February 29, 2012

"Leap Year Lucky Beans"  -  to remind us how Blessed we are to have an extra day this year!

February 28, 2012

Just yesterday I complained that I find it difficult to photograph insects and spiders
because it always seems so windy these days!
Despite the wind, I managed to capture the web of this large Golden Orb Spider.
 When I downloaded the photo I found that it had been snacking on a grasshopper.
I photographed it's much slimmer cousin earlier this month ;)
That makes it 2 grasshoppers eradicated in two days .... anyone need Pest Control?

February 27, 2012

Poor hungry little bird!
It sat like this for a while - perhaps the grasshopper was stuck in it's throat.
Eventually it flew down to the ground and after much commotion managed to spit the huge meal out -
just to try and swallow it again!
Same scenario - flew up to sit in the tree, looking very sad, with half it's meal hanging out!

February 26, 2012

Not a good photo today, but rather one of interest. Ever wonder why this bird is called a Longclaw?
This is the first time I have managed to take a photo that shows the claws.
Unfortunately it was quite late, the light was not good and it resulted in a grainy photo
This is a Yellow Throated Longclaw - there are also Orange throats and others with Pink throats.
I love the Afrikaans name: "Geelkeelkalkoentjie" 

February 25, 2012

This little Kingfisher probably thought I could not see him - Well, I nearly didn't! 

February 24, 2012

Baby Elephant Walk

February 23, 2012

Golden Orb Spider
This one needs a wax!

February 22, 2012

Whydah Wooing
What a performance! This Pin-tailed Whydah had to really strut his stuff before the lady obliged.
I managed to get a sequence of distant shots - sadly it was early morning and the light was not good

February 21, 2012

We had to go to Mkuze this afternoon.
On the way back we decided to take a short detour off the N2.
Although this Impala Ram was rather far from the road, I like the result.

February 20, 2012

 Hadeda Ibis taking off.
Birds are a regular photo subject these days.
It is just too windy to take macro photos of insects & spiders - my favourite subjects by far.
It has been raining on and off since Saturday afternoon. Today, at times, it poured.
(especially so when it was time to walk to work this morning!)
Surprisingly the rain gauge contained only 42mm.

February 19, 2012

I just love the way this little bird is looking back at me!
It might be an immature Pallid Flycatcher.

February 18, 2012

A young Lady-Buffalo-Pose:
Stand behind some greenery - it softens the features, and it makes you look slimmer;
Lift your head, part your lips ever-so-slightly and look straight at the camera.

 The Old-Bull-No-Bull-Pose:
 "Oh no, not another photographer - blegh!"

February 17, 2012

Awesome Creation
This beautiful Moth was sitting on the pathway at school just before tea break.
I tried to move it to a safer place, but it decided to fly away.
Watching it go higher and higher I was quite taken aback when a bird swooped
down and caught it in mid-air!  Life-saving is clearly not my forté.

February 16, 2012

With all the senseless Rhino poaching in our country at present one wonders how long these beautiful animals will still be around.
Will this be the only solution to ensure the future of the Rhino for our children's children? 

WARNING:  THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS MIGHT UPSET SENSITIVE VIEWERS!!!

This Rhino cow and her 21 month old calf were slain on a friend's farm this week.
The cellphone on the calf's face, shows by comparison how tiny the calf was.

MASSACRED.... and for what????  A Wiki quote states that “Rhinoceros are killed by humans for their horns, which are bought and sold on the black market, and which are used by some cultures for ornamental or pseudo-scientific medicinal purposes.”  pseudo-scientific = A theory, methodology, or practice that is considered to be without scientific foundation     (These two photos were not taken by me. I do have permission to use them here)

How much horn could this little face possibly have held?

To think that the person who did this is still living and breathing......

Makes you feel quite ill, does it not???

February 15, 2012

"Bird's Eye View"
♪♫ Bro-wn bird, up high in the Sausage Tree.... ♫♪
Taken at 6am this morning - golden light against a clear blue sky - what amazing eyes!

February 14, 2012

Love is......
plenty of tusk-nibbling on a sunny Valentines afternoon!
It is such a blessing to live so close to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game reserve!

February 13, 2012

Cheating today - this photo was taken yesterday.
While standing on the veranda I zoomed in on the CMR Beetles feeding on the flower.
Much to my surprise a Sun-bird landed and started feeding.
What luck on a rainy day!

February 12, 2012

This little Brown Headed Kingfisher posed happily turning from one side to the other
while I tried to zoom and 'conquer' the distance between us.
Last year a pair of them had a nest in the bank below my house.
I do not know where they nested this year, but I am thrilled to know that they are still around.

February 11, 2012

It's February - love is in the air....

February 10, 2012

A bird with a bib...
We are having a thunderstorm here and my bird book is in the car.
Unfortunately the ID will have to wait - I had better log off and unplug my PC.

February 9, 2012

Equipped with a coat of armour - spikes and all.  Totally in contrast with the fluffy underbelly!

February 8, 2012

Berry Berry Red
This tall plant bears it's fruit as high as the first floor windows of the boarding school.
 

February 7, 2012

While sitting outside wondering what to photograph today, these mousebirds perched overhead.
They took off in a hurry when they realised I was there!

February 6, 2012

It was entertaining to watch this little Sandpiper stalk and catch insects in the Rhino midden!
We took a quick drive to the game reserve again this afternoon with the hope of photographing Vultures at the carcass of the Giraffe that was killed by Lion over the week end.
The carcass had been moved a couple of hundred meters from the road & not a Vulture in sight.
We did the Mapumulo loop and saw Rhino, Buffalo, Nyala, Impala, Warthog, Giraffe & Zebra

February 5, 2012

A 5am visit to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve paid dividends
It was wonderful to watch a male Lion and two Lionesses - content and lazy after feasting all night.
The Lions lazed around for a while before disappearing into the thickets to 'sleep it off'
The Hyenas were very aware of the Lions that were still  in the area.
They would make their way towards the carcass but remained skittish and would suddenly retreat.
The carcass is just down the hill on the right hand side - vehicles lined the road on the left.

February 4, 2012

This experience certainly made today's second trip to the Game Reserve worth it!
Taken in very low light at 6:45 this evening.  

February 3, 2012

Chicken wire placed around a pot plant to keep the puppies out, makes an interesting 3D image!
For some unknown reason I am battling to load my photo tonight

February 2, 2012

The Waterberries are attracting a variety of birds.
This Mousebird was an early morning visitor

February 1, 2012

Mom and I took a quick drive to the game reserve again today.
This Water Thick-Knee/Water Dikkop was very interested in us.
Judging by the down still stuck to his beak, we probably interrupted preening time