Crocodiles

I hadn't planned on being enamoured with crocodiles. But I was. They were creatures of stealth and opportunity asserting themselves into any situation that had potential for a feed. Up close I came to understand the obsession for croc skin products last century. 

Their exterior layer presents as armour covered in thick bony plates or osteoderms. This rough texture allows them a natural camouflage and certainly - we had to watch where we were at all times because they were the masters of invisibility.

The beautiful  gray, green and brown tones blended into the murky waters and rivers edge foliage.

I so wanted to touch that beautiful outer, but recognised it was not in the best interests of my hand, or foot, to do so.

*Warning* The next set of images are gruesome.

 I however found the behaviour fascinating, although glad  I didn't actually see the moment of kill.

Mid afternoon we happened across 2  huge crocs that initially we thought were mating, as they were gliding around side by side.

 Upon closer inspection we discovered one had a leg bone in his jaws. What else was under the water we wondered?

In a sudden flurry of white water the two crocs separated to either side of the river inlet. One had the head of a young buffalo, the other the hind quarters. They both grabbled with trying to swallow their prey by smashing it into smaller pieces and throwing their bodies

out of the water in a ferocious display of strength.The drama quietened down for a few minutes, it seemed the head had been devoured

but the one with the body was struggling. Eventually the sound  of a crocodile burp  disturbed the moment of quiet,

up came the buffalo body and he proceeded to repeat the thrash and throw procedure all over again.

We left them to their buffet and belly aches and as the boat retreated we sat quietly processing the moments we had witnessed

with  for these   awesome ancient reptiles.