Warthog

In the heat of the day, fear of humans is forgotten in the need to find a shady spot to sleep. It did not bother them that it was lunch time and most humans are scared of THEM so would not use the tables. LOL!!

For more pictures and information, please go to: http://saphotographs.blogspot.com/2008/11/warthogs_08.html

Cavorting Emperor Moth (Usta terpsichore)

Family Saturniidae

 One the smaller Emperor moth species with a wingspan of only about 4cm.

Six-spotted Tiger Beetle (Dromica transitoria)

Family Carabidae Cicindelinae

Although most of our Tiger beetles are found on the beaches of our coastal areas, this species was found at Berg en Dal Camp, Kruger National Park.

A small beetle of about 1cm in body length and a very fast runner.

They are predators of other insects.

Kudu

Male kudu hold their heads back in order to lay their horns along their back so that they do not get the entangled in the bushes when running.

When fully grown, they have thirty two teeth.

 Very often kudu are seen standing on top of anthills as this gives them a good view of their surroundings and can quickly see approaching danger.


When a herd is alarmed and starts to run away, they curl their tails upwards so that the white part underneath shows. This acts like a flag and enables those behind to follow easily and are thus able to stay together.

The spiral horns are used to pull down branches too high for them to reach otherwise.

 Kudu have the longest horns amongst the antelope species. They have been measured at 181,6 centimetres.


The female leaves the herd when she is about to give birth, and once the calf is born, she keeps it hidden for a few days until the baby is strong enough to join the herd.

They have very large ears in proportion to their heads.

Shells / Starfish

On a recent visit to the coast, I photographed a selection of shells and starfish at Kidds Beach.

 They come in all shapes and colours and the prettiest ones I found to be the very small ones.

Monkey Beetle (Eriesthis gutttata)

Family Scarabaeidae

 Monkey Beetles are very small and hair and mostly seen with just their butts sticking out of flowers.

Chameleon colours

I find chameleons fascinating.

Not only are they masters of disguise, they have eyes which turn independently of each other so that it is capable of looking forward and behind at the same time.

 Then way they change colour automatically with no effort on their behalf is amazing.

 This is the Common Flap-necked chameleon, the largest of our species and these are some of the changes in colour I have been able to take photographs of. The first one is how they normally look.

For more information on them, please go to: http://saphotographs.blogspot.com/2009/03/flap-necked-chameleon_10.html

Straight-lined Sapphire (Iolaus silarus)

Family Lycaenidae Lycaeninae

A smallish butterfly with a 3cm wingspan.

 Found in the northern parts of SA.

In warmer regions they are found the year round.

Info: Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa (Steve Woodhall)

African Banana Slug (Elisolimax flavescens)

Family Urocyclidae

The colour makes this slug easy to identify. It reaches 6cm in length.

 Found along the eastern coast from KwaZulu Natal and northwards into Kruger National Park.


It is regarded as a pest in banana plantations where it damages the skin of the fruit.

Info: Field Guide to Land Snails and Slugs (Dai Herbert & Dick Kilburn)

Ground Hornbill

The largest of the Hornbill species at about the size of a turkey. The others are much smaller, about the size of a large dove.

A very distinctive birds with his black coloration, white markings on the wing and bright red wattles. The immature birds have a yellowish wattle which gets redder as they mature. Their beak also starts of being a greyish colour.

 They are found along the eastern coast and northern borders of SA.


Found in woodland and grassland or agricultural lands.

They are mainly seen in small family groups of up to 8 birds.

 Forage on the ground and eat snails, reptiles, frogs, insects and occasionally a very young tortoise.


They nest in hollow tree trunks and lay an average of two eggs per season.

Info: Robert’s Birds of Southern Africa