Tag Archive for 'birds'

Mudcrawlers: Video

Published

on November 25, 2009

. 6 Comments Tags:adventure, africa, animal-kingdom, birding-african-birds, birds, blogumentary, bush, bush-knowledge, conservation, Cubs, den, documentary, ecotraining, education, elephants, endangered-species, experience, film, filmmaker, flickr, GLTP, gonarezhou, Great-Limpopo-Transfrontier-Park, hunting, hyaena, hyena, insects, IUCN-Red-List, kori bustard, malilangwe, mashable, narrowcasting, Open-Content-Alliance, pamushana, peace-parks, photos, podcasting, predators, teach, video, waterhole, wild, wild dogs, wildcasting, wilderness, wildlife, wildlife-documentary, youtube, zimbabwe

We’ve been cooped up taking shelter from the rain with no communications or internet for the last few days. It was quite pleasant waking up to the sound of rain pouring down and not having to be anywhere or do anything, but I was eventually itching to get out. So I eventually got to do a little photo commentary to pull us through - enjoy.

After a little wet weather the bugs are starting to make their appearance along with the flying ants. I shudder at the thought of the mosquitoes coming out in full force!

Animals know when the rain is coming; the hyenas prudently took shelter in the hills in expectation of the wet weather, but they still come down to the communal den during the evenings to socialize.

The elephant bulls are out and about looking for the high protein browse in the south of the reserve.

Just before the rains came I paid a visit to Nduna Dam and ran into a Kori Bustard walking the edge of the dam. They are huge birds and this one was not in a hurry to fly away as I was shadowing it.

Another great thing about summer is the summer visitor birds taking up residence on the reserve including the woodlands kingfisher with its expressive call.

Moonwalk on the Water: Video

Published

Wildcaster

on May 7, 2009

in videopost

. 2 Comments Tags:adventure, africa, animal-kingdom, birding-african-birds, birds, blogumentary, bush, bush-knowledge, conservation, documentary, duck, ecotraining, education, elephants, endangered-species, experience, film, flickr, GLTP, Goliath Heron, gonarezhou, Great-Limpopo-Transfrontier-Park, IUCN-Red-List, malilangwe, narrowcasting, Nduna dam, Open-Content-Alliance, pamushana, peace-parks, photos, podcasting, predators, teach, video, waterhole, wild, wild dogs, wildcasting, wilderness, wildlife, wildlife-documentary, zimbabwe

I was on a mission plotting markers on my GPS today and as Shakespeare says, “This is the short and the long of it.” It took most of the day to work through a series of positions where five different Black Rhino were last seen. I also had to do a bit of bush clearing to make things easier for myself when I find one of these guys. I found plenty of evidence of Rhino movement, but wasn’t lucky enough to find any of them. I feel confident that I’m edging my way forward with these Black Rhino, but I hope to get on a trail soon.

I ended up on Banyini with two elephant bulls watering at the pan. They seemed to come from different directions and meet up there. They were quite relaxed and seemed quite happy to share the space.

In the afternoon, I did a practice run of the route between my various marker points, and invariable a little bush clearing on the side. Although it was more of a technical day, at least I feel a little more effective than just driving until I find something.

I ended up all the way at Nduna Dam and decided to pick up a little footage of a Goliath Heron wading in the water. As the sun went down I headed for a cave where one of the Rhino has been sleeping during the day, the bats were flying in and out like in a scary movie. I think I even saw a few dry old bones on the cave floor! Again, I found evidence of activity in the area, but no Rhino.

Elephant Splitting Trees: Video

Published

Wildcaster

on May 3, 2009

in videopost

. 2 Comments Tags:adventure, africa, animal-kingdom, Bateleur Eagle, birding-african-birds, birds, blogumentary, bush, bush-knowledge, conservation, documentary, dove, ecotraining, education, elephants, endangered-species, experience, film, flickr, GLTP, gonarezhou, Great-Limpopo-Transfrontier-Park, IUCN-Red-List, malilangwe, mashable, narrowcasting, Open-Content-Alliance, pamushana, peace-parks, photos, predators, teach, video, waterhole, wild, wild dogs, wildcasting, wilderness, wildlife, wildlife-documentary, zimbabwe

I was hoping to find “the earless one” last night, but ended up joining the Hippos for another snorting session at Nduna Dam. And no, not that kind of snorting. Kylie came out with me so we headed towards Bandama Pan to catch the sunset. We spotted two Woolly-necked Storks at the pan, which is quite rare. I really need to fix a few odds and ends on “Dozer”, little problems can catch up with you eventually and then it takes the entire day to sort out the vehicle - this is something I don’t look forward to.

This morning I headed towards Khayeni Pan. On the way we ran into our old Elephant friend with floppy trunk syndrome. He has caused plenty of soiled underwear in the last while, but good thing I didn’t realize it was him at first and edged my way up close. He was absolutely fine without showing even a hint of aggression. I think he knows my vehicle by now though. Anyway, there was another bull elephant with him and they were having a go at destroying what ever was in their path.

Kylie was just saying to me yesterday that we never see any Bateleur Eagles any more, and what do you know, we spotted four of them cleaning out a nest in a Baobab tree. In fact, we had one busy eagle day, with what looked like a Wahlberg’s Eagle at Khayeni as we arrived. Out of all the bird life, eagles can be so difficult to identify. We also had a Brown Snake Eagle perched nearby Khayeni Pan.

There were many other birds of prey and eagles flying around today. Kim followed the Dogs up and down the Chiredzi River until they eventually crossed over this morning. The signal bounces around the banks of the river until one is left quite confused sometimes. He got his microlight ready for a flight this afternoon to pinpoint their position. Tomorrow he drives his girls back to SA, so I will take over on following the dogs, if he can locate them.

Zebra race: Video

Published

Wildcaster

on April 14, 2009

in videopost

. 5 Comments Tags:adventure, africa, airstrip, animal-kingdom, birds, blog, blogumentary, bush, bush-knowledge, conservation, documentary, ecotraining, education, elephants, endangered-species, experience, film, filmmaker, flickr, gallop, giraffe, GLTP, gonarezhou, Great-Limpopo-Transfrontier-Park, Impala, IUCN-Red-List, malilangwe, mashable, narrowcasting, nature, Open-Content-Alliance, pamushana, peace-parks, photo, photos, podcasting, predators, teach, video, waterhole, wild, wild dogs, wildcasting, wilderness, wildlife, wildlife-documentary, youtube, zebra, zimbabwe

So now that Easter’s over, it seems things are looking up.
I had a quiet day with nothing going wrong. What a pleasure.

First thing in the morning I was helped by a tractor and pulled back across the river. Now I have my vehicle and all equipment back on the home side I feel a lot better. And my cameras were even lucky to get a dose of Vitamin D today seeing a little sun as they both got to work. Nothing too spectacular but glad to at least be capturing a little part of Africa.

Flying early for the dogs I found them resting up far in the south but very close to the Chiredzi River. Will they keep heading east and cross tomorrow? Got fingers and toes crossed on that one.
It’s 3 days now that I haven’t seen them but I feel a lot more confident they’re all fine as the area they’ve been in is well protected. Lets just hope they play it safe when crossing back across the river. IF they cross.
The flying was great and I notched up many animals today. This elephant bull looked keen to pluck me out the sky, while his mates continued feeding on the river bank.

The very wide Runde River is a favourite place for people to do their washing and some dangerous fishing as monster crocs hang out in this river. I often see flocks of birds frequenting the river like these Cattle Egrets.

Back on the ground I had to get the second vehicle back from the river. Not wanting to waste time I took a jog down there. Rather uneventful.
With the dogs still out of commission I went in search of other activity. As usual the airstrip had its full compliment of animals. A large herd of impala, several herds of zebra, some giraffe and a lone wildebeest. The zebra were beside themselves racing to and fro across the strip. I don’t know what had got into them, but it just looked like pure fun!

When things settled down I continued on east to Bandama pan for sunset. With other bushveld pans still holding water, there wasn’t much activity at Bandama.
I limped home in my still half functional vehicle but at least no tyre problems today. Maybe that’s because I don’t have any more Coopers tyres on the vehicle.

Birds a plenty! Video

Published

Wildcaster

on April 13, 2009

in videopost

. 2 Comments Tags:adventure, africa, animal-kingdom, bird, birds, blog, blogumentary, bush-knowledge, conservation, documentary, ecotraining, education, endangered-species, experience, film, filmmaker, flickr, flock, giraffe, GLTP, gonarezhou, Great-Limpopo-Transfrontier-Park, IUCN-Red-List, malilangwe, mashable, narrowcasting, nature, Open-Content-Alliance, pamushana, peace-parks, photo, photos, podcasting, predators, quelea, teach, video, wild, wild dogs, wildcasting, wilderness, wildlife, wildlife-documentary, youtube, zimbabwe

Another day with my cameras not venturing out their boxes! (And so the video and photos come from my archives)
I was in the sky at dawn on this crisp morning, the very best time to fly. The air is dense and stable and my plane just seems to hang there. And of course with my camera being on the other side of the river, the mist lay dense across the bushveld and with the sun rays bouncing off it, just stunning but nothing to show for it.

I was up there in search of Allan’s leopard. For several hours I criss crossed the reserve. But no sign. And just when I had plans to pick up on the dogs the receiver battery died on me. No problem, I’d follow up on them by car.
It was already midday when I ventured down to the river in search of pretty Belinda! Damn she wasn’t there.

Just 10m before parking the vehicle on the river bank my front tyre nicked a tree stump and pop! Another tyre totally ruined.
So, about these new tyres. “Coopers STT”. Google them. Must be the STT as they are designed for 80% off road. Not much design going right here. AND they profess to have a specially designed side-wall for off road. Well the side-walls are like bubble gum. So soft that just about anything pierces them and once they go that’s it.
I still swear by the standard old road tyres. No special trims, just a thick side-wall. I think I’ve blown 4 of them in 20 years. And my Coopers STT, I’ve blown 6 in 2months! AND they’re more than double the price.
So yes how can I complain? I was caught hook, line and sinker and now I’m sunk!

It was no big deal crossing the river to my vehicle and off I went in search for the dogs. This was all new country to me, and big country. So I wasn’t impressed when my engine started developing problems, and they got worse. Eventually it was just a battle to keep the engine running. In the meantime I tried to search for the dogs too but was without luck. They could be anywhere, so I gave up and stumbled along back to the river.

At the rate I’m going any ventures west of the river just aren’t working for me. I really seem to be wasting my time. Tomorrow I’m probably going to have to get a tractor to pull me back across the river so I can take a serious look at my vehicle problems. And then I’ll have to fly again for the dogs. I’m secretly hoping I couldn’t find them cos they’re back east of the river.
And so my Easter weekend came to an end. Not the happiest one I’ve had!

Sandpiper dual: Video

Published

Wildcaster

on April 10, 2009

in videopost

. 2 Comments Tags:adventure, africa, animal-kingdom, birds, blog, blogumentary, buffalo, bush, bush-knowledge, conservation, documentary, dual, ecotraining, education, endangered-species, experience, fight, film, filmmaker, flickr, GLTP, gonarezhou, Great-Limpopo-Transfrontier-Park, hunting, Impala, IUCN-Red-List, malilangwe, mashable, narrowcasting, nature, Open-Content-Alliance, pamushana, pan, peace-parks, photo, photos, podcasting, predators, sandpiper, teach, video, wallow, waterhole, wild, wild dogs, wildcasting, wilderness, wildlife, wildlife-documentary, youtube, zimbabwe

And so the anxiety thickens! What’s up with the dogs?
I only flew later in the morning to look for the dogs, giving them last night’s hunting time and this mornings hunting time to hopefully head home. But there was no such luck. They were actually further west from where I had them yesterday. Deeper into in bad, dangerous country. I just feel so helpless knowing there’s nothing I can do but hope they’ll all make it safely back to Malilangwe soon.

I plan to fly at dawn tomorrow to catch them on the hunt so I can hopefully count heads. This not knowing how they’re doing is really eating me. Ruins my whole day, well actually turning to week now. I didn’t realise how attached I was to these dogs, until I wasn’t able to be by their sides every day. But it’s more the anxiety of not knowing if they’re all okay.
I seemed to spend the rest of the day in a dazed state with no real focus. Not good! And consequently hardly took any photos.
I did film some Dassies sunning themselves at dawn. And then at dusk at Bandama pan these Sandpipers were constantly at war with each other protecting their piece of real-estate. Prime country along those shorelines for great hunting of millions of tiny bugs.

A large herd of buffalo were just leaving the pan on my arrival, all looking to have had one glorious wallow.

I stayed at the pan for the full moon rising. That was a real treat as it rose over the pan and then silhouetted a Marabou Stork roosting in a tree as it floated up over the horizon.

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Tag Archive for 'birds'

Mudcrawlers: Video

Moonwalk on the Water: Video

Elephant Splitting Trees: Video

Zebra race: Video

Birds a plenty! Video

Sandpiper dual: Video

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