Honey Badgers...Looking back three months ago....A tribute to animal intelligence...
This video, presented by Brian Jones and Africa Geographic is one of the most amazing examples of animal intelligence that we've seen without any training by humans. We were fortunate to see these Honey Badgers when we visited the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center only three months ago. Last night this video appeared on my Facebook homepage.
While visiting the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre we were impressed by the opportunities for veterinarians, students and volunteers whose passion revolves around wildlife. If you know of somehow who could benefit by this program, please refer them to this link where there is a wealth of information about the student and volunteer educational program. What an ideal segue into wildlife for future veterinarians!
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| Our photo from this January while we visited the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre in Hoedspruit, South Africa, a day we'll always remember. Last night, as I gave Facebook one last look before heading to bed, I noticed this video had been posted on my home page by Africa Geographic , one of my favorite "likes." (Feel free to "friend me." I'm easily found by my email address: jessicablyman@gmail.com). When I clicked on this video about these two Honey Badgers, we both watched with baited breath. After less than 15 seconds into the video, Tom says, "These are the Honey Badgers we saw at Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre when we traveled to Blyde River Canyon (which we'd coincidentally mentioned in yesterday's post). We realized that the familiar voice was that of the renowned Brian Jones, manager of the facility and world naturalist and advocate for saving the rhinos. While we visited the facility, Brian spoke to the group of visitors in a classroom environment where we were mesmerized by his knowledge and passion for wildlife. On January 19, 2014 we wrote a story with several photos of our visit to Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre which was without a doubt, a memorable experiences in many ways as shown in our photos; seeing these same Honey Badgers, interacting with a Cheetah, Vultures and other animals as shown in our post. If you'd like to review those photos, please click on this link below: Retracing our steps from such a short time ago has made us realize how little time we actually had to learn in about the in depth characteristics of many of the wildlife we've seen in our travels. It was only while living in Marloth Park for a full three months that we had the glorious opportunity to live amongst the wildlife, observing and studying their behaviors, often on a daily basis, that we actually felt we had a chance to get to know them to some degree. |
As for Morocco over the past 24 hours, we had quite a day and night. Before noon each day, Adil stops by to see if we'd like Madame Zahra to cook our dinner, giving her ample time to shop and prepare our dinner.
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| The wet floors of the souks required walking with caution as we made our way to a restaurant for dinner. |
Yesterday, we declined, after decided to stay in all weekend due to the huge tourist crowd in the souks due to spring break and Easter weekend. Itching to get out, we didn't give declining dinner a second thought until a wild rainstorm ensued in the afternoon.
Lighting and thunder flashed through the air as the pelting rain poured into the riad's open courtyard. Keeping in mind that riads are built and furnished with the possibility of ran, the house suffered no ill effects. But, when we wanted to go the bathroom or to refill our iced tea, we had to carefully walk around the edges of the courtyard to avoid getting wet while in the house.
This reminded us of the outdoor living room in the house in Kenya where we lived for three months from September 1, 2013 to November 20, 2013, where we had no where to go during rainstorms, other than by moving the outdoor furniture out of the way of the incoming rain to avoid getting wet.
Staying in the salon all day, we waited for the rain to subside so we could leave to go out to dinner. Rains pours into the slats in the souk's roof leaving the shop owners no alternative but to cover their wares in huge plastic sheets.
By dinnertime, we decided we may as well head out. It appeared the rain would continue well into the evening. Putting on our hooded jackets, we walked erratically through the souks in a feeble attempt to avoid huge puddles, stepping on grates and the splashing from the fast moving motor bikes.
It was almost an athletic event, as we wove in and out rapidly making our way to the closest restaurant on our favorites list, Arabe. Holding hands as we always do when walking through the souks, watching each step over slippery surfaces, we made it up and back without incident.
Without the opportunity to cook our own meals based on the conditions of the rental, yesterday was a perfect example of a time it was more difficult. We'd never chose to go out on a night when the pouring rain, thunder and lightening were at full force.
All in all we made it, after a pleasant dinner returning none the worse for the wear. Tom turned on the little heater in the salon, we bundled up, staying warm as we watched a few of our shows.
Again, the crowing rooster awoke me at 5:00 am along with the call-to-prayer. Hearing them both at the same time made me chuckle over the irony. In Boveglio Italy, in only a matter of two nights, we adapted to the sound of the bell tower ringing twice an hour. Here, I haven't yet adapted to the crowing of the rooster. Go figure.
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No photos were posted from one year ago today, April 22, 2013 but the post included a warning from the captain of the ship we were on at the time.
On occasion, in the past, we didn't post any photos on some days. Now, we do so each and every day. On this date a year ago, our ship made a detour to drop off an ill passenger in Bermuda. It was due to this detour that our ship, the Norwegian Epic, ending up in the eye of a storm lasting for three days as told in tomorrow's year ago story. Please check back tomorrow. For details of the written post for April 22, 2013 with the captain's warning, please click here.