Africa Wild

I'm proud to say I've been "clean" for 21 years now. I even go to extreme lengths to catch bugs in the house and escort them back into their natural environment. Yes, even roaches.

The sheer grandeur of Africa, (and guilt), were powerful game changers.

Thanks nan, RP, Pumbaa, and Toko.

Liz: "It is a kind of evolution of our brain that brings us to understand that if we want a future of our planet, we must not touch nature, only watch it and learn I wish that the original inhabitants of the African continent would come to the same conclusion."

Perfectly put. I wish I had evolved, ethically, relative to this issue long before I actually did. So many people say to me, "Insects are different. It's not the same thing as hunting lions, big game, etc…." No difference at all to me. None.

That's why I stay out of the hunting discussions - VERY hypocritical of me in light of my past hobby. I do try to make amends by donating to charities and causes, and am leaving much of my estate to the same, not to people.

Well, let's get back on track….

This showy denizen is no innocent fun seeker. Au contraire - it's more like your Worst Halloween Nightmare

Imagine this: you go out trick or treating and a friendly looking neighbor offers you some candy. But as soon as you get close enough, he/she grabs you and you become their prey….

This is an ASSASSIN BUG. Not only does its name sound evil, but it employs deceitful intentions in pursuit of a meal. It is a predator of ants, and lures the unsuspecting innocents with a tantalizing promise of food. The ants are attracted to a glandular structure on the bug's abdomen.



As the ant comes close, LOOKING for a meal, it is stabbed with the bug's curved beak, injected with venom, is instantly paralyzed, and BECOMES the meal instead.

Speaking of ants, there were more male driver ants around than I've ever seen at night.



Seems the geckos also take a liking to ants, and they were having a feast.

The lacewings didn't fare much better.

The Life and Death struggle of prey versus predator never rests, and each evening holds the possibility of finding something you've never seen before.

Thanks for reading along, all. Yep, everybody loves geckos and geckos seem to love "every body", as well.

When I took this one:



I was imagining the lacewing saying those Famous Last Words of a Redneck. "HEY! Watch THIS!"

Mel, should we start a Topic on True Confessions so we can unveil your secret past, not to mention RP, nan, Toko, Liz, and Pumbaa's. There are some on this Forum I'm sure I want to hear about, tho'.

As to where I have the most success with insects, the obvious spots are TR, Mata Mata, and Nossob due to having a larger area to search and also being fenced. However, KK is good at night since it has a long enclosed entryway AND outdoor lights to attract them. KTC has the fenced car area with a light and the area around the outdoor kitchen/sitting area that's lit, but that's the least safe to me at night.

At KTC, even though it is unfenced, people and the maids obviously walk around, go to the pool, etc during the daytime. We always get the Honeymoon tent on the end due to privacy, quietness, isolation, and I go out there in the area left of our tent during the day.

HOWEVER, this year we had an incident which made me rethink macro photography at KTC...

When I go out around the honeymoon tent to photograph during the day, SO is always outside in the sitting area to keep an eye out for anything approaching.

We've often commented how exposed you are out there at night, because the perimeter wall is only knee high and anything except a tortoise can easily get over it. Well, this was the year it really hit home how exposed you are out there.

EARLY one morning we were getting ready to head out on our morning drive, (we're always out as soon as the "gate" opens), and were in the kitchen getting our coffee. SO walked out into the open area and immediately shouts to me, "Go get in the truck, there's a lion RIGHT HERE!"



I snapped that quick photo with just my head sticking out of the kitchen door, then hurried to the car park area, where I shouted,



SO quickly followed me into the car park area, latching the gate behind him. We both stood on the running board (?) of the car, watching them intently watching us.

As they were right beside our tent, and not roaring, NO ONE else even knew there were lions in camp.



He got the message, and the lions all sat back down. But they didn't leave.



Finally, the lioness moved over the ridge, and the lions followed.

It just reminded us how vigilant one has to be at all times in unfenced areas, and I don't think I will be doing anymore daytime macro photography in the KTC. When you're down on the ground, focusing on miniature crawlies, you are not keeping an eye on your surroundings, so not a very prudent thing to do, ESPECIALLY on your own.

Late, but glad to be on our way, we began another day in paradise.