This morning a friend Murray alerted me to a wonderful sequence of dolphin photographs by Greg Huglin. Have a look at them on the Daily Telegraph here.

The caption on one of the photographs (reproduced below) states:
'He [Greg Huglin] said: "I believe they do it for fun but it may also have something to do with mating and chasing potential partners. It might also be something to do with hiding from predators - the wave sounds help mask their location'

This reminded me of an experience I had surfing with dolphins from which I have deduced categorically that Greg is correct - they often really do surf for the pure joy of it. OK, I don't have a PhD in animal behavior or any scientific evidence to back this up, but I do have some personal experience to share.

One day I was surfing with a friend at my favorite place, Natures Valley. We were floating beyond the breakers when a pod of dolphins cruising down the coast paused (that is as much as dolphins ever 'pause') to investigate us or, it seemed, to say hello. After a minute the pod moved off except for three who hung back swimming around us and playing in the waves. They'd surf a wave and then return to us as if to encourage us to do something. We did our pathetic best to comply.

We had the most incredible time surfing with them, sometimes riding next to them on the same waves -a mind-blowing experience. Then they'd race back out jumping through the waves and wait for us ungainly terrestrial creatures to labor through the surf before riding the next wave together.

For the next two days we were granted this rare privilege. At about the same time of day each day a pod would come past and three dolphins - we presume the same ones- would stay back to surf. After a few good waves they would dart off to rejoin their more graceful friends.

I'm sure dolphins sometimes surf to catch a fish or impress a mate, but I have no doubt that this was all about fun. It would be hard to have any more fun than surfing with dolphins. maybe that's why they always look like they are smiling.


Natures Valley is on the Garden Route in South Africa. The Garden Route is a beautiful section of the southeastern coastline which starts a few hours east of Cape Town.

I grew up in Zimbabwe where we spent many wonderful weekends and vacations on a house boat on Lake Kariba, the largest man-made lake and reservoir in the world. We'd watch the wildlife, fish for the ferocious Tigerfish, and even water-ski despite the crocodiles. You'll never catch me water-skiing there again, but you will catch me further upriver aboard a much improved "houseboat", the Zambezi Queen.The Zambezi Queen sails the Chobe River, a tributary of the mighty Zambezi River that feeds Lake Kariba. It is a new 150-foot-long river boat described by its owner, Tony Stern, as a “five-star floating boutique hotel”. It truly is. It makes our old houseboat seem like a dugout.
The Zambezi Queen is eco-friendly, with solar-heated water, jet propulsion (instead of propellers) and limited air-conditioning. A breeze cools you as you cruise past some of the most spectacular scenery and wildlife in Africa. Welcome to the Chobe National Park in Botswana with it is teeming wildlife including approximately 120 000 elephants and over 400 species of birds.
All 14 suites with floor-to-ceiling windows have private balconies, modern colonial-style décor and plenty of mosquito netting. The ship also has a bar, reading room, plunge pool, and top-class service.The boat is also only 70km by road from one of the 7 great wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls, and just 3km from Kasane International Airport.
Activities include land-based game viewing, and tiger fishing. Water-skiing is not offered.
See you there!

I can remember coming across a baby spotted hyena (hyena cub) in Kruger Park when I was a kid and thinking with some surprise that the little guy looked quite cute. I was reminded of this today when I saw a few photographs on BBC's news site (click here). Let's face it - cute and hyena are two words not often used in the same sentence. But there the little fellow was. Just like in this picture below - cute in a slightly bear cub-way. Mom (or Dad?).... not so cute!

From BBC "Family matters to hyenas"
"Little fellow" might not be accurate. It is difficult to tell the difference between male and female hyenas. Their reproductive organs look similar externally and the majority of hyena species show little sexual dimorphism, with males being only slightly larger than the females. The Spotted Hyena is an exception to this, with females larger than males. Spotted hyenas are born dark and develop a new spotted coat. Younger hyenas have more spots.
As the BBC pictures reflect, these animals long maligned as nasty scavengers, turn out to be protective parents and accomplished hunters. Spotted Hyena societies are more complex than those of other carnivorous mammals and have been reported to be remarkably similar to those of cercopithecine primates (Old World monkeys incld. baboons) in respect to group size, structure, competition, and cooperation.
Hyenas are one of my favorites to see on safari and as importantly, to hear. There's something special about sitting around the fire at night and hearing them whooping and cackling.
Cute as I think the pups are, apparently looks can be deceiving. These pups are very aggressive and often kill their siblings.