Linda's Magic Workshop - Linda Britt Design

   African Animal Babies There is nothing like a baby and that goes for animal babies too.   Moms and Dads take care of the youngsters in the wild by feeding and teaching.   I thought I would share some baby pictures with you. We were able to see a lion cub encircled by new growth of trees that reminded me of a playpen that gave some protection against predators. A baby Masai giraffe paraded across the dirt road in front of us.   Not a care in the world.   He or she was not very old since the umbilical cord was still attached and swinging.   The fluffy pom poms on her head will soon become horns like moms.   We wondered where mom was. Young zebras stayed close to the adults.   They all needed to be ready to run in case of danger.   When the whole herd runs the stripes make an optical illusion and the predators have a harder time singling one animal out for a kill.                                                                                                           

Looking out across Lake Manyara , I see heads of graceful tall giraffes moving toward a shallow stream of water.   They stop occasionally and seem to be as interested in me as I am in them.   And then they continue on their journey.         A pregnant female is studying the water.   She wants a drink but the water seems so far below her.   She stands beside the stream and then turns to it spreading her front  legs and lowering her head. She is not yet close enough.   She can just reach the grass on the other side.   She parts her front legs, bends them more and turns.     She drinks and drinks.   Water splashes as she raises her head.   She is wary and wants to see who is near.   This giraffe is out in the open and exposed.   I sense her fear and caution.   This land is dangerous for a solitary animal.   Another giraffe comes to the same area and instead of getting a drink as I expect, she stands beside the mother-to-be and stretches her long neck across the exposed back g