The Cornells, I Presume?

My first memory of the existence of Africa and the Serengeti occurred while sitting in the dreaded Dentist's office. I was 8 or 9 at the time and going to the Dentist in the early 60's was not a particularly fun experience. While killing time in the waiting room, I came across a well thumbed copy of National Geographic. There was a picture of a lion on the cover, his teeth bared in a nasty snarl. Lovely teeth, I might add. The article was filled with pictures of the migration of Zebras and Wildebeests that occurs annually in the Serengeti. But what really captured my attention and made this moment memorable was the centre fold of a bare breasted African women. My first naked breasts. A few days later I saw an advertisement for Tarzan, King of the Jungle that was coming to our local moving picture theatre. A story of a young boy lost in the jungles Africa and raised by Apes. Saturday morning found me in the front row of the theatre with a nickel bag of popcorn dripping in real butter. The only bare chests I saw that day were on Tarzan and Cheetah the Monkey. But I never gave up the fantasy, so here I am almost 50 years later standing on a kopjes (big rock) looking out over the plains of the Serengeti ever hopeful. But sadly, bare chested African women seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Another childhood dream snuffed. But the migration continues and it more than made up for it. To see it, is not to believe your eyes. Tens of thousands of animals wandering in search of food and water. This year has been very dry and has left the wildebeests and zebras a little bewildered. Rain means life on the Serengeti, without it the nutrient rich grasses will not grow. With out these soft grasses, the calves cannot feed. The wildebeest have the ability to delay the birth of their calves by up to 90 days. This year they were using these days up waiting for the rain and the grasses to come before giving birth. I can feel all you mothers out there cringing.

Hippo pools are interesting places and a microcosm of our world. The ability for these huge animals to live cheek to cheek in such a small place is a testament to why they are one of the most dangerous animals here. Cranky would be an understatement.

Jackals are not as comfortable around Toyota Landcruisers so are not seen as much as the other predators. Perhaps they prefer Land Rovers.

The gazelles are known as the MacDonald's of the Serengeti. If you stare carefully at their butts, you will notice a marking that looks unmistakably like the "Golden Arches" or the letter "M". And out here on the Serengeti they put the fast into "Fast Food"

Baboons may look cute, but don't leave the windows open when they are around. Rumor has it, they will shit on your seat and help themselves to your lunch. Sounds like a lot of people we know.

Sorry for the delay in these blogs. Accessing the site has become increasingly difficult. Thanks for your patience.