Monthly Archives: July 2014

Spreading His Wings 1

Spreading His Wings 2

Bateleur (Immature) Terathopius ecaudatus

The Bateleur is a medium-sized eagle in the family Accipitridae. Its closest relatives are the snake eagles. It is the only member of the genus Terathopius and may be the origin of the “Zimbabwe bird”, national emblem of Zimbabwe. It is endemic to Africa and small parts of Arabia.

The Bateleur is a colourful species with a very short tail (ecaudatus is Latin for tailless) which, together with its white underwing coverts, makes it unmistakable in flight. The tail is so small the bird’s legs protrude slightly beyond the tail during flight. The Bateleur is sexually dimorphic; both adults have black plumage, a chestnut mantle and tail, grey shoulders, tawny wing coverts, and red facial skin, bill and legs. The female additionally has tawny secondary wing feathers. Less commonly, the mantle may be white. Immature birds are brown with white dappling and have greenish facial skin. It takes them seven or eight years to reach full maturity.

[Ref: Wikipedia]

This fine example was photographed on the northern bank of the Crocodile River, near the Crocodile Bridge rest camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa

What a Mouthful!

Giant Kingfisher (Female) Megaceryle maxima

This is the largest Kingfisher in Africa, where it is a resident breeding bird over most of the continent south of the Sahara Desert other than the arid southwest.

The Giant Kingfisher is 42–48 cm (16½-18⅞ inches) long, with a large crest and finely spotted white on blackupperparts. The male has a chestnut breast band and otherwise white underparts with dark flank barring, and the female has a white-spotted black breast band and chestnut belly.

This beautiful example of this wonderful Kingfisher has caught her dinner, but is wondering how best to deal with what is a relatively large baby catfish.

This late afternoon image was captured on the Chobe River, near Kasane, northern Botswana, Southern Africa.

Built for Speed

Cheetah Acinonyx jubatis

These beautiful animals are, of course, one of the deadliest predators on the plains of Africa. In the Masai Mara this is no exception and is very evident. Together with the other large predator cats, the lion and leopard, they wreak havoc among the migrating herds of Wildebeest (Gnu), Zebra, Topi and Thomson’s Gazelle.

They are known for two particular discriminating features; they are the fastest land animal – accelerating 0-100 kph in 3 seconds and reaching a top speed of 120 kph (75 mph) over short distances; and they are the only large cat that has retractable claws.

They are particularly fond of sitting on termite mounds to survey their surroundings.

The East African animals seem to be much lighter in colour than their Southern African cousins. Cheetah are included in the IUCN list of Vulnerable Species.

This image was captured in the Masai Mara Conservancy, south west Kenya, East Africa.

All Things Great and Small………

Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti

Not all the wildlife in the Masai Mara is large, predatory or migratory.

This little guy is a highly territorial bird which will chase off not only others of the same species, but also shrikes, doves and rollers. The territory may be up to three hectares (7.4 acres) in size, and hold 100 tall trees. It is surveyed from a treetop by its owner, who sings from before dawn intermittently until after midday.

This image was captured in the Masai Mara conservancy, south west Kenya, East Africa.

Big Bite!

Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus

This little fellow is the only small inland cormorant in the Southern African region. He can grow to some 55cm and can weigh up to 500gm.

However small he may be, he certainly makes up for it in his meal size! He does not have to stand back for even those champion fishermen, the Kingfishers!

This afternoon image was captured on the Chobe River, near Kasane, northern Botswana, Southern Africa.

Elephants in the Mist

African Elephant Loxodonta africana

The dust caused by the elephants’ rapid approach to the water’s edge, combined with the fading light of the encroaching dusk on an autumn afternoon, lends a misty and mystical atmosphere to this image. The elephants had come for a sundowner late on a May afternoon. This waterside view of them enjoying a thirst-quenching drink is one of my favourites!

This image was captured on the Chobe River, near Kasane, northern Botswana, Southern Africa.

Sundowners

Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros

Late afternoon on the Chobe River. These three young ones are enjoying a refreshing drink and showing some curiosity in our presence. The Red-billed Ox-peckers are hard at work grooming those beautiful coats!

This image was captured on the Chobe River, near Kasane, northern Botswana, Southern Africa.

Building the nest…

African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer

This is a large species of eagle that is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water occur that have an abundant food supply. It is the national bird of Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Sudan.

This species is still quite common near freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and rivers, although they can sometimes be found near the coast at the mouths of rivers or lagoons. As their name implies, African fish eagles are indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa, ranging over most of continental Africa south of the Sahara.

This beautiful specimen was regularly over-flying our boat on Chobe River carrying building material from an island to his chosen nesting place in a large tree overhanging the river.

This image was captured on the Chobe River, near Kasane, northern Botswana, Southern Africa.

Crocodile River

Crocodile River

The Crocodile River, also referred to as Crocodile River (East), is a large river traversing Mpumalanga Province of south Africa. It originates north of Dullstroom, in the Steenkampsberg Mountains. Downstream of Kwena Dam, the Crocodile River winds through the Schoemanskloof and down the Montrose Falls. It then flows eastwards past Nelspruit and joins the Komati at Komatipoort. This latter part of its course forms the southern boundary of the Kruger National Park.

Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of 20 000 sq km (7580 sq mi) in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa, and extends 360 km (220 mi) from north to south and 65 km (40 mi) from east to west. Areas of the park were first protected by the government of the South African Republic in 1898, and it became South Africa’s first national park in 1926.

To the west and south of the Kruger National Park are the two South African provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. In the north is Zimbabwe, and to the east is Mozambique.

[Ref: Wikipedia]

This image was captured from the south bank of the Crocodile River, approximately 10 km west of the Crocodile Bridge entrance gate to the Kruger National Park

Stealth

Goliath Heron Ardea goliath

This is the world’s largest heron. The Goliath heron is very aquatic, even by heron standards, rarely venturing far from a water source and preferring to fly along waterways rather than move over land. Important habitats can include lakes, swamps, mangrove wetlands, reefs and sometimes river deltas. It typically is found in shallows, though can be observed near deep water over dense water vegetation. Goliath herons can even be found in small watering holes. They have ranged in elevation from sea level to 2,100 m (6,900 ft). They tend to prefer pristine wetlands and generally avoid areas where human disturbances are a regular occurrence.

[Ref: Wikipedia]

Note that the left wingtip is actually dipped into the water

This late afternoon, three quarter back-lit silhouette reflection image was captured on the southern bank of the Crocodile River close to the Crocodile Bridge entry gate to the Kruger National Park, South Africa.