Kgalagadi: the thirst land

The solar driven water pumps that keep the water-holes at Kgalagadi well stocked up are a big relief to the water scarce desert land. At these water holes one is able to see wild life at its best.

While at Cubetjie Quap water-hole, I saw a very thirsty solitary White stock quenching, drenching itself and bathing, while Black-backed jackal had its eyes on a Black Kite nearby. After a desperate attempt by the jackal to catch the kite; the White Stock had no alternative but to abandon the cooling precious find and take off. The Black –backed jackal had all the water-hole to itself thereafter.Here it goes (Right-click image to enlarge).

The White Stock quenching its thirst

Black Kite evading the Black-backed Jackal

The Black-backed Jackal  turn to quench its thirst

The Spotted Thick-knee: the quest continues

My story on the Spotted Thick-knee has aroused interest from far and wide and this has prompted me report on the responses I received from various circles. One of the birders, from Canada, who has kept the birding world, posted with good stories and updates, is “Barry the Birder” ( aka Barry Wallace) who took keen interest in the photos and the story to a page on  his blog.

You can follow this link to Barry’s article on the Thick-knee
http://www.barrythebirder.com/2012/04/thick-knee-photos-by-mpho-phiri.html



Spotted Thick-knee

You can still leave your comment on the story and pics at this link (and read other comments as well)
http://mafikengbirds.blogspot.com/2012/03/spotted-thicknee-always-associated-with_30.html

Thanx

Spotted Thick-knee: associated with the enemy or bad omen

While at Kgalagadi, I happened to discover a group of Spotted Thick-knees under a tree, just behind the little shop at the Nossob Rest Camp.This was ironic because it was just a day before my departure. It was about  mid- day.
I was amazed by the closeness in which I could get to them without being distubed. The Afrikaans people call them Dikkop. The Batswana people call them Tswang-Tswang (keep- away) while the Basutho people call them Kgoho-ya-dira (enemy). In all instances  the name refers to the enemy or bad omen.
All this remind me of the sounds they normally make at night since they are nocturnal birds.
Well, everything that it is associated with the night in Africa is "bad omen". Anyway, that is all what is in the name.Quite some lovely birds, isn'it?

Spotted Thick-knee

Spotted Thick-knee - well camouflaged at mid day

Spotted Thick-knee with characteristic big head (dikkop) and large knees (thick-knees) 

The incredible Sociable Weaver's nest: The biggest in the world

While travelling towards and out of Upington on my way to Kgalagadi, I was fascinated by numerous nests of Sociable Weavers in all shapes and sizes on telephone poles and other structures. Inside the park, the giant nest were seen on old huge trees.It was an interesting characteristic feature of the arid landscape. (Right click the image to enlarge)

Skilful Sociable Weaver

 

Even at mid day it was still hard at work

The giant nest can host a colony of ±500 birds

The various chambers still active even when the tree has fallen

Telephone poles were of  great use outside the park





The Melanistic form of the Gabar Goshawk at Kgalagadi

Just 21km North of Nossob, I came across this Melanistic (black) form of the Gabar Goshawk. In the mid morning sun it was just resting in the shade of a tree.
It was wholly black with faint paler barring on tail, and white barring on remiges, cere and legs were red. This was definitely the high light of my trip to the Kgalagadi. (Right click to enlarge the image)

Melanistic form of the Gabar Goshawk: wholly black

Only 15% of the population is melanistic

Enjoying the shade in the midmorning sun

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Help identify the raptor

My stop at the Melkvlei picnic site at Kgalagadi on my way to Nossob came with a surprise.A raptor landed on top of  a tree very close to me.
I did have much time to reach for my binoculars but managed to take some few photos of it. That was a brief appearance and off it went. I have tried to  identify it through my guide books but I seem not to reach any conclusion. It looks like one of the Goshawks (by the shape of the legs), and a juvenile as well, but I may be wrong. Please help identify it. (Right-click to enlarge the photo)

A brief apperance. Please, help identify.



Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Jewel in the desert

Adult Black Kite preparing to take off at Nossob Hide

Back from Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, amazingly ±900km away.
Had great time birding, seeing some of the birds I have always wanted to photograph and met amazing people. I stayed one night at Twee Rivieren then proceeded to the interior of the park at Nossob, had a great time amidst the roaring lions.
After spending four awesome days traversing the park, birding and viewing wild life; I am going to give out this trip report in parts so that I cover everything.
Here are some of the high lights (Right-click on the image to enlarge)

A juvenile Black Kite crash landing

 

Adult Black Kite taking a break in the afternoon 

 

Secretarybird striding across the veld

 

Stretching its legs before take off

Kori Bustard in great numbers seen walking sedately and slowly

Standing next to my "old faithful"

Time to take a break from the scorching sun at a picnic spot between Kamqua and Rooibrak water holes.