The Rock Monitor lizard is our second largest we have reaching to 800mm (31 inches) in body length, having a tail a little longer than that. Females lays between 10-40 soft-shell eggs in a hole dug in the soil and they take about 10 months to incubate.
The park has put in many waterholes with water from boreholes so even if the rivers dry up completely, there are still places to have a drink and slack that thirst.
At this time of year, all there is to eat are innutritious leaves and many of the buck species get mange. As soon as it rains and the new leaves and grass starts coming out, their coats will slowly recover. This is a female Bushbuck and one of the lovely species of buck we have. We have no deer species in SA.
When looking for the big cats, the Impala will give you a good indication if there are any around. They will be feeding and all of a sudden run in a group to one place and stand staring. You can be sure they are looking at a lion, leopard or cheetah even if your eye cannot see it.
This is the once might Olifants (Elephants) River. You can see how broad it used to be. Now with factories and farm pumping water out of it along its course, there is very little left except for this small stream. How sad!!
In winter, although this looks like a very dry riverbed, there is still a certain amount of underground water. Elephants are very good at digging for it and will use their trunks and feet to do this. Once the hole is dug it fills with water and when they have finished drinking, other animals make good use of them too.
Kudu are one of our larger species of buck, the males having horns which reach to 180cm (70 inches). As soon as new shoots appear, they are enjoyed by them and all the other animals.
It is spring and the birds are building their nests and hatching their chicks including the ugly Lappet-faced vultures. I could not get a decent picture of them but I could see one check in the nest.
The park has put in many waterholes with water from boreholes so even if the rivers dry up completely, there are still places to have a drink and slack that thirst.
At this time of year, all there is to eat are innutritious leaves and many of the buck species get mange. As soon as it rains and the new leaves and grass starts coming out, their coats will slowly recover. This is a female Bushbuck and one of the lovely species of buck we have. We have no deer species in SA.
When looking for the big cats, the Impala will give you a good indication if there are any around. They will be feeding and all of a sudden run in a group to one place and stand staring. You can be sure they are looking at a lion, leopard or cheetah even if your eye cannot see it.
This is the once might Olifants (Elephants) River. You can see how broad it used to be. Now with factories and farm pumping water out of it along its course, there is very little left except for this small stream. How sad!!
In winter, although this looks like a very dry riverbed, there is still a certain amount of underground water. Elephants are very good at digging for it and will use their trunks and feet to do this. Once the hole is dug it fills with water and when they have finished drinking, other animals make good use of them too.
Kudu are one of our larger species of buck, the males having horns which reach to 180cm (70 inches). As soon as new shoots appear, they are enjoyed by them and all the other animals.
It is spring and the birds are building their nests and hatching their chicks including the ugly Lappet-faced vultures. I could not get a decent picture of them but I could see one check in the nest.
so africa is opposite from us, spring there and winter coming om here. the elephant made me want to cry it is so beautiful and the last photo is wonderful. your photos speak with words of their own, they don't even need explanations they are so clear and sharp. you are talented and blessed to see all of this and show to us, thanks
ReplyDeleteThese images bring back strong memories Joan. The Oliphant River looks even smaller than when I was there.
ReplyDeleteMore bloody impalas. ;)
Hi Joan, The wild animals you encounter are so beautiful and amazing. Your monitor lizard looks smart. I didn't see many reptiles in my area this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra. Yes, our season are the exact opposite of yours and it always seems wierd when one is posting of beautiful summer flowers and the other has snow on the ground. :)
ReplyDeleteThis world of nature I find myself in teaches me something new every day. It is fascinating!!
It is smaller Gaelyn. We are starting to have some rain now so soon it will have the benefit of more water again.
ReplyDeleteLOL!! Poor impalas. :) You are lucky I did not show you all 128,000 of them. LOL!!
Great to hear from you again Diana. I am sure you are pleased it is cooling down a bit again.
ReplyDeleteAs big as these lizards are, they are preyed upon by one of our eagles so you can imagine how big it must be with a six foot wingspan.
Hello Joan!! That is an impressive photo of a kudu you have there. I hope it pours with rain soon - everything is so dry!
ReplyDeleteKeep well :)
Sreddy
Nice to see you back Sreddy. It is almost to crunch point for you now isn't it? Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteI hope it rains too, lots and lots of it. :)
I love to see all these animals Joan. What wonderful luck.
ReplyDeleteB
It was such a great day for me being back in Kruger. Thanks Becky.
ReplyDeleteThe first monitor I saw was a water monitor swimming in a river below a game reserve lodge's deck. For a moment I thought it was a croc.
ReplyDeleteDont worry, I have mistaken them for crocs on my first glance too Jonker. :)
ReplyDeletehere is my email address, shangey@tampabay.rr.com i would like to know how you eat with food so expensive. very unfair from what you told me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra, I will send you one.
ReplyDeleteThere was a wonderful special on PBS about elephants...what wonderous creatures they are.....
ReplyDeleteAbove all else I love he elephants and the cheetacha. Elephants are amazing to watch when they are in a herd.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots, Joan! The Kudu is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteThey are such graceful looking animals. Thanks Jose.
ReplyDelete