Harmonious Nature

Giraffes are a general "feature" in most game reserves in our country - but one isn't always "blessed" with viewing them at such close courters, other than that they are "posing" so harmoniously . . .




. . . even when this "couple" turned their heads, they did it in harmony.







Similarly in harmony with nature was this young kudu male.





When I became interested in "birding" I was convinced that identifying large raptors was an "easy" process - until I realised that especially eagles "go through" various stages of metamorphosis before "acquiring" their adult plumage . . .



. . . whilst without its mother by its side, I don't think I would have correctly identified the juvenile Bateleur (above).




Talking about birding - after I set the goal of photographing as many bird species as posible & on reaching the "magical" number of 400, it's not easy "finding" a bird I haven't as yet "recorded". So it was exciting to "discover" not 1 but eventually 3 birds I wasn't able to photograph before - apart from this Gurney's sugarbird (in the Drakensberg area) I could also add a Purple gallinule (at the St Lucia Estuary) & a Yellowrumped widow (in the Hermanus/Gansbay area) to my bird "file".

Turning to reptiles now - I have often photographed a Water leguaan (= a Monitor) although this one was "special" - I was actually sitting patiently behind a bush waiting for a Red duiker to emerge, when right in front of me I saw a movement. I was concentrating so much on the little antelope "hiding" that I had missed what was right there = this rather large reptile. How could I have missed it? It remained still, just checking "over a shoulder" if I represented a possible threat - which I must admit, I also contemplated - but in the end, taking "shots" of this animal won over any feelings of fear.


In contrast I haven't "met" many a Rock leguaan before - so finding this one crossing the road ahead of our open safari-vehicle was a "nice" surprise.



Last but not least - a "smaller version" = a colourful Rock agama. As I've mentioned before when "discussing" members of the lizard family: rock agamas (when "posing" in a certain way) remind me of (miniature) dragons.

[Will only be able to post more photos in about 3 weeks time, because until then, I'm going to guide a group of German-speaking tourists through our highly diverse country again]