Botswana - Okavango Delta
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The Okavango is the world's largest inland delta. The Okavango River has no outlet to the sea. Instead, it empties onto the sands of the Kalahari Desert, irrigating 15,000 km² of
the desert. Each year some 11 cubic kilometres of water reach the delta.
The waterways of the Okavango Delta are subject to seasonal flooding, which begins about mid-summer in the north and six months later in the south (May/June). The water from
the delta is evaporated relatively rapidly by the high temperatures, resulting in a cycle of cresting and dropping water in the south. Islands can disappear completely during the
peak flood, then reappear at the end of the season.
As luck would have it, many of the areas that would normally be above water this time of the year were flooded due to heavy rains rather than flooding from swollen rivers.
the desert. Each year some 11 cubic kilometres of water reach the delta.
The waterways of the Okavango Delta are subject to seasonal flooding, which begins about mid-summer in the north and six months later in the south (May/June). The water from
the delta is evaporated relatively rapidly by the high temperatures, resulting in a cycle of cresting and dropping water in the south. Islands can disappear completely during the
peak flood, then reappear at the end of the season.
As luck would have it, many of the areas that would normally be above water this time of the year were flooded due to heavy rains rather than flooding from swollen rivers.
Clearing the Runway, Okavango Delta
Papyrus in the Shallows, Okavango Delta
Sunlit Before the Storm, Okavango Delta
Reflection, Okavango Delta
Lily Pads with Papyrus Shadows, Okavango Delta
Reflections of Clouds at Dusk, Okavango Delta
Sunset, Okavango Delta
Flame Lily, Gloriosa Superba, is the National Flower of Zimbabwe
Name this plant, Magenta Ribbons, Pink Furls, ???, Okavango Delta
Could Be Edible, Okavango Delta
Pied Kingfishers, This pair of expert fishermen inhabit shallow
waters throughout the region. The female is on the left.
waters throughout the region. The female is on the left.
Malachite Kingfisher, one of the smallest and handsomest of the
kingsfishers
kingsfishers
Yellow-billed Stork, Okavango Delta
European Bee-eater, Okavango Delta
Hamerkop, Okavango Delta
Carmine Bee-eater, Okavango Delta
Little Bee-eater, Okavango Delta
Saddle-billed Storks in the Rain, Okavango Delta
Egyptian Geese Taking Off, Okavango Delta
Male Comb Duck. This protuberance is very attractive to the females
Red-Billed Francolin, Okavango Delta
She doesn't look very dangerous, Leopardess, Okavango Delta
Out of the Tree, Leopardess, Okavango Delta
Making a Hairball, Okavango Delta
Elephant Yoga with Props, Okavango Delta
Regular mud and dust baths help protect elephants' skin
Catching a ride. We came upon a fast-moving troop of baboons.
Unfortunately, the grass was so high very few photos were possible.
Unfortunately, the grass was so high very few photos were possible.
Sable Antelope. Sable are one of the shyer antelope
species. We usually saw them moving away from us.
species. We usually saw them moving away from us.
Hoping for a better view, Leopardess, Okavango Delta