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Neil Barker's avatar

That's something I did not know about the Cape Buffalo and the nnumber of annual deaths caused by them. Definitely not one to mess with. Looking forward to the next part of the story and the lion bite!

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Bill Southern's avatar

Amazing pictures as usual, Lois. And, I look forward to hearing, “the rest of the story.” (Apologies to Paul Harvey).

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Part II is almost ready to launch, Bill.

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Jo l jeffus's avatar

Ricky is on the edge of his seat with the good ole boys!!

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

I’m not surprised. I don’t think I should carry this suspense for too long. I’m surprised Ricky didn’t know about the Lion Bite. It’s not everyday that a man goes to South Africa and comes home chomped by a lion!

The good part was he had a tetanus shot just before we went to South Africa. Everyone was very concerned about making sure he’d been vaccinating recently for tetanus.

Best to you up there in your mountain home!

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Dan Cushnie's avatar

Wow! Incredible photos. Those four fellas sound suspiciously like they might have been on a hunting trip, but I hope not!

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Hamish Easton Mackay Dawson's avatar

Enjoyable travel story with amusing input from the ole boys. Went to Kruger Park in 1987 as part of a holiday I won. Didn't see anything like as much as you. and the reason was the old Cape Buffalo. Saw him all right but couldn't help seeing him because he blocked our path for nearly an hour, restricting the amount of time available to spot animals. Like you, managed to see a giraffe, which was exciting because you could just make out her head and then she came into full view.

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

As I mentioned, Hamish, it didn’t take us long to figure out that Kruger wasn’t a zoo. No guarantees.

I’m glad you didn’t mess with the Cape Buffalo. From what I understand, the odds were with him.

Part II of my “Lion Series” will be posted next week.

Thanks for reading Expect the Unexpected.

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Hamish Easton Mackay Dawson's avatar

Yes, exactly, not a zoo. You see what you happen to see and that's that. It's better that way as you see them in a natural way. I only saw two animals but will never forget them. As for the Cape Buffalo, he just wasn't in a hurry, and the driver, aware of his destructive power, didn't even sound his horn so we just waited until his majesty deigned not to block the road any longer!

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Fauhn Schierer's avatar

Love this. Reminds me of our trip to Kruger many years ago. And Botswana. I’ve got a great picture I took of Cape Buffalo and lions I love to share with you.

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

I’ve been thinking about you, Fauhn. I’ll give you a call during some of my many hours of drive time. I remember you really enjoyed your South Africa trip. Talk to you soon!

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Stone Bryson's avatar

Such a wonderful and informative story - I'm like them Waco boys, on the edge of my seat... 😉

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Me too… it’s a real nail biter. It didn’t take long to figure out that a Safari isn’t a trip to the local zoo. Watch for Part II.

Thank you for restacking this posting, Stone. I really appreciate your support of my work.

Best to you!

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Sandy Shaller's avatar

Lois, you are a wicked, wicked woman. How could you give us a lion bite cliff hanger???!!! It's a wonderful travel story as usual. I loved the guys from Waco whose whole collective brains were riveted on one thing only...the lion bite. Is that a real picture of your husband telling them the story? The Waco boys look like brothers.

As usual the photographs and travel diary is terrific.

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Sandy, Can you imagine? Hubs goes to South Africa and gets bit by a lion? What an experience. Part II will be posted soon.

The picture of the Waco Good Ol’ Boys was created by AI. I was surprised at how AI was able to pick up on on the detail I gave it. It has come a long way. I noticed the Good Ol’ Boys all have similar facial features. I could have continued to edit the image and change their facial features. I also could have changed the coloring so there wasn’t as much brown and green in the clothing. All in all, I was just amazed the image turned out as well as it did.

You, Sandy Shaller, are the King of Cliff Hangers! Obviously I learned the technique from you, Sir!

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Wyrd Smythe's avatar

Ha! I remember this story. Funny one!

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

I assure you Wyrd, if you republished one of your complicated mathematical Substacks I wouldn’t recognize it was a repeat. The world needs people like you who are math and science wizards because there are also people like me who don’t excel in those departments.

I’m a smart-cookie though. I married an Engineer. He’s a wizard like you in the math and science departments and he’s always willing to help me out.

Watch for Part II of “Lion” coming soon. Then I’ll be switching gears to a North American wild beast.

Best to you, Wyrd.

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Renato Zane's avatar

With a lead-in like "He got bit by a lion!" don't leave us hanging so much... it's tantalizing! (Nicely done.) Interesting fact about zebras. Thanks for another cool romp overseas.

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Thank you, Renato.

It does seem odd that zebras are black with white stripes. They look white with black stripes to me. However, their skin is black, so I guess that is the determining fact.

Kruger National Park was an amazing trip.

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Rob Riley's avatar

a bite on the arm from a lion is no joke

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