Night-time at the Waterhole, Ongava Lodge, Etosha
This was our first time to stay at a lodge with its own 'hide'. One walked down a series of steps that were screened from the waterhole, and into a camouflaged room just beside it, with high chairs to sit on and a shelf to rest one's camera on, looking out through openings just a few meters from the action. It was very exciting. Unfortunately, the lights that lit the waterhole area had yellow blubs, and it proved almost impossible to negate the yellow and make the photos more natural - hence the fact that these are all in black & white.
This was the first rhino of the evening to come down for a drink. These are Black Rhino, with the narrower mouth and elongated top lip. Whilst their eyes are poor, their hearing is very sharp and each time someone made a slight noise in the hide, it would stop and look around, and one time it came almost to the window.
There were blocks of salt around the waterhole, so the rhino would go and suck one, licking its lips, and the return for a drink.
Eventually it wandered off, and we were about to pack up and head for bed when another rhino turned up, so our sleep was delayed a little longer!
Whilst watching the Rhinos, a Spotted Eagle Owl also flew in for a drink of water...
Here is a brief video of the Rhino enjoying the salt and licking its lips:
Next: what we saw as we drove around the Ongava concession...
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