I reached a milestone just the other day – five years of blogging! Although initially i was a reluctant blogger and got off to a slow start i’m now hooked by the WordPress community spirit.
Thank you to my fellow bloggers who’ve followed, commented, liked, engaged in topics and made it all worthwhile. I enjoy the connection to this virtual world where i can pop over to the far corners of the globe, discover all manner of information; get involved in ‘conversations’ and be inspired so that my bucket list of destinations grows ever longer.
Those who follow my posts will know that my interest is documenting the activity on the urban edge, the overlap between humans and wildlife.
My story really started with Fred and this is the shot which kicked it off –
It was during the summer season of 2008 that Fred, the alpha-male of the Smitswinkel baboon troop came to the attention of residents and motorists in the area for his emboldened raiding of houses and cars. He was to become quite an urban legend and even has an entry in Wikipedia.
This scene is a classic “Fred” shot but one which is overlaid with much pathos. While we laugh at the situation, it smacks of a sense of failed ‘conservation awareness’. Why would baboons want to raid cars, what was the attractant? Was this learned behaviour and who are the real culprits in these scenarios?
Hope you’ll watch out for further posts as i dig through the archives on my”Retrospective Journey”.
Nature on the Edge 
Wow Liz, quite the shot. I hear you on the conservation awareness but that notwithstanding, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime shot!!
Congratulations – that’s quite a milestone! Looking forward to the retrospective 🙂
…and also a situation never to be forgotten! Splendid shot and a lovely story.
Congratulations to solid five years of blogging, Liz. We look forward to more from your retrospective journey. 🙂
Dina has said it all. Great shot and I too look forward to more 🙂
That shot is remarkable and really caused a double take.
Congrats on reaching your 5th blogiversary, Liz. That is something to be proud of!
Congratulations Liz, I’ve loved seeing nature on the edge through your eyes. Does the troop still raid or has their behaviour changed?
Guess I must be just a few days from five years too.
Nice picture of a family outing. And congratulations with 5 yrs of blogging. Keep going!!!
Congrats Liz and thank you for keeping us entertained and enlightened!
Congratulations! As I’m only a recent follower I’m looking forward to the next five years while enjoying your archives in the meantime.
Is Fred still around? How do you persuade him to get out of your car? I guess it can get a bit scary I’ve heard they have bad tempers…
Congratulations to you, Liz, and to us who are enlightened by your interesting posts 😀
My answer flew out the cyber way…CONGRATULATIONS, Liz, and to us who always enjoy your enlightening posts!
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Congratulations, Liz!
We’ve enjoyed everything you shared from your side of the country since we started following your posts, and look forward to the “flashbacks”in great anticipation!
I love this image of Fred with the youngsters and the mounted image of it which you gave me has pride of place on my bedroom wall. Poor Fred, it’s been 4 years since his untimely death, but our memory of him hasn’t faded! Thank you for your wonderful blog, Liz, I look forward to joining you on your retrospective journey … ❤
Wonderful image to salute your five years with the WordPress community. I for one can say how happy
I am that you are here.
Happy fifth blogaversary!
And RIP to poor Fred
Wow, Liz! Great pic, and funny too.
Congratulation on this milestone. And cheers to WordPress! Keep sharing. 🙂
Love the photo! Congrats on your 5 years. That’s a great accomplishment.
Wow… Five years? Amazing! I just finished three
Congratulations! What a fun capture – amazing!
Five years have flown by haven’t they? I find that as well as a great way of communicating blogs also serve as a personal record of how things have changed, or sometimes more comfortingly, stayed the same. Here’s to the next fascinating five years!
Very true, Theresa – I hadn’t thought about blogging in those terms,. It is satisfying to see emerging patterns and also to reflect on change. This urban-wildlife interface is a robust space 🙂 Must admit I’ve become more observant and aware of nature’s cycles. It’s fascinating in the wider context too, it’s great to be able to connect through this rich blogosphere 😊
You and Gilly both! (5 years- but I’ve ‘known’ Gilly for most of my 4 🙂 ) It definitely looks an interesting subject and, yes, WHAT a shot! Many thanks for your visit to mine.
True, Gilly goes way back and it’s great to have her ‘company’. That’s when i wish i could materialise through the ether and join in for a cuppa and chinwag….
Congratulations for sustaining your blog activities that too on a different subject! Happy fifth anniversary and all the very best for future!
Thank you. It’s been a very worthwhile journey.
Welcome and my best wishes!
Congratulations on your fifth anniversary: a great achievement. I’m roughly halfway through year three and I’ve found the community interesting and compelling. That is an amazing shot. I remember the stories of Fred. We were still living in Cape Town, then. Now, when we drive through to Cape Town, we have to watch for the various troops that inhabit the areas around the N1, and in particular the Du Toits Kloof pass. Conundrums and paradoxes. All the best for the next five years!
Thanks for your good wishes Fiona. The blogosphere really does open up horizons. Glad to know that you’re in my ‘neck of the woods’. Poor old Fred made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Isn’t it a worry that the troops on the mountain passes forage so close to the busy national roads?
Congratulations, Liz! I wish I can make it that far. 🙂 Thanks for sharing the wonderful world of the wild with us. We’ve not had many chances to explore wildlife. I wish we could change that. I’m amazed at almost every animal interaction we’ve had. There’s so much more to learn/experience.
I’ve found the WordPress community to be equally supportive and encouraging. All the best for your journey ahead!
Thanks Cheryl; and much luck with your adventures, especially your new chapter going forward in South Korea. I look forward to reading about your discoveries.