The spotted thick-knee or dikkop (the Afrikaners and the English disagree about which part of the bird is thick…) always looks kind of sleepy. Its plumage gives excellent camouflage in the long grass, so it can be hard to spot this bird. At night, the bird becomes active and starts to hunt for whatever it can find on the ground: insects, lizards, and even small mammals.
Tag: South Africa
Kudu male
What a majestic beast is the kudu! This male was out walking with his harem in the afternoon when the sun was setting. Actually, male kudus generally live in bachelor groups, or, more often, solitarily.
Baby zebra
Such a cute little baby zebra!
I was surprised to see so many baby animals in Pilanesberg last week, since winter is coming soon. But I guess that for now there is enough food to be had from the long grass.
Black-backed jackal
A black-backed jackal hunting early in the morning in Pilanesberg National Park.
We hadn’t seen much this morning, and my stomach was grumbling, so we decided to just park the car and have some breakfast while we were watching a group of impalas. Suddenly, a little further afield, I saw movement. It was this little jackal, who kindly moved into the direction of our car so that I could get a good shot!
Secretary bird
A secretary bird wades through the long grass in Rietvlei Nature Reserve. As much as I like the secretary bird, it does not look like a friendly animal…
The path over the hills
“I listened, motionless and still;
and as I mounted up the hill,
the music in my heart I bore,
long after it was heard no more.”
– William Wordsworth
Little bay
A little bay along the St. Blaize’s trail near Mossel Bay. Such beautiful scenery!
A cloudy day in the hills
It was one of those days in which the sky growls and then goes quiet again, only to find its voice again later on. Thunderstorms and downpours alternated with blue skies and sunshine. We went out for an evening stroll and I managed to get this photograph before the biting insects had completely sucked me dry…
Dassie on the rocks
The rock hyrax or dassie is not at all afraid of heigths. Balancing on a rock above the crashing waves is its idea of a relaxing spot. Dassies live in groups of up to 80 animals. Their teeth show a pair of elongated upper incisors, which they have in common with their close relative, the elephant.
Photo taken in Mosselbay.
Awesome wonder 