Christmas – a time for the family, friends and sharing. It is also a time to look back at what was a wonderful photographic year and planning for an even better one in 2015.
I wish you a wonderful Christmas surrounded by your family and friends. If you do not celebrate Christmas, I wish you a time of merriment, sharing and peace.
2014 is almost over and it is a good time to look back.
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
― Epicurus
I have selected a few images from the past year which I think reflect what has been a fantastic photographic year.
January 2014 – Cederburg in western Cape, Kagga Kama
Kagga Kamma on an overcast January afternoon looking south west out over the Cederburg mountains.
Having fun with landscapes at Kagga Kamma.
January 2014 – Walkerson’s, east of Dullstroom, Mpumalanga South Africa.
Cape Wagtail feeding a Common Cuckoo chick
February 2014 – Marievale Bird Sanctuary, near Nigel in Gauteng, South Africa
Relaxed but always alert – African Crake
April 2014 – Chobe National park, northern Botswana border with Namibia.
Unusual sighting of a Western Banded Snake-Eagle along the Chobe River in Botswana.
Fish Eagle almost caught a large bream in the Chobe river in Northern Botswana.
Breath -taking shafts of morning light beaming through the clouds at around 6h15 on the Chobe river in April.
Seeing double – Juvenile African Jacanas.
This fight was for real – two female Hippos going for it
Sunset at Jackalberry point on the Chobe river
May 2014-Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Lioness looking down the valley in Ngorogoro Crater.
Looking west in Ngorogoro Crater out over the Ngoitokitok spring.
A herd of impala caught this Lioness’s attention early one morning in the Serengeti.
Two young Lions, nomads, disturbed by a passing herd of Elephants in the Serengeti.
Young male Lion lying in the grass on top of a mound in the Serengeti grass plains
Red and Yellow Barbet at Lake Manyara, Tanzania
June 2014 – Tembe Elephant Park northern KwaZulu Natal.
Crested Guineafowl at Tembe Elephant park at last light.
Arch way through the indigenous forest in Ndumo Game Reserve.
Fish traps in the Kosi Bay estuary early in the morning
July 2014 – Giant’s Castle, KwaZulu Natal South Africa
Adult and Juvenile Bearded Vulture gliding passed the Vulture’s hide at Giant’s Castle
Adult Bearded Vulture gliding passed the Vulture’s hide at Giant’s Castle
August 2014 – Chobe river, north Botswana border with Namibia.
Young Sable drinking at Elephant Valley from the Chobe river.
If your brother is too heavy – a snorkel will come in useful.
Dead-tree display – A pair of Lilac-breasted Rollers flank an opportunist along the Chobe river.
Full display by a Lilac -breasted Roller.
September 2014 – Mashatu Game Reserve, south-eastern Botswana.
Young female Leopard peering through a fork in a giant Mashatu tree.
One cub needed a litle extra loving from Mum.
After playing around, the cubs calmed down and settled to suckle.
On top of Mmamagwa Hill looking west at sunset passed Rhodes Baobab.
October 2014 – Eagles Rock, Mpumalanga South Africa.
A Lanner Falcon giving a male Black Eagle a bit of a “rev” probably because the former’s nest was close by.
Male Black Eagle standing guard near the pair’s nest in Eagle’s Rock Estate.
October 2014 -load shedding, South Africa.
Rosy-cheeked Lovebird came to visit outside my office window.
“Cackling Widow” or Green Wood-Hoopoe posed momentarily outside my office window.
Crested Barbet- a regular visitor to the branch outside my office window.
December 2014 – southern tip of Mozambique,Ponte Malongane
On the beach at Ponte Malongane in southern Mozambique,looking north towards Maputo .
Lone yacht sailing the high seas. Image take directly into the bright morning sun-unadjusted.
Looking down towards Ponte malongane. Warm, almost no wind with soft pastel sunset shades of pinks, blues and peaches – sublime!
“I love Christmas, not just because of the presents but because of all the decorations and lights and the warmth of the season.”
Merry Christmas!
Explore, seek to understand, marvel at its interconnectedness and let it be.
Have fun,
Mike
Howie's Wildlife Images 
Have a Wonderful Christmas Mike. I look forward to seeing your postings in 2015.