giraffe in two parts

Christine and I were able to go to Johannesburg last weekend with our American Embassy cultural/educational liason Marjorie Balarin.

Christine generously agreed to share my interest in seeing some wildlife at Krugersdorp, before going on to Sterkfontein -- the Cradle of Humanity.

Krugersdorp is a small reserve only 45 minutes northwest of the city. In addition to seeing giraffe close up, we also saw rhino, wildebeest, sleeping lions and a small but nice bird sanctuary. One duck in the sanctuary
actually lets people "pet" him -- and he shudders and makes satisfying sounds when you do.

If you look closely at the tree limbs, you can see the huge thorns which cover the branches. Giraffes clearly can eat their way around them -- each thorn is bright white and about 2-3" long and very hard.

For fans of the novel/movie Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen (Karin Blixen), there is a moment when she forces her way through acacia bushes and is covered in bloody welts from the thorns.