The Legendary Black Mamba. A 3m beauty was recently released onto our Reserve.The Black Mamba is undoubtedly Africa's largest venomous snake. The common name is confusing, as this snake is rarely black. Juveniles are light grey to olive, darkening with age to olive green, dark olive, greyish brown or gun metal grey. The name is derived from the colouring inside the mouth, which is an inky black. Average length is 3m with a maximum of 4,5m. Humphrey Couch our resident Snake Whisperer releases the snake It quickly slithers away Note the narrow flared hood as it rears up to face the handler Here it comes! Portrait showing the coffin shaped head Some of the inky black colouring inside the mouth is just visible in this image
0 Comments
Under some very frustrating photographic conditions I still had a good day out. The Comb ducks are back on the big dam. There was a Spoonbill fishing in the shallows, which is only my second sighting of this species on the Reserve. I visited a known Bateleur nest site and was fortunate to see the parent and juvenile Bateleur perched nearby. I also observed a pair of Wahlberg's Eagles mating near their nest when I was scanning the area with my bins. My first record of this species this season. Sadly no image! Comb Duck male B.I.F. shot African Spoonbill with catch Juvenile Bateleur Juvenile Bateleur Adult and Juvenile
The lions are filling out nicely and their manes are starting to look impressive Notch catnapping in the foreground, Collar yawning and Mullet chilling at the back Imagine getting swotted by this weapon of destruction Notch Notch Mullet Mullet Collar Collar
I came across this pair of Tawny Eagles late in the evening as the sun was setting and the moon was rising. The larger darker female is on the left with the smaller male paying her some attention. They were dive-bombed by a Dark Chanting Goshawk who was not pleased with their presence, but stood their ground The moon comes into view 18.39 on the 12092019 This Little Sparrowhawk frequents our waterhole. Note the diagnostic yellow eye and cere and the twin tail spots It then obligingly flew up onto a nearby perch before heading off into the canopy again
Southern Ground-Hornbill. Listed as Vulnerable in S.Africa African Mourning Dove. The yellow eye with red skin is diagnostic and differentiates it from the very similar looking Red-eyed Dove and Cape Turtle-Dove. My first images of this species African Fish-Eagle A female Chinspot Batis that has just vacated the nest Swainson's Spurfowl A male Double-banded Sandgrouse blending in perfectly with the background A Rattling Cisticola Female Village Weaver A female Red-billed Firefinch A photo bomb as I was taking images of a of Purple-crested Turaco at the waterhole A White-browed Scrub-Robin showing nicely up in the canopy Striped Kingfisher still hunting from this perch
I have not recorded one of these beauties in several years so was very excited to have good visuals of this very relaxed bird, as it perched next to a dam, patiently waiting for a prey item to appear. A female Giant Kingfisher, the largest kingfisher species in the region. Approx. 44cm in size The black speckled breast and rufous belly are found on the female with the male having a rufous upper chest and white speckled belly
Over the years I have heard the distinctive calling of the male many times, observed the aerial tumbling flight of a displaying male on several occasions, but this is my first sighting of the raised "Red Crest" after which this species is named. Something which will remain etched in my memory for a long time to come The male starts vocalising at his call site When the female arrives he begins by puffing out his feathers Finally his crest is raised to complete his display Very impressive stuff Portrait of the lady in question
Highlight of the week is this Yellow-throated Petronia. I have only recorded it a couple of times in the last two years, unlike the similar Southern Grey-headed Sparrow that is often seen. Note the straight pale buff eyebrow and if you look carefully, the yellow throat spot. Not the best image! Hamerkop with catch A Red-billed Oxpecker in soft evening light A Pair of Purple-crested Turacos have taken to coming to our waterhole to drink. I hope they will become more habituated over time as they are very shy at the moment. A lovely splash of colour.
|
Archives
March 2024
|