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Roosting Crowned Cranes
08th May 2012 - 0 comments
08th May 2012 - 0 comments
In: Birds
As I was returning to camp after an afternoon drive to check out the condition of the roads through some of the gullies, I noticed so Crowned Cranes crossing the sunset in the distance. Hoping to catch them in flight as they moved across the open sky, I moved to an open are and found them landing in a dead Leadwood tree in the distance. As the sun dropped lower and the colours intensified, I took a few shots of the unmistakable shape of two Crowned Cranes in silhouette.
PS - I passed my Walking Guide Exams!
PS - I passed my Walking Guide Exams!
Bateleur Hunting
22nd April 2012 - 1 comment
22nd April 2012 - 1 comment
In: Birds
We have a beautiful lagoon near the entrance of the park, where a raised track allows you to look down over the area and observe animal behaviour without interfering. While I was sitting out watching elephants feeding on the rice grass, a Bateleur took off from a nearby tree and started hunting at my eye level. As it raced back and forth, I tried to keep up with my camera!
At one point, it plunged to the ground behind a bush, but I wasn't able to see whether it had caught anything. Either way, it was back in the air soon after, so maybe it missed, or maybe it was just a small mouthful.
At one point, it plunged to the ground behind a bush, but I wasn't able to see whether it had caught anything. Either way, it was back in the air soon after, so maybe it missed, or maybe it was just a small mouthful.
Close up!
12th April 2012 - 2 comments
12th April 2012 - 2 comments
In: Birds
When on drives, I don't often take my camera, since it's more important to position guests for the best photos than snap away for myself. But this morning, we managed to creep so close to this Lilac-breasted Roller, that I couldn't resist reaching for my camera and grabbing a shot!
River Trip
22nd February 2012 - 1 comment
22nd February 2012 - 1 comment
I just spent a fantastic weekend on the river, a wonderful bonus of the high water at this time of the year. Very few people visit this area during the rains - and with unpredictable weather, it's easy to understand why - but those that do take the chance and book a boat safari on the Luangwa are in for a treat.
Hippos are one animal that you won't miss; they lie around in languid groups, shifting only slightly when you approach.
Waterbirds cram onto the available sandbanks and if you approach stealthily, you can get close up with some of the Luangwa's more colourful residents. Here Malachite, Pied and (a scruffy looking) Brown-hooded Kingfishers perch above the water waiting to catch fish and insects.
Baboons in the National Park are usually wary of humans, but sometimes even females with youngsters forget themselves and gawp as a tin pot filled with primates passes by.
We were lucky to catch this group of buffalo bulls as they began to saunter back towards the bush. Males rarely associate with the herd except for breeding, preferring a quieter life. Some of the older bulls may never return to the herd, knowing that younger individuals would soon drive them off.
We caught up with a herd of elephants who had just crossed the main river. Afer the breeding herd had moved on, instead of climbing out, the males played in the shallows, climbing on each other's backs and wallowing in the cool water. It was a celebration of weightlessness and a respite from the flies.
As evening came, and the light began to fade, hundreds of Cattle Egrets flew up-river to their roosting site. With failing light preventing fast shutters, blurry motion shots seemed the only answer.
And as always, whatever time of day, the scenery is wonderful.
Hippos are one animal that you won't miss; they lie around in languid groups, shifting only slightly when you approach.
Waterbirds cram onto the available sandbanks and if you approach stealthily, you can get close up with some of the Luangwa's more colourful residents. Here Malachite, Pied and (a scruffy looking) Brown-hooded Kingfishers perch above the water waiting to catch fish and insects.
Baboons in the National Park are usually wary of humans, but sometimes even females with youngsters forget themselves and gawp as a tin pot filled with primates passes by.
We were lucky to catch this group of buffalo bulls as they began to saunter back towards the bush. Males rarely associate with the herd except for breeding, preferring a quieter life. Some of the older bulls may never return to the herd, knowing that younger individuals would soon drive them off.
We caught up with a herd of elephants who had just crossed the main river. Afer the breeding herd had moved on, instead of climbing out, the males played in the shallows, climbing on each other's backs and wallowing in the cool water. It was a celebration of weightlessness and a respite from the flies.
As evening came, and the light began to fade, hundreds of Cattle Egrets flew up-river to their roosting site. With failing light preventing fast shutters, blurry motion shots seemed the only answer.
And as always, whatever time of day, the scenery is wonderful.
Diving
09th February 2012 - 0 comments
09th February 2012 - 0 comments
In: Birds
This Pied Kingfisher spent a whole afternoon hunting fish from the same perch across the river from me. She caught several during the time I watched, but wasn't so lucky this time.
Bat Hawk
06th February 2012 - 0 comments
06th February 2012 - 0 comments
In: Birds
While I was in the North Luangwa National Park recently, we went out to have a look at a large nest that had been seen in a Brachystegia. The finder of the nest had reported seeing a pair of Bat Hawks nearby, and concluded that they had constructed the nest. We consulted one of our field guides which said that Bat Hawks - a medium-sized raptor which feed largely on bats in the evening and at night - build a large nest in a secluded fork, high in a tree. This nest appeared to be anything but......
However, we persisted and soon we found both adult Bat Hawks sitting high in the branches. It was a windy afternoon, so we suspected that one or other bird would return to the nest to protect the egg (if there was one?) from the oncoming storm.
But as the winds built up and the adults showed no sign of returning, we decided to head home. This was perhaps what the adults had been waiting for as the adults began circling around us; perhaps our presence was preventing them returning to the nest. Bat Hawks have a very large gape (visible in the photograph) which allows them to catch bats with their talons and then eat them whole.
The following day, we passed the site again and found a chick sitting on the branch next to the nest. As we got closer, it looked like it would fly away (dropping its head as if to take off) but seemed reluctant to take the plunge! It's plumage still shows some downy feathers but even so, it should be able to fly - perhaps it has not yet mastered the art.
So as not to disturb it, I took a couple of quick photos and we left it to contemplate the long drop to the ground.
However, we persisted and soon we found both adult Bat Hawks sitting high in the branches. It was a windy afternoon, so we suspected that one or other bird would return to the nest to protect the egg (if there was one?) from the oncoming storm.
But as the winds built up and the adults showed no sign of returning, we decided to head home. This was perhaps what the adults had been waiting for as the adults began circling around us; perhaps our presence was preventing them returning to the nest. Bat Hawks have a very large gape (visible in the photograph) which allows them to catch bats with their talons and then eat them whole.
The following day, we passed the site again and found a chick sitting on the branch next to the nest. As we got closer, it looked like it would fly away (dropping its head as if to take off) but seemed reluctant to take the plunge! It's plumage still shows some downy feathers but even so, it should be able to fly - perhaps it has not yet mastered the art.
So as not to disturb it, I took a couple of quick photos and we left it to contemplate the long drop to the ground.
Some days.....
02nd February 2012 - 0 comments
02nd February 2012 - 0 comments
In: Birds
....just aren't your day. The colours at this time of year can be fantastic, but there are also days where the cloud never burns off and everything looks flat and unappealing. I don't think this Brown Snake Eagle thought it was his day either as he was repeatedly mobbed and dive-bombed by this small Lillian's Lovebird. The grey sky behind certainly didn't help with getting the right exposure, but I think this shot correctly conveys the eagle's mood at that point in time.
Other days are better, like when I found this Western Banded Snake Eagle perching conveniently on a dead mopane tree near the road.
Other days are better, like when I found this Western Banded Snake Eagle perching conveniently on a dead mopane tree near the road.
A Week during the Emerald Season
14th January 2012 - 0 comments
14th January 2012 - 0 comments
I've had my family and godparents staying for the last 6 days, and it's been a great week! When the rains came early in October, I feared that a January visit would be a complete wash-out; impassable roads, thick bush, endless bugs, sticky mud and very little game.
How wrong I was. We've enjoyed cool, cloudy days with sunny spells, and game viewing to rival a week in the dry season.
Here are some of the highlights, all against the backdrop of carpets of green grass and endless wildflowers.
After carrying their unborn lambs throughout the dry season, and losing condition as a result, Impala ewes are rapidly putting on weight.
The partly inundated grasslands are perfect hunting grounds for Black-headed Herons who feed largely on insects and frogs.
The Elephants are stuffing their faces.....
.....and the Puku calves look healthy and fat.
The predators are making the most of the time of plenty, rearing their young while the food-stocks are abundant. This Lionness is lactating heavily and had cubs concealed in a nearby thicket.
As it grew dark, four Lionnesses stirred from their day's slumber and began to look more alert. We watched as they rose, completed evening ablutions and began to hunt.
In the late afternoon, we watched these 10 week old cubs playing on the sand across the river from us.
Leopards make use of the vast number of young antelope on the plains, often showing distended bellies after a good feed.
During the journey down to Bushcamps, we found Sharpe's Grysbok up in the hills above the Valley floor.
And, as always in Africa, there are bright colours whereever you look. This Malachite Kingfisher is just 12cms tall, and hunts tiny fish in the seasonal lagoons.
And of course, there were lovely rainy-season sunsets - there's nothing better.
How wrong I was. We've enjoyed cool, cloudy days with sunny spells, and game viewing to rival a week in the dry season.
Here are some of the highlights, all against the backdrop of carpets of green grass and endless wildflowers.
After carrying their unborn lambs throughout the dry season, and losing condition as a result, Impala ewes are rapidly putting on weight.
The partly inundated grasslands are perfect hunting grounds for Black-headed Herons who feed largely on insects and frogs.
The Elephants are stuffing their faces.....
.....and the Puku calves look healthy and fat.
The predators are making the most of the time of plenty, rearing their young while the food-stocks are abundant. This Lionness is lactating heavily and had cubs concealed in a nearby thicket.
As it grew dark, four Lionnesses stirred from their day's slumber and began to look more alert. We watched as they rose, completed evening ablutions and began to hunt.
In the late afternoon, we watched these 10 week old cubs playing on the sand across the river from us.
Leopards make use of the vast number of young antelope on the plains, often showing distended bellies after a good feed.
During the journey down to Bushcamps, we found Sharpe's Grysbok up in the hills above the Valley floor.
And, as always in Africa, there are bright colours whereever you look. This Malachite Kingfisher is just 12cms tall, and hunts tiny fish in the seasonal lagoons.
And of course, there were lovely rainy-season sunsets - there's nothing better.
Steppe Buzzard
01st January 2012 - 0 comments
01st January 2012 - 0 comments
In: Birds
Not often seen in this area, although a fairly common rains migrant from Russia, I found this Steppe Buzzard in the miombo woodland on the hills above the valley floor.
Happy New Year.
Happy New Year.
The most unusual Eagle
20th November 2011 - 0 comments
20th November 2011 - 0 comments
In: Birds
Of all the Eagles, the Long Crested Eagle must be one of the most unusual. Part Snake Eagle (orange eyes) and part true Eagle (feathered legs). This is the male of a pair which are mating near Mfuwe airport. The male's white legs differentiate him from the female.
Back from holiday.....
18th November 2011 - 0 comments
18th November 2011 - 0 comments
In: Birds
Back from their holiday, Grey-headed Kingfishers are making the most of the huge numbers of insects and bugs avaiable.
Carmine Bee-eater
17th November 2011 - 0 comments
17th November 2011 - 0 comments
In: Birds
I was photographing the Carmine Bee-eaters today, and one just kept coming closer and closer!
Road trip into the Miombo
16th November 2011 - 0 comments
16th November 2011 - 0 comments
Yesterday, I decided to explore a little bit of the interior of the park, the 40km wide strip away from the river. As you leave the valley floor, the temperature changes noticeably, and the surrounding vegetation changes even more. At this stage, you are beginning to enter the vast central African plain, which is mostly covered in Miombo woodland.
This miombo habitat is made up mostly of Brachystegia, Julbernadia and Isoberlina tree species, and supports a very different variety of life from the valley floor. In fact, as someone who is very familiar with the wildlife of this area, it's a bit of a shock (and a pleasure) to be thrown into an environment where I can't identify things at a glance!
The scenery is also stunning as you get into the foothills of the escarpment which marks the edge of the bottom of the Rift Valley.
I was in search of Sable, Roan, Eland and Hartebeest, all antelope species which can survive in the more marginal areas, and thrive doing so. Unfortunately, apart from a line of Sable tracks which I followed for about a kilometre (with no luck) I saw no sign of these big mammals. No worries, there were plenty of unrecognisable birds to keep me (and my bird book) busy.
The Red-headed Weaver is a charismatic mixed woodland dweller which builds messy nests in the mature trees.
I didn't recognise this little brown and white bird, except to know from its behaviour that it must be a flycatcher of some type. It took me a long while to get a photo because it kept flitting from branch to branch and the dappled light made it hard to follow. But lucky I perservered, because it is a Collared Flycatcher. So what? Well, after consulting the experts, it's only the second time that this species has been recorded in the Valley, and the first time so low down off the escarpment plateau! You never know what you are going to find in the bush.
To top it off, as I was coming down off the ridge, I found this Leopard Tortoise on the road. Initially nervous, he kept his head deep inside his shell, but soon worked out that I wasn't planning to eat him, so continued his journey.
This miombo habitat is made up mostly of Brachystegia, Julbernadia and Isoberlina tree species, and supports a very different variety of life from the valley floor. In fact, as someone who is very familiar with the wildlife of this area, it's a bit of a shock (and a pleasure) to be thrown into an environment where I can't identify things at a glance!
The scenery is also stunning as you get into the foothills of the escarpment which marks the edge of the bottom of the Rift Valley.
I was in search of Sable, Roan, Eland and Hartebeest, all antelope species which can survive in the more marginal areas, and thrive doing so. Unfortunately, apart from a line of Sable tracks which I followed for about a kilometre (with no luck) I saw no sign of these big mammals. No worries, there were plenty of unrecognisable birds to keep me (and my bird book) busy.
The Red-headed Weaver is a charismatic mixed woodland dweller which builds messy nests in the mature trees.
I didn't recognise this little brown and white bird, except to know from its behaviour that it must be a flycatcher of some type. It took me a long while to get a photo because it kept flitting from branch to branch and the dappled light made it hard to follow. But lucky I perservered, because it is a Collared Flycatcher. So what? Well, after consulting the experts, it's only the second time that this species has been recorded in the Valley, and the first time so low down off the escarpment plateau! You never know what you are going to find in the bush.
To top it off, as I was coming down off the ridge, I found this Leopard Tortoise on the road. Initially nervous, he kept his head deep inside his shell, but soon worked out that I wasn't planning to eat him, so continued his journey.
Difficult light....
03rd November 2011 - 0 comments
03rd November 2011 - 0 comments
In: Birds
The rains are coming! We had about 2cms last night (not all that much considering it rained all night!) but it's a promise that more is on the way.
Rains are a double-edged sword for photographers...the dramatic skies, leaden clouds and lightning strikes are great, as is the clear air that follows a big storm. But the dull grey clouds which stretch from horizon to horizon, and remain in place for days on end are less good! This flat light can make even the best subject hard to capture.
I went out after the rain today, but there was still a lot of cloud around. I didn't even take my camera out until the sun dropped low in the sky and showed through beneath the carpet of clouds. Just in time, I arrived alongside the river just as a ray of nice light hit these two Egyptian Geese.
Rains are a double-edged sword for photographers...the dramatic skies, leaden clouds and lightning strikes are great, as is the clear air that follows a big storm. But the dull grey clouds which stretch from horizon to horizon, and remain in place for days on end are less good! This flat light can make even the best subject hard to capture.
I went out after the rain today, but there was still a lot of cloud around. I didn't even take my camera out until the sun dropped low in the sky and showed through beneath the carpet of clouds. Just in time, I arrived alongside the river just as a ray of nice light hit these two Egyptian Geese.
Oxpecker Choir....
30th October 2011 - 0 comments
30th October 2011 - 0 comments
Oxpeckers never get that much attention, but they are fascinating to watch. I spent a couple of hours on the river bank recently, watching them interact with their host hippos and with each other.
They move from host to host, cleaning the exposed skin and wounds and feeding on ticks and other parasites. When a hippo turns over in the water, they move quickly to the newly-exposed skin to enjoy the parasites that had previously been concealed. In this way, they often congregate in large numbers. It was the middle of the day by this stage, so many of the birds were 'gaping' to cool down, giving the impression of a choir singing!
Here, 2 (slightly larger) Yellow-billed Oxpeckers out-compete their Red-billed cousins for the cleaning rights to an open wound on this hippo's back.
Sometimes there are even fights between con-specifics!
They move from host to host, cleaning the exposed skin and wounds and feeding on ticks and other parasites. When a hippo turns over in the water, they move quickly to the newly-exposed skin to enjoy the parasites that had previously been concealed. In this way, they often congregate in large numbers. It was the middle of the day by this stage, so many of the birds were 'gaping' to cool down, giving the impression of a choir singing!
Here, 2 (slightly larger) Yellow-billed Oxpeckers out-compete their Red-billed cousins for the cleaning rights to an open wound on this hippo's back.
Sometimes there are even fights between con-specifics!
White Crowned Plover vs Dikkops
26th October 2011 - 0 comments
26th October 2011 - 0 comments
In: Birds
Yesterday, I went again to watch the hippos in the river. I reached the bottom of the steps into the hide, and heard a deep throaty hissing sound coming from my right. I've heard that sound before, and it's not something you want to hear in an enclosed space. I raised my hand to cover my eyes, and turned slowly, expecting to come face to face with a Cobra.
Relieved that I wasn't sharing the hide with a large snake, I started to hunt around to find the source of the noise. Turned out to be a much louder noise than I had expected, but coming from further away across a small lagoon. Two Water Dikkops (Thick-knees) were facing off against a White Crowned Plover on a sand bar about 15m away.
While I watched, the two Dikkops opened their wings and advanced on the Plover, apparently wishing to chase him from the area. Initially, the plover tried to retaliate, but the combined efforts of the two Dikkops were always pushing him back.
But whatever it was that caused the incident was obviously worth fighting for, as the Plover came back for another attempt. But the Dikkops had clearly had enough by this stage, and one of them lowered his head and charged, mammal-like, at the Plover, causing it to cartwheel backwards over the top.
It's unusual to see fighting between species, since territorial behaviour is usually only towards others of the same kind. In this case, I think that the two were competing for nesting sites, since they both choose to use scrapes on sand bars in which to lay their eggs. In this case, the larger Dikkops managed to drive off the Plover and claim the site.
Relieved that I wasn't sharing the hide with a large snake, I started to hunt around to find the source of the noise. Turned out to be a much louder noise than I had expected, but coming from further away across a small lagoon. Two Water Dikkops (Thick-knees) were facing off against a White Crowned Plover on a sand bar about 15m away.
While I watched, the two Dikkops opened their wings and advanced on the Plover, apparently wishing to chase him from the area. Initially, the plover tried to retaliate, but the combined efforts of the two Dikkops were always pushing him back.
But whatever it was that caused the incident was obviously worth fighting for, as the Plover came back for another attempt. But the Dikkops had clearly had enough by this stage, and one of them lowered his head and charged, mammal-like, at the Plover, causing it to cartwheel backwards over the top.
It's unusual to see fighting between species, since territorial behaviour is usually only towards others of the same kind. In this case, I think that the two were competing for nesting sites, since they both choose to use scrapes on sand bars in which to lay their eggs. In this case, the larger Dikkops managed to drive off the Plover and claim the site.
Bee-eaters taking a dip
24th October 2011 - 0 comments
24th October 2011 - 0 comments
In: Birds
Today, I spent a few hours watching hippos from a hide on the river bank. While the hippos were wallowing, and not doing all that much, I focussed on the White-fronted bee-eaters who were nesting in the river bank. They were flying regular sorties out over the river to catch insects which they returned to the nest to feed their chick. But occasionally, they would fly down low over the water and dive in headfirst to soak their body feathers. While keeping them cool, the main purpose of this behaviour is to carry water back to the chick who is not yet able to fly or leave the nest. The birds were very careful to submerge just enough to soak their feathers but never too much so that they couldn't lift off again.
African Goshawk
12th October 2011 - 0 comments
12th October 2011 - 0 comments
In: Birds
As I drove out of camp yesterday, I caught sight of the very distinctive tear-drop breast plumage of a juvenile African Goshawk in a thick bush at the side of the road. It was behaving strangely by remaining in the bush even when I was nearby, and I couldn't work out what was the problem. As I reversed, it did fly off but only to another branch and without breaking cover.
I went back to camp to get my binos and camera since I thought that it might be injured, and returned to find it back in its original location, feeding on a squirrel. Only then did I notice the Snake Eagle in a nearby tree which would certainly mob a juvenile Goshawk and steal its kill. This explained its clandestine behaviour. All the better for me as it sat still long enough for a photo.
I went back to camp to get my binos and camera since I thought that it might be injured, and returned to find it back in its original location, feeding on a squirrel. Only then did I notice the Snake Eagle in a nearby tree which would certainly mob a juvenile Goshawk and steal its kill. This explained its clandestine behaviour. All the better for me as it sat still long enough for a photo.
One of those days
28th September 2011 - 0 comments
28th September 2011 - 0 comments
Every day is different when you go out in the bush. Seasons change, animals' behaviour patterns change, and if they didn't I think the bush would lose most of its appeal. Even so, there are days when everything just falls into place, and at every turn (or so it seems) there is something wonderful to see.
Waterbuck are often overlooked, and sometimes they don't get the attention they should; this big male was in no hurry to leave the track that I was using, so we watched each other for a while until he moved on. Just across the track, he caught up with one of his females and mated with her. We'll look out for his youngters!!
A few minutes later, I rounded a bend in the track and almost gasped in surprise as I caught sight of this female leopard in the tree above me. She was no more than 8 metres from me and I had to sit still for nearly 10 minutes and not lift my head, or pick up my binos until she settled down and was comfortable with my presence. Of course she heard my vehicle coming, and decided to stay where she was, but I think the distance between us was less than even she had expected. After a while, she relaxed completely and dozed while I rolled the vehicle forward down the hill to get to a better position for a photo.
The river is so low now, that it's possible to drive through in some places. While I was crossing, I stopped to photograph a White-fronted Bee eater which was using an exposed log as a look out post from which to launch hunting sorties out over the water. Bees and other insects are, of course, drawn to water so these are rich hunting grounds for aerial feeders.
On the other side of the river, hippos lounging in the shallows were being attended to by the ever-present Red-billed Oxpeckers. Feeding on ticks and other skin parasites, they get a good meal and do the hippos a service.
Waterbuck are often overlooked, and sometimes they don't get the attention they should; this big male was in no hurry to leave the track that I was using, so we watched each other for a while until he moved on. Just across the track, he caught up with one of his females and mated with her. We'll look out for his youngters!!
A few minutes later, I rounded a bend in the track and almost gasped in surprise as I caught sight of this female leopard in the tree above me. She was no more than 8 metres from me and I had to sit still for nearly 10 minutes and not lift my head, or pick up my binos until she settled down and was comfortable with my presence. Of course she heard my vehicle coming, and decided to stay where she was, but I think the distance between us was less than even she had expected. After a while, she relaxed completely and dozed while I rolled the vehicle forward down the hill to get to a better position for a photo.
The river is so low now, that it's possible to drive through in some places. While I was crossing, I stopped to photograph a White-fronted Bee eater which was using an exposed log as a look out post from which to launch hunting sorties out over the water. Bees and other insects are, of course, drawn to water so these are rich hunting grounds for aerial feeders.
On the other side of the river, hippos lounging in the shallows were being attended to by the ever-present Red-billed Oxpeckers. Feeding on ticks and other skin parasites, they get a good meal and do the hippos a service.