Category: Travel

The Lion’s Share

2nd October 2024
TravelWildlife
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Close-up of a lion

The sun was shining high in the African sky when Lion, Jackal, and Wild Dog went out hunting together. It did not take them long before they had brought down a wildebeest, a springbok, and a hare.

Lion spoke to Wild Dog. “My cousin, how shall we divide our food today?” Wild Dog answered, “My King, I think that you should have the wildebeest, our friend Jackal should have the hare, and for myself, I don’t mind if I have the springbok.”

Lion’s eyes had grown wide and fierce. He raised his mighty paw and knocked Wild Dog to the ground. With one eyebrow raised, Lion turned to Jackal, “Now, my good friend, you may like to divide our meal a little better.” Jackal spoke with a serious heart, “My King, the wildebeest will be your lunch, the springbok will be your dinner, and the hare you shall have for breakfast tomorrow morning.”

Lion was taken aback, “Jackal, when did you become so wise?” Jackal responded simply, “When I saw Wild Dog lying on the ground.”

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How The Giraffe Got Its Long Neck

19th September 2024
TravelWildlife
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Giraffe

This is a charming African story explaining the long neck of the Giraffe.

In the beginning, the Creator gave the Giraffe the same legs and neck as all the other animals; in fact, the Giraffe resembled the larger antelope. All was well until the drought came.

As the best grazing and browsing were eaten, the animals began to go hungry. One day, Giraffe and his friend Rhino were talking, “Oh, Rhino, there are too many animals looking for grass on the plains; all they do is trample the last remaining grass.” Despite the dire situation, Giraffe’s determination to find a solution was unwavering.

Rhino suggested they go see the man-magician, a wise and powerful figure known for his ability to solve problems. After they told him their story, the man-magician told them to come back at noon the following day, and he would help them.

Giraffe, filled with hope, went to see the man-magician. They waited and waited for Rhino, who, unfortunately, had forgotten the plan.

Finally, the man-magician gave the Giraffe all the magic medicine, including Rhino’s share. That potent potion made his neck and legs grow long. Since that day, Giraffe has been able to feast on the succulent leaves on the treetops, which he now has all to himself.

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The Origin of the Elephants

12th September 2024
TravelWildlife
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Elephant portrait in black and white

This is a charming origin story, said to come from the Kamba tribe in Kenya, explaining elephants’ intelligence.

Long ago, there lived an extremely poor man. For years, he lived with extraordinarily little, and eventually, he became very tired of his poverty. At last, he went to see his witch doctor to ask for help. “Go and see Ivonya-ngia,” he advised,” he who feeds the poor.”

When he reached Ivonya-ngia, he asked, “Please tell me how I can become rich.” Ivonya-ngia told his herdsmen, “Give this man 100 cows, 200 sheep, and 300 goats.” No, no, no,” said the poor man, “I do not want charity; I only want advice on how to become rich.” The rich man thought for a while and then gave the poor man some ointment: “This is a magic ointment. You must rub it on your wife’s pointed teeth. Wait for them to grow, then take them out and sell them.“

The man did what he was told, and within a few weeks, his wife’s teeth had grown as long as his arms. He took them out and sold them, for they were pure ivory. He did this several times, and he became wealthy. 

A jealous neighbor came to ask him how he’d become so wealthy, and he gave the same advice, “Go and see Ivonya-ngia.” Soon, the neighbor was rubbing the magic ointment on his wife’s teeth. They grew and grew.

Unfortunately, the man had not been told to take the tusks out and sell them. Eventually, the woman’s face grew strange, her body swelled to an enormous size until she turned into an elephant. Finally, she burst through their little hut and she ran off into the bush. There she gave birth to a son who was a baby elephant, and there they remained. 

That was the origin of elephants, a species still as clever as people.

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Another Cover Photo!

7th September 2024
PhotographyTravel
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Australian sea lions(Neophoca cinerea)
Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea), Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

I’m grateful and honored that Canon Sweden chose my photo of these cute Australian sea lions as their Facebook cover for September. I am so excited to share my passion for wildlife photography with a broader audience!

The Facebook page of Canon Sweden

This is what the Canon Romania Facebook page looks like now; I’m so proud!

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How The Zebra Got Its Stripes

26th August 2024
TravelWildlife
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A zebra walks leisurely ahead of its harem in the Marakele National Park, South Africa.
A zebra walks leisurely ahead of its harem in the Marakele National Park, South Africa.

This is a charming story said to come from the San people of the Namibian Kalahari Desert.

Long ago, when the sun was still new in the sky and shone too hot, the land had very little water. The little pools of water that did exist were so precious to the animals that they were willing to share, understanding the importance of this life-giving resource.


One of these pools was under the watchful eye of an arrogant Baboon. He declared himself the ‘master of the water,‘ his arrogance towering over the other creatures. He forbade any other creature from even approaching his pool, going as far as to light a fire near the pool during the cold winter nights to protect his ‘possession.’


One day, when the sun was very fierce, Zebra was searching for a drink. Now in those days of long ago, Zebra wore a coat of pure white. He came across the pool and was about to drink when the angry Baboon barked, “You dare to trespass! This is my pool, and I am the master of the water,” The Baboon barked in fury. “This water is for all of us,” Zebra retorted.


This angered Baboon even more, and he bared his sharp fangs and shouted, “If you want water, you must fight for it!” The battle began. The dust rose in clouds as they circled each other, their eyes blazing with fury. This way and that way they went, until with a mighty kick of Zebra’s hind legs, Baboon went flying high into the rocks behind them, landing smack on his behind.


Since that day, Baboon still shows the bare, red patch where he landed. Zebra, with the force of the kick, stumbled backward into Baboon’s fire. The hot sticks scorched stripes across his white fur. Shocked, he galloped away back to the dusty veld, where stripes and all he stays to this day.

The Baboon and his family remain high up among the rocks, where they bark in defiance at all strangers. When they walk around, they still hold up their tails to ease the sore rock burn of their bald patched bottoms.

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My Second Cover Photo!

1st July 2024
PhotographyTravel
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The Erechtheion, Athens (Greece) in the golden light of sunset

I’m feeling grateful and honored as Canon Romania chose my photo to be their Facebook cover for the month of July. I am so excited to share my passion for photography and travels with a broader audience!

This is what the Canon Romania Facebook page looks like now; I’m so proud!

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