulls, Sheep Mountain, Penguin Cove, and the Polar Expedition.











The Great African Hall is like a miniature Kruger or other African preserve-- especially when you add Africa After Dark, Lion's Den, and Operation Rhino.









You exit into the large entry by the gift shop and aquarium (Great Oceans Hall).


INFORMATION

Location:  500 W. Sunshine St. Springfield, Missouri, USA 65807

Hours: Mostly 10:00 am to 8:00 pm - some variations so check the website for details.

Entrance Fees: It is expensive but not more than you would pay at a large city aquarium.

TIP: Check closely as there are a variety of tickets for individuals and families with discounts available. We plan to go back so we purchased an annual pass. Ask about the upgrade rules before you leave if you bought a one day ticket and want to return.

Refreshments: There is a place to eat inside. You can find a number of restaurants nearby.

Parking: The parking is free and so far, there has been plenty of spaces available.

Website:  http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/visit.html

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Twitter @GeoffWSutton 

Here's a few more photos

Wildlife Safari Kenya

My trips to Kenya rank high in my list of favorite places to visit. The wilderness landscapes and wildlife were the highlights.

I visited with a friend , Grant Jones, and several university students. We capped off a week of helping children and families with a visit to a wildlife park and animal preserves near Nairobi.

We had not been in the park long before seeing this lion eyeing a giraffe. Even better, I got video of her chasing a giraffe. See video below for those scenes.




It was good to see people invested in the care of animals- for example this refuge for giraffes ( aka Giraffic park).




The care facility for orphaned elephants was a winner with our whole team.

Elephant

These vehicles are relatively inexpensive inclusive of a driver from Nairobi.





I'll add a few photos to wet your appetite for a safari.

Buffalo

Rhinoceros

Impala

On our way back from the park, we saw a sign about a boat ride to view hippopotamuses- so we turned in- an amazing close to the day!

I'll close this off with some notes. But first, here's a link to a YouTube video from the adventure.

A few notes.

We found the people of Kenya very friendly during both visits.
We exchanged U S dollars for Kenyan shillings at a Nairobi bank.
We hired vans and local drivers rather than risk our own driving skills. Besides, we were busy taking in all the scenery.
you can travel light by having clothes washed inexpensively in town.
It can be really hot in the summer months.

We did not have problems but you do need to be careful- there are pick-pockets.
Our return flight was full but we were well taken care of by the Kenyan Airline who put us up at a five star hotel near the airport. A few of our team did get on the scheduled flight-- bumped up to first class.
You'll pass a lookout over the rift valley on the way to the park. The toilet stop is not fancy.




You might work up an appetite - all of us enjoyed The Carnivore.




I recommend the show put on by locals at the park where we spent the night.




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Twitter  @GeoffWSutton https://twitter.com/GeoffWSutton


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Author Page- recent books: http://wipfandstock.com/author/view/detail/id/11609/