This week’s challenge by the Zentangle Diva is in honor of her grandmother, Ardath, who succumbed to breast cancer. The challenge was to use the color pink in Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA) to honor loved ones we’ve lost to breast cancer and those who are survivors. I’d also like to dedicate my composition to medical researchers who are at work every day trying to find better treatments and cures.
Fortuitously, I recently worked on a Zentangle “tile” where I meant to use the color red as an accent, but I was working in poor illumination (no doubt trying not to wake up the man with whom I share a bed). In the light of the next day, I realized I had used a pink pen instead of a red one. Here’s what happened.
Zentangle Diva Challenge 190
Meanwhile, back in South Africa, we’ve learned that one needn’t go very far away from Cape Town to find wild animals. We do have an “official” safari near Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa on our itinerary for later during our trip, but we’ve already spotted wildlife that produced “Toto, I don’t believe we’re in Philadelphia anymore” moments.
This beautiful cheetah is part of a cheetah outreach program that is seeking to protect Africa’s most threatened great cat.
One of the most important things the Cheetah Outreach program in Somerset West, South Africa is doing is to breed Anatolian Shepherd Guard dogs and to then support farmers who will use them to guard their livestock from cheetahs instead of killing the cheetahs.
On our walk to Cape Point, next to the Cape of Good Hope (how cool is that!?!), we came across these cheeky baboons hanging out by the path in Table Mountain National Park.
Baboons we came across in Table Mountain National Park while hiking out to Cape Point.
The problem is that if you are carrying food or have food in your car, they want it — and they’re a lot more nimble than humans — not to mention that they have seriously large teeth.
It’s not only the baboons that can hurt you. Apparently, ostriches DO NOT bury their heads in the sand. If you mess with them, they would much sooner peck out your eyes or deliver a powerful kick.
We found this warning sign at the Cape Point Ostrich Farm and in case the warning wasn’t sufficient, Mr./Ms. Ostrich is making it clear that s/he doesn’t much like you — nothing personal. Wild ostriches can also be spotted in Table Mountain National Park.
On a quite windy day with plenty of white caps, we took a boat ride in Hout Bay out to a rock popular with Cape fur seals. (I would like to thank the person who provided me with a zofran (ondansetron) dissolving pill. Otherwise, the trip is not one I would recommend for anyone who gets sea sick).
There were plenty of Cape fur seals out on a rock in Hout Bay outside Cape Town. However, this is not a breeding colony as it is too windy to be safe for seal pups.
We didn’t come to South Africa expecting to see penguins, but in 1982, African penguins started arriving at Boulder Beach near Simon’s Town on the Cape peninsula. There are now approximately 3,ooo breeding penguins that populate this False Bay beach.
Some of the 3,000 African penguins at Boulders Beach, False Bay outside Simon’s Town, South Africa.
Many people come to South Africa hoping to see the Big Five (African lion, African elephant, Cape Buffalo, African Leopard, and White/Black rhinoceros), but there is no need to go on a safari to be able to get close up to interesting wildlife within an hour of Cape Town, South Africa.
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for this wonderful post. OSTRICHES ARE DANGEROUS, one of them was searching once in my bag, but found nothing,
Thanks for stopping by, Val. I’m still more afraid of snakes than ostriches. They have spitting cobras and puff adders here. Shudder.
Your photos brought back lovely memories of our time in Cape Town, nearly 6 years. Yes, you don’t have to go far to spot wildlife. I hope you get to see lots. Shamwari is pretty close, and along the very pretty Garden Route, but I’m sure you have a wonderful itinerary planned and can’t wait to read and hear more about what you get up to.
Johanna, we are setting off on the Garden Route on Saturday after Dr. Excitement’s conference and from there, we are going on a safari near Kruger National Park.
We recently met a kite surfer from South Africa who extolled its many virtues and got us seriously excited about planning a trip there. And your pictures of the wildlife only fuel the fire! Looking forward to all of your posts from this amazing country.
Pictures are fantastic. I’m sure my wife and I would love to go there. Amidst all the wildlife, Mindy would be in seventh heaven. Give my best to Dr (Mr.) Excitement; tell him we are holding down the fort in his absence, that the world is still spinning on its axis. :-):-)
I will most definitely let Dr. Excitement know that he’s covered back at Penn, so he can look for elephants and zebras with an uncluttered mind.
In 1983, Kruger was the best of the safaris I went on (Kenya, Tanzania, & S. Africa). The vehicles of the (no longer existing) Harry’s Huts, part of the Mala Mala group, were open. The trackers were knowledgeable and the communication with other vehicles tipped our drivers off to what could be seen and where. Whatever the language they were using, it was foreign to us, so each twist and turn held a fantastic surprise. We were less than 10 feet from a pair of lion/lioness in the process of mating. And we saw not one, but 2 leopards — rare to see any at that time! South Africa is a gorgeous country, with lots of different climes, as you have already discovered. Enjoy!
Billie, so far we’re really enjoying our time here and we’re really looking forward to our time on the Garden Route and on safari in the Thorny Bush preserve.
The trip sounds great, Suzanne. You already saw Jackass Penguins, one of the few species I haven’t seen yet. In South Africa you’re really not that far from Antarctica.
Enjoy Kruger, a whole different experience, and I look forward to a full report!
David, somehow I missed the name “Jackass” penguins. We were told they’re African penguins.
Those baboons by Table Mountain remind us of the cheeky monkeys in the Ubud Monkey Forest in Bali – if you carry bananas, they’ll jump up all over you. The trick is to visit without food or jewelry or anything they might think they can eat. Your Cape Town trip sounds wonderful…
The warning signs about the baboons are quite specific. They also recommend making sure your car doors are locked and windows are up if you are stopped because the baboons know how to open car doors.
So nice that you have a goodly amount of time in the Cape Town area (truly among the gems of the world). You’re nudging out fond memories of my own 6 week solo backpack across RSA and Mozambique 10 years ago.
Glad to hear you’ll be going on safari near Kruger (my great, great, great ancestor was, yes a bigot, but nonetheless got both a gold doubloon and a wondrous wildlife park named after him) 😉
Couple things that spring to mind I’d highly recommend you try to do if possible: both a night safari (when the lions, etc. are out hunting) and a dawn “walk” (only recommended with several sharp-shooter guides with rifles along – askmehowIknow!) 😉 But seriously, both or either I found to be the highlights of my safari in Kruger NP.
Dyanne, very interesting that I actually have met a real live Kruger. We are very much looking forward to our safari time. I still think you were very brave to backpack across South Africa and Mozambique ten years ago when you were my current age—–which shall remain unidentified. 😉
Great tile! Love those cute hearts!
This looks like such a fabulous trip! I love the photo of the cheetah as I didn’t get to see one on my safari 🙁 The seals are adorable. Love your Zentangle with pink. For some reason I liked he warthogs I saw in the Serengeti perhaps because they are so ugly they’re cute to me.
The only information about warthogs I’ve seen was on a menu in Stellenbosch. Not my first choice.
Sounds like you are having a great trip so far and you are definitely covering some great spots. So much to do in cape town its hard to choose sometimes! Enjoy kruger too is is s special place
Thanks for pointing out the kinds of animals you see near Cape Town. I’ve always wondered about that.
Your tile is pretty cute with the falling ‘leaves’ and I think your use of pink is really appropriate though it was unintended. I also enjoy all your photos very much 🙂
Love it! Baboons opening car doors! What a terrific introduction to South African wildlife. Bet you can’t wait for your safari!
Your tile is very pretty and I love the photo’s and your story.
What a whimsical and delightful Tile, Suzanne. Love your design and colors. So fun. Your pics are wonderful.
I hope the combination of two of my passions (Zentangle and travel) in the same posts is not bothering some people. It doesn’t seem to be—-at least the for the folks who leave comments. 😉
We loved seeing the penguins at Boulders Beach. They were such fun to watch! Even they can be dangerous if you get to close.
Have fun in Kruger, we never made it up that far but then we did spend five days in Etosha National Park in Namibia so we got so see many wild animals there.
We really loved our time and the scenery in the Eastern Cape. We stayed at a fantastic place by the coast called Bulungula where we got to experience life with the locals.
Ruth
I love your tile Suzanne, very creative! About animals living freely, I’ve probably only seen monkeys, I’ve seen elephants in Thailand but they were in a natural park to be protected and saved from human abuse. I’d love to see more animals in the wild and simply observing them from far away, learning about their habits, their way of living… one day!
Franca, given your interest in protecting animals, I think you and Dale would greatly enjoy a visit to South Africa.
I think so too! Thinking about it Suzanne 🙂
I love the combo of your Zentangle drawing with the post. It shows us a bit of you behind the scenes! How great to see so many animals without even being on a safari. Biggest surprise is the penguins!
Thank you Alison. I used to try to hide myself behind “nothing but the fact” blog posts, but a bit of me would creep in and those have proved to be my most popular posts, do for now, I will continue to continue in that vein.
My first trip to Africa took me to Namibia. Really seeing all the big animals from zebras to giraffes was very exciting. I couldn’t get over the fact that elephants just wandered by one’s vehicle. The whole safari experience is a thrill. Hope you have a great time.
The wild animals we’ve been able to see around Cape Town have me very much looking forward to the “real” safari experience.
Well, Suzanne, you’ve done it again. The tile first, so pretty and I’m glad you accidentally got pink, it works so well. the patterns are well chosen and it’s just an altogether good tile.
And then the travel – what can I say? Book me a ticket, I’m on my way! You make it come alive. Keep on travelling and keep on telling us about it.
Maggibee, thanks for your kind words. I hope to be able to continue to share 2 of my passions: Zentangle and travel. .
My most memorable wild animal living in its natural habitat is Alpha Hubby. Heh heh.
Seriously cool picture you have going on there – I love going on vacation with you (well, it’s vacation for ME).
…not picture, PICTURES – more than one.
Ha. Alpha hubby sounds like quite a creature.
Nan, except for wanting to share what I see and experience via this blog, our travels are basically vacations for me courtesy of Mr. Excitement’s speaking gigs at conferences around the US and the world. I honestly had no idea this would be the trajectory of his career when we were married. I don’t think he knew either. We’re both immensely grateful for the opportunities to visit places together. Carpe diem.
I must put South Africa on my Bucket List!! I really enjoyed your post and photos!
Lovely ZIA.
Your tile is very well done. I especially like the Diva Dance. Thank you for sharing your adventure with us. Penguins? WOW!
This was wonderful, Suzanne! I loved your drawing, regardless of the pink. You made my day by including the picture of the cheetah. After Golden Retrievers and wolves, they are my #3 all time favorite creature on Earth. That is awesome on the Cheetah Outreach program with the Shepherds and protecting and preserving vs killing those beautiful big cats. I’ve had the honor of seeing wild wolves in Yellowstone. I hope this finds you well and I have missed my friend! 🙂
Mike, thanks for stopping by. I am looking forward to reading about your re – inaugural flights and how you enjoyed Seattle.
I visited to see your diva response but I really enjoyed hearing about your travels abroad. How cool. Baboons are not to be messed with. The auto safari at Great Adventure NJ had them when the park opened and they destroyed everything in sight. You asked about animals, i’ve seen great horned owls, coyotes, rattlesnakes, javelina, lizards of all kinds, bald and golden eagles, some serious hawks, scorpions, spiders, tarantulas….all sorts of desert fauna. Have a brilliant day! c
Cheryl, I’m glad you enjoyed both aspects of my post. I hope you’ll come back some day to follow along. I promise there will be more animal photos as next week we will be staying at a game preserve next to Kruger National Park.
I like the pink! And the hearts dangling on a thread. It’s poetic. I have a sister who is a breast cancer survivor and a dear friend survived it as well. My other sister did not survive throat cancer. Whenever we can stop to remember and/or be grateful, it’s a moment well-spent.
And I for one would take the word of the ostrich and steer clear. In Australia we saw Kangaroos lounging on a golf course fairway. It was pretty hilarious. 😉
It sounds and looks like you are having a fabulous time! Ostriches are mean!!!!! I had an encounter with a kangaroo once…it wasn’t to warm and fuzzy:) I am amazed that you saw penguins there! I would have never known that they were in South Africa! Pretty amazing. Oh…and the zen tangle tile is pretty amazing.
O would love to see all of those gorgeous animals up close.
Thanks for the heads-up about ostriches. I’ll keep that in mind the next time I encounter any.
Re the penguins at Boulders. They were indeed called jackass penguins for as long as I can remember, but a number of years ago they were “renamed” African penguins.
Loves reading about your trip to my country. An African safari should be on EVERYONE’S bucket list. If I could go on only one more holiday in my life it would be a safari, and esp. to Botswana or Tanzania as I have been to a number of game reserves in SA.