Sunday, July 7, 2013

Scenes From Etosha Pans - One

It hasn't been all work and no play the last eight months - I've managed a few trips to the Etosha National Park, an hour's drive from my home:


Klein Namutoni Waterhole at Sunrise - there's nothing I like more than sitting quietly at a waterhole watching the comings and goings.


Giraffe at Twee Palms Waterhole. 

The trees are Ilala Palms (Hyphaene petersiana) and they occur in a broad swathe across northern Namibia. Known locally as the 'Makalani Palm' the fruit, a hard nut, is called 'Vegetable Ivory' because of the hard inner kernel which is used for carving trinkets and curios. 

The outer part of the fruit has a thin layer of ginger-flavoured pulp, much loved by Elephants and Baboons.


My first sighting of a Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis).


Honey Badgers are generally solitary, nocturnal creatures and have a reputation for being mean, aggressive fighters, even taking-on animals as large as Buffalo, going for the groin and genital organs, causing it's enemy to bleed to death.

Curiously, according to my Reference, "These animals are easily trainable and make interesting pets ..." - mmm, a Guard Badger?


Honey Badgers are omnivorous, feeding on rodents, snakes, insects and spiders. It's favourite food though, is Honey.


The Honey Badger's association with a bird called the Honey Guide (Indicator indicator) is well known - the bird locates a bees' nest then goes to 'call' a Honey Badger. The Badger breaks open the nest, protected from stings by its tough hide and underlying layer of fat, then shares the feast with the bird.


A Termite mound which has been raided by an Aardvark - the hole probably serves as a temporary home for some-or-other creature, like the Honey Badger, or Hyaena.


I was thrilled to spot this Caracal (Felis caracal) running across the road and into the bush where it stopped briefly to give me a photo-op - my first Caracal sighting in Etosha.


Caracal are the number one 'problem' animal in Namibia - they are responsible for considerable stock losses and are powerful enough to kill full-grown goats and sheep.


Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudata) - a common bird in Etosha.


I managed to get close to three male Spotted Hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) walking resolutely alongside the road. 


They are strange creatures in appearance and behaviour; feared and associated with Witchcraft and Evil in African lore. However, "researchers regard the Hyaena as an animal of superbly adapted build, with a functional beauty of its own."


One of the Hyaena stopped to examine the car and I felt distinctly uneasy as it regarded me with unfathomable liquid eyes - the same eyes I've seen on kids who sniff glue ... almost like a death glaze ...


Etosha Agama (Agama etoshae) - Endemic to the Etosha Pans and surrounding area.


A visitor records the scene at a Waterhole, framed in his rear view mirror - I couldn't resist this shot.


I bought this Owl from a vendor at the Namutoni gate - it now hangs against a newly-painted Orange wall ... :)


... to be continued ...

References:
Amy Schoeman - Notes on Nature.

23 comments:

  1. Etosha is on my bucket list.

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    1. If you have plans to come this way, let me know Phillip ...

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  2. I'm so thrilled that you and your gorgeous photos are back in Bloggyland. This was a stunning trip through Etosha Park. We have a tiny water hole here now, just a drip from an outside faucet and it is amazing how many animals and birds it attracts in this desert climate.Thanks for stopping by, like I said, it's good you are back.

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    1. Thank you Inger - at home I have a few water leaks where birds gather ... I love to sit and watch them ... hope you're feeling better now ...

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  3. Hey Graham..beautiful and interesting shots. Hyena's look cute despite their reputation. I spotted a badger last year in my yard. It was very different in colour . It was charcoal greyish black and had a white stripe running along its back over his muzzle.

    I guess when you're sitting by a waterhole you've got to keep a look out for predators :)

    Good to see you bach !

    M

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    1. Hehehe ... hey thanks Monica ...

      Yeah, predators are what I love to see at waterholes, or anywhere ... I've never been lucky with Big Cat sightings ...

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  4. As always, I SO enjoyed this photographic tour of your amazing country--THANK YOU!!

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  5. Good to see you back Graham! As always, your photos are great! Thank you for sharing.

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  6. Graham these are fantastic photos, and what luck to see a honey badger. One animal that has eluded me. I am very wary of hyaenas, those powerful jaws would snap your leg in two very easily!

    I have wooden hornbill that looks like it was made by the same vendor as your owl. It needs cleaning up and eyes and beak painted again. I must get around to doing while the weather is so good. Have a good week. Diane

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    1. Thanks Diane - i see on TV that it's pretty hot in the North - enjoy while it lasts ... it's chilly here in the Desert ...

      I must admit that I'm not too fond of Hyaenas ... I believe that when they're mating the sounds they make are pretty scary ... no wonder they're associated with the Underworld ... useful creatures though for keeping the bush clean ...

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  7. What a wonderful post Graham. I have not been to Etosha for about 10 years but it is time to get back up there. It is the one park I never ride around in, instead, I park at a waterhole all day and sooner or later, everything comes down for a drink. :)Especially love the honey badger pics.

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    1. Thanks Joan - I recently visited the little-known Mahango Game park on the Okavango river and was pleasantly surprised at the wildlife to be seen ... especially the Birds.

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  8. You've got some wonderful photos once again Graham. I've never seen a caracal in photo or in person before. Must be a thrill but good to be "in the car".

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    1. Thanks Penny - yes, it is comforting being in a car, except when there are angry Elephant around ... :)

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  9. Such beautifully diverse animals. I also like the picture of the visitor; I can see why you wanted to take that shot :)
    -E

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    1. Thanks Elisa - yes, sometimes photographing humans is more interesting than photographing other animals ... :)

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  10. Not much shade for those giraffes.
    Very interesting that badger bird relationship. Now I want to know how the bird calls the badger.
    I don't think I would want to wake up to that owl - too bright of face.

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  11. What wonderful photos, Graham! I'd love to go to that park, but will probably have to settle for Kenya in this lifetime (headed there later this week). Good to see you back in touch!

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    1. Thanks Jeffrey - I wish you a memorable visit to Kenya - I've never been there, never been anywhere ...

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  12. I thought you would find this youtube clip interesting - I suspect similar things have happened to you.
    http://youtu.be/uD6wdrVFc0g

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    1. Hehe ... thanks Bill ... amazing footage!!! ...

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