I always enjoy traveling with my family, especially now that my grandchildren are older and can help decide our destinations and plan our itineraries.
Over the holidays, my daughter, Alexis, her children, Jude and Truman, our friend Ari Katz, and I spent a very interesting seven days in the Republic of Namibia, a country located in Southern Africa that shares borders with Angola, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean. We toured the area with Micato safaris. We traveled through Etosha National Park and the Ongava Game Reserve. We journeyed through the Kaokoveld Desert which stretches into the Skeleton Coast from the northwestern part of Namibia. During the trip, we saw a host of different animals including elephants, zebras, antelopes, impalas, giraffes, white rhinos, and so many more. We learned about the diverse vegetation and the alabaster salt pans. And we spent time with a local Himba tribe in their small village to understand how they've adapted to life in the desert for generations.
You may have seen some of my photos on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48. Here are a few more, enjoy.
In December when my grandchildren are on holiday break from school, my family and I often travel somewhere exotic and interesting. Last month, we went to the Republic of Namibia in Southern Africa. The name of the country is derived from the Namib desert, believed to be the oldest desert in the world. The word Namib means “vast place”. Flying to our destination, we were able to capture many stunning desert photos.
Namibia is the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa. The general climate of Namibia is arid with an average of more than 300 days of sunshine per year.
The first wild animals we saw were in the Ongava Private Game Reserve. Ongava is home to more than 300 species of mammal and 340 species of bird, and an abundance of amphibians, reptiles, and insects. The white rhino is the largest and most social species of rhino.
The springbok or springbuck is an antelope found in south and southwest Africa. These animals are active mainly at dawn and dusk and found in harems, or mixed-sex herds.
The springbok is characterized by a white face, a light brown coat marked by a reddish-brown stripe that runs from the upper foreleg to its rear, and a white rump flap. It is a slender, long-legged antelope and weighs between 60 and 93 pounds when mature. Both males and females have long black horns that curve backwards.
This is a plains zebra, the most common and geographically widespread species of zebra.
These zebras are also very social, forming harems often with a single stallion, several mares and their recent offspring. All members of the group keep watch for predators, alerting each other through various barks and snorts.
Weaver birds are named for their artistically woven nests. The nests come in various sizes and shapes, with different material used to build them. The most intricate nests are built by the males. The males build many nests until the female accepts one and agrees to breed.
We were lucky to see many giraffes. In Namibia, giraffes are widely spread across the dry savannah habitats, including open grassland, and woodland. The two subspecies of giraffe found in Namibia are the southern giraffe and the Angolan giraffe.
Namibia giraffes can grow to more than 18-feet tall, but despite their characteristic long necks, giraffes actually have the same number of neck vertebrae as humans – seven.
And, like fingerprints, no two giraffes share the same pattern. Giraffes also have excellent vision. They can see in color and over great distances frontally, and their peripheral vision is so wide-angled they can almost see behind them.
The Baobab tree, Adansonia digitata, is a tree species found in Africa. Baobabs are long-lived deciduous trees with broad trunks and compact crowns that can live to be thousands of years old.
Desert elephants or desert-adapted elephants are African bush elephants that have made their homes in the Namib and Sahara deserts in Africa. They have have broader feet, longer legs and smaller bodies than other elephants, and their diet varies with the change of the seasons.
Elephants use their trunks for drinking, eating, cleaning, navigation, playing, and more. Their trunks are incredibly strong and can lift objects that weigh more than 550 pounds as well as store up to three gallons of water. Both males and females have tusks.
This is called a dassie rat, a medium-sized rodent that has adapted to life in the rocky outcrops of the desert hills and plateaus of southwestern Africa. Its fur ranges from pale gray to dark brown. The dassie’s head is broad and flat and its body is extremely flexible making it easy to squeeze into tight places.
On this day, we went to visit the Himba people, semi-nomadic tribe of hunter-gatherers.
The Himba people are predominantly livestock farmers who breed fat-tailed sheep and goats. They also grow and farm rain-fed crops such as maize and millet.
Members of a single extended family typically dwell in a small village, consisting of a circular hamlet of huts and work shelters.
Women and girls tend to perform more labor-intensive work than the men, They are busy carrying water to the village, collecting firewood, cooking and serving meals, caring for the children as well as making handicrafts, clothing and jewelry.
The men are mainly responsible for tending the livestock and farming.
Both the Himba men and women wear traditional clothing that works best in the hot semi-arid climate. Women wear skirt-like pieces made from calfskins and sheep skin and occasionally sandals for footwear.
The women are known to cover themselves with otjize paste, a cosmetic mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment that cleanses the skin over long periods and protect it from heat and insects.
This tribe of Himba people also makes lots of crafts that they are able to sell for money. My family bought several handmade ornaments from them. Here is one man standing by his woven bowls and trays and other pieces.
This woman made vessels and handmade dolls. Some pottery is made using mud, and sometimes clay. Himba people also use metal for bracelets, necklaces & other jewelry. They are very innovative and entrepreneurial.
Here I am standing with members of the Himba tribe. They are dignified, friendly, and willing to take photos.
If you ever want to treat yourself and your family to an interesting trip and safari, consider Micato Safaries and go to Namibia. It is definitely a journey of a lifetime.
Outside the New York City area, we're expecting temperatures to climb to the high 30s today after a string of windy, biting cold days in the 20s. Although it has been very cold, it's "business as usual" at my farm - my gardeners, grooms, and outdoor grounds crew are all busy caring for the animals and gardens.
To keep a farm running efficiently, there is always a long list of chores to complete. I create very detailed notes of all that needs to be done from week to week. Some of the tasks include cleaning the coops and making sure the birds have access to warm bedding and free flowing water, mulching the gardens to keep them insulated during this winter season, organizing indoor storage spaces, pruning and feeding the potted trees, "cleaning the woods" of debris and fallen branches, and more. It's also a good time to make sure everything is in good working order before any more inclement weather arrives.
Here are some photos.
My Chinese geese don’t seem to mind the weather at all. All my geese have access to heated shelters and thick hay beds, but they all love to walk around their enclosure and watch the activity around the farm. Chinese geese are refined and curvaceous. They hold their heads high and have long, slim, well-arched necks. Their bodies are short, and have prominent, well-rounded chests, smooth breasts and no keel. Mature ganders average 12-pounds, while mature geese average 10-pounds.
Cesar Felix, who helps me care for all my birds, checks the water several times a day. When it’s this cold, water troughs need to be emptied of ice and then refilled, so the birds always have access to fresh drinking water.
This is one of my four exotic golden pheasants. Cesar constructed two shelters from fallen branches and covered the structures with hay. These gamebirds use them often when not in their coops.
On cold days, some of the peafowl perch indoors. These peahens are quite happy. Peafowl are pretty tolerant of cooler weather also. Their feathering and ability to regulate body temperatures help them to stay warm.
These peacocks are outside, seemingly un-phased by the cold and always on alert.
Cesar replaces the bedding once a week and makes sure everything is in good working order in the coops. On the wall is a Sweeter Heater, a safe, reliable and easy to install heating source. I have two in every section of each coop.
When it’s really cold outside, my crew works indoors. Here’s Fernando organizing one of my basement spaces, so we always know where to find items when needed.
In the gardens, Phurba and some of the crew continue the big job of mulching the beds. This insulates the soil to protect plants from extreme temperatures and gives the beds a finished look. And because I make my own mulch here at my farm, I know it is filled with nutrients, which improves the overall health of the plants.
Adan spreads a two to three-inch layer of mulch over the area. In time, the mulch will also help to suppress weed germination and retain moisture. Do you know the difference between compost and mulch? Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed over time, while mulch is the layer of organic materials used as a protective cover.
Nearby, José trims back the plants that have lost their leaves. When cutting back perennials this time of year, they should be trimmed to a height of one to two inches above the ground, close to the dormant base of the plant.
Pruning, grooming, and cleaning up is also happening in my nursery of boxwood and potted trees. This fenced in area is behind my hoop houses and well protected from strong winds.
My gardener Josh checks each potted sapling and limbs up each specimen where it’s needed.
He’s working on these young bald cypress trees. Cypress trees such as deciduous varieties like the bald cypress, turn a rusty brown in winter as part of the natural dormancy cycle.
Look closely – my resident tree expert, Pasang Sherpa, is out there checking on the mature trees in the woodland, looking for those that need to be trimmed or cut down.
Out in the pasture, it’s time to bring the horses indoors. During winter, I prefer the horses stay in the stable at night when it’s cold. During warmer weather, they are turned out in the afternoon when it is cooler.
… And here’s Jimmy bringing in the donkeys.
Once inside the stable – Rinze greets his good friend Bond, who just returned from the equine hospital yesterday. He will be turned out with his herd after another week of stall rest.
Meanwhile, in another area of the farm, a shipment of cedar timber is delivered from Medford Cedar Products in Southampton, New Jersey. This wood will be used to restore my long pergola.
The wood is stored raised off the ground to help keep it dry and free from mold and rot.
It takes a lot of work to keep everything running efficiently all year round. On this day, the skies were bright blue, but it’s definitely cold. And forecasters say we may get a little more snow in the region this weekend. Be careful.
If you've ever shared your home with an animal, large or small, you know just how vital it is to closely monitor their health and behavior.
I currently have 10 equine residents in my stable - four Friesians, a Fell pony, and five donkeys. Last month, I got a big scare when Bond, one of the Friesians, began acting unusual - he was fatigued, drooling, and unable to eat his food. My longtime equine veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Kilgallon from the ambulatory veterinary practice, Miller & Associates, was called in right away. After a series of diagnostics, it was suspected that Bond was suffering from botulism, a rare but very serious condition caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves. Bond was rushed to Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in Ringoes, New Jersey, where they had the proper medications. Under the close care of Dr. Rodney Belgrave, Bond slowly recovered and now three weeks later is finally back at my farm looking and feeling himself once again.
Here are some photos and advice on how to prevent botulism infection in horses.
Here is Bond, a beautiful 16-year old Friesian gelding, looking much better after a lengthy and worrisome three week stay in an equine hospital.
Last month he did not look as alert or as happy. He was demonstrating difficulty moving and chewing his food. He was also quite weak and dull.
My equine veterinarian, Dr. Elizabeth Kilgallon, in the jacket on the far right, Dr. Mackinnon, and Carly, were called in to check on Bond. Dr. Kilgannon has always taken such great care of my horses and donkeys. They started with a dental exam to see if Bond had a toothache. They removed a small fragment from his gum, but it did not relieve any of Bond’s symptoms.
Within 24-hours, Bond seemed worse – he was drooling and showing increased lethargy and loss of appetite. Other tests did not indicate any illnesses, but based on his symptoms, Dr. Kilgallon suspected botulism and recommended taking Bond to the hospital right away.
Bond was driven to Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, where they were equipped with the proper botulism anti-toxins. The facility is the only private practice equine emergency hospital in New Jersey that provides 24-hour intensive care to hospitalized patients. The staff includes 40 experienced and dedicated professionals including 16-veterinarians in the fields of surgery, internal medicine, sports medicine and rehabilitation, and cardiology.
Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center also has multiple paddocks where horses can be turned out and rehabilitated as needed.
This is the center’s exam room, where Bond was taken for preliminary evaluation. (Photo by Karin Belgrave Photography)
And here is Dr. Rodney Belgrave who was assigned to Bond’s care. Dr. Belgrave has been the Staff Internist and director of the Internal Medicine Department at the Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center since 2003. (Photo by Karin Belgrave Photography)
Among the many tests at MAEMC, Bond underwent a standing skull CT scan to rule out any abnormalities. Thankfully all tests were clear.
Bond was admitted and taken to one of the center’s large in-patient stalls where he was carefully monitored.
He received IV fluids, anti-toxins and gastric ulcer medications.
Unfortunately, his condition worsened over the first 24-hours. Bond could not even stand – he was very weak.
Meanwhile back at my farm my stable manager, Helen Peparo, found a dead snake in one of the hay bales near Bond’s manger.
As a precaution, Dr. Kilgallon’s team administered botulism vaccinations to my Friesian Rinze and my Fell Pony Banchunch, who shared the same hay. Fortunately, neither showed any symptoms contamination.
Bond remained in the hospital for three weeks. Here he is with Helen after one week. He slowly started to show signs of improvement.
And then Bond finally stood. He was on the road to full recovery.
Here he is outside for the first time.
And here he was just yesterday after Dr. Belgrave gave us the good news that he was ready to return to my farm.
Bond was eating and drinking and looking more alert.
Lily is Dr. Belgrave’s veterinary assistant. She is very fond of Bond and said he was an excellent patient.
Helen secured support band boots on all Bond’s legs for the two-hour ride.
These supports do not restrict movement, but do protect the horse’s lower extremities.
Helen was given a discharge bag complete with reports from his stay and the medications he needs for the coming days.
For the ride, Bond was also given a bucket of “Dengie” or chopped hay which is more palatable for Bond as he heals.
Lily escorts Bond out of his stall – he is eager to walk.
And here he is getting ready to board the trailer. He is so much stronger than he was before the holidays. Dr. Belgrave said Bond looks great.
This is the inside of my horse trailer – it is all set with a fresh bed of shavings and the proper safety padding and bars.
Bond walked into the trailer on the first try. He’s ready to go!
Once back at my stable, he and Rinze nuzzled and neighed – they clearly missed each other.
For the next 10-days, Bond will continue a course of oral medications for his stomach which also suffered some ulceration. In addition, he will be hand walked for the next week as he regains strength.
Helen monitors every horse closely for any changes in vitals or behavior and keeps excellent records of everything. She will also monitor Bond’s attitude, appetite, and exercise going forward.
And check flakes of hay whenever possible. To protect horses from botulism, they can be vaccinated against the infection. Caretakers should also check water and food supplies daily making sure they are fresh and clear of moisture, and keep rodents and pests away.
And here is Bond – look closely, he’s smiling. I’m so glad you’re feeling better dear Bond. Thanks for all the help, Dr. Kilgallon and your team, Dr. Belgrave, and the staff at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center.
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