Africa Wild

Flutterby wrote:Wonder why his tongue was hanging out...must have been a sexy lioness somewhere around.

Wonderful pics Kesheshe

Wow now that's a beautifull Lion

Day 10 - 12th October - Continued

I took a mini break over the last few weeks so have not posted. Now it is 2014 guess it is time to continue with the trip report.

After the lion we continued to head south.

Kori Bustard

During courtship, the male kori bustard struts about with its crest raised, its neck inflated, and its tail feathers cocked. In addition, on approaching an individual female, the male will sometimes bow low, whilst emitting a low-pitched booming sound. Being a polygamous breeder, the male resumes its courtship display following copulation, having nothing more to do with egg incubation or parental care. The female incubates one to two eggs in a shallow scrape in the ground for 23 to 24 days before hatching. The chicks remain with their mother well after fledging, and only reach sexual maturity after at least two years.





Bateleur Eagle

Juvenile Bateleurs have longer tail and wing feathers than their parents. Young eagles need these longer feathers when they are first learning to fly, as they give them more stability and control in the air. Each year, as the bird molts, its new feathers grow in a little shorter. When the bird reaches maturity, it will have the long, narrow wing and short tail of an adult, which readily distinguish Bateleurs from all other African raptors in flight.

stunning pictures of the bateleur

was that at Kannaguass again?

Love those lion pics!!

A very handsome lion

yes Kannaguass it was very productive for us on this trip.

Day 10 - 12th October - Continued

Bateleur Eagle

Incredibly, the Bateleur may spend as much as 80 percent of the day in flight, covering up to 500 kilometres, as it searches for food. Flying relatively low, this species scans the ground for signs of food and, when sighted, it descends in a tight spiral to investigate. It is particularly adept at locating carrion, often patrolling roadsides for road kill, but it is an opportunistic feeder and quite capable of swooping down on live prey or catching birds in flight. The Bateleurs broad diet consists of mammals, from shrews to small antelopes, and birds, from starlings to large hornbills, as well as reptiles, insects and dead fish. When not in flight, the Bateleur can be seen perching on branches or standing on the ground with its wings outstretched, absorbing the heat from the sun.

Super shots of the bateleur! One of my favourite raptors.

Beautiful Bateleur!