Kurt and I half-joked, half-wished to see a National Geographic moment during our recent trip to Kruger National Park, but I was secretly grateful we didn’t. I have a difficult time just watching anything resembling the circle of life on YouTube, and didn’t think I could really sit and watch it unfold live in front of me.
When I was looking for information about Cape Buffalo (aka African buffalo) calf, I came across an amazing video titled “Battle at Kruger.” SPOILER ALERT: A buffalo calf survives an attack by both lions and crocodile! Apparently this was a viral video a few years back, and I was somewhere in Lala land when it came out, because I never knew about it. The video was so popular that they created a website and social media following from it. Cape buffalo are fascinating. I’ve never considered “herd mentality” anything but a negative attribute, but when you see this video, you’ll understand why I finally see a positive side. I’ll share it with you at the end of today’s post.
In the meantime, I have some buffalo calf photos to share with you from Kruger, as Part Three of this week’s “Baby Big Five.” Our new South African friend says that there is a saying about the expression on a Cape Buffalo’s face: “They always look at you as though you owe them money.” It immediately made me think of a photo I used in the Big Five Cape Buffalo post:
I went back through my photos of African buffalo, and sure enough, everybody thought I owed them money. But this is a “Baby Big Five”, so how do those young buffalo compare in the “You owe me money!” look?
Apparently, a calf has yet to grow into the look. I call this the “You don’t owe me anything. Really. It was a gift. Go ahead and keep it. Really. It’s fine.”
And this I call the “I’d like to suggest that you might need to pay me back, but only if you’re sure it’s okay.” In other words, I call this “The Marla look”:
Happy Over-the-Hump Day!
Love, Marla
Special thanks to Claire Bowie regarding today’s post. You know why. 😉
You do such a terrific job! I save your spot so even if I am delayed in getting here, I don’t miss your travels. I think you are right, they grow into the look.
Your blog is sooooo wonderful, Marla!! The pictures and your commentary are terrific! You have a real gift! Thanks so much for sharing. I should apologize, I think, (definitely), for trying to talk you out of going. Your trip over there is one of the best parts of my life!