Not a lady's best side unless you're a leggy model but these gals don't seem to care that I snapped them from behind. To me they also resemble our indigenous wildebeest (what do my South African readers think?)
Last week Grant took me to the new workshop on the edge of the desert. Camels had been grazing in and around the workshop yard in the industrial area while he supervised a job there. When we arrived we found a flock (no, the collective noun for camels is not a herd, as I'd previously thought!) of camels. Grant immediately identified them all as females. When I asked how he knew, he said they all had udders. (doh, Jo!)
I jumped out of the Landcruiser with my camera and began to click away. I managed to get so many photos of these ladies (they move incredibly fast and I had to delete many images depicting half an animal!) that I have decided to do a few consecutive posts over the next few weeks.
I've also decided to add an Arabic word of the day following in the footsteps of my dear friend, Misalyn, who originally helped me with Arabic phrases and words when I first arrived in the Sudan. Thanks Missy! (You can read Misalyn's fascinating blog set in Al Ain, UAE here)
My Arabic tutor, Sanaa, is very strict and we converse mostly in Arabic during my twice-weekly lessons. Well, she speaks and I stumble. She is very caring and always encourages me with: "I understand you, carry on..."
The Arabic word for camel is JEMEL.
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Delightful post as always, Jo. Love sharing your adventures. Terrific shots of the Leggy Lasses! Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
How amazing to photograph camels like this...their backsides photograph well! I would love to experience the sight of camels in their natural world.
ReplyDeleteThese camels are so thin. Are are thye always like this?
ReplyDeleteLeer jy ook deur assosiasie?
ReplyDelete"Jemel" klink vir my soos "Djemel" (swartes se uitspraak van "hemel").
Nou dink ek: "Sjoe, as ek op 'n kameel moet sit, is die afstand van 'n kameel se rug na die grond... - hemelhoog!" ☺
Thanks Sylvia, I'm off to visit your blog too now. You're a darling to always pop in. I enjoy your visits very much. Thanks:)
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn;) It is quite amazing,isn't it? I was thrilled my husband took me out there to photograph them. It's good to see you again.
Hi Ann;) Yes, I think so. These are wild, desert, feral camels. Seeing as we've just finished winter in the Northern Hemisiphere and there has been no rain in North Africa, the food is not too plentiful, I think. They do survive on these dry thorny bushes, though. You should see the cats I feed downstairs our courtyard. So wild that they only creep up to the food once I've left and SO thin. We've been feeding a stray dog since last August and if you saw him then, you'd have wept. He's been dewormed and fed daily since then and looks almost normal. Except he's wild and still very wary of humans. Thanks for popping in. I'll pop over to NZ shortly.
Hi Ida, ja ek leer ook so maar Arabies het BAIE woorde wat soos Sesotho klink en omdat ek Afrikaans ken, maak dit die ggghhh woorde soveel makliker. Net gister toe se Sanaa vir my hoe my uitspraak baie goed is, en ek dink dis omdat ek Afrikaans kan praat. Ja, die assosiasie met die hemelshoog bo-op 'n kameel se rug is uitstekend. Ek doen dit gereeld. Debbie se jy, Carina en Carin was SO goed vir hulle. Kos geneem en haar sommer ondersteun soos sussies en ma's se sy. Dankie jy's 'n skat.
What a cool sight. Those Jemels do look a bit like wildbeast from the rear.
ReplyDeleteHello Jo, I came from a comment you left. Nice meeting you.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the jemels, Jo! You have the most amazing adventures. Thanks for taking me along. And thanks for your sweet comments on my post today.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking there couldn't be much taste in that scraggly bush, but they seem to be enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, each jemel has a different coloured coat.
Hi Gaelyn;) I thought you'd see the resemblance! Thanks for popping in.
ReplyDeleteHi Ocean Girl, thanks for returning the visit!
Hi Pat;) yes, life is a bit adventurous here!
Hi Violet Sky;) they have something to eat while they wait for the lusher bushes to grow lusher! I looked at the photo again and yes, they all do have different coats!
wow! that's amazing, you're so blessed to see those "JEMEL" because not all people could see those creatures.
ReplyDeleteNeat post, Jo.. I'm so proud of you learning Arabic.
ReplyDeleteGreat JEMEL picture... Pretty little females --even from the back side... ha
Hugs
Betsy
I love camels ! they have such long eye lashes and such a proud look ! I knew the word I also know that cat means otta !
ReplyDeleteI notice some of the camels seem to have zebra-like stripes on their back legs. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteI like my new Arab word. Maybe I can even remember it for awhile. Jemel. It sounds almost like an endearment.
Hey Jo! Haven't visited in a while, but this one caught my eye. In Egypt, we pronunce it gamel. I think they you all pronounce it is much prettier. ;o)
ReplyDelete