Surprise! Hilarious photo shows giant hippo terrifying hapless water bird as he emerges from the weeds

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This hilarious photo captures the moment a hippo startled an unsuspecting water bird.

The hippo is seen raising his head above the water just inches away from where an African Jacana bird was wading in the floating weeds.

The surprised bird is pictured mid-stride, dashing away from the looming figure.

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He's behind you! The hippo is seen raising his head above the water inches away from the African Jacana bird

Hitching a ride: In Kruger National Park, South Africa, two terrapins are seen riding on the back of a hippo

The photo was taken by retired interior decorator Dee Ann Roelofsz, 55, who was standing just 30ft away from the scene at the Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana.

Other photographs taken in Kruger National Park, South Africa, show a couple of cheeky terrapins hitching a ride on the back of a hippo. 

Mrs Roelofsz said: 'These pictures were taken in an area of Moremi Game Reserve known as Hippo Pools.

'In this area the surface does have a fair number of water birds walking over it, but I think they do get surprised when a hippo pops-up unexpectedly. 

Camouflaged: The hippo was seen poking his head above the water, covered in tufts of the 'Kariba Weed'

Yawn! The hippo shows off its impressive jaw in this photograph, taken from just 30ft away in the reserve

Amateur photographer Dee Ann Roelofsz said the area of the reserve is known as Hippo Pools 

'The water is covered in what is commonly known as Kariba Weed which is actually an alien invasive species.

'This made for some really great and amusing photographs as the hippos emerged from the water "decorated" in these small bouquets of plants.

'Both my husband and I were really amused by the hippos and their antics, specifically their "head decorations" as they popped in and out the water.'

You can't see me: Another hippo is seen poking his eyes above the water in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Mrs Roelofsz said she thought of the hippos as 'water taxis' for the terrapins.   

She added: 'Luckily as in most reserves the road network tends to be fairly close to such places so you are able to get fairly up close to the wildlife.

'Living in South Africa we are fortunate to have many game reserves right on our doorstep so we visit them often. I love images that are unusual and different, things you do not see every day.'