Storm Brewing near Otjiwarongo

A storm is brewing as we make our way south towards Okonjima Lodge, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. This is one of my out of the window while travelling photos. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Storm Closing In

Closing in on the storm on our way to Okonjima Lodge, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. This one taken through the windscreen as the car was travelling. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Rain Storm

The heavens opened as we drove along the unsealed road into Okonjima Lodge, south of Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Our Bush Hut

Our Bush Hut at The Plains Camp at Okonjima Lodge at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Our Lodgings

We stayed at The Plains Camp at Okonjima Lodge, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. It was wonderful looking over the plains from your bed and hoping for a wild animal to amble past. We saw lots for Warthogs from here. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Black-backed Jackal

Early the next morning we left Okonjima Lodge for our first field trip. The first animals we saw was a family of Black-backed Jackals, Canis mesomemelas, lurking in the grass beside the road. Okonjima National Park near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Red-billed Spurfowl

We drove past this Red-billed Spurfowl, Pternistis adspersus, on our field trip at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Notice the spurs on the back of his legs ! Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Fellow Travellers

Our guide stopped at this high point to attempt to track a leopard in the vast expanse of the Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. We all stood and looked over the vast flat plains below. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Dead Tree

A dead tree in Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Leopard

This is the first Leopard we saw, easy to miss in the bush and long grass. We knew he was nearby as our guide was using a tracking device and some of the leopards are fitted with tracking collars. Later he emerged from the grass and trotted off down the road in front of us. Pity we only really had the view from the rear as he went on his way. Leopard, Panthera pardus, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Leopard

This is the moment the Leopard walked out of the bush and on to the road in front of us. Love the way his tail unfolds upwards. Leopard, Panthera pardus, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Leopard

After she emerged from the long grass, she walked down the road in front of the safari vehicle. She turned and paused here for a moment. Leopard, Panthera pardus, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Giraffe

Small Giraffe watches as we pass by. Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Giraffe

Licking his lips and obviously enjoying his breakfast. Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Giraffe

Suddenly it seems as though we are surrounded by Goraffes. Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Giraffe

They are such curious animals. Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Portrait of a Giraffe

Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Giraffe

Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Acacia Thorn Bush

Vegetation in Namibia comprises of a lot of Thorn Bushes and Trees. I believe this is a form of Acacia Thorn Bush. It always amazes me that birds and animals effortlessly move through the bush without becoming tangled in thorns. We saw this vegetation at Okonjima National Park near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Dung Beetle

These Beetles use their hind legs to roll the dung along at an amazing speed. Dung Beetle, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Male Southern Masked-Weaver

Male Southern Masked-Weaver, Ploceus velatus, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Male Southern Masked-Weaver

Male Southern Masked-Weaver, Ploceus velatus, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa.

African Hoopoe

African Hoopoe, Upupa africana, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater

A young Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Merops hirundineus, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Lesser Grey Shrike

Lesser Grey Shrike, Lanius minor, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Male Impala

Male Impala, Aepyceros melampus, in Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Male Impala

Male Impala, Aepyceros melampus, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Hartmann's Mountain Zebras

It was lovely to see some Mountain Zebras up close. Until now we had only seem Plains Zebras and one Mountain Zebra far into the distance. Hartmann's Mountain ZebraEquus zebra hartmannaeat Okonjima Lodge, near Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region in Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Hartmann's Mountain Zebra

Hartmann's Mountain ZebraEquus zebra hartmannaeat Okonjima Lodge, near Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region in Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Hartmann's Mountain Zebra

We saw this beautiful Hartmann's Mountain ZebraEquus zebra hartmannae on our first field trip from the Okonjima Lodge, near Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region in Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Hartmann's Mountain Zebra

Hartmann's Mountain ZebraEquus zebra hartmannaeat Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region in Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserve

Hartmann's Mountain Zebra

Hartmann's Mountain ZebraEquus zebra hartmannaeat Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region in Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserve

Hartmann's Mountain Zebra and Foal

Hartmann's Mountain ZebraEquus zebra hartmannae and foal at Okonjima National Park near Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region in Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserve

Blacksmith Lapwing

We were watched as we passed by by this Lapwing standing on a large mound. Blacksmith Lapwing, Vanellus armatus, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserve

Leopard

After an hour of fruitlessly searching, this Leopard emerged from the bush. It is a different animal from the first. It was actually me who spotted this beautiful animal just as the guide was about to give up, much to the delight of the other passengers and the chagrin of my fellow traveller. Leopard, Panthera pardus, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Leopard

This is where he settles into a comfortable position to watch. We didn't know that he was watching an termite mound. Leopard, Panthera pardus, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Leopard

Leopard, Panthera pardus, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Leopard

Leopard, Panthera pardus, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Common Warthog

Then leopard pricked up his ears and suddenly pounced from his spot in the tall grass under the trees. There was a lot of noise and squealing going on but we couldn't see from our position in the safari vehicle. Our guide moved the vehicle in time to see mother Warthog retreating up the road as fast as she could go. By this time the leopard was up a tree with one of the baby Warthog piglets. Apparently Aardvarks dig holes in termite mounds. Warthogs often shelter in them to protect their young. Leopard was watching the termite mound and out came Mother Warthog with her four piglets and pounce there's breakfast. Common Warthog, Phacochoerus africanus, retreating to find her remaining piglets to protect them at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Leopard With Warthog Piglet

Leopard, Panthera pardus, with a Common Warthog piglet at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Leopard With Warthog Piglet

Leopard, Panthera pardus, with a Common Warthog piglet at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Giraffes

You don't often see a Giraffe lying or sittig down, I am told, especially in areas where they are in danger of predators as they are in this area. Giraffes, Giraffa camelopardalis, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Sengi

We stopped to photograph Pin-tailed Whydahs which were flitting around when I spotted what I thought was a mouse. I nearly didn't bother with it. I am so happy I decided to try and take a shot of the tiny animal. I couldn't get close as I was confined to the safari vehicle. It turned out to be a Sengi, I am not sure which one but I suspect a Bushveld Sengi. They used to be called Elephant Shrew. Sengi, Elephantulus intufi, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Scaly-feathered Finch

Scaly-feathered Finch, Sporopipes squamifrons, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Scaly-feathered Finch

Scaly-feathered Finch, Sporopipes squamifrons, with nesting material at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Yellow Canary

Colourful little Yellow Canary, Crithagra flaviventris, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Acacia Pied Barbet

Acacia Pied Barbet, Tricholaema leucomelas, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Male & Female Pririt Batis

Female on the left, male on the right. Pririt Batis, Batis pririt, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Steenbok

Steenbok, Raphicerus campestris, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.

Yellow Mongoose

Yellow Mongoose, Cynictis penicillata, at Okonjima National Park, near Otjiwarongo, in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, Africa. Photographed March 2015 - © 2015 Lesley Bray Photography - All Rights Reserved.