Here is a sample of the birds we saw while in South Africa. There were many interesting, colorful birds. I was especially captivated by the Lilac Breasted Roller,the Purple Crested Turaco and the varieties of sunbirds and kingfishers. There are many more examples on my website (www.earthwatcher.us). I hope you enjoy the images. I encourage you to look at the others that are on my website because I know you will enjoy them also.
Regards
Larry
These images can been seen at a larger size by clicking on the image
One of the many species of birds we saw while in South Africa were hornbills. They are beautiful birds that cast a striking pose even when flying. I hope you enjoy these images I am sharing.
Regards,
Larry
Click on image to view in larger size.
Pair of Yellow Billed HornbillsRed Billed HornbillPair of Southern Ground Hornbills
African Penguin – Perspective 2, Boulder Beach Penguin Sanctuary, Table Mountain National Park, Simon’s Town, South Africa, August 2016
The African Penguin is a species of penguin found in the waters surrounding southern Africa. It is also known as the jackass penguin because of its donkey like bray. Its numbers are declining and it is considered endangered.
South Africa has created a reserve for these penguins on Boulder Beach near Simon’s Town. There is a nice boardwalk down to the beach and an observation platform for viewing. The penguins meander around and come very close to you. They were a lot of fun to watch.
I hope you enjoy these images.
Regards,
Larry
Note: Click on individual images to see in larger size.
African Fish Eagle In Flight – Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016
The African Fish Eagle was the most common large raptor we saw on our trip to South Africa. It is a beautiful bird that is a cousin to our American Bald Eagle. I learned from my friend Kevin that both the African Fish Eagle and the Bald Eagle belong to the family of fish eagles. They are distinguished from the family of booted or true eagles by their legs. True eagles have feathers on their lower legs. I am a novice birder and never realized there were different types of eagles. By the way, our Golden Eagle is a snake eagle; yet another type.
Our most interesting encounter was watching a fish eagle being chased by a Blacksmith Lapwing. I guess the eagle was too close to a nest. It was fun watching it fend off numerous attacks.
I hope you enjoy these images of these magnificent birds,
Regards,
Larry
African Fish Eagle Feeding – Perspective 1, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016African Fish Eagle Feeding – Perspective 2, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016African Fish Eagle Fending Lapwing Attack – Perspective 1, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016African Fish Eagle Fending Lapwing Attack – Perspective 2, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016African Fish Eagle and Great Egret, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016
Note: These and other images are available for sale on my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting me.
Mama Warthog and Babies, Addo Elephant Park, South Africa, AUG 2016
Everybody gets excited about the big cats, the elephants, the hippos and other big game. But there is a lot more out there and I will be sharing it over the next few weeks. Today, I’ll share my images of the wildebeest, also known as the Gnu, the cape buffalo and the warthog.
The wildebeest and cape buffalo are grazers, eating the grass that grow in the savannahs. The warthog grazes on the grass and digs for roots. Their place in the ecosystem is controlling the plant life so it doesn’t take over and serving as food for the larger prey animals. Though not as exciting as the big cats, they are each beautiful in their own way.
Regards,
Larry
Note: Click on images to view in larger size
Cape Buffalo – Perspective 1, Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South Africa
Wildebeest – Perspective 4, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016
Wildebeest – Perspective 3, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016Cape Buffalo – Perspective 2, Addo Elephant Park, South Africa, AUG 2016
These and other images are available for purchase at my website: www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting me at: larry@earthwatcher.us.
Karula’s Unnamed Cub – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South Africa
A highlight of our visit was the Elephant Plains Game Lodge tour guided by Tusk Photo. Elephant Plains is a private game lodge and is the “go to” place for leopards. It sets on the edge of Kruger National Park and it shares its wildlife with the park. So, aside from the leopards we saw a lot of other wildlife on that part of our adventure.
We did an early morning and a late/afternoon game drive each day. We traversed the bush in open 4-wheel drive vehicles on rutted dirt roads. We had a tracker who sat on a jump seat attached to the front bumper who, along with our driver, looked for tracks and other signs of animal life. When leopard tracks were spotted or another tour group reported a sighting, we went off road with the vehicle to find them. It was fun and exciting.
It’s hard to describe the awe of our first wild leopard sighting and the wonder of seeing 14 month old Tiyani walk to within 5 feet of our car while her mother looked on. The wildlife is acclimated to humans and their tour groups. They went about their business as if we weren’t there. But, if the guides sensed that the animal was disturbed, we’d back off and leave them in peace.
It was an amazing adventure. I’d go back in a heartbeat. I hope you enjoy these images.
Regards,
Larry
Note: Click on image to see in larger size.
Salayexe – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaKarula’s Unnamed Cub – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaKarula’s Unnamed Cub – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaKarula with Unnamed Cub – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaKarula with Unnamed Cub – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaTingana – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaTingana – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaSalayexe – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaSalayexe and Tiyani – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaTiyani – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaTiyani – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaTingana – Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South Africa
Nuzzling, Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South Africa
Today, 9/22, is National Elephant Appreciation Day; yes, really it is. So, to celebrate, I decided to publish my elephant pics from South Africa.
Our elephant experience was interesting. I learned that they are not subtle animals. You only have to look at the broken brush, trees and branches as well as the trail of dung to know elephants have been through. Elephants eat a lot but only digest a small portion of what they eat. Their dung becomes a source of food for other animals. At Addo Elephant National Park, they have signs warning you not to run over dung beetles because they are the clean-up crew and are an important part of the ecosystem.
I knew from documentaries that elephants are very protective of their young. But, it was interesting to see it in action. When elephants didn’t feel threatened, the calves romped and played. At the first sign of threat, the adults herded the young in between them. It is really neat to see this behavior firsthand.
I hope you enjoy my images of these fascinating creatures.
Coming to the Water Hole – Perspective 1. Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaComing to the Water Hole – Perspective 2. Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaReady for a Swig. Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaCalf at the Water Hole. Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South AfricaElephant Calf. Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016Along the Game Trail – Perspective 1. Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016Along the Game Trail – Perspective 2. Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016Foraging at Sunset. Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016Calf at Mud Hole. Addo Elephant Park, South Africa, AUG 2016Momma and Baby – Perspective 1. Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016
Mboyti River Lodge, Lusikisiki, South Africa, AUG 2016
Sometimes you are lucky and are at the right place and right time. We spent one night at Mboyti River Lodge, Lusikisiki, South Africa; a lovely place along the Indian Ocean coast. I got up early in the morning hoping to get a nice sunrise shot. I did and will share it later. I found a nice spot, on a small embankment overlooking the ocean. As I scanned the ocean, I saw a few dolphins. Over the next few minutes a whole pod showed up – probably 30 of them. I have wanted a shot of the dolphins in the surf line for a long time. This morning, they put on a great show for me. I hope you enjoy this image.
Pensive Baboon, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016
My wife says that Baboons are wretched creatures. They look like monkeys but have an unsettling grunt and 3 inch canine teeth. When we stayed at Elephant Plains Game Lodge, we were awoken each morning by their unnerving growls that sounded like they were right outside our door and on our roof. The Leopard’s growl wasn’t as unsettling as the Baboon’s.
Baboons are very smart; especially when it comes to acquiring food. We were warned to keep our doors locked because they can open doors and will trash your room looking for food. At one stop, I watched a baboon open a garbage can and grab some leftovers. We were also warned that they will grab bags you may be carrying or steal food from your table.
Though they can be a fearsome nuisance, they are also fun to watch. They are fellow primates and I could see some of us in them. We watched them jumping and chasing each other through trees and over rocks. We watched them groom each other and care for their young. Wretched, maybe. Scary, sometimes. Interesting and fun to watch, absolutely.
I hope you enjoy these images.
Regards,
Larry
Note: Images can be viewed at a larger size by clicking on image.
Infant Baboon, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016Grooming Little Baboon, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016Baboon – Perspective 3, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016
Coalition of Male Lions, Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands, South Africa
We had 4 lion sightings on our trip. Unfortunately, on the best opportunity, a female babysitting the pride’s cubs, I had to shoot through the windshield because we couldn’t get a good position. As is expected, lions draw big crowds and lot of folks beat us to the site. So, with that, I’ll tell you that my lion images aren’t of the quality I typically post. I posted them more because I thought they would be interesting.
Except for the cubs, lions like to lay down and sleep most of the time. Our first encounter was with 3 males. Except for one who took a few minutes to look at us, they all laid down and closed their eyes as if we weren’t there. The best shots came at night, in Kruger, when we encountered a mating pair. When mating, the male and female roam together, away from the pride, for three days. We watched and photographed them for 15-20 minutes before they walked off into the bush.
By the way, I learned something about lions while I was there. A pride of lions is a group of females and cubs. They have a territory but live in a territory that is controlled by a coalition of male lions; usually brothers. One male in the coalition is the alpha.
I hope you find these shots interesting. Again, my apologies on the quality.
Regards
Larry
Note: Click on image to view it in a larger size
Female Lion with Cubs, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016Male Lion, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016Mating Pair – Perspective 1, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016Mating Pair – Perspective 2, Kruger National Park, South Africa, AUG 2016
Earthwatcher 