Monday 28 April 2014

Zebra

Zebra - Horses of the Savannah

Plains Zebra, (Equus burchellii) also known as Burchelli's or the common Zebra are one of the iconic savannah or plains herd mammals we have all come to associate with an African safari. 

I captured these Plains Zebra, which were part of a much larger herd while on what one would call a typical 'safari self drive' in South Africa's Kruger National Park. That day alone my wife and I must have encountered in various Zebra herds and groups somewhere between 500-700 animals just in a small section of the park.

Photograph of three Plains Zebra, (Equus burchellii)
Plains Zebra, (Equus burchellii) also known as the Burchell's Zebra

Monday 21 April 2014

Bateleur Eagle

Bateleur Eagle – Majestic Eagle of the Savannah

The Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) is a medium sized eagle of the African Savannah. Endemic to Africa this very colorful eagle is unmistakable in flight, with its very short tail (ecaudatus is Latin for tailless) and distinctive soaring and flight pattern, colorful plumage and white under wings the Bateleur Eagle is easy to spot soaring high and sometime not so high in the African sky’s.

Photograph of a Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) on the ground Kruger National Park
Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) - Kruger National Park, South Africa


Monday 14 April 2014

Impala

Impala - Africa's Fast Food

Anybody who has been on an African safari will probably come across quite quickly in their game drives the humble Impala antelope (Aepyceros melampus). These medium sized antelope have two recognised sub-species that being the common Impala (Aepyceros. melampus) and the black-faced Impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi) of Angola and Namibia.
The Impala is an animal of the great African savannah and woodland edges from where it can seek cover and as this is the Impala's natural habitat it has become a great 'prey' favourite of the big African cats like the Lion, Leopard and Cheetah, with this in mind those on safari often see these antelope at large cat 'kill' sightings.
Photograph of a Impala Antelope (Aepyceros melampus) drinking from a water hole
Impala (Aepyceros melampus) female drinking from a waterhole, a daily occurrence.


Monday 7 April 2014

Double-banded Sandgrouse

Double-banded Sandgrouse – Multi-coloured birds of Southern Africa

It was a few years of birding before we saw our first  Double-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus) I can remember how excited we were at seeing this stunning multi coloured bird up close and personal. 

Being found in the most arid parts of South and Southern Africa and as with many of our birding experiences our Double-banded Sandgrouse was spotted driving along a dirt road towards the northern part of South Africa’s Kruger National Park.

Photograph of a male Double-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus)
A male Double-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus)