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The two pictures above are of a group of hippos snoozing on the bank of the estuary.
This is my short of the hippos snoozing on the bank:
The hippos started to wake up and head for the water:
Matriarch
Matriarch lumbers
Down the graded embankment
Evacuates dung
To mark her territory
Don’t impede her free passage
This is my short that goes with this poem of a hippo spraying dung:
My video of a hippo entering the water in the estuary:
I nearly forgot the Nile croc
Lastly, here is my recital of my poem, Handbags and Shoes from Lion Scream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjiJ0RmL58Q&t=2s
roberta-writes.com 
What a great collection of photos and videos Robbie! I cannot wait to go on my first Safari….we are targeting summer 2025….plenty of time to imagine and plan – your trips are spectacular!
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Hi John, that is wonderful. I am planning a trip back to St Lucia during the turtle season. I want to see them laying their eggs on the beach.
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I am always amazed by what I learn from you. AND your drawing is spectacular!
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Thank you, Annette. I am very fond of animals.
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Hi Robbie. These are some great doors and I really enjoyed your pictures and videos. Hippos like to snuggle just like the rest of us! They look like slow animals but I know they can run fast. Thanks for sharing your trip pictures!
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Hi Barbara, when you look at them all in a heap like this, they look sort of sweet and cuddly, not deadly animals. I really enjoyed seeing the hippos so nicely and learning so much more about them.
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I admit I had to jump on Wikipedia to learn how fast they move!
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Up to 45 Kilometres per hour. They don’t look like they can move fast, do they?
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Definitely not! It makes me think of defensive ends in American football, who have to be big, but also very fast.
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Great photos and video.
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Thank you, Timothy.
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Fantastic photographs!
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Thank you, Danny. This was such a great trip. The hippos sightings were amazing.
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I forgot to say how wonderful your drawing was but it gets to be a bit boring to keep saying how brilliant you are all the time. I’m pleased I’m not Japanese, otherwise, I would be contemplating a spot hara-kiri on the same day as England looks to be winning the fourth test match against Australia to go 2-2 with one test to go.
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Hi Danny, that sounds very exciting. My biological father was a huge cricket fan. I’m glad you like the drawing, I am still learning but it’s relaxing and therapeutic for me.
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Looks like another amazing place to hang out. Thanks for sharing with us.
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My pleasure, Craig. I am delighted that people enjoy these pictures.
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How exciting! I love the photos and learning of your experience.
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Hi Kymber, I am delighted to know that.
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That was a wonderful post. Your Hippo drawing–along with your other talents, drawing is truly what you are meant to do. That is amazing. Loved the videos of the hippo. Even watched the one of them sleeping (where nothing happened!). I want to go with you next time!
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Hi Jacqui, I wonder if their were hippos during Lucy’s time. They would make an exciting addition to one of your stories.
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There were–for Lucy. Not sure about Neanderthals and hippos in Eurasia. I’ll have to check on that.
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I want to be a hippo.🦛❤️
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Although they look sweet and cuddly all piled in a heap, hippos are dangerous and best left in the estuary – smile! They are lovely to watch though.
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Further reason to want to be a hippo.😂 A splendid creation indeed. Love seeing your pictures of them.
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🥰🌷
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Your Hippo drawing is excellent, Robbie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete, it was a lot of work but worth it.
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I hope you get it framed and on the wall. 🙂
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🥰
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the Hippo drawing is spectacular Robbie!
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Thank you, Wayne. It took me a long time to draw and colour, but I like it.
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Your reading on YouTube is excellent, Robbie. Amazing drawing of the hippo!
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Thank you, Vera. I’m really pleased you liked the reading. I never listen to the recordings because I don’t like my voice.
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I think your voice sounds classy!
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🤗💕
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Your drawing is incredible!
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Thank you 💓
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You are welcome!
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The hippo photos and videos are fantastic! I love your drawing as well. A fun adventure for all of you. xo
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Hi Darlene, I was a great adventure and I’m glad my drawing turned out well.
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Great pictures and videos of remarkable creatures, Robbie. Your drawing and poem are fantastic.
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Thank you, Tim, I appreciate your comment 🌸
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The pictures and videos are fascinating, Robbie. Thanks for sharing them with us.
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My pleasure, Dan. Such a marvellous boat trip.
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Wonderful pictures, videos, and reading!
Considering how dangerous hippos are, it kind of makes you think twice about wanting one for Christmas. 😉
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Hi Andrew, I have a good camera so the hippos weren’t as close as they look. I love them from a distance. I’m glad you enjoyed this post 💞
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You’re welcome. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
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I love all the hippo photos, Robbie! I still wish going to a safari oneday, even though the chances are slim for many reasons. Your drawing is fantastic. My daughter gave me a set of watercolor pens. I should use them to do some painting. I got my watercolor paint out and wanted to do some painting, but I should try to find my pen set. They’re somewhere in the garage. We still have things to unpack!
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Hi Miriam, art is very restful and therapeutic. I haven’t tried painting yet but I am enjoying the drawing.
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Definitely, Robbie! My daughter and I watched the YouTube painting demonstration, then painted a picture. We may do it again.
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That’s great
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🙂
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The hippo photos and videos are…wow, Robbie! The hippo entering the water seems to be eyeing the camera. 🙂
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Hi Dave, we were very fortunate to have such wonderful sightings. The hippos are looking about for any signs of danger but they are used to the boats so they don’t mind them.
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Oh! Robbie I am always so amazed at how much we can learn from your fabulous posts. Oh! I have to say that drawing is wonderful 💜💜💜
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Hi Willow, thank you, we had such a wonderful time. I am loving the drawing 🥰
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I love the drawing too
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Great drawing! I think you’re very brave to get soo close!
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Hi Jan, I have a good camera, they weren’t as close as they look.
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Amazing creatures, Robbie. Thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure, Jan. Welcome back 🌷
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WOW! Your drawing of the hippo is fabulous! A++++
Love it. I adore this entire post, videos et all!
Thank you!!!!
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Hi Resa, I am so pleased you like the drawing and the animal pictures. I really loved visiting the hippos.
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Excellent!
I’m glad you visit your nature.
You create a fabulous window for us armchair nature people.
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Oh, Resa, you always make me smile. Armchair nation is funny. You have Tofino and there are lots of black bears there, and eagles.
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True… and Lynx. It’s just that Africa’s animals seem so majestically important. Yes, all animals are important.
Thank you Roberta!
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Yes, animals are wonderful and important.
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OH! I’d say that open mouth in your hippo drawing counts as a door.
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Not a door I’d want to pass through 🤣.
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🤣.
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Wow majestic and dangerous animals, great photos, an incredible drawing, beautiful poem, and I loved your reading and the short too. It is a very enjoyable post.
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Hi Thomas, thank you, I’m pleased you enjoyed the variety.
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Your hippo drawing is incredible! When I lived in Florida, we visited an animal park featuring hippos. There was a sign warning people to stay clear of the “splatter zone.” Needless to say, we heeded the warning.
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Hi Liz, that is quite funny. Staying out of the bite zone is also wise.
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Uh oh. They bite, too?
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Oh yes, they kill 500 people a year.
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I didn’t know that. Are they carnivores?
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No, they are vegetarian, but they are very territorial. Most human deaths are because the person came between a mother and its baby.
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Robbie – your drawing is superb as if your photography. You are a Renaissance woman!!!
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Thank you, Rebecca, I’ve started drawing a giraffe now.
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Hippos, yes. Reptiles…. no. Although I had no idea that they sprayed that way.
Robbie, your artwork looks so professional! I’m captivated by your hippo. Thanks for all the videos and the Youtube link. It’s always nice to hear your voice. Hugs.
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Hi Teagan, I am really enjoying the drawing. I started a giraffe last night. I’m pleased you like the videos. I was thrilled to get such good sightings.
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Wonderful. I hope to see the giraffe when you’ve finished.
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🌹
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This is wonderful, Robbie. What a treat to see these animals. Your watercolor drawing is superb!
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Thank you, Jennie. This boat trip was wonderful.
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I bet it was!
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Great drawing. Well, of course you can draw. I’ve seen your baked constructions. They are so scarred. Do they fight alligators or each other? Or just get cut by the rocks? And speaking of alligators, my oh my, Mr. Alligator. What big TEETH you have!
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Haha, the croc certainly has a big set of teeth and they are very vicious. The hippos do fight with each other and sometimes they kill each other.
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I am not surprised. Squirrels — little furry adorable squirrels — fight to kill each other. Rabbits also fight to the death. It’s a tough life out there in the bush or the water.
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You are right
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Your watercolour is superb, Robbie.
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Thank you, Mick
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Amazing photographs of hippos. Love your drawing and poem too, Robbie.
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I’m glad you enjoyed this post.
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🙂
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What a great picture of a hippo you drew, Robbie! We went to St. Lucia about 15 years ago. I remember heat, heat, heat, The Pitons, a sunset cruise, and sulphur springs.
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Hi Stevie, I think you were in St Lucia in the Caribbean. This is a small town in South Africa which is a nature and wetlands conservation centre. It was a wonderful place to view crocs and hippos and the beaches are very beautiful.
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Ah, I see. I thought you meant St. Lucia in the Caribbean. I must admit, I didn’t see any hippos there!
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No such luck, I’m afraid, by the local St Lucia was pretty impressive with its wildlife.
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Robbie, your doors are wonderful but the hippos are just remarkable! I saw your amazing drawing on Facebook! How awe-inspiring to see these huge animals in their environment. Wonderful poem. Have a great week my friend!
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Thank you, Terri. The hippos were amazing, a very gratifying trip.
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gorgeous art, Robbie! when they’re not looking scary, they’re adorable!
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Thank you da-AL. Hippos are lovely from a distance.
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I’ve been traveling for several days, Robbie. I saw your hippo drawing on Facebook and was duly impressed. What can’t you do?
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Hi Pete, thank you, I’m glad you like the drawing. I have no sense of direction and cannot get from A to B easily at all. It is not a nice thing to be bad at.
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WOW! Your drawing is AMAZING! The photos, the videos, and your poem are all INCREDIBLE! The only part I guess I didn’t see was the dung marking, (but I’m okay missing that part). I’ll say it again: You are SO talented! ❤️❤️❤️
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Thank you, Rachel, I am delighted you liked this post and I appreciate your comment 😃🌼
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Hi Robbie, your photos and videos are amazing! Those sleeping hippos look so sweet. Haha! And your drawing is fabulous! The talent you have is unending! I enjoyed listening to you read your wonderful poem too, and that Nile croc even gave you a profile smile. I’d love to go on a trip like one of these. Maybe someday. 💞
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Hi Lauren, I am very privileged to see so much wildlife in our reserves and sanctuaries. I try to take full advantage. I’m glad you like the drawing.
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Animals are my ‘thing’ to draw 🌻
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And we’re all happy that they are. 🥰
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What an amazing adventure, Robbie. Thanks for all the photos and clips, and your watercolor is fabulous. I had to do a doubletake after reading the caption. You have incredible talent, my friend.
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Hi Diana, thank you, I’m glad you liked this post and my picture 💞
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Your dawing is wonderful. It is sad to note that too many hunters are ‘un-natural’ and are blind to the beauty of true cycles.
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Hi Jules, thank you, I appreciate your comment very much 🤗
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(((Hugs)))
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