With the official kickoff of the holiday season, I hope you will be getting together with family and friends, kick back, and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.  Whether big groups or small, these moments are precious and provide healing for the soul, particularly in this often  challenging time.

We only need to look at the animal kingdom to see how easy this is. Animals live in the moment – they don’t think about what just happened or what may occur tomorrow.  Their lives may often be in danger from predators or lack of food or shelter – or even worse from the savagery of some humans – yet, they still find time to just relax,  play and even exhibit affection.

Let me share with you some of these special moments that I have been lucky enough to capture with my camera.

Hyena love

Elephant pile on:

Mud fight:

Of course after playing in a mud pile – momma elephant gives baby a bath:

Everyone in the hippo pool (also see first photo above):

Making that holiday trek with family and friends:

 

 

Gathering for the feast:

Apres – meal coma:

 

Instead of watching football post meal, lions, too stuffed to move, just watch some elephants amble by:

And if you are lucky – you too can take that delicious nap:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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