tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30268037156997045292024-03-13T04:26:14.792-07:00Diversity and Life: A view from the Holoceneryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-82778121847321053992018-01-13T01:30:00.003-08:002018-01-13T01:30:57.123-08:00 Sting Report: Parabuthus transvaalicus <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm12JzdPekI-OK8BzQwVTbvJQ6ZYO7X9TlKW3JKgSDQq0qJOrE00yNMdyNCKBnpytcqcGjUUs2PyriggQMk7STjy_TKfUZ0ksJk5p9mnLfAuZ1GXrebN0IByLHPTRqEH7xsxyS5V9OmgBj/s1600/IMG_7720.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm12JzdPekI-OK8BzQwVTbvJQ6ZYO7X9TlKW3JKgSDQq0qJOrE00yNMdyNCKBnpytcqcGjUUs2PyriggQMk7STjy_TKfUZ0ksJk5p9mnLfAuZ1GXrebN0IByLHPTRqEH7xsxyS5V9OmgBj/s640/IMG_7720.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large female <i>Parabuthus transvaalicus, </i>Soutpansberg, Limpopo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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At 23:01, 12 December, 2017 at <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Goro Game Reserve,
Soutpansberg Limpopo, </span>I was stung by a medium sized male <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parabuthus transvaalicus</i> on
the top of middle finger just below the nail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sting was received while attempting to
capture small mammal – I accidently brushed up against scorpion, which was
between rock and clump of grass. Scorpion was only seen after the sting.</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Immediate and extreme pain followed from site of sting. Within minutes, pain
could be felt spreading up arm, very soon becoming unbearable and highly
uncomfortable. Lymph node under armpit (axillary) became tender very quickly.
In ten minutes pain seemed to reach peak in intensity and strange sensation
(dull paraesthesia) could be felt in nerves in chest near axillary nymph node
to about middle of chest. This persisted and was intensely uncomfortable for
about three hours. After that chest paraesthesia was very slight but lymph node
remained painful and uncomfortable well into the night. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7k9FUQat_mksFDAti8Csq_7bdq_DUzjcqbD5S4Jo3Xvo_f20os0mVNMsB1Y5wCTj9eShd7iqGkg8TJHHQFGFgMAskUi6YGUY3EUsiNKCwP4zGUe05LLBPDou0zf5xLtuXcgP70_kEue0/s1600/PtransvaalicusStingSite.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="963" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7k9FUQat_mksFDAti8Csq_7bdq_DUzjcqbD5S4Jo3Xvo_f20os0mVNMsB1Y5wCTj9eShd7iqGkg8TJHHQFGFgMAskUi6YGUY3EUsiNKCwP4zGUe05LLBPDou0zf5xLtuXcgP70_kEue0/s640/PtransvaalicusStingSite.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puncture mark on middle finger after sting from medium sized <i>Parabuthus transvaalicus</i>.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thirty minutes after sting, pain
remained intense but was not as heightened as first twenty minutes. Two hours
later intense pain had subsided dramatically and local throbbing pain at site
of sting coupled with extreme discomfort was present throughout the night, at
times waking me up, relief was gained by elevating hand. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Finger was hypersensitive
(hyperaesthesia) and any stimulation (touching something, being touched) would
immediately send painful jolts of pain coursing up my arm. Pain had an electric
quality to it.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twelve hours later – pain very much
still present at site of sting. Continued paraesthesia, limited movement of
finger and hypersensitivity (even running finger under tap was painful). Finger
very slightly swollen and skin on finger clammy with localised perspiration
visible. No swollen lymph at this stage. Pain and discomfort limited to finger
unless finger stimulated; a light bump would send shooting <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Throughout the first day after sting, a
feeling of nausea and persistent headache was present. Tried to remedy with
rehydration salts but no improvement. Late afternoon I used an analgesic
(codeine, ibuprofen and paracetamol), which took away headache but was still
unable to use finger due to hyperaesthesia and pain. Every time finger touches
something sensitivity is inline with intensity of touch:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>light touch – slight tingling; light squeeze
– strong paraesthesia; gentle bump against body or clothing – intense pain up
finger; hard bump against body, clothing or object – intense pain shooting up
finger all the way to elbow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shooting
pain had an electric quality to it.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After 24 hours paraesthesia persisted:
strange tingling pain shooting up to elbow every time finger touches something
or bumps against something. Headache no longer present but still experienced
occasional nausea. Unable to use hand properly as finger is too sensitive. Any
touch to finger causes uncomfortable tingling sensation with varying amounts of
pain as described above. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After 32 hours, still had tingling
sensation on finger where stung, finger still hypersensitive and out of use
every time it is stimulated pain and discomfort is present as described above.
Able to curl finger with difficulty. No headache or nausea.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After 96 hours (four days after sting) no
symptoms besides mild paraesthesia on finger and light hyperaesthesia. Using
finger is unpleasant but not unbearable due to uncomfortable feeling. Intensity
of pain discomfort experienced when finger is stimulated much lower but still
present and still very painful when bumped. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">120 hours later. Very light
paraesthesia and hypaesthesia present. Finger is usable for light tasks but
with moderate pain when bumped hard. Finger has a little bit of a dead feel to
it. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">144 hours later, finger is basically
back to normal. Occasional dull pain when bumped. Sense of hyperaesthesia
barely present with sporadic periods of pins and needles and sensation of
deadness on finger. Able to use hand normally, no more sharp pain when finger
is stimulated only paraesthesia.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">168 hours later (one week) finger back
to normal, irregular bouts of hyperaesthesia especially after immersing in
water. No more pain at site, no more symptoms to report.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKB5L9hqwHLy9JkrR27DoarocZ0K8glNmKcLrK1L1Q5Izp-8EhqUN4cAq13BmcodU6T6SbnHj9LYIRsYYz16Dq_5TW0dmYn9FKFYJ5lOmTkesRNYB7X2VnmOYxplU0sYwQ3D4cgf3lw_F/s1600/P+transvaalicus+with+venom.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1200" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKB5L9hqwHLy9JkrR27DoarocZ0K8glNmKcLrK1L1Q5Izp-8EhqUN4cAq13BmcodU6T6SbnHj9LYIRsYYz16Dq_5TW0dmYn9FKFYJ5lOmTkesRNYB7X2VnmOYxplU0sYwQ3D4cgf3lw_F/s640/P+transvaalicus+with+venom.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male <i>Parabuthus transvaalicus</i> exhibiting venom droplets on back, Soutpansberg, Limpopo.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In way of summary I would like to
express a few things I thought about while experiencing my first serious
envenomation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly, sting could have
been prevented if I had been more careful where I put my hands. Caught up in a
chase to capture an elephant shrew I tried to block his exit and brushed up
against unseen scorpion in ambush position.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Secondly, I never
used any first aid besides elevating limb, if I could recommend some measures I
would say elevate affected area and minimise use of appendage and rest.
Unfortunately after sting I still had a very long walk ahead of me. Ice or hot
water would not have been an option, as pain would have been excruciating
because of hyperaesthesia. Thirdly even though I
never went to hospital or sought medical advice I would say sting was
definitely a serious injury. Luckily the dull paraesthesia experienced in my
chest never developed into more serious complications, it certainly did give me
cause for concern, had the scorpion been larger and had I been a smaller
person, I can imagine the sting being more serious and potential for
complications to arise higher. In the first ten minutes of the pain there was
also a psychological element, of panic and anxiety due to the intensity of
pain. It was quite easy for me to calm down quickly as I am familiar with the
species and know that human fatalities probably unheard of, but I can imagine
the psychological panic could further complicate the severity of the situation.</span></div>
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ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-10463724383811542132017-09-27T03:23:00.001-07:002017-09-27T04:37:09.521-07:00Dream Landscapes: Goegap Nature Reserve, Northern Cape, South Africa<style>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zCugFj7R_c3y8ZhUWO-BWJP5t9t5oP2QsMYhCrdEEINvUWd0I7pGuXn1MCnCejQrEHwx58D0HbYqMXAaEakDIZ38PRnEYIBpCgMVfVekN6m18OnKozxcQbU61X0AyAMGZ2Cy7VuShHs/s640/DSCN1163.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aloe dichotoma, a symbolic Namakwaland species. Photo Melissa Petford. </td></tr>
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In January 2016 I visited the Northern Cape for the first
time. One of the places I visited was Goegap near Springbok, spending
about three days in the area. I was impressed by the landscapes and
biodiversity of the region. I was given another opportunity to visit Goegap during the last week of September 2017, this time for a week. Our objective
was to help wildlife film makers, Henk Ekermans and Barend van der Watt, find
and shoot some of the smaller animals of this biodiversity rich ecosystem.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOD6Wb1kn6vTT-2Q5nF-egyYNjlZiwIU_b7ZNgF6ecefx-buw61MVI20n93Cex6WarYbr5cMyvo3H8bwS2QmOkiVPcNdJOffE6F5CJpU_bqlA5a1n2ONZuHOIG4KJz-nZqmSytC7KoVQ/s640/DSCN1442.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain scene with granite boulders at Goegap. Photo Melissa Petford.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHYgOExQFQ_1T8X3oIsOyWn31tRFQKpFqQHs20QKYdhn1pYNGeJrfcR1De_PfhVvIvDx5AVRLqsywNO2Gw-Opsa38StmKWTIj-PRMszSvwutXL9n9yOPTl0csjcHkbftYP2P7ocTHnEE/s640/DSCN0916.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot arid gravel plain. At night these come alive with geckos and scorpions. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOK637kxvpgUePXGYQo2kpGpNft-kKNFan5YPGtbU3hHqS2U_CHbe32kLuMWSNIHsIW9l8SS8EoBF70FSK8H3X_kVf0gdGzNUss1iNRAqx6eCF5E_1Glny7xS57QgwVa0zsh8oSTyxYs/s640/DSCN0867.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lone Aloe dichotoma growing on slope.</td></tr>
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After a long trip from the Soutpansberg in Northern Limpopo
Province, we drove to Springbok and enjoyed the transition from Savannah to
Highveld to Kalahari to Nama Karoo, once again reminded me of the vastness of
South Africa and all the wide open spaces left.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_4xZL7Hsn9Wu_GtnU0_J4AaQsJeMmF0Z5LPk3sFm1eRPLhgiclmDtzzygCf8JR3SRfoJJxB3WefbeS_P_zX6oTvmdM1UwGTeAEocn30fuoh8lHaqbDwDq9jfkPVSJb33QQnNQFLTooo/s640/DSCN1864.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many-horned Adder (Bitis cornuta) we were lucky enough to see. A definite reptilian highlight of the trip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BNiv7hvQjgxO3KhlXANi24bsZ1ZobcogBiJjkdwR9rs-a6vE_hcUKX8avDbnFHThC3QImmNmiKnM2A4j3RuJ82uqvPZw0_ar5YwhObR0HWd-4rRaYZy5EOS4G9CsyXJsAbO3RlxaIyI/s1600/DSCN1341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1600" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BNiv7hvQjgxO3KhlXANi24bsZ1ZobcogBiJjkdwR9rs-a6vE_hcUKX8avDbnFHThC3QImmNmiKnM2A4j3RuJ82uqvPZw0_ar5YwhObR0HWd-4rRaYZy5EOS4G9CsyXJsAbO3RlxaIyI/s640/DSCN1341.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some colour. Western Sandveld Lizard (Nucras tessellata) found foraging among the plants.</td></tr>
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We were lucky enough to have access to many inaccessible
areas of the reserve and given permission to travel freely even at night. This
allowed us, despite the cold dry weather, to find many interesting reptiles,
arachnids and centipedes while being immersed in dream like landscapes. A big
attraction to the area this time of year is the Namaqualand flowering period.
Unfortunately the rains did not arrive this year so the flowers were few and
far between, still we saw some amazing plants.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi888n7vSYxRodeOEjxm2iLjbpzBA3PUnDkIg9SZLhbOMz8mYVQvCQ_So3vRuAsHmLDv3lJveglQELfP2YxPLR1TDiCnbmpPbIHPlBKe3A1Q6HdLFmehGMnTMQ0ph2nuNyXOBkblEHj-5Q/s1600/DSCN1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi888n7vSYxRodeOEjxm2iLjbpzBA3PUnDkIg9SZLhbOMz8mYVQvCQ_So3vRuAsHmLDv3lJveglQELfP2YxPLR1TDiCnbmpPbIHPlBKe3A1Q6HdLFmehGMnTMQ0ph2nuNyXOBkblEHj-5Q/s640/DSCN1076.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting quartz outcrop.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIvxATPBGNG4N4fJD1FXQLe2NDbjL6wXIMuYVmVnHn13nOYr_AerOPlU2LLUWCuVXa2W91c_Q3Q-4Pt0uMseKAN47uwI7JPAGRNBuT7BKBBnnn_Jm6aAtf4Tj6HHv0k3fPaI5MfHRu8Q/s1600/DSCN1150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIvxATPBGNG4N4fJD1FXQLe2NDbjL6wXIMuYVmVnHn13nOYr_AerOPlU2LLUWCuVXa2W91c_Q3Q-4Pt0uMseKAN47uwI7JPAGRNBuT7BKBBnnn_Jm6aAtf4Tj6HHv0k3fPaI5MfHRu8Q/s640/DSCN1150.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quartz outcrop among granite hills.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were quite lucky with our reptiles and wracked up a nice
species tally with a few we had never seen before. Our totals in the end were
32 reptiles; with seven snakes, 23 lizards, 2 tortoises (shells only). The list
is as follows:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Snakes</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beetz’s Tiger Snake (Telescopus beetzii)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brown House Snake (Boaedon capensis)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mole Snake (Pseudoaspis cana) – DOR<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Karoo Sand Snake (Psammophis notostictus)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fork-marked Sand Snake (Psammophis trinasalis) – DOR</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Delandes Beaked Blindsnake (Rhinotyphlops lalandei)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many-horned Adder (Bitis cornuta)<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lizards</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Geckos</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Weber’s Gecko (Pachydactylus weberi)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barnard’s Gecko (Pachydactylus barnardi)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Quartz Gecko (Pachydactylus latirostris)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Large-scaled Gecko (Pachydactylus macrolepis)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Namaqua Gecko(Pachydactylus namaquensis)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Giant Ground Gecko (Chondrodactylus <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>angulifer angulifer)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bibron’s Gecko (Chondrodactylus bibronii)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spotted Barking Gecko (Ptenopus garrulous maculatus)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Namaqua Pygmy Gecko (Goggia rupicola)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Namaqua Flat Gecko (Afroedura africana namaquensis)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lacertids</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spotted Desert Lizard (<i>Meroles suborbitalis</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Plain Sand Lizard (<i>Pedioplanis inornata</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Namaqua Sand Lizard (<i>Pedioplanis namaquensis</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Western Sandveld Lizard (<i>Nucras tessellata</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cordylids</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Karoo Girdled Lizard (<i>Karusasaurus polyzonus</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Flat Lizard (<i>Platysaurus capensis</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Gerrhosaurs</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dwarf Plated Lizard (<i>Cordylosaurus subtessellatus</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Skinks</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Skink (Trachylepis capensis)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Western Three Striped Skink (<i>Trachylepis occidentalis</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Western Rock Skink (<i>Trachylepis sulcata</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Varigated Skink (<i>Trachylepis variegata</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Striped Dwarf Legless Skink (<i>Acontias lineatus</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Agamid</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Southern Rock Agama (<i>Agama atra</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tortoises</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Angulate Tortoise (<i>Chersina angulate</i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speckled Padlooper (<i>Homopus signatus</i>)</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAZRGHXWd67TATJWJ7zbqgZr01kPBi4tdnhT0O67E25M5400Gy4u0-SsjAkffDtJ04r9ExWRqyWSZ6voBqfqtbS3Uq_cEbrfRfu8WvFqfd-GigKp-HMPQqlcfG0lt-_Tx1vWgW5dqs1c/s640/DSCN1142.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first snake, Beetz's Tiger Snake, Telescopus beetzii. Beautiful and colourful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YKtC5fjVoozYRUSyEXq0wfITSP52gE94nXscUT7-Lhs2PBvVUM7hbSnUrbg2y_-w8nrlhwx1SAgNeIIkgRZrTHMdrOBFm-5e-qzqEHhzNXajfmn3UCw5TGce8SNczi_itjzmVhRMxck/s1600/DSCN1582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YKtC5fjVoozYRUSyEXq0wfITSP52gE94nXscUT7-Lhs2PBvVUM7hbSnUrbg2y_-w8nrlhwx1SAgNeIIkgRZrTHMdrOBFm-5e-qzqEHhzNXajfmn3UCw5TGce8SNczi_itjzmVhRMxck/s640/DSCN1582.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Namakwa form of the Brown House Snake (Boaedon capensis). Bug-eyed and very pale. Was really hoping to see one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSh01myTkwA1gOQgnXcM2KW5KTl7GyT_ldQYaFrYz9423LN9rVqPbDQk6FP8X_gbSj9bLQiaAsohOX8kd-YZtp66ijpcsws_YRBXjnrhR9BNde8RaGkY6KXxDDmdepn9YUITc_sr9nHFw/s1600/DSCN1533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSh01myTkwA1gOQgnXcM2KW5KTl7GyT_ldQYaFrYz9423LN9rVqPbDQk6FP8X_gbSj9bLQiaAsohOX8kd-YZtp66ijpcsws_YRBXjnrhR9BNde8RaGkY6KXxDDmdepn9YUITc_sr9nHFw/s640/DSCN1533.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of above Brown House Snake (Boaedon capensis). Look at those eyes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37FZ6Kv4AoWdnFnzZ_wzHaWfI2fMzW9IMr1plNZv0lqO-1AA4M7sOnSyFW7TitxuKC3WvSGLAPCq9p1fuOTba7uDi17Tbwt8QTiBr2j0nSB_-7G4pJ-DbrxHLGK9DuK_Dc9-Q2DaRev4/s1600/DSCN1842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37FZ6Kv4AoWdnFnzZ_wzHaWfI2fMzW9IMr1plNZv0lqO-1AA4M7sOnSyFW7TitxuKC3WvSGLAPCq9p1fuOTba7uDi17Tbwt8QTiBr2j0nSB_-7G4pJ-DbrxHLGK9DuK_Dc9-Q2DaRev4/s640/DSCN1842.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second Brown House Snake (Boaedon capensis). This female was large and more beautiful than the first.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG3Y4_ojGz-gvN2eYMSJCSn7pGN6XkNc3FZmA57dmEqKMj0zgrxzbtKvbXmgGGV1MIbWbVUyvDfKBuo_poXmj9ou0mpL2t93jjcJ1-09_89Ehd67MV_N0hFcnV7kqnvEgOgnuoG9yeWE/s1600/DSCN1494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG3Y4_ojGz-gvN2eYMSJCSn7pGN6XkNc3FZmA57dmEqKMj0zgrxzbtKvbXmgGGV1MIbWbVUyvDfKBuo_poXmj9ou0mpL2t93jjcJ1-09_89Ehd67MV_N0hFcnV7kqnvEgOgnuoG9yeWE/s640/DSCN1494.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delandes Beaked Blind Snake (Rhinotyphlops lalandei). Detail of the business end. Photo Melissa Petford.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07KeuDyOAfM3A_T7cPX4ELMrrDHTEDTRskeVch-M0AkiNEKOnjNWmzuRRBzOWoF2y7fCLQ6zijlV4tePFFML3K1GMTQYCk4E5QCkWqa7yY8ORRYmJZI28Un7QwsfdxPxKOjITbr_1Mqg/s1600/DSCN1450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07KeuDyOAfM3A_T7cPX4ELMrrDHTEDTRskeVch-M0AkiNEKOnjNWmzuRRBzOWoF2y7fCLQ6zijlV4tePFFML3K1GMTQYCk4E5QCkWqa7yY8ORRYmJZI28Un7QwsfdxPxKOjITbr_1Mqg/s640/DSCN1450.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw several of these Karoo Sand Snakes (Psammophis notostictus). Graceful and difficult to detect.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg395TUL_lHCBSG1amlh8Meu0rWzqiwOBpWP1KYXPDOzRIqBW5Or-wRfXWNhB-YFSDpb5vFGlpsCdw01I8qiYobA-wf1uetKgxRh2RrFsp8urfq5hFokp3bl-y1Gfs8i6miKxEo6iVXa6c/s640/DSCN1474.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karoo Sand Snakes (Psammophis notostictus) full body shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGO7BFa1JuAsMAGy0Pk2rDRmilWbjicTCVZ_oB1QLBjbrfJzlYEVJcoB3GSAFSLuMwa27uT_6-Ex9qkeNwO0aJiT7ctzR159lRWpDpLqwNahps2UsLYnqYLsgSDnWe7bG-WKofTTgPrE/s640/DSCN1959.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of the head of Many-horned Adder (Bitis cornuta). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaz7i-o9VfwebTCYNU4UiH8hItevmZ1IfFVC32wz31-NfvlmdFluMM9H57P1JWMFN2y5yfKJYXIPDQLO0Hv382XzrtC57u9kv3zxYkx5qiq5FdwyCkRrfUKHGZyXP33fj-KbcT7ihXIQ/s640/DSCN1955.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many-horned Adder (Bitis cornuta) a master of camouflage in it's complex environment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6IULFXKTysGtOpySbDSvgJHZhQcTHC1jIogvb5F55uUkVNOyOB8wD3RbQ4yx4owN4W2Abg0Q4en5OF_e9uR7fXThlz0KLwno2dIvps9d4Eh6NhcRstN73Gv5P6ZGRHcYthlmQBZPLNM/s640/DSCN1202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Namaqua Gecko (Pachydactylus namaquensis). Common gecko in massive granite outcrops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGpzV7UGB71yPQ1I3RZr65pEZsuifnqhyphenhyphenWif6R1FXiKlIOqtoIgN_PxQXn1IMi5_aTXsz3l9aY-I_EtjGP-cFtnOUFB_0t_D6dmeWpdqn28MsHv59YZs6RbUNax4LwEfsjntKQctoxlk/s640/DSCN1670.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A juvenile Pachydactylus barnardi. Amazing little animal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVJKA7rHhT4m0Cu66Go6nZi-ZsS7k4a7kmvCt4QNfuFOma1SyQUtH_e2rltttse2RbasPwjihgCduTBVdnuxXue0NceG2MBvarZU8HbPBaQSH61aLgfZUfBDPqvBBSMQCMIVii11YJyw/s640/DSCN1770.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large-scaled Gecko (Pachydactylus macrolepis), one of our most exciting gecko finds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3Qoyn1eY8HadIWnUjKyJ7tNZFMbLx3-JOh7niuAhXKauYgIVXTigQDwnP6GVmzu93kRE32eUahzj_6j5__w8xfU6nUfqXIqRVAl3aiLJDM7yRBWEp57YGfAMB2iM4ndpzimdeo_3kOU/s1600/DSCN1754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3Qoyn1eY8HadIWnUjKyJ7tNZFMbLx3-JOh7niuAhXKauYgIVXTigQDwnP6GVmzu93kRE32eUahzj_6j5__w8xfU6nUfqXIqRVAl3aiLJDM7yRBWEp57YGfAMB2iM4ndpzimdeo_3kOU/s640/DSCN1754.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorsal view of Large-scaled Gecko (Pachydactylus macrolepis) showing banding.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="1600" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLVCxf-pkXjm70MLrWMBgCfKxLm9enc5KmjH5DDpo1Y0vJGqprrgm4MPsZ_RWfaNvoj53VRr8TYUvLVJHz-HIxxUprNp4IlDOl72g1me9Qou4fHFAtJHbXFvBn7tXgtyULwC8OfgRpho/s640/DSCN1722.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Barking Gecko (Ptenopus garrulous maculatus). Common as muck, but very difficult to capture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mkKLM_WGP2d0_aVRMGuxHWKouutZBNemBCssKxj_nN53P-L6-1EqiE8gE_Vbmib3JuCQk69tz9-x90cKV4w6FqkGSOfau6ujljAuqvfN2zUAZf8AzChz1EDS2oOzQTNdJfnyDAFbMCY/s640/DSCN1308.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weber’s Gecko (Pachydactylus weberi). Fast little geckos found on rocky outcrops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTl83fyyRzMvlwiONc5PJMD7868U21FnDMu-csnj_JkY5lWwPJTMDtPhdgRGDTZBToUaGe-Qga088llWUrt3EO_hWq9nfzg43dexyxcT00bdmGihochMK8zLuMfyaEWVV2DDfsFaySZA/s640/DSCN1226.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quartz Gecko (Pachydactylus latirostris). The most abundant reptile of Goegap. At night their soft calls filled the air.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ez_saCTVKUP5SkKwv6Hw5ChH2QdS6iKMrAwYzSYFoqDykMJerg3Qz7PzkQjG4K9g0tnTTEO8UvAX1EMK3gNrz7-n8-jzq87HB6f90N2BTUVwDi2JAIONMMkxh8ipE-ZnUqF5HqVxtWc/s640/DSCN1264.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Namaqua Pygmy Gecko (Goggia rupicola). Tiny psychedelic geckos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZ6536jH36CHzhbWGCZePeu3ISSjxDKLASWLgHnnfPXnGYMDmV9a5XZvXqAId6hfk10Ad4UV9g5K2efWf7feQM7GCRsMPQDDYasFjDaU3NpDqQ7fXT6gDckBPGJ1v6RTYl2GfW6tvyy8/s640/DSCN1627.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Detail of Western Sandveld Lizard (<i>Nucras tessellata</i>) displaying powerful claws and jaws.</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDbmfa7oGMP7L5R4lZ-JvlI7Qrwo5a9qiA7CR2wDEBkeO2c4ppbC-f2AowlCTDQLF1Z73869vlG0pElozO7Vb24s_s69OJn3okPd02oWpY5y1ozILLB9FWq3NKrN-ZRvoTT_Mahgbo8Y/s640/DSCN1610.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
Western Sandveld Lizard (<i>Nucras tessellata</i>). Exquisite!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlk6bB0s3PfNhntbac68BdPsT4H7DPCKnBVC3aVwpylnZ-jDz74MRt2Y4cgpyowZOci43bfeUct8XL_DzqrnjvLBDxDzKOPbZWhKCbrhzccDSFcrAz1kgccRaHk3TJQEMrSUmfOeFYJA/s640/DSCN1805.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Namaqua Sand Lizard (<i>Pedioplanis namaquensis</i>). We found this guy at night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscHDcO0eWScOoLSpI-f8ZvHcSxTTy46MCMm_gNQEaqAWn_6gN58x0hrqLkDU3OoyVv44qHRAigVy6Wwdb6rSypFpPIJuja5qAlmTPz-4zPl93LIoHcCFO3kCIBVQHv4D1CTEGzd2wFC4/s640/DSCN1396.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Flat Lizard (Platysaurus capensis). These guys are stunning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1600" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zCCfhwlJmsK5OlgkQ0lC99RpQUptZJEapL46qthzX50XFqe6tlkVwFexL0bT2zZAkJsUAkrIFf6ifC0SJ2qTgyd6zrTex2hN9_zryVCGpeAzEQba-1ttH44jKSvfyo54Q9ahsy_aBrM/s640/DSCN1079.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very common in the area, here is a light Karoo Girdled Lizard (<i>Karusasaurus polyzonus</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdb_o-xOyMTnjOI6X4odwEzrFs_qhJm6Pnp4GMrNtgLC-eApKt-IGQi3mGyXUhS4d_YsjgEon99N_dTABRQoB4_URKKQeCo-rCQkz5S94N2XF5dA7I1FuOL1OuKNiViV_x2boiGERuWU/s640/DSCN1242.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karoo Girdled Lizard (<i>Karusasaurus polyzonus</i>), dark form.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCZjHVmeuoPHWtF4dLm9893idtcCBHjVYzRRkqn08PrOV7_kmaEKoW_JOht50KNFSwgsxKV_EgXQ4tRj9UX-muMAwS-7_jb5B6HnCKfxMHkeCGBv5y2nV_SeAy6x7zI0lv6ul7HPHFA0/s640/DSCN1049.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bronzy male Western Rock Skink (<i>Trachylepis sulcata</i>). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5c7V39RXvGWqSVrIL74Dnze-VtF0vEcuOy9xEbfX7TmEvzVmmTNXl7tP066hyphenhypheng17ufwfKu39SlU7xcXKPm3pEvjHJPZP3YHySQwcqJD9ESsaqO5U2bMfeTrORhV06F7Ro28HPAcZoh4/s640/DSCN1444.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little Varigated Skink (<i>Trachylepis variegata</i>). These delightful little lizards are everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0KRyZYevrZvcM2HjST7c8c38bgnz6Ki3vKP7hUr0dO9_frlXnOssI1tX_aNqn7u6O1NVbtUDILrfGkB38MZPfz6Otbs3bSIqVKok3_AhrZ1yQkBLO9VQ3HW1K6sKOsuLZze7WVwUGIU/s1600/DSCN1413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0KRyZYevrZvcM2HjST7c8c38bgnz6Ki3vKP7hUr0dO9_frlXnOssI1tX_aNqn7u6O1NVbtUDILrfGkB38MZPfz6Otbs3bSIqVKok3_AhrZ1yQkBLO9VQ3HW1K6sKOsuLZze7WVwUGIU/s640/DSCN1413.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
Another reptilian H\highlight. Striped Dwarf Legless Skink (<i>Acontias lineatus</i>).</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1600" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsykTZoq-jKgZ-SyWxBvOKDpJO_X_W_UAMZ6s4nCI-CtRB23tL_hAZx-YYMS6IOb_d5pIErHn2YSIIXChQn9_yZUFpVtKqdfdTcF8hNOBw50fgun1Gg2tl9w_If6ELlJ0Q92j6bZ4XG0/s640/DSCN0883.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Rock Agama (Agama atra). The specimens in the Northern Cape are really massive compared to other populations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Scorpions</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
Besides the reptiles, which were good, the Northern Cape
region is also an arachnid hotspot. Anyone that knows me knows I love scorps
and here are a few of the amazing scorpions and centipeds we found along the
way.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Uroplectes gracilor<br />
Parabuthus capensis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parbuthus shlechteri</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parabuthus granulatus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Opistophthalmus granifrons</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Opistophthalmus peringueyi<br />
Opistophthalmus pallipes </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hadogenes phylodes<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouHpmOxLDmFg_quqj5lxeGosNM8ZVnLsE4Nb9JihBw40dFb0xW2tdPiCvGaQyrQXXe3jn3fTfbhGbtiGkn3O2OkIqmXZCzrGzvv7g3_wGVGwy64NjH1KIEihrb1TgkXad4AjL3Fwr3uY/s640/20170921_000937.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parabuthus granulatus<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMzt9omEFK8DgJRiFAF1hXJ1HkKInLiGJTXdyr4y-v_vTuslNAYyL8KJi3bS-itjBLNG5LqPcELo1s2rgFFVTvInyJy9H0hkZH03WT8WNAaZzWxAcPB_oUPkR_rLd9fqsywGy-vhJP2o/s640/20170916_103835.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parbuthus shlechteri</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVeXdcqw8JBvcOqZPMtxhIH4MYTEXOkS81wvCPrHlzUFHnfv3CFjLc11nguek_DcO9x403YJvh1b7aRsCW8VJvFSkOTBPfyo9BwT-D3HR48aNbWQKxDXEFD4qXGBKep6h83vl2xgKZdw/s640/IMG_7336.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opistophthalmus granifrons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPL5OL4MVjn5hxxUA1rQRW4_Ei7_lKVjlDxz08bdPL_B-0wam8-bv_hAhLRlevVleLwAd9yiHsmC_SJn9vnrHQ7p3IQ25vr7FHPfJJ1bVxCEPrMP1jAEcjKlT6LGpyDYWCpQGORmosUg/s640/20170915_112710.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opistophthalmus peringueyi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Centipedes</b><br />
A nightmare to identify! But we try:<b> </b><i>Ethmostigmus sp </i>and<i> Scolonependera mortisans</i></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEYrlgnQrThB8xZY5yuVIZB_QQIQj3J0Bu3pu_vO8xykrBir_nq5-n9iMgPvC8p6rpxWzEgeHe6x4gdaLy-lYedaIwXiB-_6gIS9uG0SL4uBUxjpUe6gbiz9orY4Hy21FU4Ya-PGfQUM/s1600/IMG_7349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEYrlgnQrThB8xZY5yuVIZB_QQIQj3J0Bu3pu_vO8xykrBir_nq5-n9iMgPvC8p6rpxWzEgeHe6x4gdaLy-lYedaIwXiB-_6gIS9uG0SL4uBUxjpUe6gbiz9orY4Hy21FU4Ya-PGfQUM/s640/IMG_7349.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most beautiful Scolonependera mortisans I have seen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgIuMcaPUjKUr35DNBEXSKxE93SKBYkvu6SQ9nfUMsUf4NSJ1W6bXoLyZchl5nJ6F3j11UD-lKI6NpZEdY195w32WEZNESY6E7jnFFS0PELGlLlmeafrXZxSMBrCyCU7F6ybwH2PM4fc/s1600/IMG_7366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1171" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgIuMcaPUjKUr35DNBEXSKxE93SKBYkvu6SQ9nfUMsUf4NSJ1W6bXoLyZchl5nJ6F3j11UD-lKI6NpZEdY195w32WEZNESY6E7jnFFS0PELGlLlmeafrXZxSMBrCyCU7F6ybwH2PM4fc/s640/IMG_7366.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large and scary Ethmostigmus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAP4xsHc7MKzPHB5ZdkZhDRjX9l8cptvg3PJtxByIIuE9jLth3TxUgmumpr4vwwYkIytwmhOH1P-3Ot3Z8GkvWsfGgl1lEKVVkmrBfkUiiuoum20MpLwQ7rfFz4oTEliEHABxCLJkkZ8I/s1600/IMG_7373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAP4xsHc7MKzPHB5ZdkZhDRjX9l8cptvg3PJtxByIIuE9jLth3TxUgmumpr4vwwYkIytwmhOH1P-3Ot3Z8GkvWsfGgl1lEKVVkmrBfkUiiuoum20MpLwQ7rfFz4oTEliEHABxCLJkkZ8I/s640/IMG_7373.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harpactira namaquensis. A beautiful Baboon Spider.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overall we had an amazing week, we saw and experienced so
much biodiversity. Working and living close to another river system (Limpopo)
on the opposite side of the continent, experiencing the !Garib system and all
it’s different animals, plants, climatic conditions is such a privilege. Many
thanks to Barend and Henk for the opportunity and making our stay extra
comfortable.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1247" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EW1MnoSDMYpbuSxr3f2gaPBPfaK-Rgz6R01taAOwckDrQqtArWSWk404qyEhtFuCytII2mYaPbYljzv_3haITjSq88liGIZTHoIhLlqiMe7Q7J9fP5BkakzNvk2WpiWr0PEk87HImBI/s640/20170918_112838-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="498" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louse Fly biting!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-58791301588210460332017-01-14T00:58:00.000-08:002017-01-14T00:58:02.210-08:00Bats of Medike, Western Soutpansberg by Julio Balona of Gauteng Bat Interest Group
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i><a href="http://www.batsgauteng.org.za/index.htm"><img alt="http://www.batsgauteng.org.za/index.htm" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIS9uWf7Mf6KasDdEHic41nZoQudRRJkJOFqS7uRtdNhAGpNIaHfqKewW0bPZqftjlfVEf1SeK8YCX-TBVJhcZrztAjAqT7PuN8hophAF4hFV4xay2kUr7WmYRjuFMNj_42HdyO1H6E0QN/s400/Untitled.jpg" width="391" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Julio
and Erna Balona from the Gauteng Bat Interest Group visited Medike to
sample the bat fauna of the Western Soutpansberg and managed to catch 12
species in two nights. We were lucky enough to see these amazing
animals up close and learned a lot from Julio and Erna who were eager to
share their knowledge and enthusiasm<span style="color: #0000ee;">. <span style="color: black;">The following post represents their finds.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>
</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 Geoffroy’s
horseshoe bat (<i>Rhinolophus clivosus</i>) </b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Pg79cGhZ6HMSUKpnlMWxUt-qBuRxv61AWhshEqOOJJB7l2yrtyJNfzPiYP9wtNHruRK_g3ontXG8OEfdaZLfzMnOocp71pIDNyYRfBlaOJ8gP5R5oyURcJEru3hOjXAz5YjSFgcpwLfS/s1600/1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Pg79cGhZ6HMSUKpnlMWxUt-qBuRxv61AWhshEqOOJJB7l2yrtyJNfzPiYP9wtNHruRK_g3ontXG8OEfdaZLfzMnOocp71pIDNyYRfBlaOJ8gP5R5oyURcJEru3hOjXAz5YjSFgcpwLfS/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Geoffroy’s
horseshoe bat (<i>Rhinolophus clivosus</i>) Photo: Julio Balona.</span>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Widespread and most commonly found in the temperate regions
of southern Africa. This bat tolerates a range of habitats and it is suspected
that it is not just one species and there may actually be as many as four
different kinds that resemble each other very closely. They are medium sized and their strange ‘nose leaves’ allow
them to practice very sophisticated sonar (known as echolocation) in order to
navigate and capture their prey of moths, beetles and other insects. They usually roost in true caves or old mine tunnels during
the day, but may occasionally use dark abandoned buildings.
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2 Bushveld horseshoe
bat (<i>Rhinolophus simulator</i>) </b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3MJAVZCKdSVpd0o9d92r3N6cwPpPe_YgdkxoT1du8PtF65v8TLGxVwhv8brrw6B7j1drOeJk0RjfQM6t-t3nLWoTLDAfDuyrVF6farjkhynwwrjD_0dYfNrnjEn3ETH_dT0yQJyeRw5C/s1600/2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3MJAVZCKdSVpd0o9d92r3N6cwPpPe_YgdkxoT1du8PtF65v8TLGxVwhv8brrw6B7j1drOeJk0RjfQM6t-t3nLWoTLDAfDuyrVF6farjkhynwwrjD_0dYfNrnjEn3ETH_dT0yQJyeRw5C/s400/2.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bushveld horseshoe
bat (<i>Rhinolophus simulator</i>) <span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: Julio Balona.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As its name implies, this horseshoe bat is normally found in
the warmer savannah and woodland areas of the country and is smaller than
Geoffroy’s horseshoe bat. It is also less fussy about roost sites and is often
found in the hollow spaces between large boulders, although it will use true
caves and old mine tunnels. In addition to their horseshoe shaped nose leaves they have
a fleshy horn-like projection called the connecting process. This is known to
be used for sonar but its precise function is unclear. It probably feeds mainly on moths and beetles. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b> 3 Smithers’s horseshoe bat (<i>Rhinolophus smithersi</i>) </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lTn3XQrAGUiVB5fsBmGpoGdC7LfIE15o6PQYlqo_2viRA0eUeCKslFTsdfuGN5b__NfHVOooku_RlVR_SdCpq0lAGElBCSRM7gcE9nbkbc2LE3ItZJzHE-jPYtkYiQzT53kmTz_EIrHI/s1600/3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lTn3XQrAGUiVB5fsBmGpoGdC7LfIE15o6PQYlqo_2viRA0eUeCKslFTsdfuGN5b__NfHVOooku_RlVR_SdCpq0lAGElBCSRM7gcE9nbkbc2LE3ItZJzHE-jPYtkYiQzT53kmTz_EIrHI/s400/3.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Smithers’s horseshoe bat (<i>Rhinolophus smithersi</i>) Photo: Trevor Morgan (taken at Pafuri)</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This beautiful beast is significantly larger than both
Geoffroy’s and the Bushveld. It has similar roosting habits to the latter but
likely feeds on much bigger prey such as dung beetles. Originally considered
one species (the mother of all African horseshoe bats), it was split into five
very similar ones that are geographically separated and have distinctly
different sonar call frequencies. The individual captured at Medike escaped before it could be
photographed.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>4 Natal long-fingered bat (<i>Miniopterus natalensis</i>) </b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0-tOXR9pterVLEohmdpr89nac5yD0Bd5AsGESofGCVDWx-0CUI9kXSExgGgTa1MG6IBcyudtgMm-sKHvbnfyKy6JaOKiTEWemQ7JcMtgmIG-cNO6Fx9-eo1BaW7S0HkO0KulOq2Mr5yP/s1600/4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0-tOXR9pterVLEohmdpr89nac5yD0Bd5AsGESofGCVDWx-0CUI9kXSExgGgTa1MG6IBcyudtgMm-sKHvbnfyKy6JaOKiTEWemQ7JcMtgmIG-cNO6Fx9-eo1BaW7S0HkO0KulOq2Mr5yP/s400/4.jpg" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Natal long-fingered bat (<i>Miniopterus natalensis</i>) Photo: Julio Balona </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most common and widespread cave bat in southern Africa,
it is named for the long finger bone which extends its wing to resemble that of
a swallow. Like these birds, long-fingered bats spend a lot of time flying
swiftly high above, and often forage low over water and drink from it by
skimming the surface. An alternative name for this family is the clinging bat
due to its habit of clinging together with others in clumps. Medium sized, they roost in caves almost exclusively and can
be found in large colonies of hundreds of thousands. Due to their preference for soft-bodied insects, especially
moths, they are an invaluable asset in the control of agricultural pests. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5 Yellow House bat (<i>Scotophilus dinganii</i>) </b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHYnrMV4aEeXCu-Q1F7xt9pCl9vpwfnygXIJY2VjC7zmAyCPQ7D1Dybcd4hWW3zbJYDIYwduhiHe6H11DWK-uZKwjxjwexY31cZM2C4u1FkwUhTE9q1BKRXOBu3O64j3ybr-BWhNToxtr/s1600/5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHYnrMV4aEeXCu-Q1F7xt9pCl9vpwfnygXIJY2VjC7zmAyCPQ7D1Dybcd4hWW3zbJYDIYwduhiHe6H11DWK-uZKwjxjwexY31cZM2C4u1FkwUhTE9q1BKRXOBu3O64j3ybr-BWhNToxtr/s400/5.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow House bat (<i>Scotophilus dinganii</i>) Photo: Erna Balona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This placid and rather attractive bat with its yellow
underside and velvety olive green dorsal fur is a common woodland species. In
the wild it roosts inside natural tree holes or those made by barbets or
woodpeckers, but is happy to use roofs, hence its name. With a short muzzle armed with large teeth, it seems adapted
to eat hard shelled prey such as beetles. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>6 Zulu serotine (<i>Neoromicia zuluensis</i>) </b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtscsUCs_6j5AzwJUZ4QSS6phZWBDnVdvmXxZ8U9uMa6kq9pd-xrxFXXeL-H9Qma6ll-Kra9JEkKdptig0rjesp5qq1tQSpCLBxRIzi6yR4dFWMdtfFCh0V0eDgkFBCExk5SLCacr4cBW/s1600/6.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtscsUCs_6j5AzwJUZ4QSS6phZWBDnVdvmXxZ8U9uMa6kq9pd-xrxFXXeL-H9Qma6ll-Kra9JEkKdptig0rjesp5qq1tQSpCLBxRIzi6yR4dFWMdtfFCh0V0eDgkFBCExk5SLCacr4cBW/s320/6.jpg" width="367" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Zulu serotine (<i>Neoromicia zuluensis</i>) Photo: Erna Balona </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the ‘little brown jobs’, these bats are extremely
difficult to identify without microscopic examination of the teeth and
recording of its sonar call. They are quite small, weighing around five grams,
and it is believed that they roost under loose bark and probably cracks in tree
stems. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They probably subsist on small moths, beetles, mosquitoes
and other insects. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>7 Long-tailed serotine (<i>Eptesicus hottentotus</i>) </b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94FNUslN5QcgeiBlD6EjJyilOYYw8FYh_bS4nJfpkTJfax2UsYhBvwzXh3VBXIaWH52tKHH31Z1hqRXqXDxwORE2D2oYsatnMQsDf088aSZp1DBnozea-ai7PJg5WVxf3koxoIvvQIJuX/s1600/7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94FNUslN5QcgeiBlD6EjJyilOYYw8FYh_bS4nJfpkTJfax2UsYhBvwzXh3VBXIaWH52tKHH31Z1hqRXqXDxwORE2D2oYsatnMQsDf088aSZp1DBnozea-ai7PJg5WVxf3koxoIvvQIJuX/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Long-tailed serotine (<i>Eptesicus hottentotus</i>) Photo: Erna Balona</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These handsome bats that resemble the ‘little brown jobs’,
are much easier to identify with their thick woolly fur and because they are
noticeably larger, weighing about twenty five grams. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Always found in mountainous areas, they roost in rock
crevices in cliff faces and probably large boulders. They usually feed low over
water, most likely due to the greater number of insects that gather there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>8 Little free-tailed bat (<i>Chaerephon pumilus</i>) </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvx3FxpNnwukrh3xvgHB5yNkBaEFsuyplrBwCkYoifwmq25nvbcv_SMRTNXhCsX3N3vgbFzKoBVaoQ1J8k7YacVfO7SfQv5hxbnPuZ6S__JarD3G_KY0gBQ0PgaUZSONmD1EtA-rkgQl6/s400/8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little free-tailed bat (<i>Chaerephon pumilus</i>) Erna Balona.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Resembling flying dogs with hairy Hobbit-like feet, the
free-tailed bats are full of character. They are so named because unlike almost
all other bats, their tails are not enclosed in a membrane and protrude like
that of a mouse. The Little free-tail is particularly feisty and will squeak
loudly in protest when captured, its sharp teeth are best avoided. They live in colonies of hundreds or thousands of bats in
holes in trees and under loose bark, and probably also in rock crevices in
cliffs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eEQIbYhprNOk0RIyPZSStpi9C_92JMXMXWYIyPmHfIAKt1IDz8i0Ia4cGSGDc8K1p0Re_aP2apEDcO0q6TOfu2ZqgbxVugg8M7ihnjxJN-imMghdUcVBRoEMMcUdE8YQ6XI4Shga5wH-/s400/9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Male Little free-tailed bat bat with his crest raised.(<i>Chaerephon pumilus</i>) Erna Balona.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However they actually seem to prefer the roofs of buildings
and that is where they most often found. The male has a cute crest of hair that
he can raise at will and is believed to be full of scent which is probably used
to attract females or mark territory.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>9 Angolan free-tailed bat (<i>Mops condylurus</i>) </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9Zh3GiEFJs9zs8JbQH8Qf8ErDbFbhLgJrIcncj6jcka25pv3tsxH4w8pX4IrlaeQhWnrO7K7yUdvO0J_TbwzkGHhyphenhyphenDXeYvcK0Qn4EWe9bEjhsY4-RBPAK9ENNomo_uwxaXwjq24PdCLW/s640/10.jpg" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Angolan free-tailed bat (<i>Mops condylurus</i>) Photo: Erna Balona.</span> </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Larger and stockier than the Little free-tailed bat, they
are also more localized in distribution – in South Africa they are mainly found
on the eastern coast, from Durban northwards and over the lowveld region
covered by the Kruger National Park. Their extension into the Soutpansberg
brings them to what is most likely the western limit of their distribution at
Medike as well as that of the Little free-tail. Both species are fast flyers
and have long thin wings, spending most of the time above the trees catching
insects such as moths, beetles, mosquitoes and bugs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Angolan Free-tailed bat often roosts in building roofs
and has been shown to tolerate temperatures of around 40C under hot corrugated
iron sheeting in the sun.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>10 Rufous Mouse-eared bat (<i>Myotis bocagii</i>) </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaHN8lJjQQ-VmpQczHATmu8adkLFKo3BmlQ4Le4QnuiM2EkIMalVor9Tm41jGTwQ6ZNXvHdMAh6vimRiNvQesSX5dMxNDsaZppklOQBrC_MQxwam98Ekvj0_5eE_S2DBOIGsQ6wSR0i68/s1600/11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaHN8lJjQQ-VmpQczHATmu8adkLFKo3BmlQ4Le4QnuiM2EkIMalVor9Tm41jGTwQ6ZNXvHdMAh6vimRiNvQesSX5dMxNDsaZppklOQBrC_MQxwam98Ekvj0_5eE_S2DBOIGsQ6wSR0i68/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous Mouse-eared bat (<i>Myotis bocagii</i>) Photo: Erna Balona.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An attractive bat with its coppery dorsal fur and cream
underside, it is fairly scarce and found only in the warmer, wetter parts of
the country. Not much is known about its roosting habits here and it is
suspected of hanging in trees, possibly camouflaged amongst dead leaves. In
central Africa it is known to roost inside the tubular new leaves of banana
plants. It feeds on small moths, beetles and bugs. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7QcRA9XEAqXd-5qaU5hCZlSjzBaqXG_3iBSn_NlWBGbVAW6iMnx21hFltyC0H8P6CiYyLUtXBZd2HlkOV6fiEpqkMwKvMRMbF9VN2xBrKCf6P5It_cxcUc006wbFz_8H0y5irtLedzmQ/s1600/12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7QcRA9XEAqXd-5qaU5hCZlSjzBaqXG_3iBSn_NlWBGbVAW6iMnx21hFltyC0H8P6CiYyLUtXBZd2HlkOV6fiEpqkMwKvMRMbF9VN2xBrKCf6P5It_cxcUc006wbFz_8H0y5irtLedzmQ/s400/12.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous Mouse-eared bat (<i>Myotis bocagii</i>) Photo: Julio Balona.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>11 Schlieffen's Twilight bat (<i>Nycticeinops schlieffenii</i>) </b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BK1Grj1cJrQIWvcttt_TTZtdGmkVoollaaNbZI-P7r7BtIFXtTWttIopKPlnr6dWr4HaXFlUEaWS1yl1qqDDOlZl1JOEyxjUdXXETOBXfs2cYJvPPavKCAcz4gYA4t6jRYMzTmbhOTmx/s400/13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schlieffen's Twilight bat (<i>Nycticeinops schlieffenii</i>) Photo: Julio Balona.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Weighing around five grams, this is one of southern Africa’s
smallest bats. Although limited to warmer low lying woodland areas of South
Africa, it is often the most common bat and one of the first to appear in the
evening. Despite its diminutive size, it often snarls aggressively at its
captor, which just makes it look more cute than dangerous. They roost under loose bark and in crevices in trees and
perhaps also rocks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Often feeding near water, they eat small insects and
probably consume a lot of mosquitoes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>12 Slit-faced bat (<i>Nycteris spp.</i>) </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd7JXS1EjjxeyEh77wjN_O6mpWyJUmpN1QFOjNm3L6I4RhsWQcBj-TTmd7XzUskwqo54vdnD3_MJS8RsJXYuKa_mTN0jVewyIuhJKW1vQ6nz-_lYGkG_70ovhcvzj3g0S7Kd2F3DEPM3e/s1600/14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd7JXS1EjjxeyEh77wjN_O6mpWyJUmpN1QFOjNm3L6I4RhsWQcBj-TTmd7XzUskwqo54vdnD3_MJS8RsJXYuKa_mTN0jVewyIuhJKW1vQ6nz-_lYGkG_70ovhcvzj3g0S7Kd2F3DEPM3e/s400/14.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slit-faced bat (<i>Nycteris spp</i>.)Photo: Trevor Morgan (taken at Pafuri)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of these bats escaped before it could be properly
identified. The incredible ears and slit in the nose make it immediately recognizable
but close examination is required to say which species. However, by far the
most common member of this family is the Egyptian slit-faced bat (Nycteris
thebaica) and it is unlikely to have been another species. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These special creatures have a number skills. Their sonar is
purposefully kept very soft so that insects that can hear bat calls (many moths
in particular), cannot hear a hunting slit-faced bat until it is too late. The
large ears are also extremely sensitive to other prey sounds such as rustling
in leaves which allow them to locate anything from moths to crickets to sun
spiders and scorpions. Slit-faced bats are seldom captured in the standard devices
of scientists (mistnets and harp traps) because their sonar is usually too
sensitive to be fooled. They are therefore typically caught within their roosts
which are large or small cavities, such as caves, hollows between large
boulders and aardvark burrows.
</div>
<br />ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-18679013935451957132016-12-26T06:45:00.000-08:002016-12-26T06:45:02.212-08:00Exploitation of Wildlife in Western Soutpansberg Conservancy
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Guest writer <span>Philip Faure from </span><span><span>Durham University's
Primate and Predator Project,</span></span><span><span> Lajuma Research
Centre,</span></span><span> reports:</span><span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span><span><span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
the global supply of natural resources is increasingly strained by rapid human
population growth, the importance of conservation continues to grow. Scarcity
of resources and economic opportunities throughout most of Africa result in
negative impacts on the environment. One of the most detrimental human impacts
has been the bushmeat trade. With increasing poverty and unemployment rates,
and with Africa’s population predicted to double by 2050, protein resources
will become increasingly scarce. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Consequently, illegal and unsustainable
harvesting of bushmeat for sustenance and income will become more prevalent.
Wire snaring is a popular harvesting method, given that snares are inexpensive,
effective, and easy to obtain, set and conceal. Snares are non-selective and
can inflict significant by-catch (i.e. killing animals not intended for
consumption). Unfortunately, the impact of snaring on our local wildlife is
difficult to quantify due to the secretive nature of bushmeat poaching.
Landowners often don’t know about set snares on their land and poachers often
move away from an area abandoning active snares. Snaring can especially impact large
carnivore populations, such as the leopards in the Soutpansberg Mountains.
These animals are particularly vulnerable to snaring given that they are wide
ranging (have a high probability of running into an abandoned snare), occur in
low densities (they have large territories), and are long-lived (only reaching
sexual maturity after 2 years of age). </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJXO9oZeOP7VLyDn4Y1k89Lkl-htTlVm1DBKXXyhQS6DPaebYhyphenhyphenBwjwaKlrcoTaz_LnTM3nt2TLv7S-Tjkjr81A_YktCEMmprJWXORlcwolL3CzDKv2PxwAwKlbDsXRH2NcXdLkCc0K0/s640/PICT0010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">An increasingly uncommon sight. Large adult leopard caught on camera trap. Medike, Soutpansberg. Thought to be same individual killed and skinned. </span>Photo Ryan van Huyssteen.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Leopards
have been living in the Soutpansberg Mountains for thousands of years. The
rugged and, mountainous environment creates favourable leopard habitat removed
from the threat of human disturbances occurring in the lower regions. Leopards
are a protected species in South Africa and listed as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN
(the International Union for the Conservation of Nature). The Primate and
Predator Project, a research station located in the mountains, has been
monitoring the leopard population in the western Soutpansberg since 2008 and
has found a shocking 66% decline in leopard densities during the last 8 years. </span></span></div>
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</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On
Sunday, the 16<sup>th</sup> of October, a team of volunteers organized by the
Primate and Predator Project and Soutpansberg Centre for Biodiversity and
Conservation, entered the Medike Mountain Sanctuary to conduct a snare sweep in
a forested area near the Sand River. A total of seventy-five active snares were
taken from the bush. Amongst the snares we found two bush buck carcasses, the
remains of a juvenile baboon, and a jar of poison hidden away in the brush. The
dense concentration of snares suggests this is not subsistence poaching, but instead
points towards a larger bushmeat-trade syndicate operating in the area.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggs9TDMLkHhAYfYSh3MlxRTw6PJ7nL9ZVsH3Fm8Jbc760ZKWoJ-LPZkSVrvPxLJXXl6k3CKcoIew-Hcd7qGq2DD9r-nQ0ivPb6CaQQ2GMJPoUgpaIvO9CiTQkoqJn7aYLiBixuy9XoCPg/s640/DSCN1889.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Predator and Primate Project (left) and Soutpansberg Centre for Biodiversity (right) and conservation after snare sweep having removed 75 active snares from a small area. Photo Maritjie Underhay.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
following day, a grim discovery was made of a leopard carcass close to the area
of the snare sweep. The carcass was still freshly skinned, with numerous dog
tracks, and footprints surrounding the scene. Coagulated blood around the neck
and throat confirms that an illegal snare was the cause of death. LEDET Environmental
Compliance and Law Enforcement as well as the South African Police Service are
currently investigating this incident.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HPzJ53dIXVlZ47LkI8LElzHhb62_wqtLJAe94ipy_9xk_sZKzk7_uGUj9vr16KT4rsTAiDbwjfwlu-OB0ImL1zoQwoppfnhQN_jDMTh-qC0Mpil3dTJK2ZDqAWfgRO4vMJayRtNu-yQ/s640/DSC09175.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Snared and skinned leopard, paws harvested. Medike, Soutpansberg. </span><br />Photo Jean-Francois Heitz.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBWXrpC6G0awmUk4Qy0wyuOxJv1NNEh67uD8q3gv2KSA6G_W8d4c4Y7nu7OPRotOwE7AhAf5jxEKxLJjcLw6HWJpp35S3Bbb9PyWEqYudqNwmSF9rJAL5hPtSzSUaG-4EsSwSIVvLheE/s640/poachers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every full moon for the last few months this group of men and their dogs moves in to hunt. These are the people who were responsible for the skinned leopard. Photo Ryan van Huyssteen.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Poaching
is an on-going problem in the Western Soutpansberg conservancy. People readily
buy bush meat and trade in animal products for traditional medicine. The
majority of poaching incidents go unreported. Even worse, 80% of snared animals
are left to rot in the bush and more than 90% of animals caught by snares are
by-catch.
</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoEpLN-cDPpNPGtMk6pAUWMtF6oM-O_3ulw__eDeHKUh3qn80hnoiPaWzmhYbdpbdP6ncrgBcfwwkGscNot5spOuNI5j6p7Eh4cWRiiyNWtz8AMkCi8fmsoqv-Y8MoqSNj-Yr8hzgQZs/s1600/DSC09166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoEpLN-cDPpNPGtMk6pAUWMtF6oM-O_3ulw__eDeHKUh3qn80hnoiPaWzmhYbdpbdP6ncrgBcfwwkGscNot5spOuNI5j6p7Eh4cWRiiyNWtz8AMkCi8fmsoqv-Y8MoqSNj-Yr8hzgQZs/s640/DSC09166.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vervet Monkey left to rot in snare. Photo Jean-Francois Heitz.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4E_GPLE0E0O_LRcGxo4tFDsI9aLm9VRgS6WnSen5137drk4AWcRZN-vNeNgxyYqF-1RSBBb-WkilDrYVvdayNEquHnkK-Zwmel2KBIi1vNQo9LgvOuQ_5xUD8dkO63ha2UqcdsVrjpo/s640/20151119_115721.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Python (<i>Python natalensis</i>) fat is used for magical purposes. Photo Ryan van Huyssteen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
general public can help by removing snares when found in the field and by
reporting incidents of poaching directly to LEDET. In addition, landowners can
get their employees to do a monthly snare sweep on their properties to remove
any snares. The Primate and Predator Project have conducted several snare sweeps
and removed hundreds of snares from the Soutpansberg Mountains. If you would
like assistance from them please contact Philip at 071 841 8361 or
wildlife.help@durham.ac.uk.
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
western Soutpansberg is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the fauna and flora
are part of our South African Heritage. The wildlife in the area is a strong
attraction for local tourism with the Soutpansberg being a world-renowned
biodiversity hotspot. The rampant and indiscriminate eradication of wildlife
affects us all and is a crime against our future generations. Help us save
species and safeguard the Soutpansberg Mountains.<span> </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porcupine spines, easily collected by non-lethal means. Photo Ryan van Huyssteen.</td></tr>
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ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-80117083514014649732016-05-09T12:15:00.001-07:002016-05-11T13:14:39.710-07:00Creature Feature: Northern Cape 2016<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">First reptile of the trip, Flap-necked Chameleon</span><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> - Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis, </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">near Kuruman</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">First live Cape Coral Snake</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">, Aspidelaps lubricus lubricus, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">for the trip, near Spektakal Pass.</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Giant Desert Lizard,</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Meroles ctenodactylus, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Port Nolloth.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Mountain Adder, <i>Bitis xeropaga</i>, one of the highlights of the trip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Augrabies Flat Lizards, <i>Platysaurus broadleyi</i>.</td></tr>
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January 2016 I had the opportunity to travel to the Northern
Cape for three weeks. Having never visited the area before I had no idea what
to expect. I knew it was going to be arid and hot, I knew I was going to
experience wide open spaces and unique biodiversity but nothing could prepare
me for the unique fauna and flora and the immensity of the spaces.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A round trip of 4448 kilometers, starting in Johannesburg
and vaguely aiming west to reach the Atlantic Ocean, took us through some very
interesting environments and biomes. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert scene - Witsand Nature Reserve (photo: Melissa Petford).</td></tr>
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The first stop was in the Kalahari, a site called Witsand. Witsand
is famous for its roaring dunes called die brulsand. When it is hot and windy
and conditions are just right, the sand is said to hum while moving. During our
stay the conditions were quite wet, so we never experienced the phenomena. But
we did experience rain in the Kalahari which was unforgettable. My highlight
for Witsand was just walking around the dunes and enjoying the exotic desert
landscape.</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Western Striped Skink<i>, </i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Trachylepis sulcata sulcata, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">male, Witsand.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Western Striped Skink<i>, </i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Trachylepis sulcata sulcata, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">female, Witsand.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variegated Skink - Trachylepis varigata, Witsand
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kalahari Tree Skink - <i>Trachylepis spilogaster, </i>Witsand.
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Spotted Sandveld Lizard </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">- Nucras intertexta, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">found dead at night in the veld.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Opistophthalmus wahlbergii, </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Witsand</span>.</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Giant Ground Gecko</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> - Chondrodactylus angulifer angulifer - </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Witsand.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Opistophthalmus carinatus, </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Witsand.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Cape Wolf Snake</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> - Lycophidion capense capens, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Witsand.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><i>Parabuthus raudus</i>, Witsand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i>Hottentotta arenaceus</i>, Witsand.</span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leopard Tortoise -
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Stigmochelys pardalis</span></i>, Witsand.</td></tr>
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After Witsand we continued our westward trajectory and drove
towards Augrabies National Park. This is a scenic park in a very arid
environment and it is famous for its waterfall were the mighty !Garib (aka
Orange River) is forced through a gap and cascades 56 metres into the gorge
below. The power of the water moving is incredible and it seems to make the
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Augrabies Flat Lizard, Platysaurus broadleyi, Augrabies Falls National Park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Scene Augrabies Falls National Park (photo Melissa Petford).</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baboons at night, Augrabies Falls National Park.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Augrabies Gecko, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Pachydactylus atorquatus, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">a beautiful Augrabies endemic.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Western Ground Agama</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">, Agama aculeata aculeata, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Augrabies </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Falls National Park.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Western Thread Snake</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">, Namibiana occidentalis, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Augrabies </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Falls National Park.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haake's Gecko - Pachydactylus haakei. Augrabies Falls National Park.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Purcell's Gecko</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> - Pachydactylus purcelli, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Augrabies </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Falls National Park.</span></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Namaqua Mountain Gecko -<i>Pachydactylus montanus, </i> Augrabies Falls National Park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Scene, Augrabies Falls National Park.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Black Spitting Cobra raiding bird nest</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">, Naja nigricincta woodi, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Augrabies.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Springbok, Augrabies Falls National Park (photo Melissa Petford).</td></tr>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Varanus niloticus</span></i>, Augrabies Falls National Park (photo Melissa Petford).</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Spotted Barking Gecko,</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Ptenopus garrulus maculatus, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Augrabies</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(photo Melissa Petford)..</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Three-striped Skink, <i>Trachylepis occidentalis, </i>Augrabies Falls National Park.<style><!--
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjEUlw-XnLc0CVpWjjach3Or-adek8P7ahvdJAVY2z0vTdBNUqT6TsOEL0i_ou9UcPw0rDXaWSubUFRd93cjfZpqTRGWwKwjcOB5LJumIvQxIjwua8R1sIfGIgM70_Y3jph8nnlsVCJE/s1600/IMG_7590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjEUlw-XnLc0CVpWjjach3Or-adek8P7ahvdJAVY2z0vTdBNUqT6TsOEL0i_ou9UcPw0rDXaWSubUFRd93cjfZpqTRGWwKwjcOB5LJumIvQxIjwua8R1sIfGIgM70_Y3jph8nnlsVCJE/s640/IMG_7590.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plain Sand Lizard <i>- Pedioplanis inornata. </i>Augrabies Falls National Park<i>. </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dwarf Plated Lizard,
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Cordylosaurus subtessellatus, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Augrabies Falls Nationa; Park</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">.</span></i>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Augrabies Falls - the mighty !Garib channeling through a crack (photo: Melissa Petford).</td></tr>
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Augrabies has some interesting biodiversity – the gorge and
surrounding areas are home to two very interesting lizards – the Augrabies Flat
Lizard and the Augrabies Gecko. The density of the Flat Lizards is astounding.
There are just so many. Augrabies has some interesting walks<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on top of the gorges. We did a few night
walks and experienced what must have been hundreds of thousands of bats
emerging in the early evening to feast on the mosquitoes, flies and midges
abundant around the river.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night Scene: Goegap Nature Reserve, Springbok Region.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Western Sandvel Lizard</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">, Nucras tessellata, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Goegap.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arid Namaqua Highland Scene, Goegap Nature Reserve.</td></tr>
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The next destination after Augrabies was Springbok and more
specifically the Goegap Nature Reserve outside the town. The area is an
important for it’s unique floral diversity and is part of the Namaqua
Highlands. The nights in the region were cold but we managed to get out and
photograph some interesting animals. Including Brant’s Whistling Rat, Western
Sandveld Lizard and Opistophthalmus peringueyi, one of the burrowing scorpions.
The Springbok area was one of my favourite places on the trip, I will not
hesitate to visit again.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gemsbok, Goegap (photo: Melissa Petford).</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Opistophthalmus pallipes, </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Goegap</span><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><i>Parabuthus schlechteri</i>, Goegap.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright Blue Southern Rock Agama, <i>Agama atra</i>, Goegap.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Quartz Gecko,</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Pachydactylus latirostris, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Goegap.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Namaqua Gecko, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Pachydactylus namaquensi, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Goegap.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></i></div>
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After Springbok our destination was the Atlantic and we
drove to Port Nolloth. In former times this must have been one of the most
beautiful regions in Southern Africa. The area is arid and the plant life
consists predominantly of small succulents and small hardy shrubs. Plants and
animals in the area derive most of their water from the fog that comes off the
cold Atlantic Ocean. The unique fauna and flora and the area’s natural beauty
has been severely damaged due to the mining of diamonds in the dunes and on the
shore. Large tracts of pristine dunes have been churned up in the search of
these little rocks. Paradoxically there is one advantage to the natural
environment that the mining has brought and that is the protection of land
through strictly controlled restricted access. For some species like the
Namaqua Dwarf Adder (smallest adder in the world) this may contribute to its
protection as the snake is over harvested by poachers. To me it is absurd to
take a little reptile like that out of its natural environment and put into a
small plastic container to live out the rest of its life. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandveld scene: Port Nolloth (Photo: Melissa Petford). </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angulate Tortoise,
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Chersina angulata, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Port Nolloth</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">. </span></i>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Skink, <i>Trachylepis capensis</i>, Port Nolloth.</td></tr>
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Striped Pygmy Gecko<i> - Goggia lineata, </i>Port Nolloth<i>.</i>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Giant Desert Lizard,</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Meroles ctenodactylus, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Port Nolloth.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knox's Desert Lizard,<i> Meroles knoxii</i>, Port Nolloth.</td></tr>
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Despite all the signs of exploitation, Port Nolloth was an
interesting place. We got to walk around in the dunes and caught up with some
interesting lizards, the highlights being the Giant Desert Lizards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Scene, Richtersveld National Park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMda88CSsu0vUC7G_6QC1M2Qgt-5u-ytSqWagccizi6j27gKY5KYHKnK0yHSYmTnDFFvbbVqcaW7Ldz5LHs0bFIoo144nX__F13mKXA3HFmb9YtiplZsVnNkrI-L6fYUgtsS58zldnNRc/s640/IMG_3588.jpg" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tenebrionidae</i> feeding on a flower, Richtersveld National Park.</td></tr>
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Having reached our journey’s western limit the next step was
to drive north into the desert and visit the Richtersveld National Park. This
region exhibits the most remote and rugged<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>landscapes I have ever encountered. </div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Richtersveld Gecko</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">, Pachydactylus carinatus, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Richtersveld National Park</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">.</span></i></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Monica's Gecko,</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Pachydactylus monicae, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Richtersveld National Park.</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7-YSFAdk9FU2A5CvNxCDjsnE2wC_ahlzVT8cMAxuWgCSKsyKHypqoMzrUIMAYa_ILICShqtUstRt5HCDsbQgFacKF8REQxOHQlY38ekM9_zRtp7oy-UFfJG1vPViJgdXVDjMwfFoQOY/s640/IMG_3577.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Uroplectes schlechteri, Richtersveld National Park.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4mngZ_PSAFNSnei6eZy6utIUvMvVh8JSe6msVMIn8D6PwnPiz2wEWFJZijXPbUytbQMbpTFqL4kdDxnTNGkENp03scC3fMJkFASe9RnU5R4sVebei8uBUDAIpnoEz6s7Ub5zCUSkDwM/s640/IMG_3596.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Richtersveld Gecko</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">, Pachydactylus carinatus, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Richtersveld National Park</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">.</span></i></td></tr>
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The desert is brutal and
unforgiving. The only respite from the brutality of the heat and rocks was
being able to swim in the !Garib and walk at night. The natural beauty of this
rocky and mountainous desert landscape was humbling and we were lucky enough to
catch up with some beautiful animals. Including the rarely seen burrowing
scorpion – Opistophthalmus haakei. I will never forget the power of the desert
at the Richtertsveld. The region is completely inhospitable and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this is what makes it such a remote
wilderness.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJbTFLBxN8g5G23RhyphenhyphenUmfmsgbPMHg4ldDlj-WSSAsJOW48QikQhY5w-LSdPGJQQrCxj-6EOz6CAb3ZzuqPAvFcjqIjcc6RHY5VL6KySEPfWmhCtE1f1Yfhmv2BFOoseKiQvsGcDS-XeY/s640/IMG_3558.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Parabuthus schlechter, Richtersveld National Park. </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wX7l12zWArzLnmV-hzB-1TgFQN32Vv5Zj6Xbu_MZjdn-f76gzoUIxStYuQDOvZDjRgpem4-pda0JTaJz0wqAER9YupM61MwgtUwnOjScm24Q0DI_hoFn5-RjqiOnzk2_WQyjM6fy41g/s640/IMG_3595.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opistophthalmus haacke, </i>Richtersveld National Park<i>. </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Scene: view down drainage line, Richtersveld National Park..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs5QcAUDMDf8pM43uznM-6pmoesDPZVqiiLMTZfDAmZY0e4WBfqRuYxCQp03V_d0IgnJBG15g1lOfjuHG3-SW8rD9JiFwqFibGn7K7DcdfQV4LBWYAOvFBdfBn95mzUFi1Wmt85BFQA8/s640/IMG_7810.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dassie Rat, Richtersveld National Park.</td></tr>
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Our next and final destination was Aggenys via Springbok.
The plan was to drive at night and sleep in the car on the way in search of
nocturnal animals and what a successful night we had. We encountered some very
interesting and charismatic reptiles (two live Coral Snakes and a Tiger Snake)
as well as a few scorpions including: Opistophthalmus granicauda; Opistophthalmus
peringueyi; Parabuthus granulatus. At about two in the morning we called it a
day and found a nice little granite quarry to rest in.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjbuVGc78SAHJiHB6xC5T37owCycTOL-eyve8R_YoK5cssc56t21l5qKQz0aRcg-d_eT6xBFh2wJxeqIOcMy4XkNagOLr_1uHsXeQrYL_k8HhbPlS8EUY_0WFNiWreY8ydxmruchgEfI/s640/IMG_3650.jpg" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Parabuthus capensis,</i> near Spektakal Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEz_5ghZjGmwSL8_HGlKa88SYsJManjYt2GvbfosTZ2hLQXuH_F-2UJ4V9HRH3EQpMKfrS2YGABBBAQ_yfyRTQ4vIwXP8CaRJGeWi6iVP65pJkzrqoo6unTU_F5ASLe678LiDBWZcfuw/s640/IMG_3653.jpg" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opistophthalmus granicauda, </i>near Spektakal Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU_xGB65n0T8_i2I3qzGHhcjFwdI82kQuCsyrhTkdG4okDYEYNZZa3kDW1XXKoAM2ukkDihSPwzKjyb4y9ge6Y4OZZTQZJ_885-dmK8Vp21T84LxCW_cCQaj02cms4O2xX9YpQlaECFg/s640/IMG_3665.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opistophthalmus peringueyi, near Spektakal Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XASteObV95QAkt_ucPIs4-iGPCqiQody-IjHxMBkZCzeU632VurQcOU1HlcAKxSQTa2xPLz94CjGPhYFkx8wuFtqT4eYZQYn-E2qbttI7r73ydvkCrbTkdphpyAT67TEGUsWTsJA7hU/s640/IMG_3708.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Parabuthus granulatus</i>, Springbok area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgh033l1YX_olQbxiI0XpBbd7eE2eMVlEPjSv2mdEfljsdohBkHdWJZ3T4Su5QJVoceHYAmN6MCCSUKweS_4_AfAkJYR1-rdQJeATc12ALmoScmiiJebsr43kkiMgSXxjgk1lIjAyXwu4/s640/IMG_3740.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second live Cape Coral Snake, <i>Aspidelaps lubricus lubricus</i>, in a night. Near Springbok.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7R-ZR3LR4RrBK8ujdQARAIkju6kPE6MfTIpnsUbHC9SZBMrQoEUIjVirmvjq6eIm18l16525b4F2lhX-XUANW8uxdws_RKWu8W6Vlbf9_IGI4zPsh9ddheDhn58kKs-yMXT-wjXOQyTw/s640/IMG_3735.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beetz's Tiger Snake, <i>Telescopus beetzii</i>, near Springbok.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Giant Ground Gecko, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Chondrodactylus angulifer angulifer, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Springbok.</span></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karoo Toad, <span class="st">Vandijkophrynus gariepensis, near Spektakal Pass.</span></td></tr>
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Waking up after a night sleeping in the car it was off to
the final destination, Aggenys in the hope of seeing some interesting scorpions
and reptiles. And what a treat there was in store for us. Hoping to see the
giant scorpion, Opistophthalmus gigas we were rewarded with what most people
would call an infestation of scorpions. This huge species was everywhere.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Namakwaland scene, near Aggenys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdzl6o7hf7llveepi7pbGQy9Th0eTW1wkG5gux-Y8cLKuw9YbM_QChixnyCrGCe_5zUhxAfvOwJ8Rbh_xTuuQ8d86d1acdNDXcbwoGOGuGW1TVRK2PUfQU8ScJQXsAgUGRJ9STR1Oauk/s640/IMG_3815.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opistophthalmus gigas</i>, near Aggenys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opistophthalmus gigas</i> infestation: Exhibit one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVdYUpb9Nqw62HAthXrOnKA_C8WHDolYxuf082j0sWIXX1LGyww7xfkkACFkwl3CCtrhlcE5fr5qh7yEKyxkfYmJQvu7HKs7tFH6bfFwLCy6PIZf2NqRuNnjbDuvW6hgBXykH_l7wGT8/s640/20160201_003848.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opistophthalmus gigas</i> infestation: Exhibit two.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wu4hZYuxJOj-7FVt_lIYxGRYiv4dU6sApITBPiiP7gEI7lcZG7hvqh6Hnizs03HXlYO52hnopMQl7iiveCvXnPqLaI8_Ww8QBdhH3RijEJXQQvNCrHP4ivrOnjakYpyKROYkFgTQu4s/s640/IMG_3774.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delalande's Beaked Blind Snake, <i>Rhinotyphlops lalandei, </i>near Aggenys. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHuv6vvXFVbrm0TkV8EGIqHDihXvZY4pWFdFo9EyAsj9so0V5DQ3L9XLbnu7qLcfKTuwmIZNeBnSGQxXZf12_Ypaef3Uq0fSgtF3eekfbYKcjNtZu36P0eMLvIY2_mrCilJpholS_k4s/s640/IMG_3927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southwestern Shovel-snout, <i>Prosymna frontalis</i>, near Aggenys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIQiyNOVE_PWEk-j6xJI4RXgk4npksqSBfkh9LOvTqpZ9SL3Ve4IZNSyA39Vgx6XZhrFbVjL_TCEbNj_Bzd1OWSWDUwywfLHa4napLDwLOpY5qWBr9PtBzNtujrl_fNtIrCOLE9e6RBU/s640/IMG_3819.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Egg-eater, <i>Dasypeltis scabra</i>, near Aggenys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8dK6nTxyqm2XRNNm6CM1PEm3aDHgW3Qe3DMy_uwcvM6mZdrBU7nvlmp1XwfjdGmVRoajBZEScYdR3PzJE7X7ozXf6t6-aZxZAOyfObn6jTvjYyJY8ithTKsLiB-K_3LzX3b3Y78e65c/s640/IMG_3846.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Parabuthus granulatus</i>, near Aggenys.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6xDn1ENfKVYgQ_53QUwtCy_6D9_SLaacKWNqv7o6sJxI4vnkeE1OnzFi2FO2-yyMbFs806orQuuZDJD7yiZ4Rd1W50bB789lUMPcdqk8k7WWRFjxKaXEjQb-7wCowvECPBOINkTxWgE/s1600/Goods+Gecko.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6xDn1ENfKVYgQ_53QUwtCy_6D9_SLaacKWNqv7o6sJxI4vnkeE1OnzFi2FO2-yyMbFs806orQuuZDJD7yiZ4Rd1W50bB789lUMPcdqk8k7WWRFjxKaXEjQb-7wCowvECPBOINkTxWgE/s640/Goods+Gecko.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good's Gecko, <i>Pachydactylus goodi</i>, near Aggenys (photo: Melissa Petford).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZ6sBGX75Kdm-1whXNcdyp9bQuzsLvhZHjbeIvcQ25M6uECQEef_u4SRwSs_nNyPRKzL_ECOyGzNUxio8lLaiQCqtKvEWDJd-KXrro9nP8eWZlPWWqr6eKffTPKOireXlWPEjQm8xMKM/s640/IMG_7838.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Three-striped Skink, <i>Trachylepis occidentalis</i>, near Aggenys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii81BocBAzTBbHtj4xDy4gZpuRHWrFk3Hy5k1umVqzL68kpyOPbhBwEJ0BuLJ5__uDfsWpTQU_6WNP-GL35-8HzAhJ-GpL2i3qS5BRQTkEwdFCgG9uX0drlLOFbBBB7hNfP08vgeSBWLg/s640/IMG_3860.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hoodia</i> in bloom, near Aggenys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejScO3TTeSMaPaL-Hrrls41szIun32X8SMH-6LacXrM7VWteR5T_LzGHZRiYKmHwpwYUsg_F9As4Q9-8_jvPyAxoKeSVar-XDaZTvLf7-uBBwqmxiXpZjcBvNO2tvrp9SBdsbMtO4lm4/s640/IMG_3893.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hadogenes zumpti</i>, near Aggenys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-SBPcA5PP75MAGvRkimqIzgOKvulFjSvn7kLCkrFJ-gqw5J2QXDCRRr-dFqrkGj4pGCctcs9E99iuqN5TEeTnYDajSZEUqIGX9gfTYbUJmcWj6FGAWK3twumyTubm-60uYgVsdxiLjI/s640/IMG_3770.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Delalande's Beaked Blind Snake, <i>Rhinotyphlops lalandei, </i>near Aggenys.</td></tr>
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Aggenys was a nice wind down after our busy trip. We took
night walks every night and just enjoyed the scenery, unique flora and the
atmosphere of the region. Some reptilian highlights were seeing Good’s Gecko and
also a South-Western Shovel Snout. </div>
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We saw so much beautiful and unique biodiversity. The amount
of birds, mammals, reptiles and scorpions we encountered and the spaces we
drove through and stayed in made this trip one of the most memorable I have
ever had the privilege of doing.</div>
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<b>Lists</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3csI1bT8TSv8GoyedzJtUk7FvP0r2G0-5TUHlN82ZOGnDKC3sBgvG3apesMHhjZtsZcIDlUTlEcKEIBB1GvhwYgLBhv7QG0r2ZKi9fhjTIssH9zMz_NnymI91jXRnf5aBKbtUrlLXtEs/s640/IMG_3598.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Richtersveld Gecko</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">, Pachydactylus carinatus, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Richtersveld National Park</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WQIam2ejAgO_KP8dIPCNuguc21oH5CoU-IMs6TpdLUl4g2UqlddGuPFyNyfcje3jep0iKj3PuMqdbiA226TfpXx0NE_Y9ejjNOIPQjKw3rR_UmbiIc_LXHIuRE-JTPVYVbuKcMFpvyg/s640/20160126_121213.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOR Cape Cobra, Naja nivea, near Stienkopf.</td></tr>
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<b>Reptiles 49</b></div>
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Chersina angulata</div>
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Stigmochelys pardalis</div>
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Chondrodactylus angulifer angulifer</div>
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Chondrodactylus bibronii</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chondrodactylus turneri</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Goggia lineata</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pachydactylus atorquatus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pachydactylus carinatus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pachydactylus goodi </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pachydactylus haackei</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pachydactylus latirostris</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pachydactylus montanus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pachydactylus monicae</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pachydactylus namaquensis </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pachydactylus purcelli</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ptenopus garrulus maculatus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meroles ctenodactylus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meroles knoxii</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nucras intertexta</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nucras tessellata</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pedioplanis inornata</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pedioplanis lineoocellata pulchella</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pedioplanis namaquensis </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Karusasaurus polyzonus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Platysaurus broadleyi</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cordylosaurus subtessellatus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trachylepis capensis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trachylepis occidentalis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trachylepis punctatissima</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trachylepis spilogaster</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trachylepis sulcata sulcata</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trachylepis variegata</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Varanus albigularis albigularis<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Varanus niloticus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Agama aculeata aculeata</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Agama atra</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Agama hispida</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rhinotyphlops lalandei</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Namibiana occidentalis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bitis xeropaga</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lycophidion capense capense </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prosymna frontalis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aspidelaps lubricus lubricus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Naja nigricincta woodi</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Naja nivea</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dasypeltis scabra</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Telescopus beetzii</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrgBTojGIpJHUj7V9BpBAn4XLtBuzjKsZyVkE2y2WUtssyuaBO2keOaTY3YMu-zH5r9aRDtVlRBsoX-7U6WDE15e5R4iW3uPz2wCEz0GxuCMKcz8hZnI2w_64OMLWZNExoGV3DumaXKo/s640/IMG_3567.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="410" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <style><!--
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<style>
<!--
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{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
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div.WordSection1
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--></style><i>Monica's Gecko, Pachydactylus monicae, Richtersveld National Park.</i>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ6MFSMMPakVOm_IX4SaihIV43bZV-dnNZ2RmRkL21esHzcnKnjNBfL8tNlNscAA74gQkzSZCduAvBsSG1h2Woq2DfQ-KYbiA_ARpe9MghhK-LXuMP3kF0NU3dEtI75byhhY_MVegV3k/s640/IMG_3332.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Opistophthalmus carinatus, </span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Witsand.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TBWFis1da_3Zfnihyphenhyphenx5-3yowoPDsYuzZo8eCj-LOLHdemVEBfcy8Q2zTLqiVs3WIGTI7T8shnMXKBCBBeZxVxniOZX-zNQ0oDglzNYMpS2KMCstlrb2x9qOYrvyF6iha_lgAlpcBB7E/s640/IMG_3564.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Parabuthus schlechteri</i>, Richtersveld National Park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Scorpions 18</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Uroplectes schlechteri</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Uroplectes sp. (De Hoop 1)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Uroplectes sp. (De Hoop 2)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parabuthus capensis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parabuthus granulatus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parabuthus laevifrons</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parabuthus raudus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parabuthus schlechteri</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parabuthus sp. (Aggenys)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hottentotta arenaceus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Opistophthalmus carinatus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Opistophthalmus gigas</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Opistophthalmus granicauda</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Opistophthalmus haackei</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Opistophthalmus lornae<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Opistophthalmus pallipes</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Opistophthalmus peringueyi</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Opistophthalmus wahlbergii</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hadogenes zumpti</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOX2nfzDr5FL7UfyRaaFbYBXxesRzYCsXpi6PCsZg_46Xqk7MIw1nCR3GV-Iq8p5b0f6dkjjuGBwNkOUiofsnNQOeFOKtYrxre-1NoglDUvHhbyLZ4FC6esjNmlrQyD02o7ml8iTjc50/s640/Witsand+Giant+Eagle+Owl.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Eagle Owl, Witsand (Photo: Melissa Petford).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Birds 129</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Helmeted Guineafowl</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White Faced Duck</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Egyptian Goose</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spurwing Gose</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Golden Tailed Woodpecker</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ground Woodpecker</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crested Barbet </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Acacia Pied Barbet</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Hoopoe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Green Wood-Hoopoe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common Scimitarbill</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Giant Kingfisher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
European Bee-eater</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-backed Mousebird </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red-faced Mousebird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black Cuckoo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jacobin Cuckoo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Burchells Coucal</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alpine Swift</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-rumped Swift</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Little Swift</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Palm Swift</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common Swift</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Giant Eagle Owl</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spotted Eagle Owl</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Eagle Owl</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rufous Cheeked Nightjar</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speckled Pigeon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Laughing Dove</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Turtle Dove</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Namaqua Dove</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rock Dove</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Northern Black Korhaan</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Namaqua Sandgrouse</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Double Banded Sandgrouse</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Black Oystercatcher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spotted Thick-knee</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three-banded Plover</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-fronted Plover</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blacksmith Lapwing</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crowned Lapwing </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Double-banded Courser</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kelp Gull</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hartlubs Gull</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black Shouldered Kite</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Fish Eagle</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lappet-faced Vulture</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black-chested Snake-eagle</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jackal Buzzard</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Steppe Buzzard</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Verreauxs Eagle</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Martial Eagle</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rock Kestrel</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Greater Kestrel</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amur Falcon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lanner Falcon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-breasted Comorant</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Comorant</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Darter</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cattle Egret</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black Headed Heron</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hadeda Ibis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glossy Ibis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Sacred Ibis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Spoonbill</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lesser Flamingo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Greater Flamingo </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brubru</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crimson Breasted Shrike</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bokmakierie</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pririt Batis </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Crow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pied Crow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common Fiscal </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ashy Tit</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rock Martin</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barn Swallow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lesser Striped Swallow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-throated Swallow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red-breasted Swallow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Red-eyed Bulbul</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long-billed Crombec</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rufous-eared Warbler</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chesnut-vented Tit-babbler</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Orange River White-eye</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black-chested Prinia </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rufous -eared Warbler</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rufous Naped Lark</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Karoo Long-billed Lark</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Long-billed Lark</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barlows Lark</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Karoo Thrush</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marico Flycatcher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fiscal Flycatcher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fairy Flycatcher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Karoo Scrub-Robin</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kalahari Scrub-Robin</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Stonechat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Familiar Chat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mountain Wheatear</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ant-eating Chat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pale-winged Starling</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Glossy Starling</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
European Starling</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common Myna</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Southern Double Collared Sunbird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dusky Sunbird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sociable Weaver </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scaly-feathered Finch </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Southern Masked Weaver </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Southern Red Bishop</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow Crowned Bishop</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long-tailed Widowbird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common Waxbill</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pin-tailed Whydah</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
House Sparrow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Great Sparrow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Sparrow </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Southern Grey-Headed Sparrow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Pied Wagtail</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Wagtail </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long-Billed Pipit</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow Canary</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-throated Canary</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Bunting</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bjL5EWxFzWyN1fV1gwJMmmhH7lwf8LJrzlFByvdxszf3_Kp44sC9sdLJX4idZ316CpRnis7y0F2qqSE37lzFhELQsuf2F54CudolLnJuhzFVdjEdgTm3XX8lyuNEy6Ht8zlJROkinEE/s640/Witsand+Yellow+Mongoose.JPG" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Mongoose, Witsand (Photo: Melissa Petford).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUHaA0E6CExtHsNWiAzr0J05pAX0IjpODbaidaMd7qTh8WTqskrgdjc2a54DH-TRLrKd_V_PYHgG4n8JWpFKWfakvwb07rPh5KtghyphenhyphenT-6pDO6GoXtvr2vsb0st-RiC7hEbTpi5iGr4Kc/s640/Kleinsee+Meerkats+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meercats or suricats, Klienzee (Photo: Melissa Petford).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Mammals 28</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vervet Monkey</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chacma Baboon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lesser Bushbaby</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scrub Hare</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rock Rabbit</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spring Hare</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ground Squirrel</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brant’s Whistling Rat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dassie Rat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Porcupineå</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bat-eared Fox</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black-backed Jackal</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Clawless Otter</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Striped Polecat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meercat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slender Mongoose</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow Mongoose</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Small Grey Mongoose</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Small Spotted Genet</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aardwolf</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Wild Cat</div>
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Aardvark</div>
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Rock Dassie</div>
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Giraffe</div>
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Gemsbok</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Springbok</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Klipspringer</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Steenbok</div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd4QIDoto4f2aOTXzB5GmlYQczUTPD4pwTgOgM1WvWwWzTglc-VwUETZjs9K2l22is-3Ji80eBho2SeDPz-NB7ZPfjhy3musXz9BG6861M9xkp7qWybAGBDSQBUq46-Wd5TEqUQpWGGE/s640/Kleinsee-Springbok+African+Wild+Cat.JPG" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Wild Cat, near Goop (Photo: Melissa Petford).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-29461689520549748222016-01-14T02:44:00.000-08:002016-01-14T02:44:03.054-08:00Venda: Biodiversity and Places of Northern Limpopo.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tfTZ7riponAyrfP6zuGbysCLnF-d1oS2LKbtQ5GUOnxXxF1aYVVRa3CxW-_hHYRPJQ-YXxLgOOkhwB_whfXa3YRTzgsraPG7waQaQdLWQT2HxwWLsY4u9XzDZLWmPPzVpqnClT6qe7BI/s640/IMG_0683.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="410" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arnold’s Velvet Gecko (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Homopholis arnoldi</i>), Blouberg Nature Reserve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
The <a href="http://soutpansbergcbc.blogspot.co.za/" target="_blank">SCBC</a> has been working on biodiversity data collection in
the Soutpansberg area for over a year now. Our activities have been centred on the
Medike property on the banks of the Sand River. Due to the vastness of the
mountain range and peripheral areas; to broaden the habitats in this
biodiversity rich area, the SCBC has now begun to work in different areas. The
purpose of this is to increase the SCBC project’s scope and create more
accurate data representations of biodiversity assemblage for the region.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSe_OXLkW_gEOs81JzYaBiAJx4GZifTsQQzUXxK9Lsm8JgAIxSNIQQTJkWG0WRQQaK2DrS7JPYtxItJZrACFM5xyla2YDgZNdeQHG0HGPk9zj4QUakphhWsq5Ebzeep0TPwZe6Qlx72UTR/s640/IMG_0701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delande’s Beaked Blind Snake (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Rhinotyphlops lalandei)</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
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September was set aside as a month for travelling and we
began the tour at Blouberg Nature Reserve to the west of the Soutpansberg
range. Generally Blouberg is treated as a separate entity, but the mountain is geologically
related to the Soutpansberg and under sampled. For the purposes of the SCBCs
mandate (to spend time walking searching of biodiversity) Blouberg Nature
Reserve was not well suited to the task. Because of the presence of buffalo in
the area walking is discouraged. However the little time spent there did turn
up some interesting new reptiles for our lists not yet found on the
Soutpansberg; Delande’s Beaked Blind Snake (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Rhinotyphlops lalandei)</span></i>
and the newly described Arnold’s Velvet Gecko (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Homopholis arnoldi</i>). There are a few protected areas around the
mountain that are buffalo free and this is an area that has been identified as
having a lot of future potential for SCBC work.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaaRyjaLac_ieMXpkb8_kSTXVAQIi5Urz-r2zJMGKXXjcg9Lzzji_TwXk5PZ2qyC7qAK-eN6sCHoUdDxGt3ERfrEFZQyiDP5tt190mDVVoSwnYPR3vRmnFYUDtThKKpHnL_Pr4vlb4K9D/s640/IMG_0748---Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunduvall's Writhing Skink (<i>Mochlus sundevalli</i>), Mashovella, Soutpansberg.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After Blouberg it was our intention to explore the Northern
slopes of the Western Soutpansberg, unfortunately the few sites that offer
accommodation were fully booked. We spent a night at Mashovella, which is
situated in a beautiful valley. Unfortunately Mashovella is not conducive to
research, the accommodation is expensive and there are many rules governing
activity on the property. So we moved on to a small farm called Zvakanaka. The
property is small but gives access to quite a large chunk of the moister and
higher Southern slopes of the Soutpansberg. The property is wedged between
agricultural land and is very conducive to research. Unfortunately the weather
was cold and we could not work, so decided to head east for warmer and dryer
weather.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFcplmToisbtIr_IMwCbiYgaK_SB_KF-xCt8zOA4z5hvjdjTi2RwVJkNV1Z2urjRV4pwuZFZ_tesOkiFQrnrOjVjQiUU4b6vRv9T2o0153XAMsPmknXWkyXSgNBX_cWE4c_aQewe3abVv/s640/IMG_0914.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mopane Veld, Nwanedi Nature Reserve, Limpopo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHsqVFFID8ulY0DcFXCXBkuL4utTc-RkWcvHdTl9l0Vwphh1KW2B-EvYfzPqUbhyphenhyphen03cvEuUep9u6MyfzOkV_7tlzQBig6CE0kY9TDnODusAeCFfRHZ7p_z8xe_VRtIJ0GSZGjJnRdpZTb/s640/IMG_0904.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">Leopard Tortoise (</span><i><span class="_Xbe kno-fv">Stigmochelys pardalis</span></i><span class="_Xbe kno-fv">), Nwanedi Nature Reserve, Limpopo.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One of the habitats that we needed to sample was the Mopane
Veld which grows on the northern edges of the Soutpansberg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to spend a few days at Nwanedi
Nature Reserve. Nwanedi is a large reserve, comprised of riverine vegetation
patches, Mopane veld and arid mountain savannah. The region is extremely hot
and dry. Nwanedi proved to be very productive and conducive to research.
Permission to walk anywhere was easily granted and there is also a good road
network. We spent six nights at Nwanedi and made a list of 16 reptiles (four of
which were new for the SCBC lists) and we also found six species of scorpion.
The SCBC will certainly do more forays to Nwanedi in the coming months.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec2m2XZabZm8OhqMmtI4ONr6mkMet82Sg9O7-ObqFBH1ei5EAWFljJ8yme3kFNlSGK4llYgQQ_UcwfXNOfCsbE5r8-qW_-k8yPO-dkFXbpz2mOsp6ihFf3EVurP3ynb_rFOL2ZQKjFkWo/s640/IMG_0870.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st"><i>Pachydactylus punctatus, </i>Nwanedi Nature Reserve.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vkUs8D1mfIcbwZo7_secT2xl-NsRypYZmmItXQtiwcXHBICdRR32JYHO8zNviOSc8E-c2SI5Ys3oprLf6Yx1a-3_taXnuzPFLCc72q-ZLJDOX_RnOiyspm44tVJXF-mK07gYgrqDPaGH/s640/IMG_5724.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limpopo girdled lizard (<i>Cordylus jonesii</i>), Nwanedi Nature Reserve.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsjJKyGL2RxvW6AVMmtTg4NtH9K2VCoZq1GHbU5my8-Lcygwp1d7A8GCNM8VcZfx3N3FRQ4_p1GX2zPKTIwhlIieK9oqN0rumzX_-scSK_FqpKSxtaqt2CxQofNJalM3oZvYkVfXJj0zf/s640/IMG_5717.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holub's Sandveld Lizard (<i>Nucras holubi</i>), Nwanedi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Being in Venda we decided to spend a few nights in a rural
site near the village of Segole at the Big Tree Lodge. The lodge is next to a
property where there is a massive Baobab tree. The is claimed to be the biggest
in the world and is estimated to be over 3000 years old. The tree is one of the
most remarkable organisms that I have ever seen. Segole was good for reptiles –
in the few days there we created a list of 15 species, including three new
species for our lists. We used the big tree lodge as our base and I can
recommend the place to anyone travelling in the area.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAt77PAQG-NS94K_l8cirknCPT-QwEeo0DWXVDo3Mt9i8GAdYXy42-ZM_6HucP2fRHxwkrC7H9xB9NYf6iA5hNmdkpej80y7TQWTOocCR0lfoJEHKyvUecEhjTdw3mS5jLdFNTLkpYxtpR/s640/IMG_0976.jpg" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="_Xbe kno-fv">The Big Tree, <i>Adansonia digitata </i>at Segole.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywl8oEuLM-QKhuvkoZkvYhcMRKF4iNnRsbrOc64ofkL6odM5LDxat1AMBRwTPiSN492GHqncvSrBuciuS2Nq_iGtpK6fcp2kr2suCDJgtsEVZDpZzojHay70483co0Ygk1107ScZeIN_0/s640/IMG_1055.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East African Shovel-Snout (<i><span class="st">Prosymna stuhlmanni</span></i><span class="st">), Segole.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pkJcFLJaRZOgiKSYbSgRN3nDU4WFyaq0yq_XSbcRrCNgr9PPLQdkE0GtPlM7p-DTPxTmhwhzTem84RhKOlBjqX2aR_hgLs30QeQc5IAfknhsUT1PX8W2WB7NQ_FjuZ6xeV_rhjHoexnp/s640/IMG_0983.jpg" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st"><i>Common Barking Gecko</i> (<i>Ptenopus garrulus garrulus</i>), Segole.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOucHj43UEuuwI0SLYaQb2j5jgv-TWAS6lzeWvd-1PtoRcc2zcu0asHxm8u5s_WSm7tI_yi9jc0WGwx2ahFL-6qqa1ZiMSEI33ez41-Qexgqtx5W7y599JjOw5wC8GwAbwnSuw2kNs0Bs/s640/IMG_1061.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st"><i>Parabuthus mossambicensis</i>, Segole.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Still very much in the Venda area we travelled to the
forested slopes of the far eastern Soutpansberg and stayed at Golwe-Vhurivhuri
campsite. The community runs the campsite and the facilities are excellent.
They have ample space for camping and two safari tents for those who want a bit
of luxury. The campsite is situated on a river in a forest and is an excellent
area for birding, otherwise difficult to see species like African Broadbill,
Eastern Nicator, Narina Trogon and even Pink-throated Twinspot are very easily
observed in and around the campsite. Our time at Golwe-Vhurivhuri turned up two
new lizards for our lists as well as a new scorpion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj608QPKuSbXbb1aWfnA59tGPt2LAh9aLdvP42eg1hoevheNv1kRKLEtNgmGtl57vQ4K661isyDG6SNwts0Q6MsP_jRUsb1iZQKLjnH0u1OkEIv92zBIVx8J6PPgF4g0OsbaTiRIgD8sRLJ/s640/IMG_1252.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Zygaspis quadrifrons</i>, Golwe-Vhurvhuri, Eastern Soutpansberg.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0VoLH4jl32P2zBUEJf8-EwJKoHpIX3eHMHaw68dcu2fE5z4AN5WUyZqaucyM7ArEM1KIKtE5xsQI9nvAbRJwYmpD4rkzLWW5M6GTQwXCvQEkjwwk6gxal0oeJgYalKzs54OdnGsGN6F4/s640/IMG_1154.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Sandveld Lizard (<i>Nucras intertexta), </i>Golwe-Vhurvhuri, Eastern Soutpansberg.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPf3RqKIGSXmdcnnTDHLwaW5bd5UsNL_cQGDbxvi6LvWe33KiYs4y80LAH2AVu-LNtHZ-3xyQSN-xX29TksRQXS4ybqDGZWCuGPMtGROsKfxo7z3UbzeOwcR2-yXdlW_pJG-TVTTytxgOm/s640/IMG_1260.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forest at Golwe-Vhurvhuri, Eastern Soutpansberg.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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The forest that Golwe-Vhurivhuri connects to is full of
secrets and recently turned up the second record of a Forest Cobra, <a href="http://vmus.adu.org.za/vm_view_record.php?database=sarca&prj_acronym=ReptileMAP&db=sarca&URL=http://sarca.adu.org.za&Logo=images/reptilemap_logo.png&Headline=Reptile%20Atlas%20of%20Southern%20Africa&Use_main_filter=0&User_id=&Full_name=&serve_sp_list=0&drop_down_list=&assessment=0&query_id=381136&Vm_number=0&recNo=0&numRows=26&start=0&Vm_number=7687&recNo=3"><i>Naja melanoleuca</i></a>. Looking at the habitat
in the forest as Golwe-Vhurivhuri and comparing it to suitable habitat in the
KZN coastal forests, future work in the area is bound to reveal the presence of
this shy snake. During 2016 the SCBC will make regular forays into the area. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Still following our west east trajectory we decided to end
the Limpopo part of the tour at Pafuri on the eastern limits of our catchment
area. We stayed at Pafuri River Camp on the banks of the Mutale River just
south of the Limpopo. The property boasts some nice riverine bush with Mopane
veld scattered with Baobabs. The Mopane veld in the area was crawling with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pachydactylus punctisima</i> and in some
patches the density of this species was remarkable. For scorpions the area is
very good and a reliable place to find <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Uroplectes
chubbi</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lychas burdoi</i> and many <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hottentota trilineata</i>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07wgvNckG4wBl6Edj0pV__qm3Ypo26SsFwj7tn5BUFv08b7WDswBtgrDAbkxmcIr0KXOk4_ITfutruJEUZHkUMYPbXT7dyy60fn6hYjb-_VIlt5CGRCkx_QGeSQwrFTmDgwsNXxY1ULva/s640/IMG_5974.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nile Crocodile (<i><span class="_Xbe kno-fv">Crocodylus niloticus</span></i><span class="_Xbe kno-fv">), Pafuri, Kruger National Park.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8ZD_VzD-liM_KotNg_Ls-gBybpTQGE2XsWOmDRZAINdxgrjWBUz5_TcE-Le0OttmB_VxG6_fqTNY_KaHoVKLCL7FLOhZnHbwcWIGQ9B_eKj798AzHikW8QYoohl5yfYo1V6QPTvmLe6o/s640/IMG_5897.jpg" width="430" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Hyaena (<span class="_Xbe kno-fv"><i>Crocuta crocuta</i>), Makuleke, Kruger National Park.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The final destination on the tour was to the coastal forests
of Kwazulu-Natal to study the habits and habitat of the Forest Cobra (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="_Xbe kno-fv">Naja melanoleuca</span>)</i>. We camped at Mtunzini and walked for
cobras every day. Finding the cobras was easy enough, one day we saw four
individuals. Getting a picture was a bit tricky as the snake is very shy. But
from what we saw at Mtunzini, the forest cobra likes thick areas in closed
canopy forest and also seemed more abundant in areas close to the river there.
The way to find them is to walk slowly and silently looking deep into piles of
rotting wood and tangles of vegetation. All the ones we saw were on the ground
(some moved off into the bushes) and most were basking. At Mtunzini we only saw
the Forest Cobras in the day. Looking for cobras we also encountered a few
other reptiles in the forest, including the Common Purple-glossed Snake (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Amblyodipsas polylepis polylepis</span></i>), A big Vine Snake (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thelotornis capensis capensis</i>) and the
bizarre Giant Legless Skink (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Acontias plumbeus</span></i>).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN2uYO6YOXW0E94zbOKUlrgpKM4dUvSFvibOrlCAVG6oh8-xSpvW-Q7R-gWGpojeX3zpmZl0rZX_lxyu8RzWqiyT781G_FH7EQw62Nb33aleeN3ct93vo8sKBCKBJaGFH9FGOOtbNb_7D/s640/IMG_1490.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Purple-glossed Snake (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Amblyodipsas polylepis polylepis), </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mtunzini, KwaZulu Natal.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYoEZYlZlK9vFLZwNxzDlG9Dk-WR2D3z_h-QnopzX0mI7Iz9_xxWA2v1_k7oKZ36ltnQFvSmZaw2-PxAUL0Aiea8UD_E3TqUuwOJ_WVF3jLZly2ZiP_CnGcTEIPY0vaSeve6cbfA5B3oo/s640/IMG_1526.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Giant Legless Skink (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Acontias plumbeus</span></i>), </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mtunzini, KwaZulu Natal.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
</div>
<br />ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-75726332115606839242016-01-10T05:02:00.000-08:002016-01-11T10:31:16.334-08:00Zambia: Miombo, Flogo, Peacifo, Beautifo!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJKqTgefI8JvtNiJUCweK91Rf8GjQcEXoR6o7rz4Alfdlsf55qA7_CZLUcHnwYM5w9tsRR1q2EpqWzS7fnpc6xOuVrkBBJ0e0_BL7sMihhe-5XuvSDwbO0mFoitPNeLLQnxv1vHJ-mVE/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJKqTgefI8JvtNiJUCweK91Rf8GjQcEXoR6o7rz4Alfdlsf55qA7_CZLUcHnwYM5w9tsRR1q2EpqWzS7fnpc6xOuVrkBBJ0e0_BL7sMihhe-5XuvSDwbO0mFoitPNeLLQnxv1vHJ-mVE/s640/IMG_2477.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straw-coloured fruit
bats <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(<i>Eidolon helvum</i>) returning to roost.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Every year roughly eight to ten million Straw-coloured fruit
bats <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(<i>Eidolon helvum</i>)</span> descend on a patch of forest
in Kasanka National Park. This is said to be the largest mammal migration in
the world. The bats come from all over central Africa to take advantage of the
fruiting of Masuku (<span class="st"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Uapaca kirkiana</span></span>) and
Waterberry fruits (<span class="binomial"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Syzygium cordatum</span></i></span>). I was lucky enough to travel to
Kasanka this year to witness the phenomena.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxLaAIAht6_pj4UXEwW3SJBmxx3kxqWQVQXs7HRDQIMexTxtd6ioNElBZPR-fEH-ZZNh6i2FfU1KWsqRkNJRsjlivwYvMEy4dtY8klNEL3hvapEuyrCyiVpjjpuBA4IqztT0e4Q_qInc/s1600/IMG_2500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxLaAIAht6_pj4UXEwW3SJBmxx3kxqWQVQXs7HRDQIMexTxtd6ioNElBZPR-fEH-ZZNh6i2FfU1KWsqRkNJRsjlivwYvMEy4dtY8klNEL3hvapEuyrCyiVpjjpuBA4IqztT0e4Q_qInc/s640/IMG_2500.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Millions of bats in all directions.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikriY5yXhcAv5uY5AJQRbBZbsAtWCThWJXW3A5qRHNaAV0D0VdBEmsVwI4TKGmLEotlXoukb87tw3JosE00bJVoPUKipEwGufBXX3sMGyELLYYSiRYhL8zqWIWRjRbOyWFzSIzwZIG3a0/s1600/IMG_6619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikriY5yXhcAv5uY5AJQRbBZbsAtWCThWJXW3A5qRHNaAV0D0VdBEmsVwI4TKGmLEotlXoukb87tw3JosE00bJVoPUKipEwGufBXX3sMGyELLYYSiRYhL8zqWIWRjRbOyWFzSIzwZIG3a0/s640/IMG_6619.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Martial Eagle sits waiting to snatch a bat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSjbKGDK0TzPXogTLvndJdO2eotIqiOXUy4oXQ7n7hX1SJ_kXwYmxW8WcQ05A_U6MHkfIY0GFA2-Fk8e3DFvCTWwWUpqm2cfE7kKi9BW8J5PC1_JwVtzrHr9hmPKbsyZyPt9aCnSUS5w/s1600/IMG_6624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSjbKGDK0TzPXogTLvndJdO2eotIqiOXUy4oXQ7n7hX1SJ_kXwYmxW8WcQ05A_U6MHkfIY0GFA2-Fk8e3DFvCTWwWUpqm2cfE7kKi9BW8J5PC1_JwVtzrHr9hmPKbsyZyPt9aCnSUS5w/s640/IMG_6624.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An African Fish Eagle flies through the bats after an unsuccessful attempt at catching one.</td></tr>
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Kasanka is a smallo park in Serenje province, close to the
Democratic Republic of Congo Border. It is a beautiful park, with Miombo
Woodland, Dambos, Papyrus Swamps and some interesting evergreen forest types.
The bats congregate in a type of forest called <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mushitu, which is
rich in wildlife.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkUmdw6MLVghNVLYUUUzp9likrkWuk0bMkucZsZmHis0yP6Iu9m_dMXPlsFG1-wrUdVmAIIR9FlGjGlz09mDC_2Lp1u9KfKumcKwBZ-2zZc20SWwHjMEJUhJ8jsHlm5JGpU64C7utlwY/s640/IMG_6591.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">Bats<span style="color: #0000ee;"> flying around the Mash<span style="color: #0000ee;">itu<span style="color: #0000ee;"> where the bats <span style="color: #0000ee;">congregate. </span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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The bats can be viewed in the evening when leaving the roost
and in the morning when returning to the roost. In the evening the bats spread
out from the forest in search of feeding grounds – millions in all directions.
In the eveining the bats fly silently over, all one can hear is the gentle
sound their wings make (it sounds like a slow-moving river). Standing there in
the early evening, seeing the spectacle for the first time was an incredible
experience. It is incomparable to any other experience I have had.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM-lk_XeFobe5u1pfEeb31PHZul81P8-CEnqRxBrj1JdU3wwukrN6yNTr_h7LI5GxKIv5_EfPqLw6z62rMeRSVAhMtrjTa0t9rEb4xmaoXZmFeiw-1pzFwtxoa_j4j0b5RoBc0gDfU8g/s640/IMG_2511.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">A view of a Dambo and some Puku from the forest.<u><br /></u></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKAgj2WvsZQPUYAQo4UwepQAmRFjz5eTSxQhepHlVVcjmFqhxpKZtA8fOqKdGOK21ahTBiNzJ-mtlWSyJBt3pK941jwPTB3ZTC6ndM0Y7nkgAswzcwD3nLt8Ly7NgmLtcxQbI4_R_17Y/s640/IMG_2548.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roadblock! An elephant at Kasanka.</td></tr>
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In the mornings we viewed the bats returning to their roost
after they had been foraging. In the morning the bats are completely different.
They are noisy and fly around in all directions before resting. As it get
lighter one can begin to see the forest and all the raptors perching waiting to
take a bat for breakfast. The raptors I saw capitalising on the abundance of
food were white-backed vultures, Martial Eagles, African Fish Eagles, Black
Sparrow Hawks and various others. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNXoYmlXj5ulgDc8EG6Nbs8YNncmrCprfceeI18-PlY_kWnEz-FJ_b-7NC0VqVdGasEmiMIMF6AMys89u0Qt67iAHLsKliAbV4iBEufGHk0EDlLZKDXlPIEOQh3QVo57cofDp4AAF9cY/s640/IMG_6641.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Kinda Baboon.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6egFcE6LXvs4MYbLIcmzm1fit4cnYvGrf3IEhyAeW2RRLEOfX9Qb0B18gJBxoZJWo5f0s7bJIWlFp-AHqOBcK7MAjs0zDiXShGf_gII7ch1BBQJTYsrOJFYMQiXz1QC9QHWDO2p11W2I/s640/IMG_6428.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puku, a nice looking antelope closely allied to Waterbuck.</td></tr>
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Besides bats, there are numerous interesting animals in
Kasanka. The birding in Kasnaka is amazing: I was hoping to see Ross’s Turaco
and I saw a lot. There are some unusual mammals. Blue Monkeys and Kinda Baboons
are two special mammals one can see easily. I enjoyed seeing the antelope
Sitatunga and Puku. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLGOa_ZCrxiapR6MPFhQ86WAExQasp1tzIyQanbLTe3WqV5TvLxX2-A_ynCREsTH1CUJhsa4N6fD0tMU8dnkf7U6N0zSJUluVdvgZ45RhtGuTxlSfleSuYd0Vr_mWm_vRBMxc4HLgzMs/s640/IMG_6444.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Ngoshe or Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis). A large graceful reptile.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1PbKNdZLmx4hW9m45GzmLlknzUc83FXbydiVQoJuD0OURBnXR-e7jz6yd-IFMPpy0JtY7JY_4HVj_72I2LdHh9e3K7KwnoGLT-Adwm4JuCO3RvkDUhAY78vQ4fR4AIpGL_jYFwrMmPA/s640/IMG_6669.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">A view of one of the large granite outcrops at Mutinondo.<u><br /></u></span></span></td></tr>
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After spending a few days at Kasanka I journeyed to
Mutinondo Wilderness in Muchinga province near Mpika. This is a wilderness area
in some pristine Miombo woodland intersected by Dambos and chrystal clear
rivers. I spent about a week in Mutinondo just enjoying everything this remote
place has to offer. I saw Forest Cobras, many interesting frogs, many beautiful
birds and an interesting mammal, the Chequered Elephant Shrew (<span class="xbe"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rhynchocyon cirnei</span></i></span><span class="xbe"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">)</span></span>. I also enjoyed eating Masuku everyday. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fKFxlDtQgJa_jvyts5LqzhjRVsk-xUgJY3OEYxfwfP5ULuNsvovIFEx5wPFGaUYl1gUhzm0sNKxSmnWgrIQDcgQ3kMKxBaqZQlaPiZf-_zhb8tKTs-H_K20Y9HbHlfsvIhB27s-Hti4/s1600/IMG_2708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fKFxlDtQgJa_jvyts5LqzhjRVsk-xUgJY3OEYxfwfP5ULuNsvovIFEx5wPFGaUYl1gUhzm0sNKxSmnWgrIQDcgQ3kMKxBaqZQlaPiZf-_zhb8tKTs-H_K20Y9HbHlfsvIhB27s-Hti4/s640/IMG_2708.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masuku. One of my favourite fruits. Tasty, juicy and lying everywhere.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lujDBgFMT_HuszbjF4ImO5WqLJ-nG-jHP9z28l9PdrVh1lnhNhqhhsg9o1a2XBwVhhjxXBCbpQXRv4dsZBi77nfoyABdolh90eXdF5RpfR2CsEpmxTKwmeK43lx1kOZQZU6ZRg3FHUo/s1600/20151204_153455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lujDBgFMT_HuszbjF4ImO5WqLJ-nG-jHP9z28l9PdrVh1lnhNhqhhsg9o1a2XBwVhhjxXBCbpQXRv4dsZBi77nfoyABdolh90eXdF5RpfR2CsEpmxTKwmeK43lx1kOZQZU6ZRg3FHUo/s640/20151204_153455.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of Miombo woodland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Fr0CWMaYnfTSbjkm__x5R4JVitjt3Nq0WNFjh-gMin2ALgVnMckAXDuqD-VkktNGhwEivhRxAZxYSvj30tP23whZ405flR7p-fXYzvQLRpIAeAezlnes5I-dRegJaeQTNbASaDEXmCI/s1600/20151209_111825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Fr0CWMaYnfTSbjkm__x5R4JVitjt3Nq0WNFjh-gMin2ALgVnMckAXDuqD-VkktNGhwEivhRxAZxYSvj30tP23whZ405flR7p-fXYzvQLRpIAeAezlnes5I-dRegJaeQTNbASaDEXmCI/s640/20151209_111825.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="_Xbe kno-fv"><i>Brachystegia spiciformis</i>, the most dominant Miombo tree at Mutinondo. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being in Zambia and experiencing the Miombo woodland for the
first time was so special for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Compared to the Bush I am used to in South Africa I found the Miombo
very soft. There are barely any thorn trees and not many rocks. One could walk
barefoot all day without having to worry about too much (well demonstrated by my friend Matt)<span id="goog_2044922879"></span><span id="goog_2044922880"></span>. It is very soft. The
Brachystegia trees are really interesting with quite a bit of diversity in the
genus. And then all the associated plants are very different too. Some trees I
could recognise as the same species or genus as down south, but most of the
flora was quite different. It was fascinating to walk through it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Next on my journey was a substantial time spent in Lusaka,
catching up with old friends and making some new ones. Lusaka is a big city and
it is growing rapidly. We were staying on the outskirts and despite the rampant
development there was a lot of wildlife to be seen. Highlights in Lusaka were
all the Wahlberg’s Skinks (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trachylepis
wahlbergii</i>), finding some wild <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pandinus</i>
scorpions, seeing my first Pennant-winged Nightjar and all the frogs. There are
a lot in Lusaka.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Hen-lJoA-woDO2pr5hY00Mhihq5cOSlljLfCtLni7WuMFXNwA7Jzg5sy2jBeWg5gsnkCGEfyBZaziUbyDmfvFBk1iI_9M8Sd1ctcrMKgF1_tuHAgKVcjTS1lbG6YfdI7-lzSneJ5DkA/s640/T.+whalbergii.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trachylepis wahlbergi,</i> very common in Lusaka.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRthOwWJQ8Q7-k3JTrEqqtIzgZgAmbLK4Wtb0nw4XB40CBPhvTMt7D5e5UN9CfGPfuJOwpY-P3gtch0mYw4FCd2-zmnzI7smynC18xVB7pIA9xb6FADWBv1O2k2VokOWDa-G6tGfMR7s/s640/Mulolo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Mike Chona showing me one of the local plants called Mulolo.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCN6psxS_IwpvEfvb3r01S5qjpypZsrjG0D83IVcplDmzC1zmdk9YX9eNOdA-rLu4VQo7dk7h-lcQOxStsAhcroClHLY9FiMYb0fEi_v8A170ZVNOxxEW4DuoSSKN3IkDIMebUx9bxuC8/s640/20151216_113137.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pandinus viatoris, </i>first time I have seen a member of this genus in the wild.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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My overall impressions of the country were positive.
Zambians are very “peacifo” and easy going. My local friend took me to the
inner city markets and into Chibolya compound dubbed the <span class="st"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">most
dangerous place in Lusaka and I am happy to report that it was very relaxed
compared to a place like Johannesburg. Just on the outskirts of Lusaka is a
forest called State Lodge Forest, this is one of the most beautiful parks I
have had the pleasure of walking through. It is nice Miombo woodland with many
birds and animals. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="st"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are a few environmental issues in the country, rampant urban sprawl, pollution and deforestation. But this issue goes much deeper than what is seen on the surface. Perhaps in the future things will change as the general population manages to get out of poverty.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="st"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
look forward to visiting Zambia in
the future again. Thanks to my friends Matt and Sam for sponsoring my
journey and allowing me to experience one of the most incredible natural
phenomena in the world.</span></span> </div>
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</style><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Amietophrynus guturalis, </span></i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Lusaka.</span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Amietophrynus
maculatus, </span></i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Lusaka.</span><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></i></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-BIoT7Nj_WHIsB3jzpjpryw4CJMCPCRCP-P4V2vbYZDwE053y0ymtnKjjsylNkkUDKxPq8LRSZHgL9A-Q5hnmE42YHv9mpLU5ksDKWN4znllSECb8HTCwUu-hKIVhq6wharlO-GnK9M/s1600/Arthroleptis+stenodactylus+striped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-BIoT7Nj_WHIsB3jzpjpryw4CJMCPCRCP-P4V2vbYZDwE053y0ymtnKjjsylNkkUDKxPq8LRSZHgL9A-Q5hnmE42YHv9mpLU5ksDKWN4znllSECb8HTCwUu-hKIVhq6wharlO-GnK9M/s640/Arthroleptis+stenodactylus+striped.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Arthroleptis xenochirus, </span></i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Mutinondo.</span><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></i></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Belostomatidae</i> preying on <i>Kassina senagalensis.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Breviceps poweri, </span></i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Lusaka.</span><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></i></span>
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</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEciG4AMx-16YxdY5GbdIItZRJaMUCofpitF0cbmIc5uDWnL1spiwS3fjKxGO0CQoW3fb8GihTY-s0os2YNiSJf7bT5nFB9pT4xSMR9KL1OMDY_tg_VbGpXDt0JcONuDJ98dr-n1ZK6zA/s1600/C.+tuneri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEciG4AMx-16YxdY5GbdIItZRJaMUCofpitF0cbmIc5uDWnL1spiwS3fjKxGO0CQoW3fb8GihTY-s0os2YNiSJf7bT5nFB9pT4xSMR9KL1OMDY_tg_VbGpXDt0JcONuDJ98dr-n1ZK6zA/s640/C.+tuneri.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Chondrodactylus turneri, </i>Mutinondo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO4jqV0B8c2xENjJkjYeWUjFtoby26w4OYxhfwJdEqF0XILElDumdzBw-m5ms10ze0ub1nQ280CVdalwKA6GWfiY76OBxJ8tk-wtBk4XLnourOpwRtlS_4SOxgvf4dtf8aDUGBarSQUk/s1600/Chamaeleo+dilepis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO4jqV0B8c2xENjJkjYeWUjFtoby26w4OYxhfwJdEqF0XILElDumdzBw-m5ms10ze0ub1nQ280CVdalwKA6GWfiY76OBxJ8tk-wtBk4XLnourOpwRtlS_4SOxgvf4dtf8aDUGBarSQUk/s640/Chamaeleo+dilepis.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Chamaeleo dilepis</i>, Mutinondo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh468g5BwHAst6rs84moeTgydCWPRFT61wmnWTnpry9MwA6psvtUsEdpUP2Qq-zz6WwvesaRvjaIDApCJHOuefKuXBBi0z3prrzwOcLwi_NpMUDw0oxQVeWDBTsHv_hnd3T97bniBjJAz8/s1600/Hemisus+marmoratus+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh468g5BwHAst6rs84moeTgydCWPRFT61wmnWTnpry9MwA6psvtUsEdpUP2Qq-zz6WwvesaRvjaIDApCJHOuefKuXBBi0z3prrzwOcLwi_NpMUDw0oxQVeWDBTsHv_hnd3T97bniBjJAz8/s640/Hemisus+marmoratus+L.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hemisus marmoratus, </i>Lusaka.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyq018LXUBKlYv5yMXQu5tE2Sb11re7I8bDoZLJpFNv6QQJKKhYQGlewHwFCVE0MJfHElwW_wnDKvLCEOSifWJhWtqJPcOGCjhmzmrjdViH_bGbbRVypoA37Kd5_uHdRTt3yrqfXPlN0/s1600/Hildebrandtia+ornata+l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyq018LXUBKlYv5yMXQu5tE2Sb11re7I8bDoZLJpFNv6QQJKKhYQGlewHwFCVE0MJfHElwW_wnDKvLCEOSifWJhWtqJPcOGCjhmzmrjdViH_bGbbRVypoA37Kd5_uHdRTt3yrqfXPlN0/s640/Hildebrandtia+ornata+l.jpg" width="640" /><i></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hilderbrandtia ornata</i>, Lusaka.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiRlZ8d_h7_MwK0scO_v7lTG5M9N6h98diNFZQ7u6Y8oA1AuSMZfYpgSpP-WSH2Ky4AOM7jGbYS6JA6edB_j_h1BFWSin_N-7goelUlc_-BehqhdrpWMx8ImBax7cVXWBFA4tZrD8kcQ/s1600/Hyperolius+%2528Kasanka%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiRlZ8d_h7_MwK0scO_v7lTG5M9N6h98diNFZQ7u6Y8oA1AuSMZfYpgSpP-WSH2Ky4AOM7jGbYS6JA6edB_j_h1BFWSin_N-7goelUlc_-BehqhdrpWMx8ImBax7cVXWBFA4tZrD8kcQ/s640/Hyperolius+%2528Kasanka%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hyperolius kivuensis</i>, Kasanka.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhil584qhnKJTuKMIMVx2cWTAa0pfWlwgNoFLMDKMIekjTGtfanghUu_R6xJlIJpq3484wDs3p0zjz7CB2WYaB_fx6YC_cS-zCOI5wKbCo5KFyyTJQNKp4GkgBQndyJeggt6cz9jZo6rdk/s1600/K+senagalensis+L1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhil584qhnKJTuKMIMVx2cWTAa0pfWlwgNoFLMDKMIekjTGtfanghUu_R6xJlIJpq3484wDs3p0zjz7CB2WYaB_fx6YC_cS-zCOI5wKbCo5KFyyTJQNKp4GkgBQndyJeggt6cz9jZo6rdk/s640/K+senagalensis+L1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kassina senegalensis</i>, Lusaka.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGm_QX3qwiB0gkWV0S5XsEAoe4oTBm4RrS4URJZuknExN_f5DppVXdFVtRMXAKDeRchok0tUtInGAmWL4niHBFFNsfkdL7TpAp-jOoBkbaeue99GGVTVSVKl0Y7bAaOZ3_v1yu4BE5h4g/s1600/Kinixys+spekii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGm_QX3qwiB0gkWV0S5XsEAoe4oTBm4RrS4URJZuknExN_f5DppVXdFVtRMXAKDeRchok0tUtInGAmWL4niHBFFNsfkdL7TpAp-jOoBkbaeue99GGVTVSVKl0Y7bAaOZ3_v1yu4BE5h4g/s640/Kinixys+spekii.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kinixys spekii</i>, Mutinondo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzjUCcr7rNFf4_xIZngIFuEd0cuTji5AcTeHQB3Y1QtGr5kpuloy6PJpiXxrWUZrNqnjLea2YFWMGKOmfQkwIEZGJcJPRvt9lAGfNGFYHXOKhlfl1BewKJ0HmMUDWF3_mSu0V8TyRFX4/s1600/Leptopelis+bocagi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzjUCcr7rNFf4_xIZngIFuEd0cuTji5AcTeHQB3Y1QtGr5kpuloy6PJpiXxrWUZrNqnjLea2YFWMGKOmfQkwIEZGJcJPRvt9lAGfNGFYHXOKhlfl1BewKJ0HmMUDWF3_mSu0V8TyRFX4/s640/Leptopelis+bocagi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Leptopelis bocagi</i>, Mutinondo<i>.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJ5h94fRS46xOvh8dgu7CgCQKzP5tdKEyDu9kiirHFg771yPKKxhfnuuEV6XfpKoaVV61q7FleH9HcFh6fq5X3sbe_R0efrVtOnk6UUg_R3IYVSMlrla2qdrtChwwWb0xeVNp73Gnzn8/s1600/Mertensophryne+taitana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJ5h94fRS46xOvh8dgu7CgCQKzP5tdKEyDu9kiirHFg771yPKKxhfnuuEV6XfpKoaVV61q7FleH9HcFh6fq5X3sbe_R0efrVtOnk6UUg_R3IYVSMlrla2qdrtChwwWb0xeVNp73Gnzn8/s640/Mertensophryne+taitana.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><style>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Mertensophryne
taitan, </span></i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Mutinondo.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></i></span>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pachydactylus oshaugnessyi</i>, Lusaka.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Phrynobatrachus natalensis</i>, Lusaka.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><i>Ptychadena
mascareniensis, </i>Lusaka.</span></span>
</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ptychadena oxyrhynchus, </i>Lusaka.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjj9N503-YchjMAdL-FlypDZCQB5hwjE6o2OCgDZIcIMkU3fe0s3HfMzFT7AWTFnW4J7wBqqGubXmO7bgjC0S4nNWnJvhAmyxS_irbE65Pztv86G6vkHWvubmCt1ltRSFX2Zuy4CC3yoU/s1600/Pyxicephalus+adspersus+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjj9N503-YchjMAdL-FlypDZCQB5hwjE6o2OCgDZIcIMkU3fe0s3HfMzFT7AWTFnW4J7wBqqGubXmO7bgjC0S4nNWnJvhAmyxS_irbE65Pztv86G6vkHWvubmCt1ltRSFX2Zuy4CC3yoU/s640/Pyxicephalus+adspersus+L.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><style>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pyxicephalus adspersus, </i>Lusaka.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxzxzBswOoubW9ZhTAO9IlDVZHt7mIFyXg_Bh6FVhS3zs8LXLuhZ2AInDm1T4kcSfLM5avzRcLgl8qTgr8rYZayGmUD0bJAQfqWHc7qAimt9QL1qKwAC9SZt32jMwI28cM60TDAjhgs0/s1600/S.+carens+L2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxzxzBswOoubW9ZhTAO9IlDVZHt7mIFyXg_Bh6FVhS3zs8LXLuhZ2AInDm1T4kcSfLM5avzRcLgl8qTgr8rYZayGmUD0bJAQfqWHc7qAimt9QL1qKwAC9SZt32jMwI28cM60TDAjhgs0/s640/S.+carens+L2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Schismaderma carens</i>, Lusaka.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBBEf37Si705KcxaAk8my4lGScGqsEwGO3RUiJcGLGJVCjTryZEMWDD8VS9y1JYVxHJbca0NA1W_jhgZ0TZPECrLo4_YC9A4-7nwMnePT3IEiK633R6lJbEtqAq9AapdIrgcqDPKlfuA/s1600/Xenopus+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBBEf37Si705KcxaAk8my4lGScGqsEwGO3RUiJcGLGJVCjTryZEMWDD8VS9y1JYVxHJbca0NA1W_jhgZ0TZPECrLo4_YC9A4-7nwMnePT3IEiK633R6lJbEtqAq9AapdIrgcqDPKlfuA/s640/Xenopus+L.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Xenopus, </i>Lusaka.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidj6RZU1YUwHe4y2xKFfXx4K_J0WF6T16jcAyMQXOF7HH347wTThSDqcNf3oTil9gtgqKjMFyA3E9tGm-GtjNiog_eIHIHLH3sSUPcBSN_hv4L0F7PhwFgyxVCmAwZu7jZt0Y_PbwW5dc/s1600/Lygodactylus+angolensis+juvenile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidj6RZU1YUwHe4y2xKFfXx4K_J0WF6T16jcAyMQXOF7HH347wTThSDqcNf3oTil9gtgqKjMFyA3E9tGm-GtjNiog_eIHIHLH3sSUPcBSN_hv4L0F7PhwFgyxVCmAwZu7jZt0Y_PbwW5dc/s640/Lygodactylus+angolensis+juvenile.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Lygodactylus angolaensis, </i>Mutinondo.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Birds</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Darter</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hammerkop</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grey Heron</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black-headed Heron</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yello-billed Egret</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cattle Egret</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Squacco Heron</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glossy Ibis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hadeda Ibis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saddle-billed Stork</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Openbill</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wooly-necked Stork</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-faced Duck</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spur-winged Goose</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black-shouldered Kite</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow-billed Kite</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Fish Eagle</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hooded Vulture</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-backed Vulture</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black-chested Snake Eagle</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bateleur</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Harrier Hawk</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black Sparrow Hawk</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Steppe Buzzard</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Augur Buzzard*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Martial Eagle</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amur Falcon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Helmeted Guineafowl</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coqui Francolin</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red-necked Spurfowl *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black Crake</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common Moorhen</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wattled Crane</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Jacana</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bronze-winged Courser</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Wattled Lapwing</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crowned Lapwing</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Snipe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red-eyed Dove</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Turtle Dove</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Green Pigeon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grey-headed Parrot</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ross’s Turaco *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Schalow’s Turaco *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Diederic Cuckoo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Klaas’s Cuckoo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Africa Emerald Cuckoo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Levailant’s Cuckoo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red-chested Cuckoo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black Cuckoo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coppery-tailed Coucal *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barn Owl</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marsh Owl</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Wood Owl</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spotted-eagle Owl</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barred Owlett</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Freckled Nightjar</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pennant-winged Nightjar *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Palm Swift</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speckeled Mousebird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red-faced Mousebird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Narina Trogon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Hoopoe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Green Woodhoopoe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pied Kingfisher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Malachite Kingfisher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grey-headed Kingfisher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brown-hooded Kingfisher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Woodland Kingfisher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Striped Kingfisher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lilac-breasted Roller</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Little Bee-eater</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White fronted Bee-eater</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
European Bee-eater</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Southern Ground Hornbill</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crowned Hornbill</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trumpeter Hornbill</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black-collared Barbet</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black-backed Barbet *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Golden-tailed Woodpecker</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Broadbill</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rufous-naped Lark</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black Saw-wing</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barn Swallow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lesser Striped-swallow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red-breasred Swallow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mosque Swallow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cape Wagtail</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Striped Pipit</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black Cuckooshrike</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Purple-throated Cuckooshrike *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-breasted Cuckooshrike</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Square-tailed Drongo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fork-tailed Drongo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Golden Oriole *Black-headed Oriole</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pied Crow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-necked Raven</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grey Penduline Tit</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miombo Tit *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rufous-bellied Tit *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spotted Creeper *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dark-capped Bulbul</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Terrestrial Brownbul</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow-bellied Greenbul</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grey Olive Greenbul *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Groundscraper Thrush</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kurrichane Thrush</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-browed Robin Chat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miombo Scrub Robin *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common Stone Chat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Familiar Chat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Little Rush Warbler</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fan-tailed Grassbird *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rattling Cisticola</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chirping Cisticola *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Croaking Cisticola</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow-breasted Apalis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tawny-flanked Prinia</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow-bellied Eremomela </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grey-backed Cameraoptera</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stierling Barred Wren-Warbler</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Southern Black Flycatcher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ashy Flycatcher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spotted Flycatcher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Collared Flycatcher *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Paradise Flycatcher</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chinspot Batis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black-throated Wattle-eye</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red-backed Shrike</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common Fiscal</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black-backed Puff-back</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brubru</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tropical Boubou</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Orange-breasted Bush Shrike</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brown-crowned Tchagra</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black-crowned Tchagra</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-crested Helmet-shrike</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ret’z Helmet-shrike</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miombo Blue-eared Starling *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Violet-backed Starling</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red-billed Oxpecker</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amethyst Sunbird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Olive Sunbird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Western Violet-backed Sunbird *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anchieta’s Sunbird *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Collared Sunbird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White-bellied Sunbird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Yellow White-eye</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
House Sparrow</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spectacled Weaver</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Village Weaver</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Southern Masked Weaver</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dark-backed Weaver</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow-mantled Widowbird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Antailed Widowbird</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Orange-winged Pytilia</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red-throated Twinspot *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red-billed Firefinch</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brown Firefinch *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bronze Mannikin</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blue Waxbill</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common Waxbill</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pin-tailed Whydah</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reichard’s Seed-eater *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ciinamon-breasted Bunting</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cabanis’s Bunting</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reptiles</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Naja melanoleuca (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dendroaspis polylepis (Kasanka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Lusaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Philothamnus sp (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dispholidus typus (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dasypeltis scabra (sloughed skin) (Lusaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trachylepis margaritifer (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trachylepis wahlbergii * (Lusaka, Kasanka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trachylepis varia (Mutinondo, Lusaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trachylepis striata ? (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Afroablepharus ‘wahlbergii’ (</span>Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ichnotropis squamulosa (Lusaka)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gerrhosaurus sp (</span>Mutinondo)<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Varanus niloticus (Kasanka)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Agama armata (Kasanka)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Acanthocercus atricollis (</span>Mutinondo)<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chamaeleo dilepis (</span>Mutinondo,
Lusaka)<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hemidactylus mabouia (Lusaka)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lygodactylus capensis (Lusaka)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lygodactylus angolaensis * (</span>Mutinondo)<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pachydactylus puntatus (Lusaka)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pachydactylus oshaughnessyi * (Lusaka)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chondrodactylus turneri (Mutinondo)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crocodylus niloticus (Kasanka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kinixys spekii (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Frogs</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Xenopus (Lusaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hemisus marmoratus (Lusaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amietophrynus guturalis (Lusaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amietophrynus maculatus </span>(Lusaka)<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Schismaderma carens </span>(Lusaka)<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mertensophryne taitana * (Mutinondo)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arthroleptis stenodactylus * <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Mutinondo)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arthroleptis xenochirus * <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Mutinondo)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Breviceps poweri <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*(Lusaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hyperolius marmoratus (Lusaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hyperolius kivuensis * (Kasanka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kassina senegalensis (Lusaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Leptopelis bocagi * (Mutinondo)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Phrynobatrachus natalensis </span>(Lusaka)<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Phrynobatrachus mababiensis </span>(Lusaka)<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hildebrandtia ornata </span>(Lusaka)<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pyxicephalus adspersus (Lusaka)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ptychadena mascareniensis (Lusaka)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ptychadena oxyrhynchus * (Lusaka)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tomopterna cryptotis (Lusaka)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ameita angolensis (Mutinondo)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mammals (Sight,
sound, track and sign)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Epulated Fruit Bat (Kasanka, Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Straw-coloured Fruit bat (Kasanka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shrew (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chequered Elephant Shrew (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tree Squirrel (Mutinondo, Kasanka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gambian Giant Rat (Lusaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Porcupine (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scrub Hare (Mutinondo, Lusaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow-spotted Hyrax (Heterohyrax) (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lesser bushbaby (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thick-tailed Bushbaby (Kasanka, Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vervet Monkey (Mutinondo, Lusaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blue monkey (Kasanka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow Baboon (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kinda Baboon (Kasanka, Kundalila)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slender Mongoose (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
African Civet (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leopard (Mutinondo) – scat found at various sites too large
for serval and caracal. Too much hair and bone for hyaena.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spotted Hyaena (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elephant (Kasanka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Plains Zebra (Kasanka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hippopotomus (Kasnaka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Duiker (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Klipspringer (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reedbuck (Mutinondo)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Puku (Kasanka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sitatunga (Kasanka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bush Buck (Mutinondo, Kasanka)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJUQfCJJAuJcjHocjpMek2S8qNkEk4SVbADpG8FdJ4hwh4raKdFrBWW7Aavq570Pz9Y-kBBWbcFKbJq_bnqT4xcenGmfyWQzsaxw8EnOsGFU4zYOBEBURu4maoTJ5FgKY8kL7Tp67m3s/s1600/Crotaphopeltis+hotamboeia+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJUQfCJJAuJcjHocjpMek2S8qNkEk4SVbADpG8FdJ4hwh4raKdFrBWW7Aavq570Pz9Y-kBBWbcFKbJq_bnqT4xcenGmfyWQzsaxw8EnOsGFU4zYOBEBURu4maoTJ5FgKY8kL7Tp67m3s/s640/Crotaphopeltis+hotamboeia+L.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">, </span>Lusaka.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-61796611380426778322014-11-01T15:16:00.000-07:002014-11-01T15:16:28.620-07:00Finally International: Makgadikgadi Pans, BotswanaI have traveled widely in South Africa, and this year I got the opportunity to broaden my horizons and go international, so on the 16th of October I flew from Johannesburg to Maun, Botswana. I was picked up at Maun by my friend and we traveled to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. We were to spend the next few days driving up and down the river photographing birds. <br />
<br />
The park is composed of arid savannah and is the heart of the Kalahari region. The desert stretches out in all directions, but the Boteti River brings moisture deep into the desert and this attracts many animals. Huge herds of Zebra and Wildebeest are constantly coming to the water to drink, all around the the surrounding area there are zebra carcasses attracting hundreds of vultures including the mighty Lappet-faced Vulture. The zebras probably succumbed to anthrax which is prevalent in the area. There are also many elephants and it is a pleasure to watch them playing in the water, getting respite from the dry heat of the Kalahari.<br />
<br />
I saw a great variety of birds and was pleased with my first international birding foray. What struck me was the variety of families and not just species. Below is the list generated for the few days we were in the park and photographs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOke90oBiK-5BiqHxfuG47wxL-zsgJ6AmX0fXSua0ZmFtPBe2F4wZV-3zUsCeqN7Z2rL2X6KHvXyBqEI5M7mO7Yn3WqKzB7fOgTO_u3JkUv2dFM-QLDTOasYnjo25jOIfqbHYWGpjojk/s1600/IMG_7379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOke90oBiK-5BiqHxfuG47wxL-zsgJ6AmX0fXSua0ZmFtPBe2F4wZV-3zUsCeqN7Z2rL2X6KHvXyBqEI5M7mO7Yn3WqKzB7fOgTO_u3JkUv2dFM-QLDTOasYnjo25jOIfqbHYWGpjojk/s1600/IMG_7379.jpg" height="344" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double-banded Sandgrouse (<i>Pterocles bicinctus subsp. bicinctus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQnsrzTWKX88XCyS1HhNsRMTatwBXwHMw_UtRnR41YOVNgHzWY-9MxKG4DBLCiSpso-NlHhux0mcwxw80U7Lpj1L7-29mMOKWbFkG44sAqt8HGzyxAo0CO5k4whNxtuvxwGws23zmRBA/s1600/IMG_7392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQnsrzTWKX88XCyS1HhNsRMTatwBXwHMw_UtRnR41YOVNgHzWY-9MxKG4DBLCiSpso-NlHhux0mcwxw80U7Lpj1L7-29mMOKWbFkG44sAqt8HGzyxAo0CO5k4whNxtuvxwGws23zmRBA/s1600/IMG_7392.jpg" height="438" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimson-breasted Shrike (<i>Laniarius atrococcineus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8a8JbagvkksLbPNkbVlpzSLyJunN1EuVdIYz5wO1OX9YJZpn0O2uTSzkrob5yL3m4Mu3e9Q6exRmIqlbu3nDnvabDs6eD1mZqQGws22Sa763BXZ5O9dhhvfbJP4mU5yGoFLBy2A5bPE/s1600/IMG_7399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8a8JbagvkksLbPNkbVlpzSLyJunN1EuVdIYz5wO1OX9YJZpn0O2uTSzkrob5yL3m4Mu3e9Q6exRmIqlbu3nDnvabDs6eD1mZqQGws22Sa763BXZ5O9dhhvfbJP4mU5yGoFLBy2A5bPE/s1600/IMG_7399.jpg" height="354" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Greenshank (<i>Tringa nebularia</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWj6ttArSq9jwaNeRbweCU6GJh6Vfv1IRqHLNSI7-OgTBL7hrrOoenfrYWO4KKzoXKAwD_R73UGG2C48K00aCEyW0pD3Yk91_bmgJF1XAap1TesD-pcH4ICbNOF4-nNQ6iEmwmUnOl93c/s1600/IMG_7427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWj6ttArSq9jwaNeRbweCU6GJh6Vfv1IRqHLNSI7-OgTBL7hrrOoenfrYWO4KKzoXKAwD_R73UGG2C48K00aCEyW0pD3Yk91_bmgJF1XAap1TesD-pcH4ICbNOF4-nNQ6iEmwmUnOl93c/s1600/IMG_7427.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>Swalow-tailed Bee-eater (<i>Merops hirundineus subsp. hirundineus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8e-vMxUogctf3sX07rQje0yHriQZk-8uc9BMlPfNKMKmCFlUwR7-D5vJI1cFYCTpexoN2qoFyt6w42aE50ZIVoINFYZQZMdlrUWPmrfSMD6U8UjV15pynxRUWtyVUfQuqB6gNvjdPMm4/s1600/IMG_7445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8e-vMxUogctf3sX07rQje0yHriQZk-8uc9BMlPfNKMKmCFlUwR7-D5vJI1cFYCTpexoN2qoFyt6w42aE50ZIVoINFYZQZMdlrUWPmrfSMD6U8UjV15pynxRUWtyVUfQuqB6gNvjdPMm4/s1600/IMG_7445.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Sandpiper (<i>Actitis hypoleucos</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYXgG_m3YYlPm0Yk2pXba6VUof-QPMuYIGX79eI7xVBQcNX7Qt69cuBVh3OkIBkdnLPme61KNj7UcU5WaNNCeKuaoI3mHXwhOVw9k2yu0MbuPUn3PLN5oRCrQfeoHwOoO50O-jwPxG8c/s1600/IMG_7465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYXgG_m3YYlPm0Yk2pXba6VUof-QPMuYIGX79eI7xVBQcNX7Qt69cuBVh3OkIBkdnLPme61KNj7UcU5WaNNCeKuaoI3mHXwhOVw9k2yu0MbuPUn3PLN5oRCrQfeoHwOoO50O-jwPxG8c/s1600/IMG_7465.jpg" height="640" width="412" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lappet-faced Vulture (<i>Torgos tracheliotus subsp. tracheliotus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIZJyBI49WSmNZLutmmb8EvTO28eIgreuCWYKtnpXMbNlK-fx2vs1-jq8w94hT2ENZ1SR4mccY4OV8jP_ogZ1RJC9f57GJwUZGKkDNPSfFtDjSDGlsiU0lgZOyCIhmGO7t0GUAkm4tNg/s1600/IMG_7505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIZJyBI49WSmNZLutmmb8EvTO28eIgreuCWYKtnpXMbNlK-fx2vs1-jq8w94hT2ENZ1SR4mccY4OV8jP_ogZ1RJC9f57GJwUZGKkDNPSfFtDjSDGlsiU0lgZOyCIhmGO7t0GUAkm4tNg/s1600/IMG_7505.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whiskered Tern (<i>Chlidonias hybrida subsp. sclateri</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-TbclL1s7YLsFzud-9SQk0CgrQo63nt3J8SEybxJMsx3P6lLWqhldh7Pph6Jvs4K9BGR2uOILSvdv76v7QuE6m4HImJyjhm3in9z2LAzEij9qGtAi_gH0JuNrm41PSF9ssuMMOeQUXo/s1600/IMG_7514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-TbclL1s7YLsFzud-9SQk0CgrQo63nt3J8SEybxJMsx3P6lLWqhldh7Pph6Jvs4K9BGR2uOILSvdv76v7QuE6m4HImJyjhm3in9z2LAzEij9qGtAi_gH0JuNrm41PSF9ssuMMOeQUXo/s1600/IMG_7514.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Black Tit (<i>Parus niger subsp. xanthostomus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-8eE55WbuSGletINIb8ow-l6ssqWH15xD2rll-0PRMR2ywnM1N3It-wu6-1rMGZNlyqQ9lOXPxvTndYvkbxwtLnevH4lqB8GVwMBscns-XeIprcu2dXhyoIIy_qeywYrgNLSzAQxXgw/s1600/IMG_7537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-8eE55WbuSGletINIb8ow-l6ssqWH15xD2rll-0PRMR2ywnM1N3It-wu6-1rMGZNlyqQ9lOXPxvTndYvkbxwtLnevH4lqB8GVwMBscns-XeIprcu2dXhyoIIy_qeywYrgNLSzAQxXgw/s1600/IMG_7537.jpg" height="640" width="394" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-tailed Woodpecker (<i>Campethera abingoni subsp. abingoni</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfek6VJF_gA3e2jXppSdpXU74ffpQte1EHmmYs1sJqyUd5suXF5n4wNY01dkLbRPsrydsrlr2OdICpHF2j3FJuplXh8AJT9t2K1GjMjqnAMBpXj3KcHuFQOi4yG47MVqZLATxMD-t5L0/s1600/IMG_7539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfek6VJF_gA3e2jXppSdpXU74ffpQte1EHmmYs1sJqyUd5suXF5n4wNY01dkLbRPsrydsrlr2OdICpHF2j3FJuplXh8AJT9t2K1GjMjqnAMBpXj3KcHuFQOi4yG47MVqZLATxMD-t5L0/s1600/IMG_7539.jpg" height="640" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meyer's Parot (<i>Poicephalus meyeri subsp. damarensis</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpaofMwtT_CTC0WZbTYYWUIDJ5_UGyYp8bpAgBf6T0gP_yglTAfQQ4vuQIlzgtYjOxlRVdPvWZckqRE_2xzgRV201AwnZNZMxC_iDAPLG8udZoGUuLu9ZNPk_zyFZqAjLO63Q3Kgx9Yc/s1600/IMG_7599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpaofMwtT_CTC0WZbTYYWUIDJ5_UGyYp8bpAgBf6T0gP_yglTAfQQ4vuQIlzgtYjOxlRVdPvWZckqRE_2xzgRV201AwnZNZMxC_iDAPLG8udZoGUuLu9ZNPk_zyFZqAjLO63Q3Kgx9Yc/s1600/IMG_7599.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-Chested Snake-Eagle (<i>Circaetus pectoralis</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTElive_x2ttSUEaoMS1gTMTUfJIlttNgYjyUYBlZ7L4C839WK_tdAYFc7ygnDGEMZ5BEDaac99Cxe0RDuAxpRNIHUnvNG0L2uvKHNNK8S7I0YWGouD45YArbNAhM3Ci9SQE0VnDTDBD4/s1600/IMG_7674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTElive_x2ttSUEaoMS1gTMTUfJIlttNgYjyUYBlZ7L4C839WK_tdAYFc7ygnDGEMZ5BEDaac99Cxe0RDuAxpRNIHUnvNG0L2uvKHNNK8S7I0YWGouD45YArbNAhM3Ci9SQE0VnDTDBD4/s1600/IMG_7674.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kalahari Scrub-Robin (<i>Cercotrichas paena subsp. paena</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0FtOWrfXnfBWvgeDScY1jm9mXjE4foCpiRysU4mo_1tYcsvwAVhGvlR9XQoWUkSeY9RHvRUoeilIqdbYzvdzZxHsJ35p5PSodNHqYa4EilmQXUR6zUunDNgLeW07MxNiZizVhdUdaZA/s1600/IMG_7708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0FtOWrfXnfBWvgeDScY1jm9mXjE4foCpiRysU4mo_1tYcsvwAVhGvlR9XQoWUkSeY9RHvRUoeilIqdbYzvdzZxHsJ35p5PSodNHqYa4EilmQXUR6zUunDNgLeW07MxNiZizVhdUdaZA/s1600/IMG_7708.jpg" height="386" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Crow (<i>Corvus albus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNnvA_myMhG0HdHX2W6AmmMu4DMqwwFV4n7D1dtPHZ06GanZaQwrXLr-BSyYXz9gw474Of4-Jig4pfmzVl49dOJN9UToyx-_f8zBaQ4M5qFEPNiNupHUh34NlNtS1UYxBDWhbw0U-IQU/s1600/IMG_7713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNnvA_myMhG0HdHX2W6AmmMu4DMqwwFV4n7D1dtPHZ06GanZaQwrXLr-BSyYXz9gw474Of4-Jig4pfmzVl49dOJN9UToyx-_f8zBaQ4M5qFEPNiNupHUh34NlNtS1UYxBDWhbw0U-IQU/s1600/IMG_7713.jpg" height="490" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b></b><i>Lamprotornis chalybaeus subsp. sycobius</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8vljsIjLFOU5f1mqgA5CILex0xzb1fae3Z7ady5ZVBQNeIHijpI7EbcxP5OWk_ltqiCe-kcYoVgLixzbrZxC7bcUaRrDjBKwlwl9nhuitbccmojjMf9BjjXdSlQjg3uAZOpm_nErHFc/s1600/IMG_7740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8vljsIjLFOU5f1mqgA5CILex0xzb1fae3Z7ady5ZVBQNeIHijpI7EbcxP5OWk_ltqiCe-kcYoVgLixzbrZxC7bcUaRrDjBKwlwl9nhuitbccmojjMf9BjjXdSlQjg3uAZOpm_nErHFc/s1600/IMG_7740.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (<i>Tockus leucomelas subsp. leucomelas</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIG_PTbBeIlAn76hWrIJo-llTdgWQoKkEqynN7GurAJH-JCTESFvykBOxX1aEZu7Dl6pqIygZ6US99i2Acd3IdpoE1fEuVwxl4gfoBz09EtFZEE6GEZEN8aJ2lgKhWQ3Q5kUBU1lRNFQ/s1600/IMG_7762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIG_PTbBeIlAn76hWrIJo-llTdgWQoKkEqynN7GurAJH-JCTESFvykBOxX1aEZu7Dl6pqIygZ6US99i2Acd3IdpoE1fEuVwxl4gfoBz09EtFZEE6GEZEN8aJ2lgKhWQ3Q5kUBU1lRNFQ/s1600/IMG_7762.jpg" height="470" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-billed Spurfowl (<i>Pternistis adspersus subsp. adspersus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglogBGb0Njk1W6eqiM8IKI9HmQC-iO4XJwWB6NK3ewdLxFH8f3wXxbGbBP3C1YUDUncUsr4M4ZjYdE4dsx2zK_smdDz_bLXqdyQmMvwPWICxpC9j7waHz-DAysrFirZtZFynqAjyJ_wQs/s1600/IMG_7798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglogBGb0Njk1W6eqiM8IKI9HmQC-iO4XJwWB6NK3ewdLxFH8f3wXxbGbBP3C1YUDUncUsr4M4ZjYdE4dsx2zK_smdDz_bLXqdyQmMvwPWICxpC9j7waHz-DAysrFirZtZFynqAjyJ_wQs/s1600/IMG_7798.jpg" height="640" width="470" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>African Spoonbill (<i>Platalea alba</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxXrWwgpNiVWSNmlcNmNzMiakZ1kPp6AcZJXkKeu5QIByTIIpZ1VeV2rBW_T6t7eHA7HI9lbugulJIGWNgpi1KSfEgSQrfT3puJ_FSt3akiEY7ye24zQeXVmJ4NO2kCtaAAAJUzco0-s/s1600/IMG_7831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxXrWwgpNiVWSNmlcNmNzMiakZ1kPp6AcZJXkKeu5QIByTIIpZ1VeV2rBW_T6t7eHA7HI9lbugulJIGWNgpi1KSfEgSQrfT3puJ_FSt3akiEY7ye24zQeXVmJ4NO2kCtaAAAJUzco0-s/s1600/IMG_7831.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-backed Vulture (<i>Gyps africanus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0l2l2AZWpniKi95uDAEYjtWoZ6XgAlWZYLomwbElazssFpW6-oxtmM59qRp6C3OpOkG6RbZdRSK26lVTBpfmZdI50pnBZ5YpFepNKhKF0Gz_Lr1Jbx9uVusFanDDgCZuNPaUvkSmh28/s1600/IMG_7867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0l2l2AZWpniKi95uDAEYjtWoZ6XgAlWZYLomwbElazssFpW6-oxtmM59qRp6C3OpOkG6RbZdRSK26lVTBpfmZdI50pnBZ5YpFepNKhKF0Gz_Lr1Jbx9uVusFanDDgCZuNPaUvkSmh28/s1600/IMG_7867.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lappet-faced Vulture (<i>Torgos tracheliotus subsp. tracheliotus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ75RVu-Amasl648awEMk1H-nD838exVBlgriovXL731HnuI_K21YXI5__gDBHY_-c4XPekU4pCKXczeWoEJuK4linaqpHiSgFu9h9DydnuKANVwIYW0azgQwZZ8pVU7B_W0Iht9Dzepw/s1600/IMG_7919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ75RVu-Amasl648awEMk1H-nD838exVBlgriovXL731HnuI_K21YXI5__gDBHY_-c4XPekU4pCKXczeWoEJuK4linaqpHiSgFu9h9DydnuKANVwIYW0azgQwZZ8pVU7B_W0Iht9Dzepw/s1600/IMG_7919.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b></b>Black-winged Stilt (<i>Himantopus himantopus subsp. himantopus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KtAi6KPzrNcVHv653eBJZVYOm5pnZZG5LcAeOsfZmvMfv5O9MwZ8GqjcZdlg0Xx7owKsfuXGYJXQKXcM40j2VxuZK_OXExNufFFU3-zZFK3Hyolh_GCAzYOZwhmiXwrWIZppW4JzjyE/s1600/IMG_7962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KtAi6KPzrNcVHv653eBJZVYOm5pnZZG5LcAeOsfZmvMfv5O9MwZ8GqjcZdlg0Xx7owKsfuXGYJXQKXcM40j2VxuZK_OXExNufFFU3-zZFK3Hyolh_GCAzYOZwhmiXwrWIZppW4JzjyE/s1600/IMG_7962.jpg" height="398" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>Black Heron (<i>Egretta ardesiaca</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOY4wXSFHLzrvnzTN4uXR_gZz2GZbv_vrJivUToipxg-MQ3QnW61NHyoWJJXEdswt2FiGB6Ut4VjYVJRyJfIJlMOT2hZ_61uQzbuRaJmpt1x8US2RAqEQhzI5DQOx_Z5BEWEDvG-sFUuk/s1600/IMG_7982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOY4wXSFHLzrvnzTN4uXR_gZz2GZbv_vrJivUToipxg-MQ3QnW61NHyoWJJXEdswt2FiGB6Ut4VjYVJRyJfIJlMOT2hZ_61uQzbuRaJmpt1x8US2RAqEQhzI5DQOx_Z5BEWEDvG-sFUuk/s1600/IMG_7982.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squacco Heron (<i>Ardeola ralloides subsp. paludivaga</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y7-DIJgY-HXjUblxOl3hOQhkjZXuEWK74M81Qyvg1O1IyRFmU73JbzWbx5sIYJ_QvWTMBdBxJJCBretqsPWUSKRHjmVFQfAINSnsXWeAsou41_FqDrnxAwhT7qNro2hgKjmnVSbNQhk/s1600/IMG_7986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y7-DIJgY-HXjUblxOl3hOQhkjZXuEWK74M81Qyvg1O1IyRFmU73JbzWbx5sIYJ_QvWTMBdBxJJCBretqsPWUSKRHjmVFQfAINSnsXWeAsou41_FqDrnxAwhT7qNro2hgKjmnVSbNQhk/s1600/IMG_7986.jpg" height="640" width="394" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXAFQ0VEI534JHLvLx_YFPDJYXOmucGsg072NFDi0iDiIe_1m8mRQ4yX-KTfsV8tz6N0BeF3nHZojWA9aZQcZ3vFILcZdcSXO1HcBOmaSG6YIYeTICgmJjRWju25KUdfG8dijca6O56k/s1600/IMG_8019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXAFQ0VEI534JHLvLx_YFPDJYXOmucGsg072NFDi0iDiIe_1m8mRQ4yX-KTfsV8tz6N0BeF3nHZojWA9aZQcZ3vFILcZdcSXO1HcBOmaSG6YIYeTICgmJjRWju25KUdfG8dijca6O56k/s1600/IMG_8019.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UgRVXUGArT66Wvyc8NGgjPQFg_26eiro_jZ9HvnPfk4ntZaiFCgwxw-PIGhzxTTeclKHbBD3hFc3fdPFRWLPKLpe8OTd10ZNdLoJMykFjw3i9-6fdnfimnu4eq6UbzQWPz_r5nuhZk4/s1600/IMG_8072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UgRVXUGArT66Wvyc8NGgjPQFg_26eiro_jZ9HvnPfk4ntZaiFCgwxw-PIGhzxTTeclKHbBD3hFc3fdPFRWLPKLpe8OTd10ZNdLoJMykFjw3i9-6fdnfimnu4eq6UbzQWPz_r5nuhZk4/s1600/IMG_8072.jpg" height="374" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-backed Heron <i>(Butorides striata subsp. atricapilla)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFY7xRrijUQ8P-wy15wqa_If14x9fLAPUdUSTfOYa8XRzY4QDhoLsF9jA_OYHJ-b_5h9VhL0Gqng8IDCYlz5JLYUzEIRGaEgQGgZgD2pVZTUHrQ_CVUx0aLlbxz8PmqlyC3bfPP-mINfI/s1600/IMG_8081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFY7xRrijUQ8P-wy15wqa_If14x9fLAPUdUSTfOYa8XRzY4QDhoLsF9jA_OYHJ-b_5h9VhL0Gqng8IDCYlz5JLYUzEIRGaEgQGgZgD2pVZTUHrQ_CVUx0aLlbxz8PmqlyC3bfPP-mINfI/s1600/IMG_8081.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Turtle-Dove (<i>Streptopelia capicola subsp. damarensis</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65a5ExQ6x6tfUT-xQ7zdtc2qn8xbp47q3PnHZycRsJ2oxdmpa4qJ-WKohwpsNBnKKkFBB7xx7ZjRXN4besb7jFvHrg9BKPsJMFO2BNKBsH-y7O6tvaUEkzZNRXlGL_UXeMDRe26D8Qro/s1600/IMG_8086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65a5ExQ6x6tfUT-xQ7zdtc2qn8xbp47q3PnHZycRsJ2oxdmpa4qJ-WKohwpsNBnKKkFBB7xx7ZjRXN4besb7jFvHrg9BKPsJMFO2BNKBsH-y7O6tvaUEkzZNRXlGL_UXeMDRe26D8Qro/s1600/IMG_8086.jpg" height="640" width="450" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PWH72xVZzaiYSoLJC4-o5DLJCcb5zsbiW8Gwwv6oTL-0I8l1xYMsYOUwOwF7FFTNRhLh2My9TQF3Y1iKzTrvbTNzpQ9N55rrm22rMBJrXA1su26amtHw3YXrrO4T4z8LQTaupnQnK7w/s1600/IMG_8109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PWH72xVZzaiYSoLJC4-o5DLJCcb5zsbiW8Gwwv6oTL-0I8l1xYMsYOUwOwF7FFTNRhLh2My9TQF3Y1iKzTrvbTNzpQ9N55rrm22rMBJrXA1su26amtHw3YXrrO4T4z8LQTaupnQnK7w/s1600/IMG_8109.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kori Bustard (<i>Ardeotis kori subsp. kori</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuM_IbhUs7FbPGg98iwvVdqxImQXgvcTL0Z2pt8Xo4DvaUSLunDeTv5iMPqLmAYGwTQDDIpzSYZqweal35emVnNdHhMQqXXzyf6nwEwjFznG7RNcp_U8x7P8ET9yOYZAZ5f-PqpNY_pfk/s1600/IMG_8118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuM_IbhUs7FbPGg98iwvVdqxImQXgvcTL0Z2pt8Xo4DvaUSLunDeTv5iMPqLmAYGwTQDDIpzSYZqweal35emVnNdHhMQqXXzyf6nwEwjFznG7RNcp_U8x7P8ET9yOYZAZ5f-PqpNY_pfk/s1600/IMG_8118.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-billed Hornbill (<i>Tockus erythrorhynchus subsp. rufirostris</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT86pziqhCwr1kCIrdBz80cWpeVruXGzgtcRP5JIQuL23bbqrhltJIdlKwzVuu0arcBYvqCvF53v4zrHycuXnT63uG7FR-8YaFnorMwBoz1oPAKVAIu4nRSo70g9dfBFGYjjKxbY-5z4/s1600/IMG_8124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT86pziqhCwr1kCIrdBz80cWpeVruXGzgtcRP5JIQuL23bbqrhltJIdlKwzVuu0arcBYvqCvF53v4zrHycuXnT63uG7FR-8YaFnorMwBoz1oPAKVAIu4nRSo70g9dfBFGYjjKxbY-5z4/s1600/IMG_8124.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zebra carcasses littered the area, no doubt they were victims of anthrax.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C_HG-ahDc7KPFPA9v9kjj8yEPSxVfSgUjDDNPjGky7ggVvZk079L8and4H97wGls0p0qGqiX-YGYhCGJwbocm-WHQnX8lRAMenXWD1jKA6sj4L70Ei2wYMQp2gFgt5znIvicNqrIOCE/s1600/IMG_8152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C_HG-ahDc7KPFPA9v9kjj8yEPSxVfSgUjDDNPjGky7ggVvZk079L8and4H97wGls0p0qGqiX-YGYhCGJwbocm-WHQnX8lRAMenXWD1jKA6sj4L70Ei2wYMQp2gFgt5znIvicNqrIOCE/s1600/IMG_8152.jpg" height="364" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b></b>African Fish-Eagle (<i>Haliaeetus vocifer</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOks8cMR5Hmof6zvrlWv6wHvEOD4HRonwE0FbhlSS3I8zfP_axDC0nd5BYdgAWNbtTIbUDkd6GQpJ_izLjqvwH416hN_AkIsPOhk6MCA2wWwQ65AIsiD5k7mB69ElhjSEpSGg32Mz0D88/s1600/IMG_7618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOks8cMR5Hmof6zvrlWv6wHvEOD4HRonwE0FbhlSS3I8zfP_axDC0nd5BYdgAWNbtTIbUDkd6GQpJ_izLjqvwH416hN_AkIsPOhk6MCA2wWwQ65AIsiD5k7mB69ElhjSEpSGg32Mz0D88/s1600/IMG_7618.jpg" height="404" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-billed Spurfowl (<i>Pternistis adspersus subsp. adspersus</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Bird list</b><br />
<b>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Red-Billed Spurfowl; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Crested Francolin; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Helmeted Guineafowl; Egyptian Goose; </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spur-winged Goose; </span>Golden-tailed Woodpecker; Bearded Woodpecker; Acacia Pied Barbet; Red-billed Hornbill; Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill; African Grey Hornbill; Southern Ground Hornbill; Common Scimitarbill; Lilac-breasted Roller; Malachite Kingfisher; Woodland Kingfisher; Brown-hooded Kingfisher; Grey-headed Kingfisher; Giant Kingfisher; Pied Kingfisher; Little Bee-eater; Swallow-tailed Bee-eater; European Bee-eater; Klaas’s Cuckoo; Senegal Coucal; Meyer’s Parrot; African Palm Swift; Grey Go-away Bird; Southern White-faced Scops-owl; African Scops-owl; Pearl-breasted Owlett; Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl; Fiery-necked Nightjar; Freckled Nightjar; Laughing Dove; Cape Turtle-Dove; Emerald-spotted Wood-dove; Kori Bustard; Northern Black Korhaan; Double-banded Sandgrouse; Common Greenshank; Ruff; Wood Sandpiper; Common Sandpiper; Black-winged Stilt; African Jacana; Water Thick-knee; Three-banded Plover; Blacksmith Lapwing; Crowned Lapwing; Whiskered Tern; Black Shouldered Kite; Yellow-billed Kite; African Fish-Eagle; White-backed Vulture; Lappet-faced Vulture; White-headed Vulture; Black-chested Snake Eagle; Brown Snake-Eagle; Bateleur; Wahlberg’s Eagle; African Darter; Little Grebe; Black Heron; Little Egret; Yellow-billed Egret; Squacco Heron; Cattle Egret; Grey Heron; Green-backed Heron; Hamerkop; Glossy Ibis; African Spoonbill; Fork-tailed Drongo; Brubru; Black-backed Puffback; Brown-crowned Tchagra; Crimsom-Breasted Shrike; Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike; Cape Crow; Pied Crow; Magpie Shrike; Southern Black Tit; Lesser-striped Swallow; African Red-eyed Bulbul; Long-billed Crombe; Southern Pied Babbler; Cape White-eye; Rattling Cisticola; Black-chested Prinia; Yellow-breasted Apalis; Grey-backed Camaroptera; Ground-scraper Thrush; Marico Flycatcher; White-browed Scrub-Robin; Kalahari Scrub-Robin; Burchell’s Starling; Greater Blue-eared Starling; Wattled Starling; Red-billed Oxpecker; White-bellied Sunbir; Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver; Lesser Masked-WeaverRed-headed Quelea; Green-winged Pytilia; Violet-eared Waxbill; Blue Waxbill; Red-billed Firefinch; Southern Grey-headed Sparrow; African Pipit
</div>
ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-10768102394446123812014-10-24T09:26:00.000-07:002014-10-24T09:26:20.121-07:00News from the SCBC September 10 - October 1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPeSBmJw9XaSGwCwh4m6SkUwo5mkLM8R80SFJXbZz4RTCLt99eJ0qcgQwSe-QzRSiQwx2b1QleOmfO7wMwLSekgytacsOvL0MHnPQfI41unuSk2d7fe3Kz-FIzHBUoI99ZO09_xZkyPw/s1600/IMG_6992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPeSBmJw9XaSGwCwh4m6SkUwo5mkLM8R80SFJXbZz4RTCLt99eJ0qcgQwSe-QzRSiQwx2b1QleOmfO7wMwLSekgytacsOvL0MHnPQfI41unuSk2d7fe3Kz-FIzHBUoI99ZO09_xZkyPw/s1600/IMG_6992.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Dancing Jewel (<em>Platycypha caligata subsp. caligata</em>)</span> a striking predator.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This was the first month of SCBC operations in the
area and it was a productive month. The weather was hot and dry, often
with a warm desiccating wind, interspersed with cool overcast days. The
dry veld exposed the landscape making the beauty of the underlying rocks
and contours of the mountain visible.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r8qnFtChalBdS3kjcT47TZKXZQWCkhwHq8mUbigvnn1uK6JFsLKioewvyFZLRR5tMxeb8nHSbdB9R69xLsIRJtVI66GrQktgnjtFdogQG2-bNJ25DOxja2wATV7KIGIxXuUT_JTVo3co/s1600/IMG_4059.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r8qnFtChalBdS3kjcT47TZKXZQWCkhwHq8mUbigvnn1uK6JFsLKioewvyFZLRR5tMxeb8nHSbdB9R69xLsIRJtVI66GrQktgnjtFdogQG2-bNJ25DOxja2wATV7KIGIxXuUT_JTVo3co/s1600/IMG_4059.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colours at sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During the month, in anticipation of the wet season, many plants began to flower. Most notable were the <i>Albizia </i>trees, <i>Cassia </i>trees and <i>Combretum </i>creepers. The <i>Ficus ingens</i> trees also put on an impressive display of red leaves.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdvPvfQ8cjy1__9hc9tVX1V1k4zMpfS125IRIQOtovBIfEQQjisQ4L9RpzUOIapJVrNeE62QJAVkNZkxHt03cFcK7QLSy4WyG3tkka72RZDomSaOIOjAZ3NAKBhWqHDEsyOuYAUYTFQk/s1600/IMG_6113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdvPvfQ8cjy1__9hc9tVX1V1k4zMpfS125IRIQOtovBIfEQQjisQ4L9RpzUOIapJVrNeE62QJAVkNZkxHt03cFcK7QLSy4WyG3tkka72RZDomSaOIOjAZ3NAKBhWqHDEsyOuYAUYTFQk/s1600/IMG_6113.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Albizia anthelmintica </i>in bloom.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The activities during the month were varied.
Biodiversity hikes took up the majority of the time, these were done in
the day as well as a few night hikes. There was alien invasive clearing
and some horticulture. Another successful activity was snare removal,
many of these nasty contraptions were picked up. The idea with the
removal of snares is to try and stay ahead of the poachers until they
give up putting them up on the property.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-HGvwMrk0IrV9Pb2JYiD2_mW9hN7cgeBmwSBMbICsAzPTa4fYIg5ncw1bjMZXbevUFSaZs-22hM2fsckRNz89UYYoJgg_kP1cld6MPPyeClHqYknnJxx8NYfTN1S-OjqFcbI5oRYdzne/s1600/IMG_4051.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-HGvwMrk0IrV9Pb2JYiD2_mW9hN7cgeBmwSBMbICsAzPTa4fYIg5ncw1bjMZXbevUFSaZs-22hM2fsckRNz89UYYoJgg_kP1cld6MPPyeClHqYknnJxx8NYfTN1S-OjqFcbI5oRYdzne/s1600/IMG_4051.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good days hunting - seven snares picked up in thick bush. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During the month contact was made with Lajuba and
Ian Gaigher and we spoke about the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve,
conservation in the area now and the future and also different projects
and needs in the surrounding area. It is my hope that the SCBC can be an
energetic force in the area. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdWfVawAFHYxp7MHMjchOzF-27JJlMxLGhV7KKS1Z67j9OC59n5957aBlzNEg5l4d7mm7etNrTrzWOWrmY0paGBK1JaL0vI-B6P5lh5mGJZIuHLvnNJHcatk6KT9-Q3UEnHWA9xuCGlzb/s1600/IMG_7260.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdWfVawAFHYxp7MHMjchOzF-27JJlMxLGhV7KKS1Z67j9OC59n5957aBlzNEg5l4d7mm7etNrTrzWOWrmY0paGBK1JaL0vI-B6P5lh5mGJZIuHLvnNJHcatk6KT9-Q3UEnHWA9xuCGlzb/s1600/IMG_7260.jpg" height="482" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dassie, also known as Rock Hyrax (<i>Procavia capensis</i>), a heavily targeted animal for bush meat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The month provided some excellent animal sightings, the highlights were a nocturnal observation of a Cape Clawless Otter (<span class="_Xbe kno-fv">Aonyx capensis) and an </span>amphisbaenian (worm lizard). Looking forward to getting camera traps to begin monitoring the larger mammals in the area. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0isjP0jivsqD4RcnZRPm008tGIJBkj-5bacUatcGYzyokHS_Jti5i9nBkDopQa1VtQwfDsihNsx7vcad3koMlljkwhExpd0-ZdGCmI6f-Vz5BBFsa6HEoI_er3rHxV4yA4Z3ZBRJw-27H/s1600/IMG_3509.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0isjP0jivsqD4RcnZRPm008tGIJBkj-5bacUatcGYzyokHS_Jti5i9nBkDopQa1VtQwfDsihNsx7vcad3koMlljkwhExpd0-ZdGCmI6f-Vz5BBFsa6HEoI_er3rHxV4yA4Z3ZBRJw-27H/s1600/IMG_3509.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soutpansberg Wormlizard (<i>Chirindia langi subsp. occidentalis</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Walking in the drying out river I saw high concentrations of fish.
At the moment the fish are being fished out by people coming on to the
property. As long as they fish using rods it is fine, but we will not
tolerate fish traps and nets because they are indiscriminate.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX78zj38cT52dOohdX6qNaHDUmeWPWqE4ZS2bexGO8xPnnZxy9Gfvc4BF1GYP1KVwkQjfhVUbCR14P4yXwCYB4ybjUSJtEQcKHqeYrapjLVooKsysji-LG0gh-ltLihaaFvU8cV_CiBpmU/s1600/IMG_6139.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX78zj38cT52dOohdX6qNaHDUmeWPWqE4ZS2bexGO8xPnnZxy9Gfvc4BF1GYP1KVwkQjfhVUbCR14P4yXwCYB4ybjUSJtEQcKHqeYrapjLVooKsysji-LG0gh-ltLihaaFvU8cV_CiBpmU/s1600/IMG_6139.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilapia one of the native fish species that occurs on the property</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmKpp392PtdjDCCwQOf6PDrc1zfpNDeJdja7S5JOdaJmfSBXOuNIavCcYOB_8DT6ZawBZ33vl0R_3saAzLAI3vHR9MBMRZHv-cgsjQe6opMWfAsLyHKsjwOWB2x7cSQuOFF-IalYFCVO2/s1600/IMG_7207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmKpp392PtdjDCCwQOf6PDrc1zfpNDeJdja7S5JOdaJmfSBXOuNIavCcYOB_8DT6ZawBZ33vl0R_3saAzLAI3vHR9MBMRZHv-cgsjQe6opMWfAsLyHKsjwOWB2x7cSQuOFF-IalYFCVO2/s1600/IMG_7207.jpg" height="326" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soutpansberg Flat Lizard (<i>Platysaurus relictus</i>), a Soutpansberg endemic, abundant on the property</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>BIRD LIST FOR THE MONTH</b></div>
<br />
Natal Spurfowl; Crested Francolin; Crested Guinea fowl; <b> </b>African
Black Duck; Golden-tailed Woodpecker; Cardinal Woodpecker; Bearded
Woodpecker; Black-collared Barbet; Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird; Acacia
Pied Barbet; Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill; African Grey Hornbill;
African Hoopoe; Green Wood-hoopoe; Malachite Kingfisher; Brown-hooded
Kingfisher; Giant Kingfisher; Pied Kingfisher; Little Bee-eater;
European Bee-eater; Narina Trogon; Red-faced Mousebird; Speckled
Mousebird; Red-chested Cuckoo; Klaas's Cuckoo; Burchell's Coucal; Alpine
Swift; African Black Swift; Little Swift; Purple-crested Turaco; Barn
Owl; Spotted Eagle Owl; Fiery-necked Nightjar; Freckled Nightjar;
Speckled Pigeon; Laughing Dove;<b> </b>Red-eyed Dove; Emerald-spotted
Wood-dove; Tambourine Dove; Three-banded Plover; African Fish Eagle;
Cape Vulture; African Goshawk; Verreaux's Eagle; African Hawk Eagle;
Green-backed Heron; Hammerkop; Hadeda Ibis; Black Stork; Black-headed
Oriole; African Paradise Flycatcher; Fork-tailed Drongo; Brown-crowned
Tchagra; Black-back Puffback; Southern Boubou; Orange-breasted
Bushshrike; Gorgeous Bushshrike; Grey-headed Bushshrike; Retz's
Helmet-shrike; Cape Batis; Chinspot Batis; Pied Crow; Black
Cuckooshrike; Southern Black Tit; Lesser-striped Swallow; Rock Martin;
Dark-capped Bulbul; Terrestrial Brownbul; Sombre Greenbul;
Yellow-bellied Greenbul; Long-billed Crombec; Cape White-eye; Rattling
Cisticola; Tawny-flanked Prinia; Bar-throated Apalis; Yellow-throated
Apalis; Grey-backed Cameroptera; Kurrichane Thrush; Ashy Flycatcher;
White-throated Robin-chat; Red-capped Robin-chat; White-browed
Robin-chat; Bearded Scrub-robin; White-browed Scrub-robin; Familiar
Chat; Mocking Cliff-chat; Red-winged Starling; Red-billed Oxpecker;
Amethyst Sunbird; Collared Sunbird; White-bellied Sunbird; Red-headed
Weaver; Lesser-masked Weaver; Spectacled Weaver; Swee Waxbill; Blue
Waxbill; Jameson's Firefinch; Bronze Mannikin; SouthernGrey-headed
Sparrow; African Pied Wagtail; Cape Wagtail; Yellow-fronted Canary;
Golden-breasted Bunting. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcMBq2_obluP9Cha2Po6rRmbyCZyMjw01dXAt_rESqBsFsOSXOoNJ2elZawvV_fTQxWYLMiDrnmH8DqiE7OtOWPNCDUl3olrmTxZHiUv9IoaveWzTe9A2aW31H_QhjihUgny4Ah_eFwk/s1600/IMG_6738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcMBq2_obluP9Cha2Po6rRmbyCZyMjw01dXAt_rESqBsFsOSXOoNJ2elZawvV_fTQxWYLMiDrnmH8DqiE7OtOWPNCDUl3olrmTxZHiUv9IoaveWzTe9A2aW31H_QhjihUgny4Ah_eFwk/s1600/IMG_6738.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Yellow-bellied Greenbul (<em>Chlorocichla flaviventris subsp. flaviventris</em>), a bird whose call can be likened to sarcastic laughing, always a delight to hear.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<b>MAMMAL LIST FOR THE MONTH</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Rock
Hyrax; Sharpe's Grysbok; Klipspringer; Kudu; Bush Buck; African Civet;
Cape Clawless Otter; Slender Mongoose; Dwarf Mongoose; Water Mongoose;
Large-spotted Genet; Leopard; Baboon; Vervet Monkey; Thick-tailed
Bushbaby; Tree Squirrel; Porcupine; Jameson's Red Rock Rabbit; Spiny
Mouse; Pouched Mouse; Senghi.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
(Note
on list - list was compiled using visual observations of the animal
itself or track and sign. Many animals (rodents and bats) were left out
due to unsatisfactory identification.)</div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjgpnn-Ht1cBuZkd5ixQ6W46jPfqGTMQs-3hHflSFd6qpjFviPyHzhNx4yWTe9CJZs6p9Q1DCT4p8pls39-QnkJmME-5rz2EM2MWOH8591b1OD61jA3i8l2BqhSGiStwLknr45b1vrC0/s1600/IMG_3415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjgpnn-Ht1cBuZkd5ixQ6W46jPfqGTMQs-3hHflSFd6qpjFviPyHzhNx4yWTe9CJZs6p9Q1DCT4p8pls39-QnkJmME-5rz2EM2MWOH8591b1OD61jA3i8l2BqhSGiStwLknr45b1vrC0/s1600/IMG_3415.jpg" height="640" width="457" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Saccostomus campestris</i>,<i> </i>Pouched Mouse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> REPTILE LIST FOR THE MONTH</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Agama atra - </i>Peter's Ground Agama<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Chirindia langi occidentalis - </i>Soutpansberg Worm Lizard<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Aparallactus capensis - </i></i>Cape Centipede Eater<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i><span class="_Xbe kno-fv">Philothamnus semivariegatus - </span></i></i><span class="_Xbe kno-fv">Spotted Bush Snake</span><i><i><span class="_Xbe kno-fv"><br /></span></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i><span class="_Xbe kno-fv"><i>Psammophis subtaeniatus</i></span> - </i></i>Western Yellow-bellied Sand Snake<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i><i>Platysaurus relictus</i> - </i></i>Soutpansberg Flat Lizard<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Smaug warreni depressus - </i></i>Flat Dragon Lizard<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Dendroaspis polylepis - </i></i>Black Mamba<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Homopholis wahlbergii - </i></i>Wahlberg's Velvet Gecko<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Afroedura - </i></i>Flat Gecko (Taxonomy unresolved)<br />
<i>Chondrodactylus turneri - </i>Turner's Gecko<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Hemidactylus mabouia - </i></i>Common Tropical House Gecko<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Lygodactylus capensis - </i></i>Common Dwarf Gecko<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Broadleysaurus major - </i></i>Rough-scaled Plated Lizard<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Gerrhosaurus flavigularis - </i></i>Yellow-throated Plated Lizard<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Matobosaurus validus - </i></i>Giant Plated Lizard<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Afroablepharus maculicollis - </i></i>Spotted-neck Snake-eyed Skink<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Scelotes limpopoensis limpopoensis - </i></i>Limpopo Dwarf Burrowing Skink<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Trachylepis varia - </i></i>Variable Skink<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Trachylepis margaritifer - </i></i>Rainbow Skink<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i>Varanus nilotica - </i></i>Nile Monitor<i><i><br /></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i><i>Pelusios sinuatus - </i></i></i>Serrated Hinged Terrapin<i><i> </i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i> </i> </i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FB1cqbiyH4qfaamvg2wu-O38DtSMVco8xD7rap7URjhkzSOdT0OQCjQBpJRSu1dLXClRxqh8_mG0FEkR5KA9yLn1JL3tLJiFGEdA1M3k-WAMXkQQvDP-xBlDsY0tAtmsq2ffS_cdDPy1/s1600/IMG_7254.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FB1cqbiyH4qfaamvg2wu-O38DtSMVco8xD7rap7URjhkzSOdT0OQCjQBpJRSu1dLXClRxqh8_mG0FEkR5KA9yLn1JL3tLJiFGEdA1M3k-WAMXkQQvDP-xBlDsY0tAtmsq2ffS_cdDPy1/s1600/IMG_7254.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nile Monitor (<i>Varanus niloticus</i>), a massive reptile. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Keywords for the month: Horticulture, Carnivore, Snare, Baobab, Night Animal.ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-62976480917233251462014-10-24T09:04:00.004-07:002014-10-24T09:29:31.451-07:00Introducing the Soutpansberg Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwyL5Xqg5EGJNo__wd-Itk__xqF7os5D4973lMXClIF4Kt6Uh4T4RPU2oekB9YHY3ASLyrX6ZQlhyaiTtdjioGV-E6VlgqP00Xtq7R9e0NDWNZZnT-Fdo0Y8bnkoy1zVtnIdCtyGZMME/s1600/SCBC_logo_colour_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwyL5Xqg5EGJNo__wd-Itk__xqF7os5D4973lMXClIF4Kt6Uh4T4RPU2oekB9YHY3ASLyrX6ZQlhyaiTtdjioGV-E6VlgqP00Xtq7R9e0NDWNZZnT-Fdo0Y8bnkoy1zVtnIdCtyGZMME/s1600/SCBC_logo_colour_medium.jpg" height="520" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Located in
the Soutpansberg on the banks of the Sand River, the Soutpansberg Centre for
Biodiversity and Conservation has founded in order to progressively change the
trajectory of conservation in the Soutpansberg in the context of the greater Vhembe Biosphere Reserve; to catalogue the biodiversity
of the Soutpansberg; to reconnect people with the natural world; and to develop
proactive environmentalists who will impact their world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9-Tmn-lTXaeqcaysclsD1M6yJslg106oCNzrdDcdqty-cd72nA0L-RLOVL5a2-WSsvDwLfO0WH3xnnMRcUOmAz_LcHhE37hJQVuVrW0vwyQaxV3Zhjr1nOjBsoGeZYHYs9kgOtx4U1o/s1600/IMG_1129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9-Tmn-lTXaeqcaysclsD1M6yJslg106oCNzrdDcdqty-cd72nA0L-RLOVL5a2-WSsvDwLfO0WH3xnnMRcUOmAz_LcHhE37hJQVuVrW0vwyQaxV3Zhjr1nOjBsoGeZYHYs9kgOtx4U1o/s1600/IMG_1129.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Sand River Gorge, home of the Soutpansberg Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The
Soutpansberg is a mountain range in the far north of South Africa and is close
to the town of Louis Trichard. The mountains are renowned for their beauty and
high species endemism. The role of the Soutpansberg Centre for Biodiversity and
Conservation is to catalogue this biodiversity, collect data and be a
conservational presence in the region. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJrMkHMZRYTKkhKojhsp64GAE9H7pbq6wfyAWyoIJQX7jkLtrs-KesOyhpsv6abc9XekjBAd05knKa584bLe1xIojNJEw5pyS03s4pqq1y7eYD4ognGXigkNlKOEXuVHR0Jdi4Qod_sc/s1600/IMG_7205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJrMkHMZRYTKkhKojhsp64GAE9H7pbq6wfyAWyoIJQX7jkLtrs-KesOyhpsv6abc9XekjBAd05knKa584bLe1xIojNJEw5pyS03s4pqq1y7eYD4ognGXigkNlKOEXuVHR0Jdi4Qod_sc/s1600/IMG_7205.jpg" height="368" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The endemic Soutpansberg Flat Lizard (<i>Platysaurus relictus</i>) one of the most colourful animals in the area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The SCBC
is an experimental and independent space for the exchange of ideas,
biodiversity research and the practice of conservation. Through approaching
conservation from an inclusive rather than exclusive position, our goal is to
become a model for eco-tourism and conservation in the area In terms of
research, our aim is to collect information on biodiversity in the Soutpansberg
and contribute this knowledge to a greater scientific community.</span> <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcxQoFE4C_R8b3iAO8mWVxbJ_pKbr9-0UxD8Q-G9c6iXXvjkaHiL59l6rQp5c7tKgPYQ5k1KNWhUg-6qQOawzAoIpbeQzlmluysjumf90VwuOcZC8H3hpgylm9e8qwxzX9Rui4oII-nc/s1600/IMG_3995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcxQoFE4C_R8b3iAO8mWVxbJ_pKbr9-0UxD8Q-G9c6iXXvjkaHiL59l6rQp5c7tKgPYQ5k1KNWhUg-6qQOawzAoIpbeQzlmluysjumf90VwuOcZC8H3hpgylm9e8qwxzX9Rui4oII-nc/s1600/IMG_3995.jpg" height="640" width="359" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mountain stream; a hotspot for biodiversity.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Our primary
objective in these early stages of development is to begin with research on
ecosystems – cataloguing the biodiversity of reptiles, birds, plants, arachnids
and insects, and monitoring the larger mammals in the area such as leopards,
brown hyeanas, aardvarks and antelope. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3clzg28MYrDmfMemUFZoADiPrNtH4BaOT3VLCguenWM8VkunmGWbG96fdXte0cqONZsY4NrGHwF8I_8V8G_MP83SvWkbWbhrLDXcpcClRxyNlvRFnHOR-NjXEaPh_8nIQiQlfTXsP0E/s1600/IMG_6735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3clzg28MYrDmfMemUFZoADiPrNtH4BaOT3VLCguenWM8VkunmGWbG96fdXte0cqONZsY4NrGHwF8I_8V8G_MP83SvWkbWbhrLDXcpcClRxyNlvRFnHOR-NjXEaPh_8nIQiQlfTXsP0E/s1600/IMG_6735.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b></b>Giant Plated Lizard (<i>Matabosaurus validus</i>), a lizard which can grow to just under a metre in length. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Biodiversity
research will be accomplished by actively searching for organisms and setting
pit-fall and/or camera traps. All records and documentation will be uploaded to
the South African National Biodiversity (SANBI) database, making them
accessible to the general public and scientists alike. The SCBC will also
engage with other conservationists within the area, sharing research and
raising awareness of the project within a broader community.</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02XfPDtwl-eUAT70hRqUHzSZmuY7I9XvCV6IDT3CiuuRy0F_r5daOjIvIo6w7Gt27UKoYfCFjUscEsbmYTNV4BLhoX9aasx_iPSwW-_siFoTdAPqUJlZexYx1eOZGN6ItqJbYaWr5aaY/s1600/IMG_6345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02XfPDtwl-eUAT70hRqUHzSZmuY7I9XvCV6IDT3CiuuRy0F_r5daOjIvIo6w7Gt27UKoYfCFjUscEsbmYTNV4BLhoX9aasx_iPSwW-_siFoTdAPqUJlZexYx1eOZGN6ItqJbYaWr5aaY/s1600/IMG_6345.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A community of lichen growing on a rock on a mountain summit. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Soutpansberg
Centre For Biodiversity and Conservation</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> is an
independent, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not-for-profit</span> research
and conservation organization based in the Soutpansberg range to the west of
Louis Trichard, Limpopo Province, South Africa and we are currently looking for
volunteers to assist us with our project.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeSubGeCbgW4YE2cgZvxhRsDuW-qMQNxRUL5iB7dWEyq0j3b9iScPmtCOUbDipWPanAOCZoYMdx1dF6V20VzOxsCZLZpea0NzFKF5tMnREmplcD-ABZsZSTbyHzm7_7I59i2mwKfL60M/s1600/IMG_6864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeSubGeCbgW4YE2cgZvxhRsDuW-qMQNxRUL5iB7dWEyq0j3b9iScPmtCOUbDipWPanAOCZoYMdx1dF6V20VzOxsCZLZpea0NzFKF5tMnREmplcD-ABZsZSTbyHzm7_7I59i2mwKfL60M/s1600/IMG_6864.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lygus Acraea (<i>Acraea lygus</i>) one of the many species of butterfly found in the Soutpansberg. <span class="submitted"></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Individuals from all walks of life are invited to participate, specifically those that have a
strong link to the natural world and want to be part of a new venture (for more information see soutpansbergcbc.blogspot.com). </span></div>
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ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-49517434745753237672014-08-23T13:14:00.000-07:002014-08-23T13:14:32.335-07:00Winter in Welgevonden Private Game Reserve - Limpopo<style>@font-face {
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYPbTt4J9nyBYBCjHjq7tPY7mJaITftSyyYdWgDHqAIT-20yQ4YSRnINV60Em7-YOpCB78tV0f0cNseqKlRt__nmm58y3aGkJsKkGZ80zjroXQcESXxmUhUirWTQyBBC4-RRBFFzQnMw/s1600/IMG_3208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYPbTt4J9nyBYBCjHjq7tPY7mJaITftSyyYdWgDHqAIT-20yQ4YSRnINV60Em7-YOpCB78tV0f0cNseqKlRt__nmm58y3aGkJsKkGZ80zjroXQcESXxmUhUirWTQyBBC4-RRBFFzQnMw/s1600/IMG_3208.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical woodland in Welgevonden. The main trees are <i>Burkea africana </i>and <i>Terminalia sericea.</i></td></tr>
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I spent winter of this year in the Welgevonden Private Game
Reserve, just outside of Vaalwater in the Limpopo Provence of South Africa. The
job I was doing was working with researchers in the field collecting data for
their university research. The data we were busy collecting was primarily
concerned with elephant impact on the environment and also how that
environmental impact effected birds. As far as jobs go this is one of the best
jobs one can do, you are working with people who are switched on and
enthusiastic about nature. There was a good energy and it was an excellent place to spend
winter.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvu1BxlyBl1cK5br-NvDQeYQdkGQcqHcLaFSbYt5pcV3l8AyNszxmk6-ETz9p6zEBe0O3Uo8ODf_gFA9AHRXL6CdVrZ_vNgQJMHyj6fyHX5Uwi4xZRavEnHE5glrnwTuE3U7cBPcjlTI/s1600/IMG_3254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvu1BxlyBl1cK5br-NvDQeYQdkGQcqHcLaFSbYt5pcV3l8AyNszxmk6-ETz9p6zEBe0O3Uo8ODf_gFA9AHRXL6CdVrZ_vNgQJMHyj6fyHX5Uwi4xZRavEnHE5glrnwTuE3U7cBPcjlTI/s1600/IMG_3254.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This carnivorous plant was a good find. It is amazing to see these plants, they are very strange. This is Shepard's Crook Sundew (<i>Drosera aliciae</i>).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzKt-ijoA76i8gA_BxOsSrZ4ENCjNwCc2kR9DiYWhu2IPirDYLa_fqZenJOFsIT4169rWcSHtTA5t3JLQS0ngUzx_b1N3RMg3Sjnn1TSmNO31aE7-ZFGh7MMuQWVCaSSiabepPz4WT4g/s1600/IMG_2994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzKt-ijoA76i8gA_BxOsSrZ4ENCjNwCc2kR9DiYWhu2IPirDYLa_fqZenJOFsIT4169rWcSHtTA5t3JLQS0ngUzx_b1N3RMg3Sjnn1TSmNO31aE7-ZFGh7MMuQWVCaSSiabepPz4WT4g/s1600/IMG_2994.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winged Wooden Pear (<i>Schrebera alata</i>). One of the many interesting plants found during habitat assesments.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Welgevonden is situated in the Waterberg Mountains and is an
interesting mix of high plateau vegetation, grassland and woodland. The main
trees dominating the landscape are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Termenalia</i>
species, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Faurea saligna</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Burkea africana</i>. All of these trees are
adapted to survive the regular fires that burn through the grasslands every few
years.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIL9fZzE0mabzjer9SFWTsTrHZ7i93GGmvp5wBSY8p1qAU37AnHy6TZqut_i5q8V3pl240o1AY0K1mztWDDMEO2tuqK0R84yeUzRKfmPMY0_LGXHcJejHsaMlHoGc0sU1TRzabSKdbOI/s1600/IMG_3111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIL9fZzE0mabzjer9SFWTsTrHZ7i93GGmvp5wBSY8p1qAU37AnHy6TZqut_i5q8V3pl240o1AY0K1mztWDDMEO2tuqK0R84yeUzRKfmPMY0_LGXHcJejHsaMlHoGc0sU1TRzabSKdbOI/s1600/IMG_3111.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Faurea saligna, </i>the Transvaal Beech. These mighty trees grow tall and superficially resemble Eucalyptus trees. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_CnUHQe78TlCT6vhfd3_j0taCC-IDvqbAHc6lshg5ZLgalNnljqKv1lbxPj-8k70-7joyDECA4eCxGFzsN61cXZOmHxKmMdAUaVX8OJRCMR063L9oduei8eWsr-NErGWodcr3fkni3s/s1600/IMG_5150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_CnUHQe78TlCT6vhfd3_j0taCC-IDvqbAHc6lshg5ZLgalNnljqKv1lbxPj-8k70-7joyDECA4eCxGFzsN61cXZOmHxKmMdAUaVX8OJRCMR063L9oduei8eWsr-NErGWodcr3fkni3s/s1600/IMG_5150.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marico Sunbird flits around in a Cape Honey Suckle. The call of this little bird was often heard in the research camp.</td></tr>
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The veld type in the area is considered sourveld. Sourveld
is apposed to sweetveld and refers to the palatability of the veld, which is
determined by the soil conditions which are broadly influenced by climate and
geology. Sourveld generally occurs in regions where there is a lot of rainfall
and very cold winters. The high rainfall tends to remove nutrients from the
soil decreasing the pH value in the soil. Grasses growing in this veld are poor
in nutrients and because of this are considered unpalatable, in addition to
this the grasses, in an effort to prevent the loss of nutrients, withdraw
nutrients from the leaves at the onset of the dry season making the grasses
even more unpalatable and lacking in nutritional value.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[i]</span></span></span></a>
</span>During the dry season, Welgevonden management has to put out lick blocks in
order to try and help animals get their vitamins and minerals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pBQC0MAxabJX42DMqO8Zkl66aQIzx_KAl2z4dcbn7tAOLpUrOzNxLglcnQa7nINATZZs8OO4qY1fExivaexQi4lxg344P3VZFChClZeKsfU8omx0P73CtEwrgXFMLU19HoqQqMxcBy8/s1600/IMG_3020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pBQC0MAxabJX42DMqO8Zkl66aQIzx_KAl2z4dcbn7tAOLpUrOzNxLglcnQa7nINATZZs8OO4qY1fExivaexQi4lxg344P3VZFChClZeKsfU8omx0P73CtEwrgXFMLU19HoqQqMxcBy8/s1600/IMG_3020.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildebeest that died of mange related complications. Wildebeest seemed to particularly suffer from mange on the reserve and I am sure this can be linked to the poor grazing of the sourveld.</td></tr>
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From a biodiversity perspective the area is relatively rich
considering its altitude and the veld type. The birding in the area was good
and during the six weeks in the reserve, the group of researchers and I managed
to compile a bird list that reached 126, which is not bad for winter. There
were some notable sightings. Highlights for me include Cape Vultures,
Black-chested Snake Eagles (we saw these birds a lot), Denham’s Bustard, Coqui
and Shelly’s Francolin (these were also very vocal) and Lanner Falcons. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[ii]</span></span></span></a></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKgVUbnWpelCGCOHr0n6Hy5VmdRwXDwt6KlfdyDR6x8jMv-c6XNwXfaEQYIcnRLTn_GgvP0-dfD37uoDOK2_W51UjABlqAPOHXg5WwqWLiPXadB1wTEchbUAuhJfdtsX3E5g2cknzSPc/s1600/IMG_5162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKgVUbnWpelCGCOHr0n6Hy5VmdRwXDwt6KlfdyDR6x8jMv-c6XNwXfaEQYIcnRLTn_GgvP0-dfD37uoDOK2_W51UjABlqAPOHXg5WwqWLiPXadB1wTEchbUAuhJfdtsX3E5g2cknzSPc/s1600/IMG_5162.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground-scraper Thrush. Very active little birds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2yg5JioTBqgbXsbkwHnV7MJej5KggBWdNUqO5K5HDCSzckj_x45cKWca4eE32Xdih5WDnUN-9tWxuN8sg66kuj8N2EBuehu7J3BA5Q4gw81L7xuOwURMw5jMOU0PC9rbnTxoLpD1zeM/s1600/IMG_5340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2yg5JioTBqgbXsbkwHnV7MJej5KggBWdNUqO5K5HDCSzckj_x45cKWca4eE32Xdih5WDnUN-9tWxuN8sg66kuj8N2EBuehu7J3BA5Q4gw81L7xuOwURMw5jMOU0PC9rbnTxoLpD1zeM/s1600/IMG_5340.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Little Bee-eater. These are incredibly photogenic birds. They hawk insects from a perch and can often be seen in pairs. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHehNplaxMCY6InETeNhJ3sdZZtC3aE7urzbOGaJgoqPeZjnhUmk_a16vOZNK8gir8KmxEJ_bsSOdu3q8i7jRb-0P6-uFU61WAOSdNN0RKiGNNW5wSONoKp7SE4MYj0bP8uRedC23cMA/s1600/IMG_5293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHehNplaxMCY6InETeNhJ3sdZZtC3aE7urzbOGaJgoqPeZjnhUmk_a16vOZNK8gir8KmxEJ_bsSOdu3q8i7jRb-0P6-uFU61WAOSdNN0RKiGNNW5wSONoKp7SE4MYj0bP8uRedC23cMA/s1600/IMG_5293.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An uncommon bird, Denham's Bustard. These birds are listed as near threatened due to habitat loss.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3PhEB8A_e6yvQ72os3at0l2rvOrZF8oyJLyJ6xezbbAuDOPdbthg7D8YrhgOdItN6nJvr4-l0OF3blIcm12EMymRkYxsSOcysDHqTKCNC5zarPBwEF1x2jYlzTzVa-qp7vjpVLUr8Ew/s1600/IMG_5358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3PhEB8A_e6yvQ72os3at0l2rvOrZF8oyJLyJ6xezbbAuDOPdbthg7D8YrhgOdItN6nJvr4-l0OF3blIcm12EMymRkYxsSOcysDHqTKCNC5zarPBwEF1x2jYlzTzVa-qp7vjpVLUr8Ew/s1600/IMG_5358.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Coqui Francolin. A beautiful little game bird. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc4XH5NG_zUScpq6o1nWfZ0pefA1pgWGmcx99hOEiGJHJxR3uo3-OwergZU1pfMkQzoe5XUyBgDeNxeulaV-BVN2Ysly7QB5X9l3O68_MBCmfODLIjbvxF3SL5vFTnFWq3w2SMwvKJfs/s1600/IMG_5463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc4XH5NG_zUScpq6o1nWfZ0pefA1pgWGmcx99hOEiGJHJxR3uo3-OwergZU1pfMkQzoe5XUyBgDeNxeulaV-BVN2Ysly7QB5X9l3O68_MBCmfODLIjbvxF3SL5vFTnFWq3w2SMwvKJfs/s1600/IMG_5463.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelly's Francolin, another special little game bird that was heard and seen often at Welgevonden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvG_ir1Ik_0ZkmWmMehdVsG6Km3z_o2qnAJr8rw2B60sRogu87rcdD4wkR9WYPqkp7xODHu56cOnWEZcoT1lv_yHVklRuuxZYSisX0CwwrdrxQ50g6edM080Mz8PdWlJ2IGKXz0qMX3A/s1600/IMG_5569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvG_ir1Ik_0ZkmWmMehdVsG6Km3z_o2qnAJr8rw2B60sRogu87rcdD4wkR9WYPqkp7xODHu56cOnWEZcoT1lv_yHVklRuuxZYSisX0CwwrdrxQ50g6edM080Mz8PdWlJ2IGKXz0qMX3A/s1600/IMG_5569.jpg" height="412" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ant-eating Chat. This one has some mud on its feet and bill adding an interesting colouration to an otherwise drab bird.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AgT9kwP77wYd3c6KvMCSKtBeow4Xzf6Q_V-ClibTFROM8pul3mSTISdImaf752xmAm51oXdgR7A7gAK9-lEnMEZDcJeIHRMQ9ULC_QHLlyrbM8hDmh1G2Cdgpta-fImbeKZLFc4WSEg/s1600/IMG_5500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AgT9kwP77wYd3c6KvMCSKtBeow4Xzf6Q_V-ClibTFROM8pul3mSTISdImaf752xmAm51oXdgR7A7gAK9-lEnMEZDcJeIHRMQ9ULC_QHLlyrbM8hDmh1G2Cdgpta-fImbeKZLFc4WSEg/s1600/IMG_5500.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were many Familiar Chats on Welgevonden. Very interesting birds to watch as they are usually very active.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlgtwub7R9-69Zjr9DGKyH0srVm-J3JJd25YM0tF8oHF9TjUKQGqHq3ZBusAWme1h3QYzuYQ5QarYYxj7U_Z7uD2OFwBSPs6UxiPFRvmoVSSnSCP17ljsfDyHcEjVws6JAaHOYyrXc8Y/s1600/IMG_5346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlgtwub7R9-69Zjr9DGKyH0srVm-J3JJd25YM0tF8oHF9TjUKQGqHq3ZBusAWme1h3QYzuYQ5QarYYxj7U_Z7uD2OFwBSPs6UxiPFRvmoVSSnSCP17ljsfDyHcEjVws6JAaHOYyrXc8Y/s1600/IMG_5346.jpg" height="368" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What tourists want to see. The lion, one of the big five.</td></tr>
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Welgevonden Private Game Reserve exists in order to attract
people to come on safari and enjoy seeing big game animals. Today seeing the
‘big five’ is one of the must do things in Africa and many of the private game
reserves and their lodges cater to this need. Big five equals big money and
that is the long and short of it. In a way it is unfortunate because lodge
management really push this big five agenda on their nature guides and the
entire experience becomes an artificial one. Guides are pressured into finding
their guests the big five (this pressure does not necessarily come from the
guests, but rather the management) and tend to neglect the smaller things that
really make a bush experience magical. Radios tuned in, guides chase sightings
often missing out on other sighting because of this tunnel vision. On one
occasion in Welgevonden we had an incredible lion sighting at one of the
central plains. Three lions stalked a baby rhino and then some warthogs. So
many safari trucks must have driven past the plains and no one saw the lions
until they saw us watching them because they were chasing sighting on the
radio.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TtdO0yYKWOaKA0i2YhUqHgQzrftat68qtzD1aM1Piww_WI4aP-a7Tx2xX2ADPwp2dVtaWpRWyAdl6reCls54gqEj5bCttXGEWarGq04i-GwvFrN4hCzfY-S12BDVWM7_P4Uy_LvQ9jE/s1600/IMG_5308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TtdO0yYKWOaKA0i2YhUqHgQzrftat68qtzD1aM1Piww_WI4aP-a7Tx2xX2ADPwp2dVtaWpRWyAdl6reCls54gqEj5bCttXGEWarGq04i-GwvFrN4hCzfY-S12BDVWM7_P4Uy_LvQ9jE/s1600/IMG_5308.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interesting interaction. We watched these lions stalk a baby rhinoceros, the mother of the calf quickly showed them that she was not going to let it happen that easily.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9w21Cm-O8MPL8QuZ-1IyubF795dPoGUYrc5SSEoYcq2aD12OLv0Sk1cV5e7SThvVMQgvo4XBjlHYjlg4MA8ohyphenhyphenbYKXsfMeccjNaSI-3aw6-u8ZbxBDwYBMLyh30IW9vkIAea8lzmZec/s1600/IMG_5223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9w21Cm-O8MPL8QuZ-1IyubF795dPoGUYrc5SSEoYcq2aD12OLv0Sk1cV5e7SThvVMQgvo4XBjlHYjlg4MA8ohyphenhyphenbYKXsfMeccjNaSI-3aw6-u8ZbxBDwYBMLyh30IW9vkIAea8lzmZec/s1600/IMG_5223.jpg" height="526" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheetah's are beautiful cats. Their sleek coats and slender build really are captivating.</td></tr>
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Another aspect of the Game Reserve that struck me as
artificial is the fertilization of the land to support more grazers and
therefore more predators. There is also a constant restocking of game animals
such as Wildebeest and Zebras. That said, Welgevonden Game Reserve is a good
place for Game viewing. During the six weeks I was there, we had some very good
game sightings. White Rhinoceros were especially easy to see and we had some
incredible encounters with elephants. Welgevonden is also the first place I have
seen Bushpigs from a vehicle in the day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXT2EKIM4emdWqP5RbNZycKyrGIcSg8kLyh2uoHNvo3DUIOMWdhFuMB7OZSSmqSg9vV5_yUKvGyciyDREtGYhdM74V0aIsewWwNr6vQQq8g5k6V4vj3vdT__ZzXqxDRmj-IRmUshf1UU0/s1600/IMG_5154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXT2EKIM4emdWqP5RbNZycKyrGIcSg8kLyh2uoHNvo3DUIOMWdhFuMB7OZSSmqSg9vV5_yUKvGyciyDREtGYhdM74V0aIsewWwNr6vQQq8g5k6V4vj3vdT__ZzXqxDRmj-IRmUshf1UU0/s1600/IMG_5154.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the research camp. Typically on any day there would be plentiful game outside the research camp. In this picture there are Guinea Fowl in the foreground, Impala behind them and in the distance some White Rhinoceros. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGjci23NrWFZrd7OQDhlBfb26sLGUYV7EZdD-7FLey0Xp030iDgOFDLLgtQUGE8s-NNqKjAMJFXLbLlhrbHpgPDYqMKSMKlO68HJPSoDtA2pJO2cyhO8FAFARiKCrU_bq6BPHKJ0tpgY/s1600/IMG_2691.jpg" height="414" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper Wasps on their nest. These small colonies are dominated by a single female, her daughters help her gather food and raise a new generation of wasps.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qSe57uwx9Mr53EfwuMgZK4qyVFtzklKXKZqm_kXUA_n2iXShdohu_8mic3tC374YDZyIM4BhZpBl5-yWa5UuimHHj881r39Mu23gvxO3T6h_DT0XOLI2sYsOuPR__8jYZ6YqulsgPZE/s1600/IMG_2958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qSe57uwx9Mr53EfwuMgZK4qyVFtzklKXKZqm_kXUA_n2iXShdohu_8mic3tC374YDZyIM4BhZpBl5-yWa5UuimHHj881r39Mu23gvxO3T6h_DT0XOLI2sYsOuPR__8jYZ6YqulsgPZE/s1600/IMG_2958.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b></b>A large Huntsman Spider (<i>Sparassidae</i>) found on a rocky outcrop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBqXzvGCNCvAcz4VMO9AUue-PWb0_65oYjp2X5EHicRWRcsM0DL7z2b6Z2BIe5iR82AvK37T_XVKzsm94_sGvLse2fIP3GnvViACyn0Kr9UE5WWA0x5jOBWAkIK3wdtYBYPbTC8V62ZU/s1600/IMG_3067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBqXzvGCNCvAcz4VMO9AUue-PWb0_65oYjp2X5EHicRWRcsM0DL7z2b6Z2BIe5iR82AvK37T_XVKzsm94_sGvLse2fIP3GnvViACyn0Kr9UE5WWA0x5jOBWAkIK3wdtYBYPbTC8V62ZU/s1600/IMG_3067.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These Darklings (<i>Tenebrionidae</i>) were sheltering under some bark that was being warmed by the sun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2j_MpDGYs_6XYBsrrhlxfW6zvAEc-mn0FKHq4BlI-3RQGBLPPZ9q8mamF8kF1hVUJbMndBFi6OZkCTjaccLhiyUv-_4J6N04ttZAlTHX-9iIGgHbJSkcWktWvKwrocqiCT9PgjlyTug/s1600/IMG_3225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2j_MpDGYs_6XYBsrrhlxfW6zvAEc-mn0FKHq4BlI-3RQGBLPPZ9q8mamF8kF1hVUJbMndBFi6OZkCTjaccLhiyUv-_4J6N04ttZAlTHX-9iIGgHbJSkcWktWvKwrocqiCT9PgjlyTug/s1600/IMG_3225.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One day some of the researchers caught this fish in a stream, I am not sure of the species, but I think the genus is likely to be <i>Barbus.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In respect of smaller animals, Welgevonden Private Game
Reserve has a lot to offer. There are many Klipspringers on the rocks, Rock
Hyraxes and it was common to Black-backed Jackals. Banded Mongooses, Dwarf Mongooses
and Slender Mongooses were regularly seen while out and about in the reserve.
We also saw a surprising amount of reptiles. Surprising because it was winter
and the work we were doing was not really conducive to reptile hunting.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[iii]</span></span></span></a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixoHpmxm9HcIF11a_UhhuuXqsgvozUMzQaigPYPWAgxXCDxepQZdsXFkNH_WS2gFFNx4bJWOSgSn5HSB1_O82xNZl_am7VphpVzvY3smZepHOYo9YR-wtNK9MweJ-E4uv8h1zXHU9Cp4/s1600/IMG_5205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixoHpmxm9HcIF11a_UhhuuXqsgvozUMzQaigPYPWAgxXCDxepQZdsXFkNH_WS2gFFNx4bJWOSgSn5HSB1_O82xNZl_am7VphpVzvY3smZepHOYo9YR-wtNK9MweJ-E4uv8h1zXHU9Cp4/s1600/IMG_5205.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little female Klipspringer, these small antelope are at home in rocky areas, especially hill slopes that are inaccessible to other antelope.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5OQFGTVfdqMfNGViPYZg-0NTxy9jpmAk3a-ol3vRhkww8Zj1rsZJd5ck_CV1FzDQDCczTL34g77Zl03N-_WpxSq6c-sRFxz5ByUbdi8kr-RndjCGGLPUlmNdJHPJ55oqEKNljWZJdFU/s1600/IMG_5441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5OQFGTVfdqMfNGViPYZg-0NTxy9jpmAk3a-ol3vRhkww8Zj1rsZJd5ck_CV1FzDQDCczTL34g77Zl03N-_WpxSq6c-sRFxz5ByUbdi8kr-RndjCGGLPUlmNdJHPJ55oqEKNljWZJdFU/s1600/IMG_5441.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-backed Jackals are commonly seen during the day in Welgevonden. Their nightly chorus of melancholy wailing is one of the most distinctly African bush sounds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIUhMjkS5ct0Q_NvI5hIMgOb0zdtCgvL_6ep9GWBIN60Uu9XNP8-IuDUHvU9bVMZSsN5JGGCadyawV6zFPpU_TSOwCElJm_R_SVH0pDb6HX-cJumGNtQY-GtpvtOL-9PgaNVRsWmFEBI/s1600/IMG_5719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIUhMjkS5ct0Q_NvI5hIMgOb0zdtCgvL_6ep9GWBIN60Uu9XNP8-IuDUHvU9bVMZSsN5JGGCadyawV6zFPpU_TSOwCElJm_R_SVH0pDb6HX-cJumGNtQY-GtpvtOL-9PgaNVRsWmFEBI/s1600/IMG_5719.jpg" height="640" width="506" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foxy Charaxes (<i>Charaxes jasius subsp. saturnus</i>).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFInenr3JcU4pBtuXyCnjn4IY75tdnOeakkZux-IJdm2R0X3f202gjvJwCIzuKLS-c1l_f18-3BiceShzsTLhXefxiA9JWOex9NbMaHH9QS4NNZ-eMAg9fPDzsouKGOSfdWjS0OIn2Y04/s1600/IMG_5664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFInenr3JcU4pBtuXyCnjn4IY75tdnOeakkZux-IJdm2R0X3f202gjvJwCIzuKLS-c1l_f18-3BiceShzsTLhXefxiA9JWOex9NbMaHH9QS4NNZ-eMAg9fPDzsouKGOSfdWjS0OIn2Y04/s1600/IMG_5664.jpg" height="266" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nile Crocodile affectionately know as the Flat Dog in Southern Africa. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHsy7YXHL4Ge9KH8RBdBCQ8RSnjeuVHFHdF1IMTM5MCiQ5Wee4llUtsG52f1Z4zysbebbpStCe23EhJ_eIZTCAAWwM4UPQvylz4_EXWI2iUT0d5agoedISmPNYsJhMXPgq8-N_AOT2o4/s1600/IMG_5477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHsy7YXHL4Ge9KH8RBdBCQ8RSnjeuVHFHdF1IMTM5MCiQ5Wee4llUtsG52f1Z4zysbebbpStCe23EhJ_eIZTCAAWwM4UPQvylz4_EXWI2iUT0d5agoedISmPNYsJhMXPgq8-N_AOT2o4/s1600/IMG_5477.jpg" height="640" width="416" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Sand Lizard (<i>Pedioplanis lineoocellata subsp. lineoocellata)</i>. The lizards are fast.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinp5aOZNNmkh5JdINlNKAAW6Rrc47x7m-7JhQAV952yAZw2GX-JdGSL5NIKu31QrfWdlCD-_8ylMBxrc3Jd9mPDPuzPMfVga_dSmjLY1PRFF-lA0hIBg7nT_z7_dYNLdbimBUQfnefPx4/s1600/IMG_5206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinp5aOZNNmkh5JdINlNKAAW6Rrc47x7m-7JhQAV952yAZw2GX-JdGSL5NIKu31QrfWdlCD-_8ylMBxrc3Jd9mPDPuzPMfVga_dSmjLY1PRFF-lA0hIBg7nT_z7_dYNLdbimBUQfnefPx4/s1600/IMG_5206.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trachlepis varia</i>, the Variable Skink. This species is my favourite skink. They have a very large distribution and quickly become used to human presence. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1PX0bWuuNjaGahAcEOC7my5ZIpDH9qH-qgaz9F6pUx2mfs47jt8rpwYiRX2EFtO3Nh5S7w5BvkBFE_WwLLC9fU9kZcm0YStdehJAsqSmx5RX_R7Z_iZbMHULpBiClKwG76x1AxbEP_s/s1600/IMG_3148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1PX0bWuuNjaGahAcEOC7my5ZIpDH9qH-qgaz9F6pUx2mfs47jt8rpwYiRX2EFtO3Nh5S7w5BvkBFE_WwLLC9fU9kZcm0YStdehJAsqSmx5RX_R7Z_iZbMHULpBiClKwG76x1AxbEP_s/s1600/IMG_3148.jpg" height="640" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A juvenile Transvaal Gecko (<i>Pachydactylus affinis</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2949j7Chg1hcL6c4LfPbP8NoJ132J_DnBKUZoB9z3AM6mGaiD5v0KVj_Pynnt6rUBX8f8FGJUiZnoqY5ZCNoy2_5RO_hHAQQzfv_G04hdfLvZhwseuDtVrpb5mW6CtSaDMKyXAquucc/s1600/IMG_5827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2949j7Chg1hcL6c4LfPbP8NoJ132J_DnBKUZoB9z3AM6mGaiD5v0KVj_Pynnt6rUBX8f8FGJUiZnoqY5ZCNoy2_5RO_hHAQQzfv_G04hdfLvZhwseuDtVrpb5mW6CtSaDMKyXAquucc/s1600/IMG_5827.jpg" height="362" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Herald Snake, <span class="st"><i>Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia</i>. An amphibian specialist. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXN38ql2DZ40Fcit3FJUcStarqxbQEqSU9WX5H18rDJdaejhgGdDORcPHZ1DJElQOmEbXhjX2t95By8o7WFUtHZkTF9sJMFVZUB6kU2ZZcSaye_wy74HjFCpvuf54NlTH-C4N2DkgfZA/s1600/IMG_2928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXN38ql2DZ40Fcit3FJUcStarqxbQEqSU9WX5H18rDJdaejhgGdDORcPHZ1DJElQOmEbXhjX2t95By8o7WFUtHZkTF9sJMFVZUB6kU2ZZcSaye_wy74HjFCpvuf54NlTH-C4N2DkgfZA/s1600/IMG_2928.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bibron's Blind Snake (<i>Afrotyphlops bibronii). </i>A snake well adapted to a life underground. Scales have grown over the eyes which can be seen as dark points on the side of the head. The snake preys on termites and their larvae. <i><br /></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvbaUYLIiZSjOw0nw982CzcSATywbn-eIqjH46J96Tc8QMbHce8-2GRvGT_f3NIMHNu5AMsdLqFbVze4PKOwzPnaAPhPFepN_fwzma0oYFhuDC6_Eu0NuOJIoPyges5vV2y08SvJSbXw/s1600/IMG_2973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvbaUYLIiZSjOw0nw982CzcSATywbn-eIqjH46J96Tc8QMbHce8-2GRvGT_f3NIMHNu5AMsdLqFbVze4PKOwzPnaAPhPFepN_fwzma0oYFhuDC6_Eu0NuOJIoPyges5vV2y08SvJSbXw/s1600/IMG_2973.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cape Centipede-eater (<span class="st"><i>Aparallactus capensis</i>) </span>preys on centipedes. Not many snakes are invertebrate specialists, making it a good niche to exploit. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfo9bCEU2KdTPQbnXfAbi21uszpDzmEZzy02hKRLKUazZoDtp3bYUydnDF5F55TawnFNvKgvrM0G0qBf3kBSoRHXN2N0XBL0lyLHITETJ0LMefe7BFKydbuiZzC0JmnNBcHLdY7bbBaY/s1600/IMG_3287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfo9bCEU2KdTPQbnXfAbi21uszpDzmEZzy02hKRLKUazZoDtp3bYUydnDF5F55TawnFNvKgvrM0G0qBf3kBSoRHXN2N0XBL0lyLHITETJ0LMefe7BFKydbuiZzC0JmnNBcHLdY7bbBaY/s1600/IMG_3287.jpg" height="640" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short-snouted Grass Snake (<i>Psammophis brevirostris</i>). A fast diurnal snake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_ZuU0jf0TbNPUr9gUGDFyKJMg7SicE8ziChyCjaAOwOT57yCSjcVtVFoJWfxRLxN8hVIs5bQGSqQdqGJcYCI2nJ-XiCA7cI08eFNQzZ0sueF6EXVX702X2zsbd7YAUIFpxQoD9Dzg60/s1600/IMG_5778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_ZuU0jf0TbNPUr9gUGDFyKJMg7SicE8ziChyCjaAOwOT57yCSjcVtVFoJWfxRLxN8hVIs5bQGSqQdqGJcYCI2nJ-XiCA7cI08eFNQzZ0sueF6EXVX702X2zsbd7YAUIFpxQoD9Dzg60/s1600/IMG_5778.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Speckled Rock Skink (<span class="st"><i>Trachylepis punctatissima</i>) was trying to overcome a Carpenter Bee (</span><i>Xylocopa</i>). I am not sure what the result of this struggle was, but the lizard was committed. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Overall it was a beautiful winter. The icy mornings with
accompanying frost tangibly demonstrated the power of winter and its brutal
nature: killing the weak and weakening the strong. As the morning progresses
and the sun ascends, the warmth of that star becomes very noticeable. The fawn
colour of the landscape and the atmosphere of starkness that is created by the
leafless trees was arresting. I distinctly remember standing in the open one
morning watching the grass moving with the wind. The motion struck me as fluid and
for a moment I could see he air itself. These incommunicable experiences where
one feels a powerful connection to the earth and nature are what motivate me to
continue a lifestyle that is tied as closely to nature as possible.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwD8LUk3pyvyMflhT5Goq_R6SpbrPOBymo2s-eZ7GYd-HxATQeiMxKpcEGViKyA5RnVUE8yE6nI74ejLVmoKq29trm94VeMYApn8gJd3i_bsjwf72ACb9yz-c_U1MbDSa_oYCE8hk1kW8/s1600/IMG_2758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwD8LUk3pyvyMflhT5Goq_R6SpbrPOBymo2s-eZ7GYd-HxATQeiMxKpcEGViKyA5RnVUE8yE6nI74ejLVmoKq29trm94VeMYApn8gJd3i_bsjwf72ACb9yz-c_U1MbDSa_oYCE8hk1kW8/s1600/IMG_2758.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of one of the central plains early one morning.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
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<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[i]</span></span></span></a> F.
van Oudtshoorn. 2012. <i>Guide to Grasses of
southern Africa</i>. Briza Publications: Pretoria. pg 28. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn2">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[ii]</span></span></span></a>
List of Birds seen at Welgevonden:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Shelly’s Francolin, Coqui Francolin, Natal Spurfowl, Helmeted Guineafowl, Egyptian Goose, African Black Duck, Greater Honeyguide, Lesser Honeyguide, Bearded Woodpecker, Cardinal Woodpecker, Black-collared Barbet, Crested Barbet, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, African Grey Hornbill, African Hoopoe, Green Wood-hoopoe, Lilac-breasted Roller, Malachite Kingfisher, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, White-fronted Bee-eater, Speckled Mousebird, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Burchell’s Coucal, Grey Go-away Bird, Barn Owl, Grass Owl, Pearl-spotted Owlett, Spotted Eagle Owl, Fiery-necked Nightjar, Freckled Nightjar, Speckled Pigeon, African Green Pigeon, Laughing Dove, Cape Turtle-Dove, Red-eyed Dove, Emerald-spotted Wood-dove, Denham’s Bustard, African Jacana, Blacksmith Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing, Crowned Lapwing, Black-shouldered Kite, African Fish-Eagle, Cape Vulture, Brown Snake-Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Black Sparrowhawk, Gabar Goshawk, Jackal Buzzard, African Harrier-Hawk, African Hawk-Eagle, Martial Eagle, Rock Kestrel, Lanner Falcon, African Darter, White-breasted Cormorant, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Hammerkop, Hadeda Ibis, Black Stork, Black-headed Oriole, Fork-tailed Drongo, Brubru, Black-backed Puffback, Black-crowned Tchagra, Southern Boubou, Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike, Grey-headed Bush-Shrike, White-crested Helmet-Shrike, Chinspot Batis, Pied Crow, Common Fiscal, Southern Black Tit, Rock Martin, Brown-throated Martin, Pearl-breasted Swallow, Lesser Striped Swallow, Dark-capped Bulbul, Cape Grassbird, Long-billed Crombec, Arrow-marked Babbler, Cape White-eye, Croaking Cisticola, Rattling Cisticola, Neddicky, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Bar-throated Apalis, Grey-backed Camaroptera, Rufous-naped Lark, Kurrichane Thrush, Groundscraper Thrush, Southern Black Flycatcher, White-throated Robin-Chat, White-browed Scrub-Robin, African Stonechat, Familiar Chat, Capped Wheatear, Ant-eating Chat, Red-winged Starling, Cape Glossy Starling, Red-billed Oxpecker, Amethyst Sunbird, White-bellied Sunbird, Marico Sunbird, Red-headed Weaver, Southern Masked Weaver, Red-billed Quelea, Long-tailed Widowbird, Red-collared Widowbird, Common Waxbill, Blue Waxbill, African Firefinch, Jameson’s Firefinch, Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, Cape Wagtail, Cape Longclaw, African Pipit, Yellow-fronted Canary, Streaky-headed Seedeater, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Golden-breasted Bunting</span></div>
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<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[iii]</span></span></span></a>
List of Reptiles:</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bibron’s Blind Snake, </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cape Centipede-eater, Short-snouted Grass Snake, Western Stripe-bellied Sand Snake, Herald Snake, Distant’s Ground Agama, Southern Tree Agama, Variable Skink, Rainbow Skink, Speckled Rock Skink, Waterberg Flat Lizard, Giant Plated Lizard, Transvaal Girdled Lizard, Spotted Sand Lizard, Common Rough Scaled Lizard, Tropical House Gecko, Transvaal Gecko, Common Dwarf Gecko, Nile Crocodile</span><br />
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ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-59675281992234076052014-08-18T14:33:00.000-07:002014-08-18T15:13:26.879-07:00Durban: a Great City for Wildlife<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PL02ZvPGNorsc1us07OWVdLNGtzWKDBMP3ikyemQiRm64cN4GX4ClULF-0-DXO_srk9-maOf8gkd3kZ81LpMAlOZhG5qYUMybSzQOjCzBfm6xzXRjsuuTH5AFnEOCy-slx2hLv-GJqQ/s1600/IMG_5904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PL02ZvPGNorsc1us07OWVdLNGtzWKDBMP3ikyemQiRm64cN4GX4ClULF-0-DXO_srk9-maOf8gkd3kZ81LpMAlOZhG5qYUMybSzQOjCzBfm6xzXRjsuuTH5AFnEOCy-slx2hLv-GJqQ/s1600/IMG_5904.jpg" height="304" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swift Terns with Grey-headed Gulls at Umgeni Mouth, Durban.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This past weekend I got an opportunity to visit Durban and had a great time relaxing and seeing some interesting wildlife. Here are a few pictures of the wildlife I saw in and around the city.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaBdsT0i7JhiiYeXnrZ3pnCM39Hfd68OQ8fBZ1z_5t4CyQAI0FS9wT_WpMv715jJu-AbmTPEFJjj96HzzQ53H7HwK0ZQumUIrXB6rA5VxEqiQyiIkPRi7zHf6xQ_6kyCcimLie-CD-BU/s1600/mamba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaBdsT0i7JhiiYeXnrZ3pnCM39Hfd68OQ8fBZ1z_5t4CyQAI0FS9wT_WpMv715jJu-AbmTPEFJjj96HzzQ53H7HwK0ZQumUIrXB6rA5VxEqiQyiIkPRi7zHf6xQ_6kyCcimLie-CD-BU/s1600/mamba.jpg" height="640" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The highlight of my Durban holiday was seeing this Black Mamba (<i>Dendroaspis polylepis</i>). The animal was seen at <span class="st">Mzinyathi. The snake allowed very close approach, these photographs were taken at about two metres.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZnhIYAlWOraszX8lr8n7hNUYjvEVs5yPqb28qnnx2c3Mg1t-rbK10GhUkYk41GclsQfHDoB15fQZy4lrktx8aIm9RynmzuflIOKPilYq6JbGNubvUjKWy7AAM7qt0NoatxavQP8-SCs/s1600/IMG_5948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZnhIYAlWOraszX8lr8n7hNUYjvEVs5yPqb28qnnx2c3Mg1t-rbK10GhUkYk41GclsQfHDoB15fQZy4lrktx8aIm9RynmzuflIOKPilYq6JbGNubvUjKWy7AAM7qt0NoatxavQP8-SCs/s1600/IMG_5948.jpg" height="438" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had heard of suburban Banded Mongooses (<i>Mungos mungo taenianotus</i>) in Durban before, but was yet to see them. I was lucky enough to see a troop of them cross the road. Managed to get a photograph of this one through the vegetation. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Qwp8VOB5tsAFrMK5GXui5BJT2myNH2ssxMHsKBWu1leDYFfeoOe9g63Ugmco2WkWpeLmACfULkGeVdxfvoNjQ7hVcpLP9oqLJbil20L5DyRIP7RMkr4ivBUrm2LHfrFYOBcK1S9TL1M/s1600/IMG_5878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Qwp8VOB5tsAFrMK5GXui5BJT2myNH2ssxMHsKBWu1leDYFfeoOe9g63Ugmco2WkWpeLmACfULkGeVdxfvoNjQ7hVcpLP9oqLJbil20L5DyRIP7RMkr4ivBUrm2LHfrFYOBcK1S9TL1M/s1600/IMG_5878.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Collared Sunbird was busy pecking at its reflection in the kitchen window. Birding in Durban is very good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Vh_zvUCHZm0xU-Y8a8fU3I6uFp8-tJsojCe7uNuW3uIZU9eYePNmKWd2eqgJ-NTqLkccL0StpfZeLdWUrBT0JEeQZDS5ALdyNtCmdEm8-NLs44WLzv1OhtJuzJMIcYJRJhtIixS8eLI/s1600/IMG_5976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Vh_zvUCHZm0xU-Y8a8fU3I6uFp8-tJsojCe7uNuW3uIZU9eYePNmKWd2eqgJ-NTqLkccL0StpfZeLdWUrBT0JEeQZDS5ALdyNtCmdEm8-NLs44WLzv1OhtJuzJMIcYJRJhtIixS8eLI/s1600/IMG_5976.jpg" height="640" width="490" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An African Fish Eagle soars high above the <i>Mzinyathi</i> close to the confluence with the Umgeni at Inanda.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3NFksNDxekSsR2gabvBkdn64OjRFHhRojEvTkhWMdOJCPlXAhv-meOTaDAgHFzPYTQ7Oz7CnbQW7SJeto-VR6IKMpGMGVpkIUT6kCr6mftjBNXuuIv4dLxZp5QM06nxUgaeldS-JOd0/s1600/IMG_5946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3NFksNDxekSsR2gabvBkdn64OjRFHhRojEvTkhWMdOJCPlXAhv-meOTaDAgHFzPYTQ7Oz7CnbQW7SJeto-VR6IKMpGMGVpkIUT6kCr6mftjBNXuuIv4dLxZp5QM06nxUgaeldS-JOd0/s1600/IMG_5946.jpg" height="458" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Olive Sunbird at Pigeon Valley Park in Durban. This little park has some spectacular trees and very special birds. Spotted Ground Thrushes and Buff-spotted Flufftails are often seen in the park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7QB7WQJ9HmrFN3PqfA5ZKEpWvN1nAXCJ0rM_vB2Bs8Ttutf_W8lYUQTZXu9VNSxERif36Ir5Z-JdKZtecbt7j3W6XQDyB5ZW1VeejGZP-no3XyTYrJeUYBmKT5RpP8tfaeXqn169SNU/s1600/IMG_5943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7QB7WQJ9HmrFN3PqfA5ZKEpWvN1nAXCJ0rM_vB2Bs8Ttutf_W8lYUQTZXu9VNSxERif36Ir5Z-JdKZtecbt7j3W6XQDyB5ZW1VeejGZP-no3XyTYrJeUYBmKT5RpP8tfaeXqn169SNU/s1600/IMG_5943.jpg" height="640" width="404" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Tree Agama (<i>Acanthocercus atricollis</i>) on a tree in the suburbs of Durban.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkxPcw4tHbO4IEqnVGSLFk3b61mmbnTcAKpVAGYqJlPjeczgSvyFUB3E5NeB07UYtjFpOeg_V8D79-IYRwUxtKnbk0syORSnrRU6wKqJ0o63bsZaVeVNaQmb5qeQ3RRlizoohKQjs0Go/s1600/IMG_5921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkxPcw4tHbO4IEqnVGSLFk3b61mmbnTcAKpVAGYqJlPjeczgSvyFUB3E5NeB07UYtjFpOeg_V8D79-IYRwUxtKnbk0syORSnrRU6wKqJ0o63bsZaVeVNaQmb5qeQ3RRlizoohKQjs0Go/s1600/IMG_5921.jpg" height="414" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pied Kingfisher hovering above the Umgeni River at the river mouth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeoJej-SxUKp_AVazInJOYPo8-u77hLXvUdNdXpxMBUfhrCZjTUUKXQiQHGko8lzn2DxdoWr1lP3rxbxcNnO91O9eh8KhzPatt-1BkZP1JvWuhBIxvj4eNb70GmEx9at6v6tSTXE983Q/s1600/IMG_5984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeoJej-SxUKp_AVazInJOYPo8-u77hLXvUdNdXpxMBUfhrCZjTUUKXQiQHGko8lzn2DxdoWr1lP3rxbxcNnO91O9eh8KhzPatt-1BkZP1JvWuhBIxvj4eNb70GmEx9at6v6tSTXE983Q/s1600/IMG_5984.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favourite skink <i>Trachylepis varia</i>, the Variable Skink. These are one of the most common lizards in South Africa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While in <span class="st">the Mzinyathi area, Ebuhleni, Inanda, I saw what is going to be a big problem in the area: illegal sand mining. Basically people are taking huge quantities of sand away in trucks for the building industry. It is not just locals taking sand for their own use, but I saw trucks linked to corporations getting sand at the site. The operation is rather big and there is some earth moving equipment on site which indicates that someone is putting money into the illegal mining. The upside is that there are quite a lot of people employed on the site, but still the environment up there is getting completely destroyed.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1PV_urap9lcsoBATbAw6H6_3rhVPrhsuVQN36PbOsPxdlRfksXBNUMCi0qMycvQhOaHwqNC_wXDF-AdzxSEdItY5IcHIlMjLQetew7XxjWNX7NiZ1urCgcUId1NUUS_1zwn_MO9pElE/s1600/IMG_6002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1PV_urap9lcsoBATbAw6H6_3rhVPrhsuVQN36PbOsPxdlRfksXBNUMCi0qMycvQhOaHwqNC_wXDF-AdzxSEdItY5IcHIlMjLQetew7XxjWNX7NiZ1urCgcUId1NUUS_1zwn_MO9pElE/s1600/IMG_6002.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illegal sand mining operation at <i>Mzinyathi</i>. The caravan is the mine's office. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="st">Looking at the site makes me wonder what legal and more organised forms of sand mining must do to the environment. I think that these small guys are just that: small guys. It makes me think what damage are the big mineral miners doing with their large operations, money and endless demand for their products doing to the environment. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNr4aXcCrSrQOEW-jIzziI-FqVXyG5TnsNwwX_ZKXgc0TYFO-oPQFdV4H69oR6_piNqk4MdWTsZIh7d-cXc-CcwLTLGigU78DiXHXu2g1uT8oTdkwMmUkXWk3u6vbdJT6UWFCTtTnXQDs/s1600/IMG_5996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNr4aXcCrSrQOEW-jIzziI-FqVXyG5TnsNwwX_ZKXgc0TYFO-oPQFdV4H69oR6_piNqk4MdWTsZIh7d-cXc-CcwLTLGigU78DiXHXu2g1uT8oTdkwMmUkXWk3u6vbdJT6UWFCTtTnXQDs/s1600/IMG_5996.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A strange thing to see in the middle of the veld. Dumped cows heads and some hides. There were about 20 heads in total. The cynic in me sees this as a harbinger of things to come.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="st"><br /></span>ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-13892627731901271562014-08-16T13:24:00.001-07:002014-08-23T13:16:41.331-07:00Zululand Rhino Reserve – My time as a Safari Guide<span id="goog_1055370329"></span><span id="goog_1055370330"></span><style>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coastal dune forest at Sodwana at dusk. </td></tr>
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Sometimes in life things are too good to be true. I
experienced a version of this particular platitude earlier this year. During
April I applied for what was the perfect job. The job was a field guide based
in a reserve close to Mkuze and they were not too worried about my experience.
I first traveled to Mkuze in northern Zululand in 2005 and fell in love with
the area. I spent some time camping in Mkuze Game Reserve and had my first
encounter with the incredible biodiversity of the region. I remember many
finding many frogs I had never seen before and insects that I had no idea what
they were. Back then my repertoire of species and biodiversity was narrower
than it is now, but even then the naturalist in me was patrolling the dark camp
for hours at night looking for crawlers. Visiting the region changed something
in me and when I was there all those years ago I knew that I was going to be
steering my life towards the natural world in some way. I have always thought
that if I could get back to the area to work I would be happy. This happened
and I got the job at a lodge in Zululand Rhino Reserve, which is very close to
Mkuze. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickTBHhldBDj7G0FlS4-_cQa9nOus2XXhcRQ3-h3fyl07cLOJNQLYUD3JFG2yZwFn6-WWdMqa73hC1rRb5HPyylm9MOogS4Hum_B_MKQS3Ic_d8Zv6Ahjcsi1XQcA6XvEAqRhRcPkyEVg/s1600/IMG_4004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickTBHhldBDj7G0FlS4-_cQa9nOus2XXhcRQ3-h3fyl07cLOJNQLYUD3JFG2yZwFn6-WWdMqa73hC1rRb5HPyylm9MOogS4Hum_B_MKQS3Ic_d8Zv6Ahjcsi1XQcA6XvEAqRhRcPkyEVg/s1600/IMG_4004.jpg" height="446" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Thelotornis capensis, </i>aptly named the Twig Snake or Vine Snake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I went on a very steep learning curve and had to learn the
ropes of guiding and the road network as fast as possible. I managed this and
with a few bumps along the way I eventually was doing good game drives and
getting good feed back. The job was intense and high energy. I would get up
4:15 am everyday and start getting ready. Before my drive I had to be looking
sharp, have the vehicle ready (all checks done) and have the coffee station
ready for my guests arrival. After a quick coffee we would depart on game drive
at about six. After a three hour or so game drive I would have breakfast with
my guests and then either wash my car or do another activity. Then at 14:30 I
would be back at the lodge to eat quick and begin the preparations for the
afternoon/night game drive. The game drive would get back at about seven and
then I would still have to host the guests for a while before going back to my
room to sleep, usually around ten. I would work like that for three weeks
straight.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlwFyN41u-p-FBLF2Id09Q3zWaXN2uZE5JglR5ZZanEJgftofD8i773o-j1JhWTBJUE8255XgzaKD7a4ILWA1ldnvWb7TKm-q3aN_terkejaunjPcI2BvJslqSbWeS3VGPDetcKmMmcs/s1600/IMG_2434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlwFyN41u-p-FBLF2Id09Q3zWaXN2uZE5JglR5ZZanEJgftofD8i773o-j1JhWTBJUE8255XgzaKD7a4ILWA1ldnvWb7TKm-q3aN_terkejaunjPcI2BvJslqSbWeS3VGPDetcKmMmcs/s1600/IMG_2434.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eastern Tiger Snake, <i>Telescopus semiannulatus</i>, a beautiful, nocturnal hunter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_AJP0QJJYXseUsPbjRGCoyczd8PJZDDOBF-kFYN0ALqUwZPf3LjfwQmL1RD2-PQi-xqc6VEtcye6WYxTOpJWjc4U2rM9I4GkpTvJToQdQZnPzZ5_RfyjlRQxDXl6uuQ5S6jMui6s0-0/s1600/IMG_2497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_AJP0QJJYXseUsPbjRGCoyczd8PJZDDOBF-kFYN0ALqUwZPf3LjfwQmL1RD2-PQi-xqc6VEtcye6WYxTOpJWjc4U2rM9I4GkpTvJToQdQZnPzZ5_RfyjlRQxDXl6uuQ5S6jMui6s0-0/s1600/IMG_2497.jpg" height="390" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The Leopard Tortoise, <i>Stigmochelys pardalis.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The job I was doing out there was vehicle based nature
guiding. It was a very different job to what I am used to and a nature
experience from a vehicle is very different to one on foot. One covers a lot
ground, about 25km per drive and the focus is on the bigger animals, such as
mammals and birds. The area I was working in was part of the Black Rhino
Expansion Project, led by Ezemvelo Wildlife, World Wildlife Fund and other role
players. To regularly see these animals, which are suffering so much from human
pressure, was a privilege. The Black Rhinoceros is going extinct at a rate, which
indicates that it will soon be completely obliterated from our world.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOwecP4VceMfr5QOB65e3SC3ww5V3jjwvqHteHwp6VG5rsMB2rG1lkzrRJUGwO-lGwjvaStrhFV8uOkn13xwnlEtkyvsRdi2WP0TEetZHhEKHc0uJCMI4PylrfdFin4EQJtY6ZPeF308/s1600/IMG_2154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOwecP4VceMfr5QOB65e3SC3ww5V3jjwvqHteHwp6VG5rsMB2rG1lkzrRJUGwO-lGwjvaStrhFV8uOkn13xwnlEtkyvsRdi2WP0TEetZHhEKHc0uJCMI4PylrfdFin4EQJtY6ZPeF308/s1600/IMG_2154.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> A beautiful sight, a Black Rhinoceros (<b></b><i>Diceros bicornis</i><i></i>) out in the open. The Zululand Rhino Reserve is playing a role in the preservation of this species. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Doing this job I learned a lot about people and myself and
of course my self in relation to other people. I also learned a lot
about the
lodge industry, private game reserves, conservation and the role of
money in
all of it. It is an interesting system and I will definitely be writing
about
it in detail in the future. I was able to see the workings of the
private game
reserve as a game farm from the inside. It is a closed system and in
many ways it
is artificial. That aside, I did have some incredible experiences, I saw
some very interesting animals encounters and witnessed magical
interactions, I also met some
amazing people. </div>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFA0gbltJlcgzjCBe3JN53VawRL57xi9emjs5BkrReYI2pUomZpD4oq25uLP1nkjE7-STBeHS3wmQxOrUc9GOnwSTCmABvrOGb3A7-HM18WVnm_4SqiVaeNBY1O8SUY5omGdE0duVa8c/s1600/IMG_2192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFA0gbltJlcgzjCBe3JN53VawRL57xi9emjs5BkrReYI2pUomZpD4oq25uLP1nkjE7-STBeHS3wmQxOrUc9GOnwSTCmABvrOGb3A7-HM18WVnm_4SqiVaeNBY1O8SUY5omGdE0duVa8c/s1600/IMG_2192.jpg" height="370" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A powerful predator. This female lioness was often seen down in the river bed. This is what tourists want to see.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEg5ddCfuI2oqZhg5g4-_sMrMdIQeKyWHG5X2BNa6TUlVDv8DoDVipwNfex7kcKvDZj1lDI_FARk7Y6wiSc6k_xZDoYSGyoHgDG3zBivGDWy2ZTAIdbbOGhyfVCBHecTpvRks2UX4-_U/s1600/IMG_2209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEg5ddCfuI2oqZhg5g4-_sMrMdIQeKyWHG5X2BNa6TUlVDv8DoDVipwNfex7kcKvDZj1lDI_FARk7Y6wiSc6k_xZDoYSGyoHgDG3zBivGDWy2ZTAIdbbOGhyfVCBHecTpvRks2UX4-_U/s1600/IMG_2209.jpg" height="446" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impalas are one of the most graceful antelope. Due to the excellent grazing on the reserve these animals were in very good condition.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhGFC7OM6EnEs5NZHcE8JiaqzZQRZ5iDqgckL6BKOr0rSqBj4EHkgRC6fhT6Qc1_VKKBhR2krN-P3dJm_KnwKZQle0SzQqa6k37Z_AJacOEWmdnj5SkTJoSGJzi64fmBk8JCL426QxRk/s1600/IMG_3844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhGFC7OM6EnEs5NZHcE8JiaqzZQRZ5iDqgckL6BKOr0rSqBj4EHkgRC6fhT6Qc1_VKKBhR2krN-P3dJm_KnwKZQle0SzQqa6k37Z_AJacOEWmdnj5SkTJoSGJzi64fmBk8JCL426QxRk/s1600/IMG_3844.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="kno-fv _jI">Another animal under immense human pressure, the White Rhinocerous </span><span class="kno-fv _jI">(</span><i><span class="kno-fv _jI">Ceratotherium simum</span></i><span class="kno-fv _jI">).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mO883pNfHkoehKmiN-0GfaDSHsPEfXlMjkdOjpMDEB8thbrQ3n0M1oUh4RxGJUGrQRFISzXTjX-qM6-QxEBR7v4BkWQoT7Sg96xGlFLTka5YzYevoG8UHPjnlEwr1RwZWHqTTHsSDHI/s1600/IMG_3867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mO883pNfHkoehKmiN-0GfaDSHsPEfXlMjkdOjpMDEB8thbrQ3n0M1oUh4RxGJUGrQRFISzXTjX-qM6-QxEBR7v4BkWQoT7Sg96xGlFLTka5YzYevoG8UHPjnlEwr1RwZWHqTTHsSDHI/s1600/IMG_3867.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birding in the reserve is excellent. The Burchell's Coucal (<i>Centropus burchellii</i>) is abundant in the area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTm5Kfyjs7ReCkbeP6j9lddbney8TkGP8lXpttHCGI79dY-qvPJkL-t-7qG8XHcTrAVHoC6JVaxqjfeQDFi0ujp0YZKaXmll3bcz1NBBPh9owmgaKKX_WeRgpaUFFAHqYujwAg6r0dLA/s1600/IMG_4359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTm5Kfyjs7ReCkbeP6j9lddbney8TkGP8lXpttHCGI79dY-qvPJkL-t-7qG8XHcTrAVHoC6JVaxqjfeQDFi0ujp0YZKaXmll3bcz1NBBPh9owmgaKKX_WeRgpaUFFAHqYujwAg6r0dLA/s1600/IMG_4359.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nile Crocodile (<i>Crocodylus niloticus</i>). These ancient reptiles are not very common in the reserve, but a few of the water bodies have one or two. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmPDhU3Ub-a78Cbe6_FUYcypvxYEdBcO3lXJ4VD0XtJERNLyQr2_lXKHYczeSMS1iLxWHikC4-F8p5ReS77pWbeh63_z6S-Epfvekd8G6wXU1hizDahBWVblqfynpGxGEl18L61Yw-JE/s1600/IMG_4669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmPDhU3Ub-a78Cbe6_FUYcypvxYEdBcO3lXJ4VD0XtJERNLyQr2_lXKHYczeSMS1iLxWHikC4-F8p5ReS77pWbeh63_z6S-Epfvekd8G6wXU1hizDahBWVblqfynpGxGEl18L61Yw-JE/s1600/IMG_4669.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Giraffe (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis</i>) a truly bizarre looking animal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9MHwM9tIU8aeEbTL7nEKKrR4jgwgGXh8HplplI19-F7YQyReNH842vQokuKoXrSyWKdFYsysFccqnmnlEX_OLdA7esLSF7M6R8uqZU2gjywXVc3RkQpBl7OdyCpnqmVkIbRkdqC-1xI/s1600/IMG_4758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9MHwM9tIU8aeEbTL7nEKKrR4jgwgGXh8HplplI19-F7YQyReNH842vQokuKoXrSyWKdFYsysFccqnmnlEX_OLdA7esLSF7M6R8uqZU2gjywXVc3RkQpBl7OdyCpnqmVkIbRkdqC-1xI/s1600/IMG_4758.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Reed Buck (<i>Redunca arundinum</i>). A beautiful and shy antelope.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_jZb7DeiQy1VMV5b3z-37VUJqCVLVcEJ4Ze465KdzllZ_2wTABrv6sZJFP8Xd99zhBuiL97rabL9v8UEUTUfwAgJ1Lq7_PnOG68QDgCyC0ULDXMBgRa6MrJ4tuKhKXfJCjVZQEITP34/s1600/IMG_4768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_jZb7DeiQy1VMV5b3z-37VUJqCVLVcEJ4Ze465KdzllZ_2wTABrv6sZJFP8Xd99zhBuiL97rabL9v8UEUTUfwAgJ1Lq7_PnOG68QDgCyC0ULDXMBgRa6MrJ4tuKhKXfJCjVZQEITP34/s1600/IMG_4768.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Owl (<i>Asio capensis capensis</i>). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpXc5AVAPx6-VSid5-zed-czAFmFfywPodZh4sekAjJX2nliJJ6wxsnGIlhySvKepfIp1jI0CbnDf7pedP4IIuAWq-BzE3WPVA00dYgTAfIPsSXnc1khj8XLcs8jrmJsnBFaSHXrGaDk/s1600/IMG_4782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpXc5AVAPx6-VSid5-zed-czAFmFfywPodZh4sekAjJX2nliJJ6wxsnGIlhySvKepfIp1jI0CbnDf7pedP4IIuAWq-BzE3WPVA00dYgTAfIPsSXnc1khj8XLcs8jrmJsnBFaSHXrGaDk/s1600/IMG_4782.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A morning scene with White-backed Vultures (<i>Gyps africanus</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEMratirDViSAQ3tZlHPEiTY1101CcIgMX_7Z-Nbey75lOWz6D5v73Y_9VNUgHCKTQGAVwCza8a7ML5I1deUXiSRFbr6SxnMITwH4avtpzRk5o7x9PT1HRXA5OAjzR4UyPQH_fLZjChI/s1600/IMG_4825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEMratirDViSAQ3tZlHPEiTY1101CcIgMX_7Z-Nbey75lOWz6D5v73Y_9VNUgHCKTQGAVwCza8a7ML5I1deUXiSRFbr6SxnMITwH4avtpzRk5o7x9PT1HRXA5OAjzR4UyPQH_fLZjChI/s1600/IMG_4825.jpg" height="368" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Cheetah (<i>Acinonyx jubatus</i>). <i><br /></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sLr3UT14LA4jEJAeaKf1ZZuGtGURxx9Wpy8WazxLWonUJf7uvF-YJfjA19QRofBJ9H6CCaP-krB_7Kk86qaMiRY9sNfY4-wR9vIRZK99uqdCTkiaRSK0PAsVp4qng8Ye0JXXzYwqk3Y/s1600/IMG_2524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sLr3UT14LA4jEJAeaKf1ZZuGtGURxx9Wpy8WazxLWonUJf7uvF-YJfjA19QRofBJ9H6CCaP-krB_7Kk86qaMiRY9sNfY4-wR9vIRZK99uqdCTkiaRSK0PAsVp4qng8Ye0JXXzYwqk3Y/s1600/IMG_2524.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Moon and Venus before sunrise.</td></tr>
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One of the most significantexperiences I had while working
in Zululand was going scuba diving for the first time. I was fortunate enough
to get sponsored to go Sodwana Bay and consider life from the bottom of the
ocean. There are such strange organisms under there and it was a life changing
experience to see them and swim in that environment. After my first dives in
the ocean I took a long walk and sitting on the beach I got thinking about my
life and the way it had led me to that singular moment sitting there
considering my experiences, I was moved and could see where I am going and I
could see that everything that was happening to me in the last two months, a
job, doing nature guiding, the money I got, the way I felt in relation to all
of it:</div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The moon has risen. Bright. Reflecting. A dead lump of rock
ejected from our world in a distant time. Coldly shining. The shadow of the
earth slowly creeps, soon darkness will reign. Vision changes: blue, blackgrey.
A calmness pervades everything. The solar system slowly begins to reveal
itself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mars, our brother. Dying, dead or at rest? Jupiter, strange
gas world. Embryonic. Titanic. Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to our
sun. Sirius, the bright one. Indifferent. Incomprehensible. </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"In some remote
corner of the sprawling universe, twinkling among the countless solar systems
there was once a star on which some clever animals invented knowledge. It was
the most arrogant, most mendacious minute in "world history," but it
was only a minute. After nature caught its breath a little the star froze and
the clever animals had to die.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>"*</b></span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><b><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sitting alone in the darkness, nameless and for a moment
detached. Desolation emanates from deep inside my brain. For a moment I feel
that I have connected on some level with the rest of the universe. I quickly
realise the mistake. The sensation is an illusion. I am alone. I am part of a
great nothingness. <br />
<br />
I have never been born. I have never lived. I have never died. I am born.
I live. I will die and I will become nothing as I am now. Nothing changing,
nothing staying the same. Eternity becomes physical, the universe – time
itself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The vast emptiness fills my head and makes me drunk. I am
alone and I have no problem.</span></div>
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Looking up at the stars, my brain shivered and I could see
it was all just a dream. </div>
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Soon after that I resigned my job. My future is different
now.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2R7Kbb81PBZ93QyCyDPPse9XDyhvBkwldpAE5KemCLAJWZlwNNN-tXxPtvp4rlojBui664_oxneI7v0_P_QYZRLvsb1CcKkoaXEWXsi86un-q4wR61__vOzAz6l61OKB_mILE66Iwnj4/s1600/IMG_1869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2R7Kbb81PBZ93QyCyDPPse9XDyhvBkwldpAE5KemCLAJWZlwNNN-tXxPtvp4rlojBui664_oxneI7v0_P_QYZRLvsb1CcKkoaXEWXsi86un-q4wR61__vOzAz6l61OKB_mILE66Iwnj4/s1600/IMG_1869.jpg" height="406" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tandy's Sandfrog (<i>Tomopterna tandyi</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uFrwp7-8F7FMUd88PdJAOPPDG3FJB1OBfl5zsICwzCLzUgAlc5s5PtHAowQMDd5jurKeNz52ZVrDpjsHtK4gaMOGVMWvOlpumRt5oMNELSHqXYrvvvqXjfqWrMjvm6f2li4cXUA1MLQ/s1600/IMG_1870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uFrwp7-8F7FMUd88PdJAOPPDG3FJB1OBfl5zsICwzCLzUgAlc5s5PtHAowQMDd5jurKeNz52ZVrDpjsHtK4gaMOGVMWvOlpumRt5oMNELSHqXYrvvvqXjfqWrMjvm6f2li4cXUA1MLQ/s1600/IMG_1870.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mozambique Rain Frog (<i>Breviceps mossambicus</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">* Nietzche, F. ‘On truth and lie in a nonmoral sense’.
In, <i>On Truth and Untruth</i>. Edited by
T. Carman. 2007. Harper Perennial: New York. (pg 17–18)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-50201089593489144982014-04-17T13:36:00.001-07:002014-04-17T14:25:31.236-07:00Soutpansberg Mountains – A Sanctuary for Endemism and Biodiversity<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35gSjPEeBfoo676CSu9schpYht155JntsYzylKJgmKME2sN55TubYuYE3b2ubnZ7JQlRpLOraN2sVUzsBxeYwdnbo2EKFJ8R3eAdARE1Miruor2GOzMoLWjnIJCYRtiatGMBooQZmqA4/s1600/IMG_1129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35gSjPEeBfoo676CSu9schpYht155JntsYzylKJgmKME2sN55TubYuYE3b2ubnZ7JQlRpLOraN2sVUzsBxeYwdnbo2EKFJ8R3eAdARE1Miruor2GOzMoLWjnIJCYRtiatGMBooQZmqA4/s1600/IMG_1129.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Sand River, looking south.</td></tr>
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For the month of March 2014 I was
based in the Soutpansberg on a property called Medike Mountain Sanctuary.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span></span></span></a> My
self-imposed mandate was to work on a trail through the mountains to a neighbouring
property, to do a herpetological survey, learn more about the fauna and flora
of the area and to simultaneously enhance my skills and knowledge of the
veld.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfLjZuaCBjQglz8nPbr7KB7WGBhcdLlZ8HNODY787FolqWoOZduGsY3tKcjyqIVb0CkCyRM13emP6urjFbWd3wcSufFNSb2-GlgrnWvhkyqny027rxe2GzVqpIj8-ZWFo4cU68pGh5PY/s1600/IMG_1580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfLjZuaCBjQglz8nPbr7KB7WGBhcdLlZ8HNODY787FolqWoOZduGsY3tKcjyqIVb0CkCyRM13emP6urjFbWd3wcSufFNSb2-GlgrnWvhkyqny027rxe2GzVqpIj8-ZWFo4cU68pGh5PY/s1600/IMG_1580.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from a peak looking down on the Sand River Gorge in a north-easterly direction.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Medike Mountain Sanctuary is
located to the west of Louis Trichard, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The
property is owned and run by conservationists Hannes and Marietjie Underhay.
They have been in the Soutpansberg area since 1986 and they have been at Medike
for many years. The property is interesting as it not a nature reserve, but
part of a conservation concession. The Sand River, a tributary of the Limpopo River
runs through the property from South to North. There is also a railway line
that runs through the property. The accommodation on the property is variable
but comfortable and there is no electricity. There is a small campsite, two big
cottages, a wooden house and an isolated hut called Mongezi, this is where I
spent the month. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0vnYj1kpqYghBhUvb6EW1UBOLRdmhrUL8rWR8H4XeVFW93nbenexo3ZZriZiLnIh22_pCy-HVpLJtRXgZauJzN3mfURQqfU_AuZHJnrxAGA7jDcpK7lS3ym8Nt-ykKldt525zkJGQwk/s1600/IMG_1156.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Spinetail Millipede (<em>Harpagophoridae</em>), I have often seen millipedes with red on them and even millipedes with a reddish colouration, but this specimen was a very striking red. No doubt full of toxins. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuHAiVafKH9rypm2Kl2hk8wC6iHSxdAJ9etRKcCj-puUvrBHUYWj4LUhtvBUY7zdxPeqq4LcFfsaHjfditScsQazY9C_jfXWQzw6I23oS6YqVdbF2CUCb8yFfggKQhTZM1at70eV9Koc/s1600/IMG_1403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuHAiVafKH9rypm2Kl2hk8wC6iHSxdAJ9etRKcCj-puUvrBHUYWj4LUhtvBUY7zdxPeqq4LcFfsaHjfditScsQazY9C_jfXWQzw6I23oS6YqVdbF2CUCb8yFfggKQhTZM1at70eV9Koc/s1600/IMG_1403.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Solifuge was hunting at night. The skin on its abdomen was translucent and I can see what appears to be fat cells through the wall of the abdomen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcxjE3EcxW-Rbu7cBTW1ZIQlLKn_gnaKGel5lmXDQgyJWZAlQgAXzmjwfeVcpwCEOn1P1Y8_opWA2YUFhhuWY0Vq-1HZZQ0xE7KCEVndEsG2uKa4lG3sj_j6TTj4qipbDJYyYqIf5JJY/s1600/IMG_1392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcxjE3EcxW-Rbu7cBTW1ZIQlLKn_gnaKGel5lmXDQgyJWZAlQgAXzmjwfeVcpwCEOn1P1Y8_opWA2YUFhhuWY0Vq-1HZZQ0xE7KCEVndEsG2uKa4lG3sj_j6TTj4qipbDJYyYqIf5JJY/s1600/IMG_1392.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Garden Orb Web Spider, <i>Argiope</i>, was found moving on the ground at night.<i> </i>I must have knocked it off its web earlier that evening without noticing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-M-WCruqQdbVsIvFbSww_ogymNXYKI4AbmFQ9C0uSkEv80TVSHkbdPM3cVeAM6Mc0HrYJq4jdzTp9QqFQWEaWSGsBuyzE_2wPwX79fHP8qJgK0KJSAbFGVAm51NLYEdwDcti9KLI_AC8/s1600/IMG_1516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-M-WCruqQdbVsIvFbSww_ogymNXYKI4AbmFQ9C0uSkEv80TVSHkbdPM3cVeAM6Mc0HrYJq4jdzTp9QqFQWEaWSGsBuyzE_2wPwX79fHP8qJgK0KJSAbFGVAm51NLYEdwDcti9KLI_AC8/s1600/IMG_1516.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong><span><em>Opistophthalmus glabrifrons. </em>These are extreme animals and are able to tolerate the toxins in millipedes which they are partial to. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxiBz0HxGCFI7LLuDhaoQ55M97BprFXJ_RUI9byYKV-ujcUKWzTqPNyqa5wA3zlMxEG9RaPzAyDm918OiCaDOSSotA-_UaWW0sTqDM0rKNmfvmSUTC17w6d0Z6QnpwnaJmYKTXMjuhXE/s1600/IMG_0637.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxiBz0HxGCFI7LLuDhaoQ55M97BprFXJ_RUI9byYKV-ujcUKWzTqPNyqa5wA3zlMxEG9RaPzAyDm918OiCaDOSSotA-_UaWW0sTqDM0rKNmfvmSUTC17w6d0Z6QnpwnaJmYKTXMjuhXE/s1600/IMG_0637.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Moving through the grass, this Predatory Katydid (<em>Perigueyella</em>) is a formidable predator. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1Nit3mHBHblRFS7Nlo8-QlV5qYRbyW2XmG4PSuLJgLrogPt3FWPpT1MiziKYnT7zLRCpS9yCFByK7N1iPhW2zcPWY7E3WLv8yD0-0a0rbE8YaEjc100euLIZW_OC3opJbUWZDFMI9ds/s1600/IMG_0915.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1Nit3mHBHblRFS7Nlo8-QlV5qYRbyW2XmG4PSuLJgLrogPt3FWPpT1MiziKYnT7zLRCpS9yCFByK7N1iPhW2zcPWY7E3WLv8yD0-0a0rbE8YaEjc100euLIZW_OC3opJbUWZDFMI9ds/s1600/IMG_0915.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>The Magnificent Jewel Beetle<em>, Amblysterna natalensis</em>. This is one of the most beautiful insects, the biology of this species is not very well know, but they are associated with Acacia(Vachelia/Senagalia) and Dichrostachys. Some species of Jewel Beetles are very long lived and larvae of over 30 years old have been reported. This individual was about four centimetres in length.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUoZ88VACTBvxZZ4BI8dMLEAO7tYpjpfsk1OUJlt3qqrQnB6C-f7lmeiSuM3IbXkFsrTbzWhdzJr0Y26ZKOLy-UYluRdO0EFUUpRphQ4Ga1j1ALFy1rHYA5e0VZ4X7_9TdCR8gfDmh40/s1600/IMG_0952.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUoZ88VACTBvxZZ4BI8dMLEAO7tYpjpfsk1OUJlt3qqrQnB6C-f7lmeiSuM3IbXkFsrTbzWhdzJr0Y26ZKOLy-UYluRdO0EFUUpRphQ4Ga1j1ALFy1rHYA5e0VZ4X7_9TdCR8gfDmh40/s1600/IMG_0952.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Gay Weevil (<em>Polyclaeis equestris</em>). Another beautiful beetle associated with </span><br /><span>Acacia (Vachelia/Senagalia) trees.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeczWjfl6ml3tXAL5AAbbcndwf8LMU4gK5y6r78azL2xBCIt_uOF87BRxEKQMq8gS18hidSKbBrEW4VlZ1bNZGap5LrcOsfsnImdVXNb_LksOLcEkJ-C9JvpWeIWK93cPpTmbJN_wDW8/s1600/IMG_0548.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeczWjfl6ml3tXAL5AAbbcndwf8LMU4gK5y6r78azL2xBCIt_uOF87BRxEKQMq8gS18hidSKbBrEW4VlZ1bNZGap5LrcOsfsnImdVXNb_LksOLcEkJ-C9JvpWeIWK93cPpTmbJN_wDW8/s1600/IMG_0548.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><em>Acanthoplus armativentris, </em></span>these animals are fantastic. The larger winged individuals make a rattling sound while they are feeding. I wonder if this is to attract more individuals of the same species to the food source?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cCQRsm2YeXP44Kx72XJq2UtxxSbrZXpAVddv-g3hF_WxswJwL1ioPGXdduZfbmzAABw260_lPJj0sWJWL_uHaocGmD3NJAsLCZi0646iMAVZL0zxPqCogGrtWeP2Q9ZnpVwFb0oodSw/s1600/IMG_1197.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cCQRsm2YeXP44Kx72XJq2UtxxSbrZXpAVddv-g3hF_WxswJwL1ioPGXdduZfbmzAABw260_lPJj0sWJWL_uHaocGmD3NJAsLCZi0646iMAVZL0zxPqCogGrtWeP2Q9ZnpVwFb0oodSw/s1600/IMG_1197.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of the compound eyes of a newly emerged Dragonfly. Essentially the whole front part of the animal is made up of eyes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa9mMQoK1-JwWUMd5OR4Qwi7QiBhZMYTfuSXQK7LNf1kcIS5XZmLtDvAg8hiB5DTdkKVjibFJuYioM-wS6PpJuhffMdPGnp2NhKpdAKWHdNr-aUoB70shd6cDplPmSNxMpI-WvRwKbBo/s1600/IMG_1649.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa9mMQoK1-JwWUMd5OR4Qwi7QiBhZMYTfuSXQK7LNf1kcIS5XZmLtDvAg8hiB5DTdkKVjibFJuYioM-wS6PpJuhffMdPGnp2NhKpdAKWHdNr-aUoB70shd6cDplPmSNxMpI-WvRwKbBo/s1600/IMG_1649.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> This is one of the few scorpions I saw during the month of March. <strong> </strong><span><em>Uroplectes vittatus</em>, </span>a beautiful scorpion, the patterning and colouration at first seems
ordinary, but as soon as you look a little closer it becomes exquisite.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-zsUMLEio8Ja7U1AV3wsgkVo615GB8ph92vHGubB17ZNkf33vO-qQzsrzff8sxYX0wXLBmfFZ99D8RbGMyVG1UQHjUkAh1VmZB5J1RAARVhxpfdKKpOb8IO-J_KIRkFmK8V51vsP4Ic/s1600/IMG_1239.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-zsUMLEio8Ja7U1AV3wsgkVo615GB8ph92vHGubB17ZNkf33vO-qQzsrzff8sxYX0wXLBmfFZ99D8RbGMyVG1UQHjUkAh1VmZB5J1RAARVhxpfdKKpOb8IO-J_KIRkFmK8V51vsP4Ic/s1600/IMG_1239.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong><span><em>Pachycondyla. T</em></span>his is the biggest ant I have seen. Slow moving and on its own, it stopped to clean itself while I took this picture. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Medike Mountain Sanctuary has a
rather large diversity of habitats. The Sand River Gorge is mostly made up of
valley bushveld, but because of the mountains there are many other habitats,
including grassy slopes, riverine forest, thickets, rocky ridges and even
sandveld. The great diversity of habitats has led to a high species endemism
and a high biodiversity in the Soutpansberg.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span></span></span></a> In
the future I hope to work with specialists and do more detailed surveys into
the plants, invertebrates and small mammals of the region.<br />
<br />
The following serves as an
exposition of the biodiversity I documented and observed during my time in the
Soutpansberg at Medike. My primary research objective during the month was to
observe reptiles and work on the creation of a reptile list. What I found was
only a fraction of what occurs in the area; but from a research perspective the
month was very productive. I found and photographed many lizards and a few
snakes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCSMRBsJAQioRykUNcog7j6vp1dpHR-61netEByNCfxhoYVKZqO4LTElwMs7aH1Zn0UEbGH5MzryDmLRbEDGortmDHNLxV8eN27cz2zygZXTvimMvZJTIWeNEvzPi_ycTkwPKcXUVJco/s1600/IMG_1604.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCSMRBsJAQioRykUNcog7j6vp1dpHR-61netEByNCfxhoYVKZqO4LTElwMs7aH1Zn0UEbGH5MzryDmLRbEDGortmDHNLxV8eN27cz2zygZXTvimMvZJTIWeNEvzPi_ycTkwPKcXUVJco/s1600/IMG_1604.jpg" height="418" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Speke's Hinged Tortoise<em>, Kinixys spekii, </em>this juvenile was found basking in the road. A few days later I saw it on a civetry, perhaps it was eating arthropod exoskeletons for the calcium carbonate, a key ingredient for the development of this animal's carapace. <em><br /></em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxXutUy8MSe-DJ9W53eJRwPBYfkh4CQy5PuStJynS6G486HEnpDl5gZvb5y6qsyiGdWeL7WEcC3Ji2rYOljrIcTm49WiNK8zG2ibBKYSoUNhx2Qcegivk5x6gBJFDoyzZedFcXFfx8Eg/s1600/IMG_1393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxXutUy8MSe-DJ9W53eJRwPBYfkh4CQy5PuStJynS6G486HEnpDl5gZvb5y6qsyiGdWeL7WEcC3Ji2rYOljrIcTm49WiNK8zG2ibBKYSoUNhx2Qcegivk5x6gBJFDoyzZedFcXFfx8Eg/s1600/IMG_1393.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><em>Lygodactylus capensis subsp. capensis</em>, the Common Dwarf Gecko. These diurnal geckos are widespread, this is one of three species occurring in the Soutpansberg region.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reptiles</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
To give an impression of the high reptilian
diversity in the area, here is a list of lizards I found in and around the hut
I was living in (30 metres in any direction): Common House Gecko; Wahlberg’s
Velvet Gecko; Flat Gecko, Turner’s Tubercled Gecko; Common Dwarf Gecko;
Wahlberg’s Snake-eyed Skink; Limpopo Dwarf Burrowing Skink; Rainbow Skink;
Soutpansberg Girdled Lizard; Variable Skink; Peter’s Ground Agama and Flap-necked
Chameleon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having all these reptiles
around was a pleasure and it allowed me to observe them at my leisure. A few
individuals became very accustomed to my presence and I got to observe some
interesting behaviours. Below is a brief summary of the behaviours I observed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho893rfLQiOZrOeIis0kVyTLsDk_AAx-49TkClqenYRndCBmCydjETCrR5Wg_f6Q-8so2QHUWyT1AL3qofbjdiC-FVu1PSatFdtTx-3eDToCTC2YTB0_y0WH6dEZJ5gOkm6RySWBHIJ_E/s1600/IMG_1430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho893rfLQiOZrOeIis0kVyTLsDk_AAx-49TkClqenYRndCBmCydjETCrR5Wg_f6Q-8so2QHUWyT1AL3qofbjdiC-FVu1PSatFdtTx-3eDToCTC2YTB0_y0WH6dEZJ5gOkm6RySWBHIJ_E/s1600/IMG_1430.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Peter's Ground Agama, <em>Agama armata. </em>I saw several individuals of this species in the area. In cladistics Agamas, Chameleons, Monitor Lizards and Snakes are all 'closely related' and they make up a group known as the venom clade.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSZi_IavBnlYl9YtwA5E2oCLpuzxpmQGKowr48ULEl1YhEtGGh71N9_x8EF6y5WMoLsczNqiHAyZAx67oerWLNQwWTK7-iHwsKmCw9OtOzXx70JUR2Yh8nkVMusurtc1nMnvxmoK2e0M/s1600/IMG_1350.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trachylepis varia, </i>the Variable Skink. These skinks are one of my favourite reptiles. This one shows a regenerated tail and a scar on its shoulder.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Flat Geckos</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The taxonomic status of this
species is currently unresolved. I know that it is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Afrodura, </i>SARCA (South African Reptile Conservation Assessment)
lists two tentative species for the region. I am busy trying to figure out
which species these are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were many
individuals of this genus in and around my hut. They seemed to be unaffected by
the Tropical House Geckos which they shared a living space with (although a
follow up would need to be done to confirm this). The flat geckos moved off the
walls of the house and ventured into the surrounding environment to forage at
night. When it rained I would often see individuals moving swiftly over open
ground back to the shelter of the hut. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPzKfngd4wK_SsWUmti-msGqqvjXqPtFU96nJkmJqct0CbafeFVY5cS8ntUtTqOg7Xqr4JuIqu2MLrGi4tN5qK_zJ5aMVzoLJZKv3ndZq6BxjBOpwr4EBywTnAz5JZAue6ySnxS9fhiY/s1600/IMG_1211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPzKfngd4wK_SsWUmti-msGqqvjXqPtFU96nJkmJqct0CbafeFVY5cS8ntUtTqOg7Xqr4JuIqu2MLrGi4tN5qK_zJ5aMVzoLJZKv3ndZq6BxjBOpwr4EBywTnAz5JZAue6ySnxS9fhiY/s1600/IMG_1211.jpg" height="372" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Afroedura spp, </i>some confusion with these geckos. According to SARCA there are two
tentative species in the area "A. pienaari" and "A. soutpansbergensis". Their taxonomy is still to be resolved.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
These geckos are relatively slow
moving and became rather tame. Many individuals of various sizes were seen to
share the shelter of the hut. One rainy evening I watched a Flat Gecko enter
the hut and move to a small crack on some shelving against the wall of the hut
where the gecko hid for four days (it seemed to have maintained the exact same
position for four days).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGf-p6B8DrzUTJ0KGCrpBAXdviQ5PHf2etIGtZ3Fl7WzUZadbiYjq3TzKjdgHSREep_Pa0fr_c-61XxadiFZ6e7veq_vRuLDRb_vK0_3c77s34LQzAgKfXTvTxYdV4rlsxo8UvqUTwVJk/s1600/IMG_0807.jpg" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Afroedura spp</i>, there were many of these Flat Geckos around the house. This is an adult. They superficially resemble house geckos, however their bodies are smooth and their movement is different. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Soutpansberg Girdled Lizards and Rainbow Skinks</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
When I first moved into the hut
there were three individuals around the hut. My presence immediately scared one
away (I only saw it on the first two days). Then there were two that inhabited
their individual rocks. One was caked in mud, which suggests to me that it
lived under a rock in burrow and one inhabited a large crack which ran
horizontally along the surface of a large flat boulder. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvQLaIZ9d5lhI6nVuvKECHfvD7XEoG_Ukt3jLyha4SpOKRcMIkmOSTbkSb66fpsgpm7KbdyuU2DIQP4-n3sfUHEKxMUz8pmBAByMwgn2HjjYwsh7tg-mCN0eGmfJK7kMPHkTlISCVRfs/s1600/IMG_0589.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Flat Girdled Lizard, <em>Smaug warreni subsp. depressus. </em>This individual was caked in mud and was a regular sight around my hut until one day it was gone. <em><br /></em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The lizard caked in mud
spent about ten days on its rock but then suddenly disappeared and I never saw
it again. The lizard inhabiting the large flat rock became far more accustomed
to my presence, it did however disappear for about eleven days. Where it went,
I have no idea. During this lizard’s disappearance a large female rainbow skink
moved into the crack and stayed for a few days. On<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a certain day a large male Rainbow skink
appeared and the female Rainbow Skink disappeared. Then one day the Girdled Lizard
was back and so was the female Rainbow Skink. By the time I left both lizards
were still on the rock.</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3eaHz9ihCkrC69-LlG5P2WUZMeaXSU-PSTeEdaVs2RdfVTt80q3zyt1dlhebNNP5YzXrYhePZGiAlQBuFllzC54fgVvuaHEQuwuVjr9kZx9zUzKh3b75etpLIofm_Ip_8nc-zDqb-f0/s1600/IMG_0591.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3eaHz9ihCkrC69-LlG5P2WUZMeaXSU-PSTeEdaVs2RdfVTt80q3zyt1dlhebNNP5YzXrYhePZGiAlQBuFllzC54fgVvuaHEQuwuVjr9kZx9zUzKh3b75etpLIofm_Ip_8nc-zDqb-f0/s1600/IMG_0591.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Flat Girdled Lizard (<em>Smaug warreni subsp. depressus</em>). This individual was immediately scared off by my presence. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Flap-necked Chameleons</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
In the grass around my hut there
were a few juvenile Flap-necked Chameleons. I was unable to observe these
individuals during the day as they are notoriously cryptic. I did however note
that the chameleons were partial to stay in the same vicinity for a few days
before disappearing and favoured sleeping locations between 60cm and 140cm. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaJCpkKRKEbBplI-NQAfnlqpP7HgkgYh4WyrIMJJj5L1fFOIG1HHipJRGtAhY6ipSjmWcDZyI5hM7Hv4Bd6MRo8p1LnhB4E_-jcVv3l1prLxQ3I0dAvr3yKsab2WgBa821QZSLBFK_es/s1600/IMG_0539.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaJCpkKRKEbBplI-NQAfnlqpP7HgkgYh4WyrIMJJj5L1fFOIG1HHipJRGtAhY6ipSjmWcDZyI5hM7Hv4Bd6MRo8p1LnhB4E_-jcVv3l1prLxQ3I0dAvr3yKsab2WgBa821QZSLBFK_es/s1600/IMG_0539.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong><span><em>Chamaeleo dilepis</em>, the </span><span>Flap-necked Chameleon. These were very common and I would see between two and four a night. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P4YZrib2YDpQSPEc_pTNbUZMWiFZCZZuWDztL0FK3HnVwd_fOfOdsc7qtTxJ1ynWqIdrZdLqoSMKJxFFfJYX44mlqqYiJvB-3ZSYh-Gd-4b2HBpZM6GZM0gkd0jVqfQAkRrlCaH5fwI/s1600/IMG_0463.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P4YZrib2YDpQSPEc_pTNbUZMWiFZCZZuWDztL0FK3HnVwd_fOfOdsc7qtTxJ1ynWqIdrZdLqoSMKJxFFfJYX44mlqqYiJvB-3ZSYh-Gd-4b2HBpZM6GZM0gkd0jVqfQAkRrlCaH5fwI/s1600/IMG_0463.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Flap-necked Chameleon (<span><em>Chamaeleo dilepis)</em></span>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wahlberg’s Velvet Gecko</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
One night I watched a gecko moving
across the wall of the interior of the hut. Its movement was slow and
deliberate and I could immediately see that it was not the usual Flat Gecko or
House Gecko. I got up and had a look and I was pleased to see that it was a
Juvenile Wahlberg’s Velvet Gecko. I saw it a few more times around the hut. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTZsBhj80CJmbG7jEBEuznxP3N26oC042gOGIWS3Pplv139P92jqMNKhWMq1EU9ZOYHT4sVy5Y8lsUPtOFyhPt0jjtdSF-2jHyctcKaDdaTL1KFtg6ksT_zf97XzW7sUim78x9iQSizw/s1600/IMG_1461.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTZsBhj80CJmbG7jEBEuznxP3N26oC042gOGIWS3Pplv139P92jqMNKhWMq1EU9ZOYHT4sVy5Y8lsUPtOFyhPt0jjtdSF-2jHyctcKaDdaTL1KFtg6ksT_zf97XzW7sUim78x9iQSizw/s1600/IMG_1461.jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful little Wahlberg's Velvet Gecko, <span><em>Homopholis wahlbergii</em></span> . I saw this little guy inside my hut a few times.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Turner’s Tubercled Gecko</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The first gecko I saw in the hut,
the night I moved in was a big Turner’s Tubercled Gecko. This individual lived
in the hut for the entire time I was there and when I saw it outside it was
often making its way back in. The gecko was tame and would move around but
usually making its way back to one of its two retreats that I was aware of: a
gap in the wood on the base of my bed or behind a plastic curtain against a wall
of the hut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8F70l6Y5LZzks2GD8-7KqYkup3XQIXRQfqpA5glfeGefOCx9rjITuS_ZASkXHO0-gYpwqp4wb4FR243HW6VP1kCAOvAXYyby-w9Re6s6uxzA_vL5cuVLlkNm6PHA6lpAc7LV4zqAw0cY/s1600/IMG_0561.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><em>Chondrodactylus turneri</em>, </span><span>Turner's Tubercled Gecko. These large geckos were common in the area. I often saw them moving over open ground.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Common Tropical House Gecko</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
These geckos are very common
throughout South Africa and many people have them in their homes. My hut was no
exception and I had quite a few individuals living in my hut. These geckos were
aggressive to members of their same species and their creaking clicking sound
was often emitted from different parts of the hut at night. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmchSk9tiPHtNaIj0jdEU1fdURacP0yu4MHQKn3fjCpQsK6AVb2dtSscNmvjsxSeHhbAyc29HI5dyf1bvOKbXCGFqdiHNXgLbZzxsJzTEGe-INbVCMB2a7cLu__EWjo1PBY8ryURxFdo/s1600/IMG_1044.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Common Tropical House Gecko, <em>Hemidactylus mabouia</em>, a very widespread gecko. One of the few animals that are able to thrive in association with humans and development. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The reptile diversity in the
greater area seemed to be just as high. I found all the species I had around
the hut plus many more in the varied habitats on the property. In total I found
30 different species of reptile in the month.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iii]</span></span></span></span></a>
During this time I saw my first representative of the Amphisbaenidae family
(Worm Lizards). I was trying to photograph a gecko and it went under a large
rock. I lifted the large rock and saw the worm lizard just lying there. I was
stupefied and the lizard made its escape. I also lost the gecko in this series
of events. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfeAg0Qx6nsTgbhCTU9E5IzGOfVm3KHmwoVLHZdCowfoVs14wdyjjI2WY-LWJtXpqAQPUOSMhvKqZ6Dr-69Bs9pXs_779CaopjzKvjVqdumZUh71myBRBV7rwQUDXDJud-pm8eZGyMPE/s1600/IMG_1107.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfeAg0Qx6nsTgbhCTU9E5IzGOfVm3KHmwoVLHZdCowfoVs14wdyjjI2WY-LWJtXpqAQPUOSMhvKqZ6Dr-69Bs9pXs_779CaopjzKvjVqdumZUh71myBRBV7rwQUDXDJud-pm8eZGyMPE/s1600/IMG_1107.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Limpopo Dwarf Burrowing Skink (<em>Scelotes limpopoensis subsp. limpopoensis</em>). </span>Fascinating lizards, I found a total of three of these on separate occasions, all under stones in leaf-litter. The way in which they move
through the leaves is incredible, like a monitor moving underwater,
they hold their limbs to their sides and 'swim'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhora9QOcSA1LFVJYDf4FP2BW8irFoOZHwoJWuXsM8W2vUu8oe6F5IHdZpLUFn7zVrFK3wAl_9ET5aAy-cvJj0lo5kMFAvQ2wFlXXa86l1S-ai8Ah6tYPSuydCkYdmNkLGTZf-KYdzvTSg/s1600/IMG_0616.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhora9QOcSA1LFVJYDf4FP2BW8irFoOZHwoJWuXsM8W2vUu8oe6F5IHdZpLUFn7zVrFK3wAl_9ET5aAy-cvJj0lo5kMFAvQ2wFlXXa86l1S-ai8Ah6tYPSuydCkYdmNkLGTZf-KYdzvTSg/s1600/IMG_0616.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Natal Rock Python, <em>Python natalensis</em>. It is always wonderful to see a python in the wild. This snake managed to get a few teeth into me while I was trying to get control of it for a photograph. The bite was superficial, but because of the amount of teeth and their sharpness, there is a lot of blood very quickly. I washed the wound a few hours later with soap and suffered no ill effects. There are many stories of nasty bacteria that creates sepsis when a non-venomous snake such as the python bite people. I am yet to meet someone who has suffered from a bacterial attack following a snake bite. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd20rxpXYe6-PS5lFsDVC0tweR4lxacTkCH11ATXtunxRV4RYhtrytGFxudvPcRXv45NvWtMVKxXRy7Oy8ukTXMU_RyDTi0tDkGc5fp-TPlxtp7fHBVEnWf1V6wwC-HRrPBx5I0j9E90/s1600/IMG_1624.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd20rxpXYe6-PS5lFsDVC0tweR4lxacTkCH11ATXtunxRV4RYhtrytGFxudvPcRXv45NvWtMVKxXRy7Oy8ukTXMU_RyDTi0tDkGc5fp-TPlxtp7fHBVEnWf1V6wwC-HRrPBx5I0j9E90/s1600/IMG_1624.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><em>Atractaspis bibronii</em>, </span><span>Bibron's Stilleto Snake. These are small black snakes that can, despite their small size, deliver a nasty bite characterised by pain and necrosis. Not a snake to be underestimated.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmqH_mLdZZYPRpbpkciV_pKlzMnHfpwPrALWW-zuMSDUznbuWSWF4HfQcy8XNtaTXgeZeiannPVZ0xHlaBwCMYbjEl2zG5VP-p1v1XF8A9441x_zfn1d8isX2pzUKCb6J8aze661HYOg/s1600/IMG_0716.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmqH_mLdZZYPRpbpkciV_pKlzMnHfpwPrALWW-zuMSDUznbuWSWF4HfQcy8XNtaTXgeZeiannPVZ0xHlaBwCMYbjEl2zG5VP-p1v1XF8A9441x_zfn1d8isX2pzUKCb6J8aze661HYOg/s1600/IMG_0716.jpg" height="386" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Western Stripe-bellied Sandsnake (<em>Psammophis subtaeniatus</em>). I saw quite a few of these in the Soutpansberg. They are very common in the Limpopo Basin. They are active even during the hottest times of day and actively hunt lizards.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4bWuwsR21fqQLq-RTEpxorPWuWG9ydKaYWHTN3Fz1Fhf_db6NkvYOgEUrTTyvWhbojupqVkDzRS7epWOCtERff8v2lOURsTnVclTK6hTqk-aUNO5JZuZEcGQVm4EaT7pCtHAdAYjU0I/s1600/IMG_1015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4bWuwsR21fqQLq-RTEpxorPWuWG9ydKaYWHTN3Fz1Fhf_db6NkvYOgEUrTTyvWhbojupqVkDzRS7epWOCtERff8v2lOURsTnVclTK6hTqk-aUNO5JZuZEcGQVm4EaT7pCtHAdAYjU0I/s1600/IMG_1015.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another <i>Afroedura</i> gecko. I found many of these and look forward to finding out which species they are once the taxonomy is resolved.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJx-c9SswWeWcy_XcUaM_BDDC2dvQReo_cyy7vF9sesJ6WRdgpkvfXYksOafObff4wp6NadY1GZhCGB2nuZZAaVMgFqZwEsQlHD51nKtTTU8fTpfi8UW8FXBrdQCUC0cQuo205NqXZz4/s1600/platyMontage.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJx-c9SswWeWcy_XcUaM_BDDC2dvQReo_cyy7vF9sesJ6WRdgpkvfXYksOafObff4wp6NadY1GZhCGB2nuZZAaVMgFqZwEsQlHD51nKtTTU8fTpfi8UW8FXBrdQCUC0cQuo205NqXZz4/s1600/platyMontage.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A composite image of the endemic Soutpansberg Flat Lizard, <i>P</i><span><em>latysaurus relictus</em>. These are really beautiful lizards and this male is in full breeding plumage. It was bold and confident of its place.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-sincIjmT17Ee6JPP5460Ab7Q0WthWidudwMqLPu5W0b4NLdYOOFe524dODltYlcwUMNiDC0JKW2_hIGIj6FscMNQkf_bsFpTdONcC2qGDTCNGca-H_X1N6T1i0TASvRpmGYsRjVBUg/s1600/IMG_0976.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-sincIjmT17Ee6JPP5460Ab7Q0WthWidudwMqLPu5W0b4NLdYOOFe524dODltYlcwUMNiDC0JKW2_hIGIj6FscMNQkf_bsFpTdONcC2qGDTCNGca-H_X1N6T1i0TASvRpmGYsRjVBUg/s1600/IMG_0976.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very large Gerrhosaurus validus, the Giant Plated Lizard. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhor7p0Ngzdf64prvPuIaeCE6AHusQtySt8a8I887xhXAuF9lqo9U59bnu9vg5VNaC9sAxW-Qpion30DrQra6soOyBcyec-dcfVoASw8quJL_9S3DpXpkiWXsra2qEB60QuBV3YpwoQxcY/s1600/IMG_1307.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhor7p0Ngzdf64prvPuIaeCE6AHusQtySt8a8I887xhXAuF9lqo9U59bnu9vg5VNaC9sAxW-Qpion30DrQra6soOyBcyec-dcfVoASw8quJL_9S3DpXpkiWXsra2qEB60QuBV3YpwoQxcY/s1600/IMG_1307.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gerrhosaurus flavigularis</i>, the Yellow-throated Plated Lizard. These lizards are common and move fast. They actively hunt prey and like the Sandsnake these can often be seen during the hottest part of the day. <i> </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbk7gTJZsGkm238J0ZDgXHzJ5wkN6qXVHALDGFR6CaDjztplabsHYPyHOYofZd8cqSlwiZAm2Wef0KN4njd1lQOUIv-4_xtkxTPsPQsB9So5qRWfsr6WEhRBZLgQUuS3BCm2nlTVSPPw/s1600/IMG_1146.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbk7gTJZsGkm238J0ZDgXHzJ5wkN6qXVHALDGFR6CaDjztplabsHYPyHOYofZd8cqSlwiZAm2Wef0KN4njd1lQOUIv-4_xtkxTPsPQsB9So5qRWfsr6WEhRBZLgQUuS3BCm2nlTVSPPw/s1600/IMG_1146.jpg" height="402" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A chance encounter, Flap-necked Chameleon (<span><em>Chamaeleo dilepis)</em></span> found moving around during the day. This individual was in a heightened state of terror as can be seen from its speckled colouration and gape. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDhq_gV_YUKbOkHIvpJLOMoQ-9k5Qz2RcDPsfV2mvAlcOQdeIn8U4eJH45ijSve0_hVZvRODABEmO-aJO4-GrAFF2iFwrRoyJDHdZMeY6INA5e8AbQyRW5VDQPALukkSYZ6uALuxVsZM/s1600/IMG_1136.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDhq_gV_YUKbOkHIvpJLOMoQ-9k5Qz2RcDPsfV2mvAlcOQdeIn8U4eJH45ijSve0_hVZvRODABEmO-aJO4-GrAFF2iFwrRoyJDHdZMeY6INA5e8AbQyRW5VDQPALukkSYZ6uALuxVsZM/s1600/IMG_1136.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><em>Bitis arietans subsp. arietans,</em> the Puff Adder. As can be seen in this image these snakes can conceal themselves well. I found this snake while walking through very tall grass. I am surprised I saw it all, when I think about it I wonder how many I must step past, over and even on. <em><br /></em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zvWxgH4-QpZl3d1Rul3LIZqBELR_l3rt02xsxxVSeuB9E4TNCqblOrx7_oMh7tw5uNGMNxAU4adW5oSs5XGJO2omFZihYDxiIktbEottUMgjmYCLIyouPKrSPFSyM7pLpCwYmk1fkl0/s1600/IMG_1008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zvWxgH4-QpZl3d1Rul3LIZqBELR_l3rt02xsxxVSeuB9E4TNCqblOrx7_oMh7tw5uNGMNxAU4adW5oSs5XGJO2omFZihYDxiIktbEottUMgjmYCLIyouPKrSPFSyM7pLpCwYmk1fkl0/s1600/IMG_1008.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Flat Girdled Lizard (<em>Smaug warreni subsp. depressus</em>). An endemic sub-species to the Soutpansberg range. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppoZoye_-PZlEr58Ozr71fOvj2WsGG_ZK2bj_7s87__4b7KjFCmpE5CEr5wB0xo8qemP89N4nUTvjW8ajH7INmtJIhtaz09nohM8O5DjktsVL4jKRQ5fHVoJSn8qJNa41UjPr4IlRlrM/s1600/IMG_1667.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppoZoye_-PZlEr58Ozr71fOvj2WsGG_ZK2bj_7s87__4b7KjFCmpE5CEr5wB0xo8qemP89N4nUTvjW8ajH7INmtJIhtaz09nohM8O5DjktsVL4jKRQ5fHVoJSn8qJNa41UjPr4IlRlrM/s1600/IMG_1667.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This
is one of the best things I found during March, a Black Mamba Skull. It
was fascinating to see the structure of the skull and the remains.
These animals are so formidable, yet they are so delicate. Cause of
death was an overdose of kinetic energy passed on by a train.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7jCTXsCXDfjT_7OUxQ9dhFRieHPZ4-HPZmLn2vU5IVoqBkdIL8kKgVXHLGiR_eS4rVNh1T7yx8oxbScCrxh-JYk4Y_Peb_tTu0XVidennaI0vwG-mrBZa6vyM1HH19NRytjX2VvW4l0/s1600/IMG_1677.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7jCTXsCXDfjT_7OUxQ9dhFRieHPZ4-HPZmLn2vU5IVoqBkdIL8kKgVXHLGiR_eS4rVNh1T7yx8oxbScCrxh-JYk4Y_Peb_tTu0XVidennaI0vwG-mrBZa6vyM1HH19NRytjX2VvW4l0/s1600/IMG_1677.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong><span><em>Lygodactylus ocellatus subsp. soutpansbergensis</em>, The Soutpansberg Dwarf Gecko. This is an endemic subspecies to the Soutpansberg mountains. </span>I have been looking for this species for some time, one
afternoon I saw two but was unable to photograph them as they were very
retiring. I returned to the area where I found them numerous times and
was unable to see any. Just when I had resigned myself to not photographing the
species I spotted one on my last day at an altitude far lower than I
would have expected to find it. I am really
pleased to have documented the gecko.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYn9o67UoSAAkMnunqemaSy2tMEyYUuaE0GWQZkYKqiv0aLpfePGG2LpmkrY09q-C_3RAuEgsJR6xob95uWYwZije-btXcmngQlBnfbue5h5tVGIe0bslIRoyOxh-dwiyLqEtegETZU8/s1600/IMG_1693.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYn9o67UoSAAkMnunqemaSy2tMEyYUuaE0GWQZkYKqiv0aLpfePGG2LpmkrY09q-C_3RAuEgsJR6xob95uWYwZije-btXcmngQlBnfbue5h5tVGIe0bslIRoyOxh-dwiyLqEtegETZU8/s1600/IMG_1693.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homopholus wahlbergii, Wahlberg's Velvet Gecko. This full grown individual was very bold. These are large geckos and are active during the day and at night. They often eat other geckos. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA5FtqppUN2DqbxsCn-mf91gEDtbbdt7WaJM00g3yThy9xwkA6yCjdkzWJ7xrJS76oIQQ5hdwk9iuEF5WE9DBND7qDDriNJA_lSM10GH0ezP8gPIzCX_OBTKEhgChxQUkBbiLK8OJCXg/s1600/IMG_1711.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA5FtqppUN2DqbxsCn-mf91gEDtbbdt7WaJM00g3yThy9xwkA6yCjdkzWJ7xrJS76oIQQ5hdwk9iuEF5WE9DBND7qDDriNJA_lSM10GH0ezP8gPIzCX_OBTKEhgChxQUkBbiLK8OJCXg/s1600/IMG_1711.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Leopard Tortoise, <span><em>Stigmochelys pardalis, </em>was the last reptilian record for my time in the Soutpansberg. I observed it while on the road out.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amphibians</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Although it was late summer I did
encounter a few amphibians. The common Red Toad, Eastern Olive Toad and Common
River Frog were the most abundant. I also saw a few Natal Sand Frogs and two very
pale Russet-backed Sand Frogs. I aim do a follow up survey later this year when
it is breeding season to see what other frogs can be found out there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOQ2lhFDaudLUhn4_WhBR46xNTErQRmaViXrNQE8IQYUAWZtr6eA731X5UiU0Y9lea7LdC-Uk6JqUvjXKmwxPPIHh1PZeTTiytBoJ7j0ScLePvB1vge3FU2wREYDab1HUdJ5_LCu4Eh8/s1600/IMG_1388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOQ2lhFDaudLUhn4_WhBR46xNTErQRmaViXrNQE8IQYUAWZtr6eA731X5UiU0Y9lea7LdC-Uk6JqUvjXKmwxPPIHh1PZeTTiytBoJ7j0ScLePvB1vge3FU2wREYDab1HUdJ5_LCu4Eh8/s1600/IMG_1388.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eastern Olive Toad, <span><em>Amietophrynus garmani</em>. These toads were common and I saw many. There were a few that were around my hut and would get inside.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcAMdkJ8RrFKRC2USCJ8GLfxnTeAPQHJNRLubgoOM4g6oTmPqMD9dg_DUG33HspQ8LcWgaU5__vZlBw73Kldkcnq-hOx7ZHQWmSvrdBrDujNkr5O88xCzvfAAqluEqY9_VsEbOnZa28M/s1600/IMG_1386.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcAMdkJ8RrFKRC2USCJ8GLfxnTeAPQHJNRLubgoOM4g6oTmPqMD9dg_DUG33HspQ8LcWgaU5__vZlBw73Kldkcnq-hOx7ZHQWmSvrdBrDujNkr5O88xCzvfAAqluEqY9_VsEbOnZa28M/s1600/IMG_1386.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Schismaderma carens</i>, the Red Toad. These beautiful frogs are common in suitable habitat and active even on sunny days. I have often found them on roofs and in trees at varying heights which suggests an inclination in this species to climb.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m9QQeWgAAnfSg2knO5aKgfeXpTsHeqaxmxMcMbLtn0ja3pFYFiabgDBN9KC-Gcc-hz9dY8Ikq2urfgWb21F95gvq7S0xty1P0qkifXmAH6VC6McQ8gV4d3HwMt0UtBojwwUiYY0vjDY/s1600/IMG_1055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m9QQeWgAAnfSg2knO5aKgfeXpTsHeqaxmxMcMbLtn0ja3pFYFiabgDBN9KC-Gcc-hz9dY8Ikq2urfgWb21F95gvq7S0xty1P0qkifXmAH6VC6McQ8gV4d3HwMt0UtBojwwUiYY0vjDY/s1600/IMG_1055.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m9QQeWgAAnfSg2knO5aKgfeXpTsHeqaxmxMcMbLtn0ja3pFYFiabgDBN9KC-Gcc-hz9dY8Ikq2urfgWb21F95gvq7S0xty1P0qkifXmAH6VC6McQ8gV4d3HwMt0UtBojwwUiYY0vjDY/s1600/IMG_1055.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Natal Sand Frog (<em>Tomopterna natalensis</em>). I was lucky enough to find a group of these frogs calling in a pond. This one was so fixated on attracting a mate that it was unconcerned about my presence while photographing it. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m9QQeWgAAnfSg2knO5aKgfeXpTsHeqaxmxMcMbLtn0ja3pFYFiabgDBN9KC-Gcc-hz9dY8Ikq2urfgWb21F95gvq7S0xty1P0qkifXmAH6VC6McQ8gV4d3HwMt0UtBojwwUiYY0vjDY/s1600/IMG_1055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m9QQeWgAAnfSg2knO5aKgfeXpTsHeqaxmxMcMbLtn0ja3pFYFiabgDBN9KC-Gcc-hz9dY8Ikq2urfgWb21F95gvq7S0xty1P0qkifXmAH6VC6McQ8gV4d3HwMt0UtBojwwUiYY0vjDY/s1600/IMG_1055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDXLb2EGiFSwyx1dHLXDrQliCNENJTFIQEEXV-66hnfpecO__9W4_NuIDL3Bfo9d5Bxg2tzojxXuydwcykUB93XM7cBDsGaVegDA55n9tQ0ORUoclku8Sduk1vBx_6G0DkQLQukLezk8/s1600/IMG_1699.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDXLb2EGiFSwyx1dHLXDrQliCNENJTFIQEEXV-66hnfpecO__9W4_NuIDL3Bfo9d5Bxg2tzojxXuydwcykUB93XM7cBDsGaVegDA55n9tQ0ORUoclku8Sduk1vBx_6G0DkQLQukLezk8/s1600/IMG_1699.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Russet-backed Sand Frog (<em>Tomopterna marmorata</em>). I came across two of these frogs in the whole month. They were both very 'blonde' compared to individuals I have found in other locations.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Birds</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The Soutpansberg is a birding
hotspot, this is due to the diversity of habitats. Medike Mountain Sanctuary
offers birders a very good spread of habitats and is birder friendly. My
birding highlights (I was not actively birding) were some great observations of
Verreaux’s Eagle. One observation of these eagles took place while I was very
high up. The eagles were flying lower than I was standing and they moved
towards me while increasing their altitude and did a flyover which was just
spectacular. Another highlight was a pair of Lanner Falcons reinforcing their
pair bond by calling and displaying. There were also many other fantastic
sightings, another worth mentioning was seeing Crested Guinea Fowl on many
occasions and hearing them on a daily basis. These birds are also indecently
represented on the logo of Medike Mountain Sanctuary. Medike is birder friendly
and there are many specials that can be seen in the area. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iv]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BAZOrNgW1RISCgBeVBvQWcVLitFU9PxrIIM0qYbzfjTS7r71QJskY_vw8_9Y2UIbKisAVZHNEwzK0YbPHtQJgCn9cCZnLnQlS46_GzjPb2ooxuBmJ1PNo_Bey2u2SY79CB787KgeiWo/s1600/IMG_6056.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BAZOrNgW1RISCgBeVBvQWcVLitFU9PxrIIM0qYbzfjTS7r71QJskY_vw8_9Y2UIbKisAVZHNEwzK0YbPHtQJgCn9cCZnLnQlS46_GzjPb2ooxuBmJ1PNo_Bey2u2SY79CB787KgeiWo/s1600/IMG_6056.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><em>Guttera edouardi subsp. edouardi, </em>the Crested Guineafowl. These birds have the strangest character and their call matches their looks perfectly. <em><br /></em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFVo0N2_87565Z77yHX3PE1SNdce2EXidbrAQ1DPcRSS6dUZk5wiBuZEnbBRTiLHTUYiyGKGOK-B7kXgGwduBqpmPgZ0t1QSDEHj-50uoxugLh3gVbzuL5i5PIpf2_OPmDRw6EtoIzeY/s1600/EagleLandscapeMontage.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFVo0N2_87565Z77yHX3PE1SNdce2EXidbrAQ1DPcRSS6dUZk5wiBuZEnbBRTiLHTUYiyGKGOK-B7kXgGwduBqpmPgZ0t1QSDEHj-50uoxugLh3gVbzuL5i5PIpf2_OPmDRw6EtoIzeY/s1600/EagleLandscapeMontage.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This composite image depicts a pair of <strong></strong><span>Verreaux's Eagle (<em>Aquila verreauxii</em>). I was high up in the mountains when I captured these images. The eagles rose in altitude and seemed to be curious about my presence. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mammals</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The Soutpansberg boasts a large
variety of mammals. The few private nature reserves and hunting ranches have
plains game, but the private properties in the conservancy are refuge to many
species. One can see five species of primate in the Soutpansberg, the Vervet
Monkey, Samango Monkey, Chacma Baboon, Thick-tailed Bush Baby and Lesser Bush
Baby. The mountains are also said to support the highest density of Leopards
outside of an officially protected area in Africa (for more information on the
mammals of the region see: http://www.soutpansberg.com/workshop/synthesis/mammals.htm).</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGfumQL3PftfA3-LbzergEZ-2m055jC8eWiVs4KCDMwsvIEF_iYi9ncNevZvzz8D1ptMWKlxsBT25PUVMY2SIDVPx47ABvgpZX7ObLlSqfgURNc_6i483YThrX_9xeonC7KY7CFQ59Ho/s1600/IMG_1526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGfumQL3PftfA3-LbzergEZ-2m055jC8eWiVs4KCDMwsvIEF_iYi9ncNevZvzz8D1ptMWKlxsBT25PUVMY2SIDVPx47ABvgpZX7ObLlSqfgURNc_6i483YThrX_9xeonC7KY7CFQ59Ho/s1600/IMG_1526.jpg" height="404" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes one finds the craziest things. I came across these four little
babies high up in the rocks on a summit in the mountains. These are <span>Dwarf Mongoose,<i> Helogale parvula subsp. parvula.</i></span> <span class="submitted"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38A-1ts2iy1qCCYe8oKuuyUb_mFvvF_1TD3wmA_QM4DPuHJcJ6I_aVyNnIPjazz1XXTZdAAXfMbQU6x4lWnLDbvIf0tYdez0pVpFHtggaHzrzb4VLiXVTJOY0SnftixvtHc-9HCsiaGQ/s1600/IMG_1321.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38A-1ts2iy1qCCYe8oKuuyUb_mFvvF_1TD3wmA_QM4DPuHJcJ6I_aVyNnIPjazz1XXTZdAAXfMbQU6x4lWnLDbvIf0tYdez0pVpFHtggaHzrzb4VLiXVTJOY0SnftixvtHc-9HCsiaGQ/s1600/IMG_1321.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continuing with the baby mammal theme, I found this tiny mouse one evening in front of my hut. To give a sense of scale those are grains of rice in the image. I have no idea what species this is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
For the month of March I recorded
the following mammals: Rock Hyrax, Baboon, Tree Squirrel, Sengi, Sharpe’s
Grysbok (tracks), Klipspringer, Thick-tailed Bushbaby, Bush Pig, Aardvark
(tracks), Vervet Monkey, Bush buck (tracks and skull), Kudu (tracks, call and
skull), Dwarf Mongoose, Banded Mongoose, Water Mongoose (tracks), African Civet
(tracks, faeces), Small Spotted Genet, Leopard (scat) and then there were numerous
small mammals such as scrub hares, rodents and bats. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGBO_8XE_LzgbDZX557VdW6EOvzdI5MbVZLLLZsqX5U-loQ7nZ4NNtL0p0Fc8RDDvNRr5CTMmRzaALWM4zDLhMSRs5JgiiK5bnftxFkuHMWo3wSX8qDJTuoi1-YjFHpVYVi-ALMwZJxY/s1600/IMG_0613.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGBO_8XE_LzgbDZX557VdW6EOvzdI5MbVZLLLZsqX5U-loQ7nZ4NNtL0p0Fc8RDDvNRr5CTMmRzaALWM4zDLhMSRs5JgiiK5bnftxFkuHMWo3wSX8qDJTuoi1-YjFHpVYVi-ALMwZJxY/s1600/IMG_0613.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sengi or Elephant Shrew (<span><em>Elephantulus spp)</em> these are fast and always a delight to see. Sometimes they freeze and one can get a photo before they are gone again. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Two observations of mammals were
very special. One day I found four baby dwarf mongoose high up in the mountains
while searching for geckos. The rest of the family group was all around me and
they were calling and seemed highly agitated. Another memorable observation was
seeing some Bush Pigs in the day high up in the mountains. It was the first
time I have seen these animals (in the past I have only seen tracks and bones).
I was struck by how large they are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFoX24LX2dhsEo5iQZTh2kSy-R8mcLduxI1X4hsNqm7TqHiUUBDmrqBWrp69et3DQbOthAO56r0LFkSkuJOe4Y-OCLElrP1aU0Un43EXf3hJbAaskO5t1XTzMiYhq4lfIXo2-EEMwYF4/s1600/IMG_1313.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFoX24LX2dhsEo5iQZTh2kSy-R8mcLduxI1X4hsNqm7TqHiUUBDmrqBWrp69et3DQbOthAO56r0LFkSkuJOe4Y-OCLElrP1aU0Un43EXf3hJbAaskO5t1XTzMiYhq4lfIXo2-EEMwYF4/s1600/IMG_1313.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Procavia capensis, </i>the Hyrax, known in South Africa as the Dassie. These animals are rock specialists and a favourite prey of many animals, including the Black Mamba and the Verreaux's Eagle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trees</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Medike Mountain Sanctuary boasts
some incredible trees. The diversity of trees in the area is very high and the
property has some remarkable specimens of many species.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[v]</span></span></span></span></a> There
are some really impressive Yellow Wood Trees (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Afrocarpus falcatus</i>), Kiaats (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pterocarpus
angolensis</span></i>), Baobabs (<em><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Adansonia kilima</span></em>) and many more. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbhj1TVIhRVM2EGb2TE9njtodF1hsRwTRd_fftIlCdnhWr9FjkYqwmw_Tjn634NX1GYvVmWo8IFO0UKlLrD9u7E-BBhTy9NSnxR5KlOFhnikYSgqARMqub5y0Qdc7yomCWWnWQFB-crA/s1600/IMG_0990.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbhj1TVIhRVM2EGb2TE9njtodF1hsRwTRd_fftIlCdnhWr9FjkYqwmw_Tjn634NX1GYvVmWo8IFO0UKlLrD9u7E-BBhTy9NSnxR5KlOFhnikYSgqARMqub5y0Qdc7yomCWWnWQFB-crA/s1600/IMG_0990.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span>Adansonia kilima, </span></i><span>a Baobab Tree growing on a strange plateau about half-way up the mountain. This individual was very large. I would estimate the girth to be just under three metres. </span><i><span> </span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
There were some trees on the
property that when I saw them the first thought I had was that I never knew
they could get so large, especially high up in the mountains where people have
not been able to harvest them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Conservation in the area</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
In today’s world, natural areas are
under a lot of pressure from human activity. Exploitation of natural resources,
human encroachment due to expanding developments, poaching and general
pollution – these all affect the Soutpansberg in some way. At the moment the
mountains are a World Heritage Site and they form part of a Biosphere reserve.
These things sound very impressive in theory, but in practice there is not much
official recognition of the value of these mountains. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEmtz0o3ZgCW9bm_nzqCahVIzyDQmaGMW9TVb4F4-iTLS7PfH5py7kD9vaJ0nluJZkBvhLvlklPUtW2VnASrOdXJEmauV0Ovhch2jymV0fvX-DK282Il2Y-I9shC9hZWc7Icvyab3bAo/s1600/IMG_1591.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEmtz0o3ZgCW9bm_nzqCahVIzyDQmaGMW9TVb4F4-iTLS7PfH5py7kD9vaJ0nluJZkBvhLvlklPUtW2VnASrOdXJEmauV0Ovhch2jymV0fvX-DK282Il2Y-I9shC9hZWc7Icvyab3bAo/s1600/IMG_1591.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some pottery in the style associated with the Venda people. Many people have inhabited these mountains and human habitation in the Soutpansberg goes back a million years. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Pollution from outside villages and
towns to the south of the Soutpansberg bring in pollutants, litter and weeds.
The hills are also used by collectors who hunt and poach medicinal plants.
These issues are minor compared to the human activity around the mountains. As
villages get closer and land reformation takes place, it is the natural
environment that is lost, habitat is eaten up, the influx of pollutants and
weeds increases, human activities such as hunting, poaching, collecting of
natural resources increases, having a knock-on effect on the environment. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl-sMTv1g70Rt2d1GKdMO7yhWsuOoeJIyCZlLy5dWEY6hrWz6hkl5-14fXSZ8lgn4PQjuFirB4YNK858Q05lYdxcpL5Urj_r9tAZRXhRXF6gQp8NAANk_asiEe4LK3QucqfuSuZx8-D8/s1600/IMG_1577.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl-sMTv1g70Rt2d1GKdMO7yhWsuOoeJIyCZlLy5dWEY6hrWz6hkl5-14fXSZ8lgn4PQjuFirB4YNK858Q05lYdxcpL5Urj_r9tAZRXhRXF6gQp8NAANk_asiEe4LK3QucqfuSuZx8-D8/s1600/IMG_1577.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stark landscape on an exposed summit. No vegetation except for the lichen, yet there are many spiders and lizards moving about on the rocks. Mining could destroy even this if valuable minerals were found in these mountains. Luckily, the rocks are considered mineraly unimportant. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The biggest threat to the area is
mining. Mining companies have so much money, they can effectively mine anywhere
they like (think about the Karoo and even places like the Great Barrier Reef).
If coal (or any other ‘valuable’ commodity) was found in the Soutpansberg and
it was determined that it would be worth mining it, there would really not be
anything people could do about it. At that level of economic activity money
will have the final say and the mountains will be destroyed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGoh98vTao8lC5c02tH73dU5NOdfiM4bgq4I6TxXKn4bZ2T5VBQmKjGKzlEJuMLe34G2r8eVLrmpgQ9je2T1ZGn-8Ryewp9rHt0c05TydCfsw5fFo6TXOvjOoKeGhayjUh-7KL0X4uJs/s1600/IMG_1524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGoh98vTao8lC5c02tH73dU5NOdfiM4bgq4I6TxXKn4bZ2T5VBQmKjGKzlEJuMLe34G2r8eVLrmpgQ9je2T1ZGn-8Ryewp9rHt0c05TydCfsw5fFo6TXOvjOoKeGhayjUh-7KL0X4uJs/s1600/IMG_1524.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ripples that can be seen in this image are a result of a time when there was a period of the deposition of sediment on the shores of a great inland basin some 1 800 000 000 years ago. These rocks which were once below water are now make up a ridge that runs along the summit of the mountains. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Despite these outside threats,
conservationists in the area are working hard to protect these mountains and
the fauna and flora of the reserve. These conservation initiatives are being
spearheaded by Leshiba Wilderness, Lajuma Research Centre and conservationist
land owners like Hannes and Marietjie Underhay at Medike. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Anyone who has been in the African
Bush knows exactly how mesmerizing a view of the Southern sky on a clear night
can be. With the prominence of the Milky Way running from horizon to horizon
and the movement of the constellations through the night and over the days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
During March the constellation of
Orion was a familiar site and later into the night Antares would rise, dragging
the rest of Scorpio with it. At a certain point in the month Antares and Mars
could be seen very close to one another. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDFWOXsTNKhXDPSUzA8Lkqu7nezAj429RAvoxZ1VQtucyUjkiLujYmhFx2H3Q46stOIssFOmUMJ0FgB2FDVokIxwbH1lte38vd5-f__4JGBEFwbJYTk2wvcmi10uxkVsVaWol4gwfsFs/s1600/IMG_1257.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDFWOXsTNKhXDPSUzA8Lkqu7nezAj429RAvoxZ1VQtucyUjkiLujYmhFx2H3Q46stOIssFOmUMJ0FgB2FDVokIxwbH1lte38vd5-f__4JGBEFwbJYTk2wvcmi10uxkVsVaWol4gwfsFs/s1600/IMG_1257.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image shows the constellation of Orion. The planet Jupiter is the bright object on the left. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Watching the planets Mars and
Jupiter night after night as they orbited the sun and the moon as it orbits the
earth and then the stars, the outer arm of the Milky Way and the two visible
galaxies that are out of our own galactic system really puts things into
perspective and the absurdity of western way of life manifests itself as a
feeling of emptiness and loneliness. The way people live in the world during
this period of late-capitalism is so poisonous – commodification of everything,
rampant consumerism, the consumption of natural resources, the extermination of
life everywhere – the world does not have to be this way, yet the system has
taken on its own momentum and people have enslaved themselves. Medike Mountain
Sanctuary is a refuge from that world. A place where one can reconnect with
what is important, a place where darkness is darkness and where birds, reptiles
and insects live like they have been living for millions of years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcAMdkJ8RrFKRC2USCJ8GLfxnTeAPQHJNRLubgoOM4g6oTmPqMD9dg_DUG33HspQ8LcWgaU5__vZlBw73Kldkcnq-hOx7ZHQWmSvrdBrDujNkr5O88xCzvfAAqluEqY9_VsEbOnZa28M/s1600/IMG_1386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span></span></span>
See <a href="http://medikemountainlodge.com/">http://medikemountainlodge.com</a>
for details on the property.</div>
</div>
<div id="edn2" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span></span></span> For
more information see a detailed document on the environmental, biological and
cultural assets of the Soutpansberg: <a href="http://www.soutpansberg.com/workshop/index.htm">http://www.soutpansberg.com/workshop/index.htm</a></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iii]</span></span></span></span> List
of reptiles observed: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peter’s Ground Agama<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Agama armata<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Worm Lizard<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Amphisbaenidae</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stilleto Snake<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Atractaspis bibronii</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Natal Rock Python<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Python
natalensis</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Flap-necked Chameleon<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Chamaeleo dilepis</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Olive Whip Snake<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Psammophis
mossambicus </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Western Stripe-bellied Sand snake<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Psammophis
subtaeniatus</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Soutpansberg Flat Lizard<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Platysaurus relictus <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Flat Girdled Lizard<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Smaug warreni depressus<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black Mamba<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dendroaspis
polylepis</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mozambique Spitting Cobra<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Naja
mossambica</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Flat Gecko<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>Afrodura
spp<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turner’s Tubercled Gecko<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Chondrodactylus turneri</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common House Gecko<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Hemidactylus mabouia</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common Dwarf Gecko<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lygodactylus
capensis capensis</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Soutpansberg Dwarf Gecko<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lygodactylus
ocellatus soutpansbergensis<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Van Son’s Gecko<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Pachydactylus
vansoni</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow-throated Plated Lizard<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gerrhosaurus flavigularis</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rough-scaled Plated Lizard<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gerrhosaurus
major major</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Giant Plated Lizard<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Gerrhosaurus validus
validus</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thread Snake<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Leptotyphlops spp</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spotted-necked Snake-eyed Skink<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Afroablepharus maculicollis</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sundevall’s Writhing Skink<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Mochlus sundevallii</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Limpopo Dwarf Burrowing Skink<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Scelotes limpopoensis
limpopoensis<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rainbow Skink<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Trachylepis
margaritifer</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Variable Skink<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Trachylepis
varia</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speke’s Hinged Tortoise<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kinixys
spekii</i></div>
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Leopard Tortoise<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Stigmochelys
pardalis</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nile Monitor<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Varanus
niloticus</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Puff Adder<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Bitis
arietans arietans</i></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iv]</span></span></span></span>
The following is from the document <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
First Synthesis of the Environmental, Biological & Cultural Assets of the
Soutpansberg </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">– </span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>“Birds of prey are especially well
represented, with 38 species, as are forest-living species, and species
restricted to moist savanna (on SE side of mountain range) and to arid savanna
(on NW side of the mountains). Some of the “ special” species of the
Soutpansberg are Cape Vulture <i>Gyps coprotheres</i>, Crowned Eagle <i>Stephanoaetus
coronatus</i>, Forest Buzzard <i>Buteo trizonatus</i>, Bat Hawk <i>Macheiramphus
alcinus</i>, Crested Guineafowl <i>Guttera pucherani</i>, Blue-spotted Wood
Dove <i>Turtur afer</i>, Knysna Turaco <i>Tauraco corythaix</i>, Pel’s Fishing
Owl <i>Scotopelia peli</i>, Mottled Spinetail <i>Telecanthura ussheri</i>,
Narina Trogon <i>Apaloderma narina</i>, African Broadbill <i>Smithornis
capensis</i>, Grey Cuckoo-shrike <i>Coracina caesia</i>, African Golden Oriole <i>Oriolus
auratus</i>, Eastern Bearded Robin <i>Erythropygia quadrivirgata</i>, Gorgeous
Bush Shrike <i>Telephorus quadricolor</i>, Black-fronted Bush Shrike <i>T.
nigrifrons</i>, Golden-backed Pytilia <i>Pytilia afra</i>, Green Twinspot <i>Mandingoa
nitidula</i> and Pink-throated Twinspot <i>Hypargos margaritatus</i>.
Birdwatchers from all over the world come to the Soutpansberg to see these “
specials” and, of course, the many other species that are present here.</div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
At least 6 Red Data-listed ‘vulnerable’ species occur
here (White-backed Night Heron <i>Gorsachius leuconotus</i>, Cape Vulture,
Martial Eagle <i>Polemaetus bellicosus</i>, African Finfoot <i>Podica
senegalensis</i>, Grass Owl <i>Tyto capensis</i>, Pel’s Fishing Owl), and 11
‘near-threatened’ species (Black Stork <i>Ciconia nigra</i>, Bat Hawk, Ayres’
Eagle <i>Hieraetus ayresii</i>, Crowned Eagle, Peregrine <i>Falco peregrinus
minor</i> and Lanner Falcons <i>Falco biarmicus</i>, Half-collared Kingfisher <i>Alcedo
semitorquata</i>, African Broadbill, Orange Thrush <i>Zoothera gurneyi</i>,
Wattle-eyed Flycatcher <i>Platysteira peltata</i>, Pink-throated Twinspot).
Although not Red Data-listed, three other rare South African species also occur
here — Blue-spotted Dove, Mottled Spinetail, Golden-backed Pytilia <i>Phytilia
afra</i>—and the Soutpansberg is the stronghold in South Africa for these
species. Another very unusual species—Ruppell’s Vulture <i>Gyps rupellii</i> —
was discovered (a single bird) living in the Cape Vulture breeding colony at
Blouberg. This is the first South African record for this East African species.”
(<a href="http://www.soutpansberg.com/workshop/synthesis/birds_indigenous.htm">http://www.soutpansberg.com/workshop/synthesis/birds_indigenous.htm</a>)</div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[v]</span></span></span></span>
For a comprehensive tree list email me at <a href="mailto:rvanhuyssteen@gmail.com">rvanhuyssteen@gmail.com</a> and I will
forward an electronic copy to you.</div>
</div>
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ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-77165992722621698332014-03-01T08:15:00.000-08:002014-03-01T08:15:00.898-08:00Jeppe – Inner-city Johannesburg Biodiversity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDXooWXCsdm3qcdAy-xhGw317KFRJ5GJhknYauZnmUcljkayt3Nl3lnRkOb-Cj2pMqbSpTyN_0S8zGdT8ObUR3eUYLEdmmErJuDnE4R_qOfwQkABZRox_eTBUgWezF9p033t8AnY652o/s1600/DSCN8325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDXooWXCsdm3qcdAy-xhGw317KFRJ5GJhknYauZnmUcljkayt3Nl3lnRkOb-Cj2pMqbSpTyN_0S8zGdT8ObUR3eUYLEdmmErJuDnE4R_qOfwQkABZRox_eTBUgWezF9p033t8AnY652o/s1600/DSCN8325.jpg" height="414" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos generously supplied by Francis Burger.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_eZkglKvRx7FQ5Gx7OXtT6JEjsdE6jGUgFFT1SNtyGiARMuJ2XUjx4S_tT1IUVhubKttj5VjDL5czRrv6cqdVhRp402ycdrLEtoSls5EMEvZ83xb2O5V9KOOXBvf4Gcx4UzoVdTLLUs/s1600/DSCN8271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_eZkglKvRx7FQ5Gx7OXtT6JEjsdE6jGUgFFT1SNtyGiARMuJ2XUjx4S_tT1IUVhubKttj5VjDL5czRrv6cqdVhRp402ycdrLEtoSls5EMEvZ83xb2O5V9KOOXBvf4Gcx4UzoVdTLLUs/s1600/DSCN8271.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Garden Orb-web Spider (<i>Argiope australis</i>). This spider was capitalising on the many flies of the city.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74WgzTz6bZZOjfTcDy2lw2lgE2hJxy_COtmAxA99Po0-jovpHbMlAIuf-0LclEW7b6A2eUdj-Yja1UadHnxmJUUo-1Y7oWfKFItCJQn3ArKpLKrC2AErv2BmW_ry2tsw_u-dkXnW8C-k/s1600/DSCN8256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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When I think of a city urban space in Johannesburg, I see
concrete, tar roads, steel and a lot dirt, filth and stagnant water. The life I
would associate with these spaces would consist of street trees (sterile
imports from the northern hemisphere), Pigeons (properly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Columbo livia</i>, a cosmopolitan species from the northern
hemisphere), the odd house sparrow, rats and cockroaches (all three also
imports from the northern hemisphere. My skepticism concerning the ability of
nature to be robust enough to not only cling on in the city, but actually
thrive, was challenged this February while working with artist Francis Burger
on a project working in the city exploring biodiversity. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74WgzTz6bZZOjfTcDy2lw2lgE2hJxy_COtmAxA99Po0-jovpHbMlAIuf-0LclEW7b6A2eUdj-Yja1UadHnxmJUUo-1Y7oWfKFItCJQn3ArKpLKrC2AErv2BmW_ry2tsw_u-dkXnW8C-k/s1600/DSCN8256.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74WgzTz6bZZOjfTcDy2lw2lgE2hJxy_COtmAxA99Po0-jovpHbMlAIuf-0LclEW7b6A2eUdj-Yja1UadHnxmJUUo-1Y7oWfKFItCJQn3ArKpLKrC2AErv2BmW_ry2tsw_u-dkXnW8C-k/s1600/DSCN8256.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sidewalk and a verge in Jeppe. All available land is used by vegetative life. The competition for space on the verge is evident by the density of the growth. Some plants have taken to growing in the gaps in the asphalt and tar. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaall57yPoGHDLTpcuGbopPmNfVisz1Kh7NyjGMhBI0XCvvlq6r2tHFqqjU8Sj0Zm6qJzBy8XITvdL091_ILni15cEBbMrZbebViXHMOfnwX8PgmVkMeK9KX0IZb1fL9LfpU8pLxUSmE/s1600/DSCN8282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaall57yPoGHDLTpcuGbopPmNfVisz1Kh7NyjGMhBI0XCvvlq6r2tHFqqjU8Sj0Zm6qJzBy8XITvdL091_ILni15cEBbMrZbebViXHMOfnwX8PgmVkMeK9KX0IZb1fL9LfpU8pLxUSmE/s1600/DSCN8282.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This small beetle was found on some grass growing on the verge. Even the smallest areas should not be underestimated as habitats for organisms.</td></tr>
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During two qualitative sessions, we walked the streets and
explores empty lots between buildings to try and build up an as comprehensive
species list, kind of like a snapshot, of what is out there in the city. Our
idea at first was to concentrate on grasses, but we soon found ourselves unable
to ignore the rich forb diversity. As we progressed we added insects and birds
as well as a reptile. After reviewing the findings I really had to face up to
my prejudices of what I thought these kinds of environments are able to
support. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaQl7sqL_mbd5j2bKs9L2DLiFjijYj49qwfHqN8QHeXx8ev9BJeJnVTZQaiY098I1p4lgY46VfxzDgyYJbVFMlDk8U_2KkDOcya2Rg-Me4dP8HKD_j86GWU7JGatBFSVPiz19tARoCMs/s1600/DSCN8328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaQl7sqL_mbd5j2bKs9L2DLiFjijYj49qwfHqN8QHeXx8ev9BJeJnVTZQaiY098I1p4lgY46VfxzDgyYJbVFMlDk8U_2KkDOcya2Rg-Me4dP8HKD_j86GWU7JGatBFSVPiz19tARoCMs/s1600/DSCN8328.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHelYOgBSD-1QzN07tmFDgtWKQui_iKKfxvfwidBZGbWXo4CKmz8i7vtq7LDdHZsQ0rS8pVqvXoz8WlDA84CSN5WKVFdUStxsU5z3aQWdYbNBSnZPzw6bxc9eNad3esC0rAxyGhyphenhyphenk4Hqo/s1600/DSCN8302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnkUZA40XEiBKlL4FZt7TJBOslZ9WToORSHJL87QxqdFDSrTL3Da0XeYd90ZT-o_VWP8w7dA6MAsfjfgzDmXiWtcVI9dnOPcAduQM1gr2_VYgBmGKTp9RjvpSl4emJw-3j9P-e0CsHxg/s1600/DSCN8326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnkUZA40XEiBKlL4FZt7TJBOslZ9WToORSHJL87QxqdFDSrTL3Da0XeYd90ZT-o_VWP8w7dA6MAsfjfgzDmXiWtcVI9dnOPcAduQM1gr2_VYgBmGKTp9RjvpSl4emJw-3j9P-e0CsHxg/s1600/DSCN8326.jpg" height="640" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three species of beetles from the Coccinellinae sub-family. Many of these beetles are predatory and eat aphids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYAb8AV30W4Krdy1Tet2LZM1OVnr_evbUsT6hqSJwrKWU2Z9luzTKDs35N38T2vaTyrQOPt552jwEO3oqFbeU0esm_IQ_EB8UD_sHr25xnl1BmUNShKbwniD5CUv2JS-3hTbotwdBL9s/s1600/DSCN8373.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="st"><i><span>Astylus
atromaculatus</span></i></span><span class="st"><span> – Spotted Maize
Beetle. Native to South America this is a major agricultural pest.</span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Grass </b>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Johannesburg is often referred to as the largest man-made
forest in the world. Many trees were planted in the early days of the city for
mining timber. The forest is here and it has changed the environment. In many
ways it is a good thing, but Johannesburg should actually be grassland. This
can be seen wherever trees and land has been cleared; the grass just comes up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHelYOgBSD-1QzN07tmFDgtWKQui_iKKfxvfwidBZGbWXo4CKmz8i7vtq7LDdHZsQ0rS8pVqvXoz8WlDA84CSN5WKVFdUStxsU5z3aQWdYbNBSnZPzw6bxc9eNad3esC0rAxyGhyphenhyphenk4Hqo/s1600/DSCN8302.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHelYOgBSD-1QzN07tmFDgtWKQui_iKKfxvfwidBZGbWXo4CKmz8i7vtq7LDdHZsQ0rS8pVqvXoz8WlDA84CSN5WKVFdUStxsU5z3aQWdYbNBSnZPzw6bxc9eNad3esC0rAxyGhyphenhyphenk4Hqo/s1600/DSCN8302.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inflorescence of <i>Hyparrhenia hirta</i>. An important grass for thatching. Some people were busy harvesting the very grass pictured here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErGUP5bM-cIJ6HKE7gQE8fFP6LslLzlWbtezEkMqfFPwYh0potytVgt9a9_VuOke065344eMNTXvsy3NExOz4BXaQEixedZd37Or9-7dknKV2hyFYK4bJM4pfwaG8bLR-ow-MX2IpcwE/s1600/DSCN8503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErGUP5bM-cIJ6HKE7gQE8fFP6LslLzlWbtezEkMqfFPwYh0potytVgt9a9_VuOke065344eMNTXvsy3NExOz4BXaQEixedZd37Or9-7dknKV2hyFYK4bJM4pfwaG8bLR-ow-MX2IpcwE/s1600/DSCN8503.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Chloris pycnothrix</i> or Spider-web Grass. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iOS0J6Nqc6z8G57SjjcdypUeOQiEhKDqe9twZCz3WnVEKXJpNNsccqmMqoPJKcVfHInmIZsnd6sDwW4LBxBbaRRxy_HE8ZaP8j3C8kRSoaSlrL7UXzaqugXApsQ17i4AFnxGbmXSuuY/s1600/DSCN8501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iOS0J6Nqc6z8G57SjjcdypUeOQiEhKDqe9twZCz3WnVEKXJpNNsccqmMqoPJKcVfHInmIZsnd6sDwW4LBxBbaRRxy_HE8ZaP8j3C8kRSoaSlrL7UXzaqugXApsQ17i4AFnxGbmXSuuY/s1600/DSCN8501.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Eragrostis curvula</i>.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One of the most amazing things about the growth of grass in
the city is that it tries to colonise any bit of ground it gets its seeds into.
Grass was found growing on pavements, between the pavers and in some areas in
the middle of the road. The ecological role of grass as a weathering agent can
clearly be seen. Everywhere it appears to be forcing cracks in the surface of
the city open for more plants to get in and continue the process. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTItb7lTviX3jZc_IoomUVQYS_Xrb9smlezJOZfQRYK3NhOvfI43uC8TpluCJRNKscj1F5LZ2cMT7GHUipgciIBzy9GmsYgi3ZWa3aUzS6j1Ks9GdnGOd2-1NSeoDHopXo1_zkMVX_XJI/s1600/DSCN8538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTItb7lTviX3jZc_IoomUVQYS_Xrb9smlezJOZfQRYK3NhOvfI43uC8TpluCJRNKscj1F5LZ2cMT7GHUipgciIBzy9GmsYgi3ZWa3aUzS6j1Ks9GdnGOd2-1NSeoDHopXo1_zkMVX_XJI/s1600/DSCN8538.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Grass growing in the road. This grass will increase the gap that is already present and allow more organisms a space in what was once an inhabitable surface.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Aliens vegetation and
their ecological roles</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><i>Cannabis
sativa </i>and </span>
<i><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Amaranthus hybridus.</span></i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> Both of these plants are important in human culture. Here they are playing the role of pioneer species.</span></span><style>
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt6NR8BwX50WmhDxZePIg5DjbmDpWRdCx5ZbLbaWoir_LJ-Sbu5uVs-xaN_fk5DAlLWI246K-VoNeR5vNOEhbFYnNoDrVepoX8-bC1B29uefR8xjjzKuj08faEc-nCykEkt6ND1lmBi0/s1600/DSCN8293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt6NR8BwX50WmhDxZePIg5DjbmDpWRdCx5ZbLbaWoir_LJ-Sbu5uVs-xaN_fk5DAlLWI246K-VoNeR5vNOEhbFYnNoDrVepoX8-bC1B29uefR8xjjzKuj08faEc-nCykEkt6ND1lmBi0/s1600/DSCN8293.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here there are three dominant pioneer species:
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--></style><i>Bidens pilosa </i>(Black Jacks)<i>, Tagetes minuta </i>(Khaki Bos)<i> and Ipomoea purpurea</i> (Morning Glory).<i> </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wherever one looks in the city, the ratio between indigenous
plants and alien plants is skewed in favour of the aliens. This is to be
expected as these alien plants are supported by human activities and they are
among the most robust plants out there. These aliens are often found growing in
very trying conditions and usually unaffected by parasites and natural enemies
as they have evolved in a different ecological climate. In addition to these
factors the alien plants that are dominating growth areas are usually very fast
growing and spread very easily. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbw8nlu5nIvaWw8bxVE2HUPDc6FEEUY8a0AOH74BfGv33CeYeAPuiuRpNSTZzuDwdoTlc84kx8rwLMMucbZb7mpf4EocTOsY-M4EqccZqMr1QZ784r_8IpAtEm0ucv3KWBya7O9WCh2A/s1600/DSCN8332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbw8nlu5nIvaWw8bxVE2HUPDc6FEEUY8a0AOH74BfGv33CeYeAPuiuRpNSTZzuDwdoTlc84kx8rwLMMucbZb7mpf4EocTOsY-M4EqccZqMr1QZ784r_8IpAtEm0ucv3KWBya7O9WCh2A/s1600/DSCN8332.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C-YQnDNzZdcQKtkk_Y0cq_A2gCv3c9Sf5qMMt90O1OrSi8KUVwEfLuJsUFDA8mJluk37203HoOIDCvXVxjPGHXwBt9dg8dqFcdwVKf4TS1AnClFpSOMvUPTnYC_XuE4qRwxTMoX2ti8/s1600/DSCN8376.jpg" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="itemextrafieldsvalue"><span><i>Cuscuta</i> sp. – Dodder
is a fascinating, yet very destructive weed. The plant is parasitic and wraps
itself around other plants while disconnecting itself from the ground and feeding
directly off its hosts. The plant is yellow and this is because it does not
even produce its own chlorophyll for photosynthesis.</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg144dsAwM4sXBRqDjieTRV0l42OkP1cUUXlSViTxoG6mwBScBd5KO4B9SBtGrutTwP_OhfZjhJnBZJ3uUvQr5b4v05EDX7iuzHJcBKpg3GfxZbzBntZ11VXL-UmQ7Q0kFPgkDdPberSME/s1600/DSCN8430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg144dsAwM4sXBRqDjieTRV0l42OkP1cUUXlSViTxoG6mwBScBd5KO4B9SBtGrutTwP_OhfZjhJnBZJ3uUvQr5b4v05EDX7iuzHJcBKpg3GfxZbzBntZ11VXL-UmQ7Q0kFPgkDdPberSME/s1600/DSCN8430.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bidens pilosa</i> and <i>Ipomoea purpurea</i>, two South American species growing together. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even though many of these plants are hated and seen as weeds
that need to be eradicated, they do serve a very important purpose in the
greater ecological scheme of things: these are the pioneers. This means they
are the first plants to colonise a piece of land that has been disturbed. They
often have roots that have nitrogen-fixing bacterial nodes on them and these
strengthen the soil. The pioneer species make way for secondary succession to
take place and after a few years their numbers will decline and different
plants will replace them. In the case of what was observed in Johannesburg, the
pioneers were mostly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tagetes minuta </i>(Khaki
Bos) and <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bidens pilosa </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Black Jack).</span></div>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP2mc52U6d4YwGK6qANQZDSzP5CPNruG70gQmflbsDEu_OMsKzmaFuegUtKqJcD1qKprvsEKdolZN67Cx-vFOCnvjk3M_j9vTi8eem_1Q_FrDcYgYkByNVvBc4jzDPcaM-jG6XDP9v-E/s1600/DSCN8404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP2mc52U6d4YwGK6qANQZDSzP5CPNruG70gQmflbsDEu_OMsKzmaFuegUtKqJcD1qKprvsEKdolZN67Cx-vFOCnvjk3M_j9vTi8eem_1Q_FrDcYgYkByNVvBc4jzDPcaM-jG6XDP9v-E/s1600/DSCN8404.jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Trachylepis punctatissima</i> – Speckled Rock Skink basking.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lizards!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was very pleased to find reptiles in the city. These were
represented by Speckled Rock Skinks (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trachylepis
punctatissima</i>). These skinks are very robust and indicate that there is not
an overuse of insecticides and they also indicate a low population of cats,
which usually decimate their populations. At least eleven individuals were
observed and there may be as many as triple that amount that was not seen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPJo2SNqVz8xRfORnfdppC1hviy8w_e9biu69ISP3W_7ZJiHYKp6X0WbajrMw7kUU-PAYyfODd5tZ1sy6G6bZ9X9ia655VPcA_jiM2cR7y4cGkVMFLbIcpyxP0CboskHF-lYguy0E4lA/s1600/DSCN8529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPJo2SNqVz8xRfORnfdppC1hviy8w_e9biu69ISP3W_7ZJiHYKp6X0WbajrMw7kUU-PAYyfODd5tZ1sy6G6bZ9X9ia655VPcA_jiM2cR7y4cGkVMFLbIcpyxP0CboskHF-lYguy0E4lA/s1600/DSCN8529.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Speckled Rock Skink, this one is resting on a strange arrangement of bricks and wire suspended from the ground.</td></tr>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Birds</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Birds are a good indication of the state of an environment.
This is because they are not restricted by barriers that are faced by
terrestrial animals, they can leave and enter areas as they need to. Although
the amount of birds in the area is very low, it was higher than I had expected it
to be. But when compared to a preserved site in the same city, the species
diversity is very low. In the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve for example, I
could get a list of 50 birds on an average day, my list for Jeppe for was 14
birds and some fly-overs. Below is the bird list in order of recording:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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{page:WordSection1;} </style><span style="font-size: small;">Tawny-flanked Prinia</span><span style="font-size: small;">, Grey Go-away Bird</span><span style="font-size: small;">, Cape Turtle Dove, Laughing Dove, Speckled Pigeon, Rock Dove, Indian Myna, Cape Glossy Starling, Cape Sparrow, House Sparrow, Karroo Thrush, Village Weaver, Grey Heron (fly-over), Green Wood-hoopoe, White Stork (fly-over), Reed Cormorant (fly-over), Barn Swallow and Little Swift.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rats and beetles</b> </div>
<br />
Walking in town and looking in the growth of pavements and
in gutters for signs of life one finds many dead rats. In any city rats are
very successful and Johannesburg is no exception. Everywhere there were rat
corpses in various stages of decomposition, most of them poisoned and some
killed in the road by vehicles (although being killed by a car could be
indirectly linked to being poisoned as the toxins often change the rats
behaviors making them more susceptible to being ‘caught out’ in the open.
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The investigation of the rat’s decomposing corpses revealed
an ecosystem on a small scale. <span class="kno-fv"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dermestidae</span></i></span><span class="kno-fv"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
beetles were found on the bodies and so were flies (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Calliphoridae</span></i><span class="kno-fv"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">) and their larvae. Feeding on the larvae were hister beetles
(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Histeridae</i>). The smell of bacteria
was also present. These organisms fulfill a very important role in the
decomposition process. Most people become queasy when confronted with a carcass
blooming with flies and maggots, but if those people could imagine a world
without flies and maggots they would feel far more sick. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9irHiaOnN8hMfV7_h_O3QMzzrkOOmWtCAay-Saa6ZolkXGHrbtyIaPibMIQMeyQ6JxETjfQPZjpn5HoMNHRq4DifrUmIE2iHWXe7SBGRlNEMAW3hA5Yyf7b9ccwwBScyfBpQD001bu0/s1600/DSCN8311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9irHiaOnN8hMfV7_h_O3QMzzrkOOmWtCAay-Saa6ZolkXGHrbtyIaPibMIQMeyQ6JxETjfQPZjpn5HoMNHRq4DifrUmIE2iHWXe7SBGRlNEMAW3hA5Yyf7b9ccwwBScyfBpQD001bu0/s1600/DSCN8311.jpg" height="414" width="640" /></a></div>
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Looking at how these species are able to survive in what
would seem to be adverse situations, I cant imagine what kind of animals would
be able to live in a city that provides some kind of ecological support
structures. Imagine rooftop gardens with locally indigenous plants, massive
containers with grass growing in them and ponds. My vision is one of islands of
natural vegetation where insects and birds can flourish. The amount of
diversity that can be attracted in such a scenario would be astounding. We are
a long way from that vision, but I feel the first step in that direction is to become
more aware of locally indigenous life and try and cultivate plants that are
locally indigenous to encourage organisms to make our cities their homes too. </div>
<br />
ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-46759463355655853932014-02-25T14:10:00.004-08:002014-02-27T10:53:05.524-08:00Waterberg, Masebe Nature Reserve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbdleA-TIiALZJS3KaDrKunSCrDUrZNRrSx_n4W6Qy2SHYAnXDCo8B7Xig7VnK5enBjQ-YBTuad9kOv3e0FqRqZhIKVXfkRa7uYJ931PsbOam3P1a8Y0MM3ItZzCwDHvFMZ0Hk9cRUrA/s1600/IMG_7889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNo9TKK0A4kGPLqDNTTdQtuEI14p-11Ow8IwHA8jx3hhQKx7ywHgsEh2_thIDyY89Yj24R-Cuxu6UvxXh1VqhmLYkTLDdivHCIU1D4Mbp1XqIDshiN2x8VvYbCO6dUMg5EXOmh-Yawvw/s1600/IMG_0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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For the summer of 2013/2014 I spent two months in the
Waterberg Biosphere Reserve at a small Nature Reserve called Masebe. Masebe
Nature Reserve is characterized by its sandstone rock formations that create a
dramatically imposing and scenic landscape. Buttes and mesas jut out of the
plains and between these there are plains and valleys, creating a varied mix of
habitats rich in biodiversity. The Masebe Nature Reserve is not very big,
perhaps 4 500 hectares in total and that is split into two by a road, but it is
preserving a very unique piece of the Waterberg.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjq9BNwe8idbwk7dhRoHYpWinEUnATaq4gs2JK8eeF525kgCkVELN-QPfZsM9Xm72L2ole-BbowqH7zY0nIKH6B2aaECSdOqkQCDYFMRmPzk09iLVe82feddqQ_RGoFgruXRAhRLsMug/s1600/IMG_6702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjq9BNwe8idbwk7dhRoHYpWinEUnATaq4gs2JK8eeF525kgCkVELN-QPfZsM9Xm72L2ole-BbowqH7zY0nIKH6B2aaECSdOqkQCDYFMRmPzk09iLVe82feddqQ_RGoFgruXRAhRLsMug/s1600/IMG_6702.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life is everywhere, one just has to look a little closer at ones surroundings and there you will find creatures moving about and living out their lives. Here two mantids are mating. To the human observer this is just another banal phenomenon in the world. To these mantids this is the pinnacle of their lives.</td></tr>
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The general biodiversity of the area is incredibly high and
I was pleasantly surprised to find so many different types of insects,
scorpions and reptiles. I will show case the diversity I was finding out there
here with some information here and there on the organisms.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENT</span> </div>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CqeAGpYa8SyewVWMjyA66T5RZQyDVFz1qfw99Vke4GJ6TRyxBcPKCMO796zsZ4wbKxmGYGg4xiJAuvjs_NxdYBkiloBhNkew3OPfwjuiTMdwqGOYRy6hid5Z913DWElU1w7ZwW3BvE0/s1600/IMG_6831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CqeAGpYa8SyewVWMjyA66T5RZQyDVFz1qfw99Vke4GJ6TRyxBcPKCMO796zsZ4wbKxmGYGg4xiJAuvjs_NxdYBkiloBhNkew3OPfwjuiTMdwqGOYRy6hid5Z913DWElU1w7ZwW3BvE0/s1600/IMG_6831.jpg" height="354" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lightning striking one of the Mesas during a typical thunder storm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_XivgAOXE_3DsBTrO6a9tr-LJCuBQWAo-JY8JwbcWMFhEZTAYx0dwH93ktINVWe5eyk8nS1QWVP5N4SoI_HdNDMNVrYawaaexaxJwnh10v4Cfu5Sw2eolSCQSLNkrHHWAt5mPGsz7h8/s1600/IMG_6962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_XivgAOXE_3DsBTrO6a9tr-LJCuBQWAo-JY8JwbcWMFhEZTAYx0dwH93ktINVWe5eyk8nS1QWVP5N4SoI_HdNDMNVrYawaaexaxJwnh10v4Cfu5Sw2eolSCQSLNkrHHWAt5mPGsz7h8/s1600/IMG_6962.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masebe is a very scenic nature reserve. This picture shows the buttes and mesas nicely. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0jnwcOR41ZXyqnKdz0D2GihgTe-nZnMuE8_kVShHFGTImgtWeoO-U5-QZ6JlSw7VFbFN8_pvvUgdPVRWgGyPE5FHJVnTlrYD6EF_HH09G_FuWkyu3f466eU66ZbBGIbfFLSQnZlnfaI/s1600/IMG_8943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0jnwcOR41ZXyqnKdz0D2GihgTe-nZnMuE8_kVShHFGTImgtWeoO-U5-QZ6JlSw7VFbFN8_pvvUgdPVRWgGyPE5FHJVnTlrYD6EF_HH09G_FuWkyu3f466eU66ZbBGIbfFLSQnZlnfaI/s1600/IMG_8943.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In between all mesas and buttes are the plains, they are typical Savanna woodlands with an understory of grass. The grass in this image is <i>Perotis patens.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvoJSnCmvjksCK0OJsHCPx0SVQX54lmrrspmqmHRVpkko92US3CEhP7vdECkGsiLE5jyhZC4Yw7w3erV0Up4Y9yD2TS2w-jP1sWrSJxV6GWSueMrSd6zG7hz8SpW27VNBVW-0KGhx0DA/s1600/IMG_6753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvoJSnCmvjksCK0OJsHCPx0SVQX54lmrrspmqmHRVpkko92US3CEhP7vdECkGsiLE5jyhZC4Yw7w3erV0Up4Y9yD2TS2w-jP1sWrSJxV6GWSueMrSd6zG7hz8SpW27VNBVW-0KGhx0DA/s1600/IMG_6753.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmXcKgSbc7SKpZHzWxSiT76e-L9BrP8V-ppHVSUtUBS06BI-gIrKIpq3DbyxCtUADv4urvA0vNlYxrY-lJhRS_4-UNE1kxAPhDk7-i9RNLw9irGCEiKwslwfQS63biCt50mURdzzjI2E/s1600/IMG_6552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmXcKgSbc7SKpZHzWxSiT76e-L9BrP8V-ppHVSUtUBS06BI-gIrKIpq3DbyxCtUADv4urvA0vNlYxrY-lJhRS_4-UNE1kxAPhDk7-i9RNLw9irGCEiKwslwfQS63biCt50mURdzzjI2E/s1600/IMG_6552.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rocky areas exhibit beautiful specimens of <i>Euphorbia cooperi, </i>also known as the Deadliest Euphorbia. Other rocky outcrops were bare. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZyXhEHFAV1nJFOdVnAKbMn8xBeftvBZGvYhyphenhyphenbwdPC4lkfbLSAA6jHMQ1j3n2oG_GnIdNeixsmP_zWAGf9A9LN3d0T7JDamrqifwGOuQTeWedhUMZnS942Lc5K8OaKuH9jq91rhs0fic/s1600/IMG_6888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZyXhEHFAV1nJFOdVnAKbMn8xBeftvBZGvYhyphenhyphenbwdPC4lkfbLSAA6jHMQ1j3n2oG_GnIdNeixsmP_zWAGf9A9LN3d0T7JDamrqifwGOuQTeWedhUMZnS942Lc5K8OaKuH9jq91rhs0fic/s1600/IMG_6888.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bauhinia petersiana subsp. macrantha</i>. The delicate white flowers of these plants was a striking contrast to the sea of green that they grow in. The flower is nearly as thin as tissue. </td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>INSECTS</b></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz5-UprvpYtZc6VL5xaDXTsQl428gcXYcQ4XJArj4M3_eVPaVCN9WOPoKC6OZuvbHe1rm3PpUT_wgDCOe81xpbCmqeJegagSoTBYdyJgSJE3pG3TKDoXuKNbwe0Now572JI6qlMWCXZY/s1600/IMG_6703.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz5-UprvpYtZc6VL5xaDXTsQl428gcXYcQ4XJArj4M3_eVPaVCN9WOPoKC6OZuvbHe1rm3PpUT_wgDCOe81xpbCmqeJegagSoTBYdyJgSJE3pG3TKDoXuKNbwe0Now572JI6qlMWCXZY/s1600/IMG_6703.jpg" height="640" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bromophila caffra</i>,
these large flies are found in large numbers during the hottest and
wettest months. They are very slow moving and fly very lazily. The
colouration on them resembles some of the larger spider hunting wasps,
except in the wasps there is usually an abdomen that has a bit of red on
it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The diversity of insect in Masebe Nature Reserve is very rich. Particularly the Coleoptera and specifically the <i>Tenebrionidae.</i> I saw many amazing animals and learned a lot from what I saw. Many of the insects I saw were animals I have never seen before and I witnessed some very rich interactions. Below are some of my highlights.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIepAJGSosBs11SoTlRcuVaVSrFhxzCiU8waoTybrUNkxKymG5OHmPFsOAe-RbWWqAd0wrJR43Xl8Un8B7sDFGOcMc9wHQKrjozdt_pxXgFipaHLu6qjZyB6Fi_JdWesGwbWVnlX-Kys/s1600/IMG_9261.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIepAJGSosBs11SoTlRcuVaVSrFhxzCiU8waoTybrUNkxKymG5OHmPFsOAe-RbWWqAd0wrJR43Xl8Un8B7sDFGOcMc9wHQKrjozdt_pxXgFipaHLu6qjZyB6Fi_JdWesGwbWVnlX-Kys/s1600/IMG_9261.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This small Mantid Nymph resembled an ant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKCcKfZLjOhn8u4VqHx9SwUsRjZIkx9_clPNHySidKykQ58sCxWTByD7-H9wApZya1Ffs25B0xmNqS9rfTtFSxff0cUPcf4TR_xgyLSyVjHpUxK4JsUzVZMBAc104Ij14pnFJaGzgw9g/s1600/IMG_9701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKCcKfZLjOhn8u4VqHx9SwUsRjZIkx9_clPNHySidKykQ58sCxWTByD7-H9wApZya1Ffs25B0xmNqS9rfTtFSxff0cUPcf4TR_xgyLSyVjHpUxK4JsUzVZMBAc104Ij14pnFJaGzgw9g/s1600/IMG_9701.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Empusidae</i>, the beautiful Cone-head Mantid.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYpt97A1u7JlYeotoi-gMyqU82qyBUhyphenhyphen0I9aES2HDiql_fxS6GQOKIlur6f0IuQA55fWofZbzRX_xUcdDu9H5d-sEHfeI8Wqxmg3ssVDnYn4Vb_I3RZYyitlZA15QydqcHBjtbImjpiE/s1600/IMG_8015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYpt97A1u7JlYeotoi-gMyqU82qyBUhyphenhyphen0I9aES2HDiql_fxS6GQOKIlur6f0IuQA55fWofZbzRX_xUcdDu9H5d-sEHfeI8Wqxmg3ssVDnYn4Vb_I3RZYyitlZA15QydqcHBjtbImjpiE/s1600/IMG_8015.jpg" height="450" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CMR beetle (<i>Hycleus oculatus</i>). These beetles feed on flowers and are also very toxic as their colour suggests. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqHCRg15MShW2N2WMbrgXO190fSCAVfg-Om3-LkRU39s64GtfCls7lCzMV2ydNymM3rFXQewkuyavRngXhoYptezHQCnRO-QdgkvGLfFIdy9sNueGJlGHtcxtPn_dOs2W1QsKzYgYFlw/s1600/IMG_7118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqHCRg15MShW2N2WMbrgXO190fSCAVfg-Om3-LkRU39s64GtfCls7lCzMV2ydNymM3rFXQewkuyavRngXhoYptezHQCnRO-QdgkvGLfFIdy9sNueGJlGHtcxtPn_dOs2W1QsKzYgYFlw/s1600/IMG_7118.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit chafer (<i>Amazula suavis</i>). A very striking beetle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAqQyfRF8SVKQzpuXujW7OleHF5zWvTGVXHAgBkdDW58iZFhvbBaIVjxpJqVtN-mPkN1odjjWwusqMI4Uz1RTFHLlYEaicIzvQnmt6HI44BrOZ9MaLrP8gvBIjomqL_Ud7Ch-xhs0QSw/s1600/IMG_7566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAqQyfRF8SVKQzpuXujW7OleHF5zWvTGVXHAgBkdDW58iZFhvbBaIVjxpJqVtN-mPkN1odjjWwusqMI4Uz1RTFHLlYEaicIzvQnmt6HI44BrOZ9MaLrP8gvBIjomqL_Ud7Ch-xhs0QSw/s1600/IMG_7566.jpg" height="414" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superficially resembling a Rhino Beetle, this Dung beetle (<i>Copris</i>) still looks impressive with that horn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSE70hNj2j3TI0CCHK-KIOG3yfdc7bhkukkWgXuwPcJONPPwnE9BruIjJ6iybESikyRZ9xRyTwI4trpo3MUNhkZhhopdup8w2F-k6AHg6IAbSVzZlLGViSfe7auB_xUQQN7dKl9cex84/s1600/IMG_9489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSE70hNj2j3TI0CCHK-KIOG3yfdc7bhkukkWgXuwPcJONPPwnE9BruIjJ6iybESikyRZ9xRyTwI4trpo3MUNhkZhhopdup8w2F-k6AHg6IAbSVzZlLGViSfe7auB_xUQQN7dKl9cex84/s1600/IMG_9489.jpg" height="406" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the most striking beetles I have seen <i>Taurhina splendens.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiI-EktoAbxYntAIHkBMIHwjjEo8cfCK99fbupsmhW5Wvs9px9rtZ3SFPIoUNMJyNM3y5Pd71JAj9Npsof3GB_rms1HYSRJ-RwqfAtyWszsJzv-H12eHPWYDhtMAGmzIjvh25wyA4dltg/s1600/IMG_6765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiI-EktoAbxYntAIHkBMIHwjjEo8cfCK99fbupsmhW5Wvs9px9rtZ3SFPIoUNMJyNM3y5Pd71JAj9Npsof3GB_rms1HYSRJ-RwqfAtyWszsJzv-H12eHPWYDhtMAGmzIjvh25wyA4dltg/s1600/IMG_6765.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This hister beetle of the <i>Histeridae</i> family preys on the larva soft larva of flies. This particular individual was found high up on a cliff very close to a hyrax midden. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHhz3k5IPxW_3J9LHhuMmagHafRi2WQOGtZ_jLJaX-FAXt1NF41vEbi5b2xuVaInZFh7tMo9t5oHNb7108ATbGLbGOFpyM6Kk4OZn0lAd0dnApOw-OiidxSr57Vf-xsBZhdJa5rnpVNM/s1600/IMG_7324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHhz3k5IPxW_3J9LHhuMmagHafRi2WQOGtZ_jLJaX-FAXt1NF41vEbi5b2xuVaInZFh7tMo9t5oHNb7108ATbGLbGOFpyM6Kk4OZn0lAd0dnApOw-OiidxSr57Vf-xsBZhdJa5rnpVNM/s1600/IMG_7324.jpg" height="364" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A <i>Cypholoba alveolata </i>ground beetle. Many of these could be seen hunting at night.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBHCLhCVk7_KCeWMN0KG5BZoGkfftWXqXQ0IkENAEuGyly65Q24ifQzbCk0VgsMZ9uGHuEXRLhgderr8FOCYt4BVUs_-o5KCySviwEEaGB5QGEWsG6rrzXYe9faxxStzqOKrO6M7JZmc/s1600/IMG_7846.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBHCLhCVk7_KCeWMN0KG5BZoGkfftWXqXQ0IkENAEuGyly65Q24ifQzbCk0VgsMZ9uGHuEXRLhgderr8FOCYt4BVUs_-o5KCySviwEEaGB5QGEWsG6rrzXYe9faxxStzqOKrO6M7JZmc/s1600/IMG_7846.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cypholoba alveolata. </i>While photographing these beetles the female was trying to kill a chafer. <i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFNSI7g4bBUozTTTicE5oUGjyae_gR75vBMBP5Rpq9X9qtCG9rYus7uO9kGfzTf0ukfhIrK9XoHyFJfm2O8VbB4IRIz9b1Be0XtKE7Q9SxbaCPeussi8gX5gSBOyUCGdcg4VZNVZpgD8/s1600/IMG_7441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFNSI7g4bBUozTTTicE5oUGjyae_gR75vBMBP5Rpq9X9qtCG9rYus7uO9kGfzTf0ukfhIrK9XoHyFJfm2O8VbB4IRIz9b1Be0XtKE7Q9SxbaCPeussi8gX5gSBOyUCGdcg4VZNVZpgD8/s1600/IMG_7441.jpg" height="640" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The uncommon <i>Craspedophorus</i>, another ground beetle. The warning colours on this individual are a bluff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDc6YcISxce17zXHQuGbJ36e7YqeMAygj0Qaf_rsg-ZXH4yHmeEKDdB3WrLK5mgpRR-aVJ5qKnAJwdFeK60U43q-g3pFVrIcTHlsC6HuERSV6ZYLwiiOcnmVxc1cPraSp2FAO4UL12uA0/s1600/IMG_7847.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDc6YcISxce17zXHQuGbJ36e7YqeMAygj0Qaf_rsg-ZXH4yHmeEKDdB3WrLK5mgpRR-aVJ5qKnAJwdFeK60U43q-g3pFVrIcTHlsC6HuERSV6ZYLwiiOcnmVxc1cPraSp2FAO4UL12uA0/s1600/IMG_7847.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Termophilum omoplatum, </i>these carnivorous ground beetles mimic the "oog pister" or <i>Anthia </i>beetle.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgxt3II74_44K1RZF6TYWP1cup5dGndxAWd65_ksdNOZGnaP1t_xly_nUIeV09VhggYeRSbovqBBmUDEVb8mCHdEGIikIk7gK1ZY_4AfxLLVzRNOHlKRcu1inz-dVCSpTXLyejvPgW0E/s1600/IMG_7090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgxt3II74_44K1RZF6TYWP1cup5dGndxAWd65_ksdNOZGnaP1t_xly_nUIeV09VhggYeRSbovqBBmUDEVb8mCHdEGIikIk7gK1ZY_4AfxLLVzRNOHlKRcu1inz-dVCSpTXLyejvPgW0E/s1600/IMG_7090.jpg" height="380" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground beetle (<i>Termophilum burchelli subsp. burchelli</i>). The aposematic colouration on this individual is a false warning. This beetle is another <i>Anthia </i>mimic. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6V5OphctYOC4xVDM7-db7Z7uVJ5mMZxPSH1llqwemYU9lbNn4fMqjy6fBec5FU9C2o85yNHNZqfyIAdvMuIkdpcsJQQ0uPct7P12ekUxnKtbkjFMbWmdLJdbCX6nzCjy-T7y_TX1eeU/s1600/IMG_7024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6V5OphctYOC4xVDM7-db7Z7uVJ5mMZxPSH1llqwemYU9lbNn4fMqjy6fBec5FU9C2o85yNHNZqfyIAdvMuIkdpcsJQQ0uPct7P12ekUxnKtbkjFMbWmdLJdbCX6nzCjy-T7y_TX1eeU/s1600/IMG_7024.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Ground Beetle (Carabidae) Larvae is a fierce predator. Not sure which species. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQ5GMJK_EeUTh4Y53MAbPx0X7wVIZHOwJCyoh67oinkxRlI5sDH0GBlxRyHtJffKTKuhNjF1rwmzK8ia3DpJ7k4vmE6zeI3sXu687tozKzqjC1_t9jAkv6_PS6ZYsT1L6cpn8FKazgVA/s1600/IMG_7495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQ5GMJK_EeUTh4Y53MAbPx0X7wVIZHOwJCyoh67oinkxRlI5sDH0GBlxRyHtJffKTKuhNjF1rwmzK8ia3DpJ7k4vmE6zeI3sXu687tozKzqjC1_t9jAkv6_PS6ZYsT1L6cpn8FKazgVA/s1600/IMG_7495.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Anomalipus</i> a darkling beetle that was very common around Masebe Nature Reserve.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAPf5nemjl1pZKIiEB4GEDrLJaBC9S_I40rG36x1CKH_8CWyshithywZpgZVrC9AhU3hFfdIcjFyMvvMZf_sB9y0TbbFHZVSvRHI0NIzxACvE7Rhr1inIhhFNkJirGxdVYicID7VzxEY/s1600/IMG_7717.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAPf5nemjl1pZKIiEB4GEDrLJaBC9S_I40rG36x1CKH_8CWyshithywZpgZVrC9AhU3hFfdIcjFyMvvMZf_sB9y0TbbFHZVSvRHI0NIzxACvE7Rhr1inIhhFNkJirGxdVYicID7VzxEY/s1600/IMG_7717.jpg" height="418" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another darkling beetle, this one is another <i>Anomalipus.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecjYlBzyXhQ7nqAOhHdSfXeJVYd6q1ZOZ4SpX9ML_JNSJ2WXVMOI64KdhS2xnUacFZN8dDXT7rPvO7lPybxE0ovs6YB72EtzwcJ9EWmpy90kW3pYnY_mPQNBQiqsV_HIveYiRkYMyis0/s1600/IMG_8727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecjYlBzyXhQ7nqAOhHdSfXeJVYd6q1ZOZ4SpX9ML_JNSJ2WXVMOI64KdhS2xnUacFZN8dDXT7rPvO7lPybxE0ovs6YB72EtzwcJ9EWmpy90kW3pYnY_mPQNBQiqsV_HIveYiRkYMyis0/s1600/IMG_8727.jpg" height="470" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Darkling (<i>Tenebrionidae</i>), perhaps a Psammodes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwYcyfAqFP6aCIqSwA1X4gTyp7F2cGPg6OEGPWbKs-wyH2ZyVa3Su9hghw72FTy5BEeH-rIYu3V6z9NY_4P7-nyB62LtEfgW7752bq6bcnuHVdjFEIrX4UcULnowCLt-4uPvus8RJKt8/s1600/IMG_8962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwYcyfAqFP6aCIqSwA1X4gTyp7F2cGPg6OEGPWbKs-wyH2ZyVa3Su9hghw72FTy5BEeH-rIYu3V6z9NY_4P7-nyB62LtEfgW7752bq6bcnuHVdjFEIrX4UcULnowCLt-4uPvus8RJKt8/s1600/IMG_8962.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Darkling (<i>Tenebrionidae</i>), this is known as the Caramel-plucker Tokkie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xQOWR1FAz7RkigivIL9IHC-cr_meghqxdCqEHWg3pC5H7pnlVRVqx0Wk9jYxRaiugQUFfdcmkxbswA30wFr_yi0X0OMxhjOKnSvH1cdnUV_LwqpHcw53nmjtQLwmtnr1KEI7foJqwyE/s1600/IMG_7833.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xQOWR1FAz7RkigivIL9IHC-cr_meghqxdCqEHWg3pC5H7pnlVRVqx0Wk9jYxRaiugQUFfdcmkxbswA30wFr_yi0X0OMxhjOKnSvH1cdnUV_LwqpHcw53nmjtQLwmtnr1KEI7foJqwyE/s1600/IMG_7833.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Darkling Beetles (<i>Tenebrionidae</i>). Not sure of the genus, I have been told it is either <i>Psammodes</i> or <i>Phanerotomea</i>. But the two are very to tell apart.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoHwPYW0a1-9wCUN6972qlAJv3NdjwJej4J_p118ZeefaJCjKA9JEco-NKwz7nOmqCpa6L3efyt-_wOkfYt5cVGaqMmtRCTjhpA1D9kj3r0xxJUYiFJBYkgor5_X81QcYFV_zjAQd4Ig/s1600/IMG_7800.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoHwPYW0a1-9wCUN6972qlAJv3NdjwJej4J_p118ZeefaJCjKA9JEco-NKwz7nOmqCpa6L3efyt-_wOkfYt5cVGaqMmtRCTjhpA1D9kj3r0xxJUYiFJBYkgor5_X81QcYFV_zjAQd4Ig/s1600/IMG_7800.jpg" height="438" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Psammodes</i>, another darkling that was common around the reserve.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXLDC7R6RxC1Lk_CM00eJr53ExEFZBXMSg6G5masjowIyTIXvUWPkrdIO7irwEmdc5h2DOQur6Y2B88PmDSYnlc7QfZk2baHg8_odlB_moGV2ln0RYrenthtaHCl1MT1OyawysdrSdUA/s1600/IMG_9854.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXLDC7R6RxC1Lk_CM00eJr53ExEFZBXMSg6G5masjowIyTIXvUWPkrdIO7irwEmdc5h2DOQur6Y2B88PmDSYnlc7QfZk2baHg8_odlB_moGV2ln0RYrenthtaHCl1MT1OyawysdrSdUA/s1600/IMG_9854.jpg" height="390" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This beautiful beetle is called the Pleasing Fungus Beetle (<i>Erotylidae</i>). The markings on this individual resemble the batman logo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczeIstGhMXd3yK_3TvTdWVWU612iF_osW6wNcbi23sDXE2ZgHQcK0eJKSz4f2mF3fCZNJhJCAjO2f1MS6qqxjQfXz9Hc0NIeW6thrtvB8npSfS5eOkr6xBgK86Vqd7GG395vo9h0ICDI/s1600/IMG_9055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczeIstGhMXd3yK_3TvTdWVWU612iF_osW6wNcbi23sDXE2ZgHQcK0eJKSz4f2mF3fCZNJhJCAjO2f1MS6qqxjQfXz9Hc0NIeW6thrtvB8npSfS5eOkr6xBgK86Vqd7GG395vo9h0ICDI/s1600/IMG_9055.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lycus</i>, Net-winged Beetles are very common in the grassy area. These four seemed to be three males attempting to mate a female.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tIgTHwX_lf6KyG1lhpRRjuA69_cQgAfOPpdLf4JlTwOT5y6mS0yiwn8PxZYmpRF1eoyreNXenDHD24-HNFNY_DUh9wptsigc7YiRSTfmb9rRZG4tpIP1x-0-XFuH0254QPdcW6P9BNk/s1600/IMG_8772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tIgTHwX_lf6KyG1lhpRRjuA69_cQgAfOPpdLf4JlTwOT5y6mS0yiwn8PxZYmpRF1eoyreNXenDHD24-HNFNY_DUh9wptsigc7YiRSTfmb9rRZG4tpIP1x-0-XFuH0254QPdcW6P9BNk/s1600/IMG_8772.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the egg case of a tortoise beetle, most probably <b></b><i>Conchyloctenia tripuncticollis.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLc7nzNYhY8RxhyRjeBmTGdu5eB8wcMvCMZiwUCEN9EUyxN4jy4GgqprgATRKYxglDRt7C4s91Y1wqaUbltQ9b7uZEQIecrVPYyfNrVtyS4o2Wcw7rN8Oeg-OXjYN9vlss9nchBgLwGY/s1600/IMG_9135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLc7nzNYhY8RxhyRjeBmTGdu5eB8wcMvCMZiwUCEN9EUyxN4jy4GgqprgATRKYxglDRt7C4s91Y1wqaUbltQ9b7uZEQIecrVPYyfNrVtyS4o2Wcw7rN8Oeg-OXjYN9vlss9nchBgLwGY/s1600/IMG_9135.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Conchyloctenia tripuncticollis. </i>A tortoise beetle.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwJ6ypieWby7TnG6F9O4hOOpymUB7cw60r724DKV-vf5SbeCBlfNRHjMbfENFu27wf28KCQsEeIuNdz5GEb2_a1Kqa-nJOn0CMcgiIh1aXZLVRPR7nd4ovpLHkhcvbWlWbOkdPUddvhs/s1600/IMG_7455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwJ6ypieWby7TnG6F9O4hOOpymUB7cw60r724DKV-vf5SbeCBlfNRHjMbfENFu27wf28KCQsEeIuNdz5GEb2_a1Kqa-nJOn0CMcgiIh1aXZLVRPR7nd4ovpLHkhcvbWlWbOkdPUddvhs/s1600/IMG_7455.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Termite-eater Click Beetle (<i>Tetralobus flabellicornis</i>). It is said the the larvae of this beetle is covered in long hairs, lives in wood and feeds on termites. Very interesting beetles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgta5CSZlezvXazHrTyxM-8k1L6SKYmJe3Nkly9kgS1yOJuz-KCrIYC7gs3Flpl88t_ctfERcztvxBSrmzduip5boogRPQYxEtf-epkXJelYoOLPCLadTJIT2UZkFQjKujPwFO8MXuNJfc/s1600/IMG_9667.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgta5CSZlezvXazHrTyxM-8k1L6SKYmJe3Nkly9kgS1yOJuz-KCrIYC7gs3Flpl88t_ctfERcztvxBSrmzduip5boogRPQYxEtf-epkXJelYoOLPCLadTJIT2UZkFQjKujPwFO8MXuNJfc/s1600/IMG_9667.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tetralobus </i>another Click Beetle. Not sure which species this is.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHja6-k8scT7fEz6ze2PoZ3K8JcyXDESCs4tunGmZDMXm0dS-1wfJ5WMyRQYS-d0qtFXwTZP5NOE8YV4DWVzu6S45_YUsQoqV7saTAJ2JiTkMrsIrdVjoRzpFyMcJzJ2FcJ-LJR5qRFFk/s1600/IMG_7320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHja6-k8scT7fEz6ze2PoZ3K8JcyXDESCs4tunGmZDMXm0dS-1wfJ5WMyRQYS-d0qtFXwTZP5NOE8YV4DWVzu6S45_YUsQoqV7saTAJ2JiTkMrsIrdVjoRzpFyMcJzJ2FcJ-LJR5qRFFk/s1600/IMG_7320.jpg" height="468" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big Longhorn Beetle (<i>Macrotoma</i>?). One of the many strange beetles I came across this summer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijELsM7EGI2C46AJl9A4YNkVQYgCQRuKp_p006b9EvpYGFEMUgtf3D85JkWcwpgW2iQw0nShIIH5dFXwXgk-yc-PKKyz_YPR8576AtHpY5_cwrXCj-8q4PiS3vJ64_rZBlw0VcHWHyZuU/s1600/IMG_9865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijELsM7EGI2C46AJl9A4YNkVQYgCQRuKp_p006b9EvpYGFEMUgtf3D85JkWcwpgW2iQw0nShIIH5dFXwXgk-yc-PKKyz_YPR8576AtHpY5_cwrXCj-8q4PiS3vJ64_rZBlw0VcHWHyZuU/s1600/IMG_9865.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This nice looking longhorn (<i>Cerambycidae</i>) was about 3cm in length.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZdRjdJ9YsMfcyNqufr_HBqf5Qvsfiy7WEhEhLjAgx41PS-7dBpiWNG3RLRQF2zLtSc9s2eFhTdubHcHO1QYUSBDZYLMWdL5CZid6Lhneg9-FoEcY6Ls_DjGA_ydV661xxbdbrne0JHo/s1600/IMG_7787.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZdRjdJ9YsMfcyNqufr_HBqf5Qvsfiy7WEhEhLjAgx41PS-7dBpiWNG3RLRQF2zLtSc9s2eFhTdubHcHO1QYUSBDZYLMWdL5CZid6Lhneg9-FoEcY6Ls_DjGA_ydV661xxbdbrne0JHo/s1600/IMG_7787.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This
large sugar ant (3cm) was moving around at night on sandstone rock
face. I could see only the one. I think it is from the genus <i>Camponotus.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YLxH5I0BLrUHD9wDdiKbqQc7PuO_lBNKTOyv-HqeVlm9uvkV26zre08BU4I3B9FHOYbMOacvh1jNhLa5dS4w8KbrNVd3woHxht5uVenaw-JgDYH4bgvnTAPJMuwNHByW9qWD_YF_Uj0/s1600/IMG_8724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YLxH5I0BLrUHD9wDdiKbqQc7PuO_lBNKTOyv-HqeVlm9uvkV26zre08BU4I3B9FHOYbMOacvh1jNhLa5dS4w8KbrNVd3woHxht5uVenaw-JgDYH4bgvnTAPJMuwNHByW9qWD_YF_Uj0/s1600/IMG_8724.jpg" height="364" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful lacewing (<i>Palpares</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDidOqWquoqDgUOXNNjSQ7najlHoLuXJD72mMu1EhLJLIGSxpcQKWbG9cwN0qgblUMhMb7dnmfXE0ChSOHVQ7tqhfA7pQEZgRrDEK2_hRA0-9W-MyVHXWOloMmBmyXz2p5in7op7Nh-XY/s1600/IMG_7681.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDidOqWquoqDgUOXNNjSQ7najlHoLuXJD72mMu1EhLJLIGSxpcQKWbG9cwN0qgblUMhMb7dnmfXE0ChSOHVQ7tqhfA7pQEZgRrDEK2_hRA0-9W-MyVHXWOloMmBmyXz2p5in7op7Nh-XY/s1600/IMG_7681.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green milkweed locust (<i>Phymateus viridipes subsp. viridipes</i>). These locusts feed on milkweed (<i>Asclepias</i>) and become very toxic. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9k7Pb-Ke1oXrJtvv3ar043FciyBjjT-Oe4c4M9NIose3u6mDhIarCiIoEZG2av9WZDNNyT-8GRlpn8EsUJM4nT7mZq4g_GTzUy4Irig6pQ61hGkBenzBVmqYRPepRX6QEOjxKulrk2I/s1600/IMG_6661.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9k7Pb-Ke1oXrJtvv3ar043FciyBjjT-Oe4c4M9NIose3u6mDhIarCiIoEZG2av9WZDNNyT-8GRlpn8EsUJM4nT7mZq4g_GTzUy4Irig6pQ61hGkBenzBVmqYRPepRX6QEOjxKulrk2I/s1600/IMG_6661.jpg" height="640" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cymatomera
denticollis. These dull looking katydids flare up their wings when
disturbed revealing strong red, yellow and black colouration. This is
known as flash colouration and has an effect of startling the threat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPQ22Wl4R8zgikdFAB3__Ta8Vy46pkdRsixTi2JrnyeXo6geErNCQMkEJ1p5cZZeLmE5A-fXa4CdxBeueg8erTVt1ZhXHLC8UzJw62GgtZxYfOyzrKQgwNWtD4wxRemLI-LqVPrXkvBM/s1600/IMG_9815.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPQ22Wl4R8zgikdFAB3__Ta8Vy46pkdRsixTi2JrnyeXo6geErNCQMkEJ1p5cZZeLmE5A-fXa4CdxBeueg8erTVt1ZhXHLC8UzJw62GgtZxYfOyzrKQgwNWtD4wxRemLI-LqVPrXkvBM/s1600/IMG_9815.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Acanthoplus armativentris, </i>the
Armoured Ground Cricket. At certain times of year these crickets are
very abundant and come out in thousands. This summer I never saw too
many.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4u0IelFHTLSeFXdmEYNFdRkTyflAZCreEEzL9ZPBd9eVyZz6m_U3e53VaTcsUrpsFUyRYcnjmaV8C6-hqI8SzwmklM2giGtZOpokHBgpAFGBkZYWvG5esZ-f2K7icLHs2m0_Jx3f9vk/s1600/IMG_6689.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4u0IelFHTLSeFXdmEYNFdRkTyflAZCreEEzL9ZPBd9eVyZz6m_U3e53VaTcsUrpsFUyRYcnjmaV8C6-hqI8SzwmklM2giGtZOpokHBgpAFGBkZYWvG5esZ-f2K7icLHs2m0_Jx3f9vk/s1600/IMG_6689.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sia</i> cricket. These large crickets "hiss" when molested by rubbing their mouth parts together. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFOKyusPBcyJzw0El3IZtDzAWP385dKbFzyVO_9OCJTWfvdeJB2B4JCU1FvkTl8WK9ewtBf17Zzt28jjY_cTaiaHvDsoc6hWruNyOisoVa03o87bPAKCkpQarPUvaRnc-mKu2VwqjUWs/s1600/IMG_6696.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFOKyusPBcyJzw0El3IZtDzAWP385dKbFzyVO_9OCJTWfvdeJB2B4JCU1FvkTl8WK9ewtBf17Zzt28jjY_cTaiaHvDsoc6hWruNyOisoVa03o87bPAKCkpQarPUvaRnc-mKu2VwqjUWs/s1600/IMG_6696.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Termophilum omoplatum </i>feeding on a <i>Sia</i> cricket. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNo9TKK0A4kGPLqDNTTdQtuEI14p-11Ow8IwHA8jx3hhQKx7ywHgsEh2_thIDyY89Yj24R-Cuxu6UvxXh1VqhmLYkTLDdivHCIU1D4Mbp1XqIDshiN2x8VvYbCO6dUMg5EXOmh-Yawvw/s1600/IMG_0112.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNo9TKK0A4kGPLqDNTTdQtuEI14p-11Ow8IwHA8jx3hhQKx7ywHgsEh2_thIDyY89Yj24R-Cuxu6UvxXh1VqhmLYkTLDdivHCIU1D4Mbp1XqIDshiN2x8VvYbCO6dUMg5EXOmh-Yawvw/s1600/IMG_0112.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Raaskriek (<i>Brachytrupes</i>).
These large burrowing crickets are incredibly loud, the name Raaskriek
is Afrikaans and can roughly be translated to Noise Cricket. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdS-VuBMZqFDfLJaGjaohi2XW-NpzQVsFh56deWwxeRTtSzT0xboNops1Vx4L6ALF0B97O3vdIBRnkZXPsvXMTHPtI7Vg0whLSwqNr-5jDmQvK2SnMB3zZfyq7MsqdI7hcMFoywLYE_E/s1600/IMG_9309.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdS-VuBMZqFDfLJaGjaohi2XW-NpzQVsFh56deWwxeRTtSzT0xboNops1Vx4L6ALF0B97O3vdIBRnkZXPsvXMTHPtI7Vg0whLSwqNr-5jDmQvK2SnMB3zZfyq7MsqdI7hcMFoywLYE_E/s1600/IMG_9309.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Zabalius aridus,</i> this is a very large leaf mimicking Katydid. <i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoG76priutooPECNDhaiOz6n9wWrSRAR62RpWu8inOqzp6Lsa2LFvjz8CuGiIvlGVsW2h3Ce26v6yZUcZDlFqTSmxlrbhJU2V1wz-XvJt7BEMwsxBV_Lp7dDka21OFYoscIgr0PbTaAQ/s1600/IMG_7920.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoG76priutooPECNDhaiOz6n9wWrSRAR62RpWu8inOqzp6Lsa2LFvjz8CuGiIvlGVsW2h3Ce26v6yZUcZDlFqTSmxlrbhJU2V1wz-XvJt7BEMwsxBV_Lp7dDka21OFYoscIgr0PbTaAQ/s1600/IMG_7920.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nymphs of <i>Phymateus</i> another Milkweed Locust. The aposematic colouration is a clear warning of its toxic chemical composition.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfZA5U-texqUk-mxpxfzYvQgaiYkYLLylFlduojjHUwRSY9FI1W7sVn7oq0_kGKMt5ZtYeJcAFfvB0JDzSiV072fzkZ1dbqapMZYjWvQ7ze9hIK1U39TOU7MR5KvjqQA2vvWaAECcgS4/s1600/IMG_9508.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfZA5U-texqUk-mxpxfzYvQgaiYkYLLylFlduojjHUwRSY9FI1W7sVn7oq0_kGKMt5ZtYeJcAFfvB0JDzSiV072fzkZ1dbqapMZYjWvQ7ze9hIK1U39TOU7MR5KvjqQA2vvWaAECcgS4/s1600/IMG_9508.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cephonodes hylas subsp. virescens.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSg5DAbihkXUOIAx7330QVPwbnvNHuPy3h5_D_JpqD9dimpsFt5XvGa0P2DN06IQcMiZEarZMmyd7_6e8iQzJ3YFneR3kSOYu5_UTG5Tj1Q2MbuBToDEiNEDZvtGuIg_MqmG84TMOnxV4/s1600/IMG_9130.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSg5DAbihkXUOIAx7330QVPwbnvNHuPy3h5_D_JpqD9dimpsFt5XvGa0P2DN06IQcMiZEarZMmyd7_6e8iQzJ3YFneR3kSOYu5_UTG5Tj1Q2MbuBToDEiNEDZvtGuIg_MqmG84TMOnxV4/s1600/IMG_9130.jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Acontia niphogona</i>, a moth that mimics bird droppings. <i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LYZ5ECWUA606qNIf3R51r8wX7RfUqPMNl04-4SXVo8v5sUZpXTIbiFIdXnRE9hIJBTrYDk5sjHSW-RQBxanni3c9C0D8bzKyesieM6PHOhPE3ukYBO1c4Hx2yrAPdn-gfM79bmP4AR8/s1600/IMG_9736.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LYZ5ECWUA606qNIf3R51r8wX7RfUqPMNl04-4SXVo8v5sUZpXTIbiFIdXnRE9hIJBTrYDk5sjHSW-RQBxanni3c9C0D8bzKyesieM6PHOhPE3ukYBO1c4Hx2yrAPdn-gfM79bmP4AR8/s1600/IMG_9736.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amerila vitrea subsp. vitrea, a Frother Moth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSDVeZxDSjW2sLh6ZiX86L8pgJK7KIoNNKF8E9l5LoHAGNmhP7TxobHXgaphwO3Ias80zvMsxqJJtGAp_BBPp-bvUyaf9NmjERFra8Oa4n9cC_k3FsFHPACEsv5ySoEjtUBEusYNiN5k/s1600/IMG_8879.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSDVeZxDSjW2sLh6ZiX86L8pgJK7KIoNNKF8E9l5LoHAGNmhP7TxobHXgaphwO3Ias80zvMsxqJJtGAp_BBPp-bvUyaf9NmjERFra8Oa4n9cC_k3FsFHPACEsv5ySoEjtUBEusYNiN5k/s1600/IMG_8879.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every year
there is a period of time when these butterflies are everywhere, gently
flying from east to west in search of plants to lay their eggs on. This
is Brown-Veined White (<i>Belenois aurota subsp. aurota</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaPyumgAVg6jCCS8UnvkWNvWbzITB3FQVikE6JZSJw5VpMF9A5H_HYhDOVy5qk4c8DUldpiw2lt7Nth1zPM7hSECja2-bhlTo5wMPaI67_9zGT4mUvvnYG7xPuH2UuH01fjlNZL9JyF0/s1600/IMG_7927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaPyumgAVg6jCCS8UnvkWNvWbzITB3FQVikE6JZSJw5VpMF9A5H_HYhDOVy5qk4c8DUldpiw2lt7Nth1zPM7hSECja2-bhlTo5wMPaI67_9zGT4mUvvnYG7xPuH2UuH01fjlNZL9JyF0/s1600/IMG_7927.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A butterfly of the <i>Sphingidae </i>family. <i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0gY_tscnjzMaoloaAOWYvW5jJjH8OJOn2SzlIpegRTiHMvTI9DPl0k7FV44Pcgi0U7rpFY6pPAvNrjVdaWMemzgOPwCPjnTxsQyygt7JtcXM9X0ePVDpXBSzCL3_nvHC57H1uLLD8Rg/s1600/IMG_7947.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0gY_tscnjzMaoloaAOWYvW5jJjH8OJOn2SzlIpegRTiHMvTI9DPl0k7FV44Pcgi0U7rpFY6pPAvNrjVdaWMemzgOPwCPjnTxsQyygt7JtcXM9X0ePVDpXBSzCL3_nvHC57H1uLLD8Rg/s1600/IMG_7947.jpg" height="640" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small-striped Swordtail (<i>Graphium policenes subsp. policenes</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBmVqRQeT0Q5vlvxAE4supUVyE1aghesSQOsN2Ga3NOfPq50nnhbiIHDHKRpFPftP7YnPmRcDPFWkF2eBpqWk8AEglW3dFLiu0N8WFj2G7zHvKhkGnZI5xBANt_01JlEILmkJ0HRATTU/s1600/IMG_7896.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBmVqRQeT0Q5vlvxAE4supUVyE1aghesSQOsN2Ga3NOfPq50nnhbiIHDHKRpFPftP7YnPmRcDPFWkF2eBpqWk8AEglW3dFLiu0N8WFj2G7zHvKhkGnZI5xBANt_01JlEILmkJ0HRATTU/s1600/IMG_7896.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Graphium morania</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Jarvad5FoaVrbm2XGmzxIHtkAn7H9-ZAOJE5rMfN1kJ9WBKLaQdYv5uaSYEQXLZSPjy2Pvx1LDrllpYJQgEh44P8yTWTo6Q9SYpXoHVRpNpO1FRc0Ui7WH7F4-oQELr7xzMeMqV6TyQ/s1600/IMG_9301.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Jarvad5FoaVrbm2XGmzxIHtkAn7H9-ZAOJE5rMfN1kJ9WBKLaQdYv5uaSYEQXLZSPjy2Pvx1LDrllpYJQgEh44P8yTWTo6Q9SYpXoHVRpNpO1FRc0Ui7WH7F4-oQELr7xzMeMqV6TyQ/s1600/IMG_9301.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This small caterpillar was found in grassland. I think it may be a species of Acraea (<i>Nymphalidae</i>), but I am not certain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzprvUocOSRkbvyH-HS80rFYsJmANaMVtLGZNiOWxxddfWPD_b4ZyD1mLJcqyympT-nC61jZGEa_RSf77muAwtZRyU-BYSDXyMZ6pJxKSiHZ2aVRBD01cKn5tHJ6jfP6imF0TsaX1MnaQ/s1600/IMG_7952.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzprvUocOSRkbvyH-HS80rFYsJmANaMVtLGZNiOWxxddfWPD_b4ZyD1mLJcqyympT-nC61jZGEa_RSf77muAwtZRyU-BYSDXyMZ6pJxKSiHZ2aVRBD01cKn5tHJ6jfP6imF0TsaX1MnaQ/s1600/IMG_7952.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rhanidophora. </i>As this caterpillar moves it moves the club like appendages on its body. To me they seem to simulate the restless movement of a wasp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAPYmpSrnxNU9McP2PJCJf8709RdqUsMxJRUcuD46cQKzLP3kwYy3reUQKHreXJDzFeUUDHTsbQC1uBrnqulV15ZjkxzAg3GBYhWlsHBKiKr6GVSvb8Kz_wij3daEMixAlvCq74YhxAc/s1600/IMG_9432.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAPYmpSrnxNU9McP2PJCJf8709RdqUsMxJRUcuD46cQKzLP3kwYy3reUQKHreXJDzFeUUDHTsbQC1uBrnqulV15ZjkxzAg3GBYhWlsHBKiKr6GVSvb8Kz_wij3daEMixAlvCq74YhxAc/s1600/IMG_9432.jpg" height="640" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Psychidae, </i>the bag worm<i> </i>caterpillar.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>ARACHNIDS</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Of the arachnids, the most species rich group (next to spiders) was the scorpions. There were very many species in the area. Usually one may find only a few species in any given area, but at Masebe Nature Reserve there is a high scorpion biodiversity. On a single night it was not uncommon to find five different species. The most common being <i>Parabuthus transvaalicus</i> and <i>Opisthacanthus asper</i>, followed by <i>Uroplectes carinatus</i>, then <i>Parabuthus mossambicensis</i> and finally <i>Opistophthalmus glabrifrons</i>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFhue6WLvQuSckzU6BpyeRCuqgH7n1lEmOG7gwFZN_7P1kSLCnczriUyHXHMsT6uKbbXAG1poDq6N1mRe9jx2KunOITG1o_vLBP3_rLCdaq2fxGnB3Af75P01I8xTolvQ8CL1qiB1Ja0/s1600/IMG_6771.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFhue6WLvQuSckzU6BpyeRCuqgH7n1lEmOG7gwFZN_7P1kSLCnczriUyHXHMsT6uKbbXAG1poDq6N1mRe9jx2KunOITG1o_vLBP3_rLCdaq2fxGnB3Af75P01I8xTolvQ8CL1qiB1Ja0/s1600/IMG_6771.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opistophthalmus glabrifrons</i>, these large scorpions burrow prey on
millipedes. They use their powerful pincers to crush their prey. The
sting of this species is considered harmless to humans, but is very
painful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2FsEaZWecgS2Luf5asknlkC073AGoEMtv2jAWBa-pcH1YyazPfpPVEk8oblH8krH1xkiRWIaDD-UA5FniEmSXMhy7w10MQdJebbn7loNf0iYKXcGYmqBy12J-zRG3HFCt4s8LMRVH7s/s1600/IMG_6642.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2FsEaZWecgS2Luf5asknlkC073AGoEMtv2jAWBa-pcH1YyazPfpPVEk8oblH8krH1xkiRWIaDD-UA5FniEmSXMhy7w10MQdJebbn7loNf0iYKXcGYmqBy12J-zRG3HFCt4s8LMRVH7s/s1600/IMG_6642.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Parabuthus mossambicensis, </i>these scorpions were common in the area. This one was killing a mantid.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38LaWaUnel1ULIxdK3ThHIDdhyq5glsMvNItExVoIxKtUGCmtGTY-pZ33n1IRC6cIj5GUwVEseYKQiElnJ6h5gYj-m5n2Rfa0KpHuZclLRNXL_Chizq3DMVk-sJK52-rkcMirF7mtOUo/s1600/IMG_8751.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38LaWaUnel1ULIxdK3ThHIDdhyq5glsMvNItExVoIxKtUGCmtGTY-pZ33n1IRC6cIj5GUwVEseYKQiElnJ6h5gYj-m5n2Rfa0KpHuZclLRNXL_Chizq3DMVk-sJK52-rkcMirF7mtOUo/s1600/IMG_8751.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Parabuthus transvaalicus</i>
is a very common and active scorpion in Masebe and the surrounding
area. These scorpions are big and one of the few whose sting is
considered medically important.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbdleA-TIiALZJS3KaDrKunSCrDUrZNRrSx_n4W6Qy2SHYAnXDCo8B7Xig7VnK5enBjQ-YBTuad9kOv3e0FqRqZhIKVXfkRa7uYJ931PsbOam3P1a8Y0MM3ItZzCwDHvFMZ0Hk9cRUrA/s1600/IMG_7889.jpg"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbdleA-TIiALZJS3KaDrKunSCrDUrZNRrSx_n4W6Qy2SHYAnXDCo8B7Xig7VnK5enBjQ-YBTuad9kOv3e0FqRqZhIKVXfkRa7uYJ931PsbOam3P1a8Y0MM3ItZzCwDHvFMZ0Hk9cRUrA/s1600/IMG_7889.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbdleA-TIiALZJS3KaDrKunSCrDUrZNRrSx_n4W6Qy2SHYAnXDCo8B7Xig7VnK5enBjQ-YBTuad9kOv3e0FqRqZhIKVXfkRa7uYJ931PsbOam3P1a8Y0MM3ItZzCwDHvFMZ0Hk9cRUrA/s1600/IMG_7889.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opisthacanthus asper,</i> a tree dwelling species. This scorpion was
crossing open ground at night, perhaps in search of a female or a new
tree. These scorpions are very docile.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZ-4O7A5X26gYMasmiT1MTWyIS9gF3XcI3BvJAJ6E3Q5MeWjJaketCiwWDvS1yq7WD0PGErLyJ5mqMQyfe9UGT6PZ1wP8jFVLUk0HzoTlYF6Tkb1rPBFFeOzlpwUpDrGwE1KH0qHHzs8/s1600/IMG_7649.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZ-4O7A5X26gYMasmiT1MTWyIS9gF3XcI3BvJAJ6E3Q5MeWjJaketCiwWDvS1yq7WD0PGErLyJ5mqMQyfe9UGT6PZ1wP8jFVLUk0HzoTlYF6Tkb1rPBFFeOzlpwUpDrGwE1KH0qHHzs8/s1600/IMG_7649.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Uroplectes carinatus, </i>a very common scorpion of the Masebe area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9GKCevgNAfZhd_1oa19Xkd6rYhHD0VZRZnUvZ4Rtmit69VlxaSvgorm2KvI8YZADPGjzgAOXxWWTs65XuQW8IqZLS_pjB7a7NmnRON5EywO328dXxO64oQaYu-ERqXv1pTdyR3dEbo0/s1600/IMG_9749.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9GKCevgNAfZhd_1oa19Xkd6rYhHD0VZRZnUvZ4Rtmit69VlxaSvgorm2KvI8YZADPGjzgAOXxWWTs65XuQW8IqZLS_pjB7a7NmnRON5EywO328dXxO64oQaYu-ERqXv1pTdyR3dEbo0/s1600/IMG_9749.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure what species of scorpion this is, but I think it may be <i>Pseudolychas.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzdQXnAhpTtCSQ23s1nq1RqdMbZR3XzR6wiRNBfyMeR65ueU9TCosYClo6G-g6DTUlBf78yQwfg3O4G2vORDOJKrknyktqC6aQatsZBXlWxy8mPdz1P2WeK2leVzYVmPv7lMgkAEPyP4/s1600/IMG_8799.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzdQXnAhpTtCSQ23s1nq1RqdMbZR3XzR6wiRNBfyMeR65ueU9TCosYClo6G-g6DTUlBf78yQwfg3O4G2vORDOJKrknyktqC6aQatsZBXlWxy8mPdz1P2WeK2leVzYVmPv7lMgkAEPyP4/s1600/IMG_8799.jpg" height="380" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peaceful and docile <i>Hadogenes troglodytes. </i>These scorpions get very long and are considered the longest in the world (21cm). They are rock specialists. <i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkCZAg2qmzG5sYC8wIrV7w1qwe6nws-W85t_iodWLaENdFPbvN8ObkYQelOF74thyphenhyphenEYCf3ZM1v7_4vkwi2yhnul0aYkAPWXTw9TJQmTmxSlaV4WPxsgHVMjgGtbrOm044NVaqj63Ldp8/s1600/IMG_8001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkCZAg2qmzG5sYC8wIrV7w1qwe6nws-W85t_iodWLaENdFPbvN8ObkYQelOF74thyphenhyphenEYCf3ZM1v7_4vkwi2yhnul0aYkAPWXTw9TJQmTmxSlaV4WPxsgHVMjgGtbrOm044NVaqj63Ldp8/s1600/IMG_8001.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another scorpion found in the area. I only found one of this particular individual and it is an unknown <i>Uroplectes</i> species.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize50OfBNeLsESkEYoI1ILKlyCsj_n1ozclNgynuQNNFX16MkfoYOb_poGCZL8eh9mvBuWNbLhg4RMtd72LPATC0T3aMYBYS690DJVZstEK_M5e53StnoGTab2gALvLK_uHBsYY-1bvZU/s1600/IMG_6914.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize50OfBNeLsESkEYoI1ILKlyCsj_n1ozclNgynuQNNFX16MkfoYOb_poGCZL8eh9mvBuWNbLhg4RMtd72LPATC0T3aMYBYS690DJVZstEK_M5e53StnoGTab2gALvLK_uHBsYY-1bvZU/s1600/IMG_6914.jpg" height="418" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I watched this solifuge kill another. It kept attacking the one in front from a
position underneath the abdomen close to the head area. Eventually it
killed the other and ran off with it. Quite a sighting. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlufG6ZFOyiJRKAuPx0AjK8uIlV_jcfwZfdaDZJUh0tNNfuedA1cZVlMfE5rwyKRbyZi3t7vuocXNXwGz-JRSIbihClA7_9Q5htRckpRjXxAbRvEk0Fn5l6rY898DwxfBZA3k3VraKH4/s1600/IMG_7233.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlufG6ZFOyiJRKAuPx0AjK8uIlV_jcfwZfdaDZJUh0tNNfuedA1cZVlMfE5rwyKRbyZi3t7vuocXNXwGz-JRSIbihClA7_9Q5htRckpRjXxAbRvEk0Fn5l6rY898DwxfBZA3k3VraKH4/s1600/IMG_7233.jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rear
horned baboon spider (Ceratogyrus darlingi). These spiders live in large
webbed burrows and sometimes one can trick them into coming out.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZd7SLpn0E637t7zqLlTAvQhMQ8ybDFxCe8E41X70QV_zE3s_O6322XxQv6s-gg8gtVjmpS4fN6OrIuMafiMXJi1zasL6_P8N8L78ujScHReuB8AH_9UxXoHgVjou6_I5MxxrhNvsyXs/s1600/IMG_9567.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZd7SLpn0E637t7zqLlTAvQhMQ8ybDFxCe8E41X70QV_zE3s_O6322XxQv6s-gg8gtVjmpS4fN6OrIuMafiMXJi1zasL6_P8N8L78ujScHReuB8AH_9UxXoHgVjou6_I5MxxrhNvsyXs/s1600/IMG_9567.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This small mantid was being eaten by a crab spider (<i>Thomisops</i>). It is fascinating the the dramas of life and death play out on everywhere on such a drastic range of scales.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mkrzd3kWN9S0k1LM83umaQmdeYSzF4mGDHldloACzU0dw4YTssy2kHcLVqjmhA-JKGV3s6SH0kKqX9CFlSORN4kfnpTUhMLJKJ75NlW18scNLSZIH9LyyM2fEfHjCPE162t9CdrwYuQ/s1600/IMG_7818.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mkrzd3kWN9S0k1LM83umaQmdeYSzF4mGDHldloACzU0dw4YTssy2kHcLVqjmhA-JKGV3s6SH0kKqX9CFlSORN4kfnpTUhMLJKJ75NlW18scNLSZIH9LyyM2fEfHjCPE162t9CdrwYuQ/s1600/IMG_7818.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Amblyomma</i>, a very striking tick. It is amazing to watch these arachnids walk around and hunt.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NPkA29mhWeRpt85wbtCXQovPLMshxNKI6iAvMDzy0k-ZhNoEFcFu0-UVh8CxuXQMxmgxXPonqCw-cvpCmbwSozzeJFl2zS_nrYMamCmHYmIK9qT-tJK3-RyI9LdpWmZ0KBadQf6Gz_s/s1600/IMG_7644.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NPkA29mhWeRpt85wbtCXQovPLMshxNKI6iAvMDzy0k-ZhNoEFcFu0-UVh8CxuXQMxmgxXPonqCw-cvpCmbwSozzeJFl2zS_nrYMamCmHYmIK9qT-tJK3-RyI9LdpWmZ0KBadQf6Gz_s/s1600/IMG_7644.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trombidiidae</i>,
the velvet mite. These mites are predators on the eggs of insects. They
come out in hundreds after the summer rains. In Zambia they are colloquially known as "Father Christmas".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>OTHER ARTHROPODS </b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsl8u1whqDA5cgegAjW6ctky0YUx1IWjcipyRbsxMK7OUaB3mCRSFJymy0owFIKTOaerdfooV_QbfgUk2kR9-fdGuE8hAo0Ro6SUu9k6EZcnwsHLwn-rYWdClNMhoC_s86uB0_blunHU/s1600/IMG_7974.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsl8u1whqDA5cgegAjW6ctky0YUx1IWjcipyRbsxMK7OUaB3mCRSFJymy0owFIKTOaerdfooV_QbfgUk2kR9-fdGuE8hAo0Ro6SUu9k6EZcnwsHLwn-rYWdClNMhoC_s86uB0_blunHU/s1600/IMG_7974.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mating millipedes (<i>Diplopoda</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1i4lzsQ-TKIBSRh6dcwRROHssDDegZT7az-KeKJtVhc3iv9Uz41gH8blq2WoCP8wul4r6_ryPcmpr9E8_SI-eHVbkACOPJ3Hn8YNnliL8fVODQmins3NV3fBMcECzCzWDfPdCbO1Yv4/s1600/IMG_7447.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1i4lzsQ-TKIBSRh6dcwRROHssDDegZT7az-KeKJtVhc3iv9Uz41gH8blq2WoCP8wul4r6_ryPcmpr9E8_SI-eHVbkACOPJ3Hn8YNnliL8fVODQmins3NV3fBMcECzCzWDfPdCbO1Yv4/s1600/IMG_7447.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <i>Sphaerotherium</i> or Pill Millipedes are able to roll themselves up into little balls.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8fY1tYnV-IRhHpBW1v-Ltq3swC9Nw1SC803d3r8H9V4aGxBWrasrTQ3FcMeEW-gNi_XMMiWMbhCA9NBKovQBIfisB48U3SXKHVBcEJ1MGST6BQczZ6OtI93Isup6du1o3l2Z-i9T5zo/s1600/IMG_7430.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8fY1tYnV-IRhHpBW1v-Ltq3swC9Nw1SC803d3r8H9V4aGxBWrasrTQ3FcMeEW-gNi_XMMiWMbhCA9NBKovQBIfisB48U3SXKHVBcEJ1MGST6BQczZ6OtI93Isup6du1o3l2Z-i9T5zo/s1600/IMG_7430.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very striking millipede (<i>Diplopoda</i>). The aposematic colouration is warning that it is very poisonous.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfuoabUwrCA9MEIODN-Rz421RIMwxg6ghdZ5sBm0lZymzaoal_KsvAJuRJ_7su6owCA1eRCcxC8ZDIv-Cy4wbuCxZ7o9H7jN3BnpmTuo_o7jPJhtJsn7gdMXIrlKffRFmjGlHfpA4C5w/s1600/IMG_9751.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfuoabUwrCA9MEIODN-Rz421RIMwxg6ghdZ5sBm0lZymzaoal_KsvAJuRJ_7su6owCA1eRCcxC8ZDIv-Cy4wbuCxZ7o9H7jN3BnpmTuo_o7jPJhtJsn7gdMXIrlKffRFmjGlHfpA4C5w/s1600/IMG_9751.jpg" height="370" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very large centipede (<i>Scolopendromorpha).</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7QXif1SdT4b60aNEpKTo_G5YCt-rdLUJcO8sqceTOg2l5ylbeYmzuVsYJ6OqaU6ViSrWOWWHM4qFFlf7vzrsJcyHJi4YZHWhQ7PQCJY_HujgcpIl9Jphy0eL1x6GWhRfW9T5BL_3aoE/s1600/IMG_9754.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7QXif1SdT4b60aNEpKTo_G5YCt-rdLUJcO8sqceTOg2l5ylbeYmzuVsYJ6OqaU6ViSrWOWWHM4qFFlf7vzrsJcyHJi4YZHWhQ7PQCJY_HujgcpIl9Jphy0eL1x6GWhRfW9T5BL_3aoE/s1600/IMG_9754.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The head of the same centipede. The venom claws are prominent. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>AMPHIBIANS</b></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">Found some interesting amphibians. The most common and most diverse group was the toads. Besides the toads there were many Kassinas, Sand Frogs, Banded Rubber Frogs and Common Plattanas. Across the road from our accommodation there was a wetland and the chorus during December was incredibly loud.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplPjGSlGssZWOp_EKUVTgaw14CifcgEMWYtaTSWzbn5cJ1CtUcfMSI0yXiISs0KZGoj1L6yKZw46ZYtouI68-chauyVbu1GU0-lXYyrPAYPYS3S7mS_styLsCMdnaL-7OTsRbso7My2c/s1600/IMG_7251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplPjGSlGssZWOp_EKUVTgaw14CifcgEMWYtaTSWzbn5cJ1CtUcfMSI0yXiISs0KZGoj1L6yKZw46ZYtouI68-chauyVbu1GU0-lXYyrPAYPYS3S7mS_styLsCMdnaL-7OTsRbso7My2c/s1600/IMG_7251.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kassina senegalensis, </i>the Bubbling Kassina, one of my favourite frogs. The call sounds exactly like bursting bubbles and to hear them calling <i>en masse </i>is a treat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLineLiMzY8Uywk3c-MY8u883SaokZxQkQSM_bHHA9GC5pwH8wwx3bCmUfCfPBAWZ1ENHHx3cMLxWWBMueLGR7gp8YfQOLeDCDYkWd9eb0mXk5ripXBdwjjYrmQ48P1_cN4ZXDGr3xgw/s1600/IMG_6603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLineLiMzY8Uywk3c-MY8u883SaokZxQkQSM_bHHA9GC5pwH8wwx3bCmUfCfPBAWZ1ENHHx3cMLxWWBMueLGR7gp8YfQOLeDCDYkWd9eb0mXk5ripXBdwjjYrmQ48P1_cN4ZXDGr3xgw/s1600/IMG_6603.jpg" height="450" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bushveld Rain Frog (<i>Breviceps adspersus subsp. adspersus</i>). During the height of Summer (November and December) these frogs were very common. They live underground and it is fascinating to watch them bury themselves. Digging backwards and wriggling until they have completely disappeared.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3y283_UXd9sig6_W62wOLmwHCgTtfcva3hqSvFi48LQ5sop7BECSppuIFVzDQiMf4wntkVwswU1Rru4PLPofTZrrtynH2R9IRrMs92xlnlFLolILzWdHutrRJHC3c-SMkxJi4R_fLr3E/s1600/IMG_7270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3y283_UXd9sig6_W62wOLmwHCgTtfcva3hqSvFi48LQ5sop7BECSppuIFVzDQiMf4wntkVwswU1Rru4PLPofTZrrtynH2R9IRrMs92xlnlFLolILzWdHutrRJHC3c-SMkxJi4R_fLr3E/s1600/IMG_7270.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Amietophrynus garmani, </i>the Eastern Olive Toad. This particular individual was massive (at least 11cm long) and in very good condition.<i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhQfXTXMli6lCpj2L29WwClNivHlcjCBn_dOM3iSVp4wJ9SvtfZgISJdAHiYb8dC624zKAmLfQAmBG1EpgLvz9loTN2bVIBkUrWhB9t9JVHP3GH3gmPP7wdRKsZF7HycZdwPh2_N2vMc/s1600/IMG_6954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhQfXTXMli6lCpj2L29WwClNivHlcjCBn_dOM3iSVp4wJ9SvtfZgISJdAHiYb8dC624zKAmLfQAmBG1EpgLvz9loTN2bVIBkUrWhB9t9JVHP3GH3gmPP7wdRKsZF7HycZdwPh2_N2vMc/s1600/IMG_6954.jpg" height="398" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Southern Foam Nest Frog, <i>Chiromantis xerampelina.</i> This individual was found high up on the cliff base of a butte. Very far from water. These frogs often sit in exposed positions, their feet and hands tucked under their body to minimise water loss. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5EFF_0S1dZEE_HP8XjDfvfzH0WSBHHTIMu4f2eR2VMKRqMZmIdv9PDSBvLfmkJxhftPqyGm8OwXfq0y0ADWQ-XaClRToJQkLlR6KulQKGc9xJFs4FcYDKRmuTPN1qpAjNRcEZ_P_PK8/s1600/IMG_7125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5EFF_0S1dZEE_HP8XjDfvfzH0WSBHHTIMu4f2eR2VMKRqMZmIdv9PDSBvLfmkJxhftPqyGm8OwXfq0y0ADWQ-XaClRToJQkLlR6KulQKGc9xJFs4FcYDKRmuTPN1qpAjNRcEZ_P_PK8/s1600/IMG_7125.jpg" height="390" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Poyntonophrynus fenoulheti</i>, the Northern Pygmy Toad. These small toads are abundant in the rocky terrain of Masebe. They breed in temporary rock pools. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviXqSdl76tmaai5Xy0-_LnkjIT21ihEZBxUf47fAgfpVmZvUdsGwoY2GnuEe25a2rgfd6PxcDutAKq7IiSDc8iNJcanrVl5uHdKeyhmH5laRgZqe4AdG_bWyt00WRPZKQPk8HG4_hEpk/s1600/IMG_7827.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviXqSdl76tmaai5Xy0-_LnkjIT21ihEZBxUf47fAgfpVmZvUdsGwoY2GnuEe25a2rgfd6PxcDutAKq7IiSDc8iNJcanrVl5uHdKeyhmH5laRgZqe4AdG_bWyt00WRPZKQPk8HG4_hEpk/s1600/IMG_7827.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Schismaderma carens, </i>the
Red Toad. These toads are very widespread and successful. They have the
ability to climb and<br />
also forage in the day. One of my favourite
amphibians to encounter.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">REPTILES</span> <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This summer I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to initiate and develop reptile surveys for the Masebe Nature Reserve. The area is very rich in reptile life, a walk would usually reveal up to six species. A decent list was built up and below are some of the highlights.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAO5IwVavmoKwLJwZHlFbRcShZInP65rtFatpTiVI1EEZ6-B1x0J0e1RTyqZYaf8nwciPOAUp2ordq2o35j_0xS3yxBTBex8mQ70DkKx-GoccP0rp6K-g3V8xQAI98YHRp5Rrf5m0784/s1600/IMG_8836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAO5IwVavmoKwLJwZHlFbRcShZInP65rtFatpTiVI1EEZ6-B1x0J0e1RTyqZYaf8nwciPOAUp2ordq2o35j_0xS3yxBTBex8mQ70DkKx-GoccP0rp6K-g3V8xQAI98YHRp5Rrf5m0784/s1600/IMG_8836.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lygodactylus capensis subsp. capensis, </i>the
Common Dwarf Gecko. These geckos are diurnal and very successful. This
particular species is very widespread and common around human
habitation.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3J3uJigD07OmTGpjD1SC1lQjs8_Odl-yTvhPlhQS6whEUOU0pOkyTmcktIVs3-gudc63VCJV-AhUwYQAMEQiNqcQgWDX4wL1SqUpgJiwQVY_PcNE_xBeCiGlIuuLUvCBCyQQ2azP2dc/s1600/IMG_7310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3J3uJigD07OmTGpjD1SC1lQjs8_Odl-yTvhPlhQS6whEUOU0pOkyTmcktIVs3-gudc63VCJV-AhUwYQAMEQiNqcQgWDX4wL1SqUpgJiwQVY_PcNE_xBeCiGlIuuLUvCBCyQQ2azP2dc/s1600/IMG_7310.jpg" height="370" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Smaug breyeri</i>, <i> </i>the Waterberg Girdled Lizard. Another Waterberg endemic and rock specialist. The genus <i>Smaug </i>is named after a dragon in <span class="st">J.R.R. Tolkien's <i>Hobbit. </i></span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyjIy66-JaXo4hIYWoNScSLAI1uVm26FlD-FL9LPIsJzoVDkX1CK_QK9NXCxWMJyegAIXqatcNbHmjNs8WygoJiMHkUmbaWdBbapJUJsatyiXQLWCg-SwTbvNA_3WzyuPyRy5X6PZJc4/s1600/IMG_7393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyjIy66-JaXo4hIYWoNScSLAI1uVm26FlD-FL9LPIsJzoVDkX1CK_QK9NXCxWMJyegAIXqatcNbHmjNs8WygoJiMHkUmbaWdBbapJUJsatyiXQLWCg-SwTbvNA_3WzyuPyRy5X6PZJc4/s1600/IMG_7393.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A juvenile <i>Smaug breyeri. </i>The spines on these lizards are used as an armour and also to wedge themselves into rocks when under threat. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwZIl8TGxrB6z_p5cg_IW0ZNEYfMjSvga6I8dGECPr0bdXaZ8SZGi0x5igP6BgAJgGKMpuRvSjLuAdevpreOeXPV3OHYL5XIkgx_stVRM8g-OSkOmP4Z0X3qz8RoOqfMmYu56Y-OfhXs/s1600/IMG_6974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwZIl8TGxrB6z_p5cg_IW0ZNEYfMjSvga6I8dGECPr0bdXaZ8SZGi0x5igP6BgAJgGKMpuRvSjLuAdevpreOeXPV3OHYL5XIkgx_stVRM8g-OSkOmP4Z0X3qz8RoOqfMmYu56Y-OfhXs/s1600/IMG_6974.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterberg Flat Lizard, <i>Platysaurus minor</i>. These lizards are endemic to the Waterberg. This individual is a male in full breeding "plumage". These lizards inhabit the rock cracks in the sandstone and are very well adapted to life on rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNXxz5acI3oCCxw3CgkqKI9F5tx_37TqZQokOhdvLLhhHwYULugdlzBxQP_D2M3o2WSYcv1mxvuLk8Kf0-m2JKst0YpBb3H_RNqT2y9mkug9G8YPq1VQZoDEP5oVuBwfpT9EhgeEK7ME/s1600/IMG_6999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNXxz5acI3oCCxw3CgkqKI9F5tx_37TqZQokOhdvLLhhHwYULugdlzBxQP_D2M3o2WSYcv1mxvuLk8Kf0-m2JKst0YpBb3H_RNqT2y9mkug9G8YPq1VQZoDEP5oVuBwfpT9EhgeEK7ME/s1600/IMG_6999.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wahlberg's Velvet Gecko, <i>Homopholis wahlbergii</i>. These big geckos prey on smaller geckos and other prey they can overpower. They also inhabit rock cracks and can sometimes be seen moving around in the early morning and late afternoon. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33XfzeLXg2Hw1Ussf9cTlvn0P4ueCa_oIaIajgfGdZmCMIWUAjfN9Dlp4WgX9nb8PWGeTlYKHmbtLwKWj3SPokwTKYKQd2YfU2T6zEoNwQDEnYclhtNIkbCbVDK2XDnoxS0abyPz1Fk0/s1600/photo_3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33XfzeLXg2Hw1Ussf9cTlvn0P4ueCa_oIaIajgfGdZmCMIWUAjfN9Dlp4WgX9nb8PWGeTlYKHmbtLwKWj3SPokwTKYKQd2YfU2T6zEoNwQDEnYclhtNIkbCbVDK2XDnoxS0abyPz1Fk0/s1600/photo_3.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A juvenile Puff adder (<i>Bitis arietans subsp. arietans</i>). These snakes are sluggish and have a very powerful venom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CAlOvUxnPICjWN2uC8ujVau2OOgVd_TW7nUPaWSWsX30p0WaKkdkZSf9fTWb_V3gcNGVzYKAUjjDLXrkxjeQSSX5f6EIc-v9ATmrcttmMNVJUDydl3wWPYRsbESUdOAC-sbgjNlfTzk/s1600/IMG_9078.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CAlOvUxnPICjWN2uC8ujVau2OOgVd_TW7nUPaWSWsX30p0WaKkdkZSf9fTWb_V3gcNGVzYKAUjjDLXrkxjeQSSX5f6EIc-v9ATmrcttmMNVJUDydl3wWPYRsbESUdOAC-sbgjNlfTzk/s1600/IMG_9078.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Flap-necked Chameleon (<i>Chamaeleo dilepis</i>).
These are always a treat to see. Contrary to popular belief, their
colour does not match its surroundings but rather its mood. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoKhfG7FhZmMw-LnhCT3qgx-jUTcZG-YRMi8hZ-S5EcIO-oUgeJQgKPUP8O3Svz7gbvV7KhXipULDDLJEDQDXoUThEn_4khyphenhyphen862unWb4mquVoe-3HC6RL7Ozb1luJm_SUl-pO08zAEPw/s1600/IMG_9318.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoKhfG7FhZmMw-LnhCT3qgx-jUTcZG-YRMi8hZ-S5EcIO-oUgeJQgKPUP8O3Svz7gbvV7KhXipULDDLJEDQDXoUThEn_4khyphenhyphen862unWb4mquVoe-3HC6RL7Ozb1luJm_SUl-pO08zAEPw/s1600/IMG_9318.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Flap-necked Chameleon (<i>Chamaeleo dilepis</i>).
This individual was more relaxed than the last one and this is evident
in its colouration. Shortly after taking this photograph, the chameleon
moved on and caught two flies and consumed them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbfAQx1ubepzXEnNXnAxRDCouwKmra9pRzjXNmdBTF_sva8d1ddicy9YaiDjBZrA8wKgaH2W0AkE82LOW4uV69f2U8Zqa2dec-MUEp-04zBDGUJTn_4gJ2iA0Rfx0fdqQetCGaMhQNvU/s1600/IMG_9722.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbfAQx1ubepzXEnNXnAxRDCouwKmra9pRzjXNmdBTF_sva8d1ddicy9YaiDjBZrA8wKgaH2W0AkE82LOW4uV69f2U8Zqa2dec-MUEp-04zBDGUJTn_4gJ2iA0Rfx0fdqQetCGaMhQNvU/s1600/IMG_9722.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another chameleon (<i>Chamaeleo dilepis). </i>This one was asleep on a piece of grass.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LYtD5Y6NG9TOONT_6UYpB73v0pRtnAjWg97KRYJ9z2aTJqNYV17urgc4crHhyo8tEcL6kv_yNc-itkC4DU5B2qiV8_YF2v4U_-F1XTBVEwZ-VUrtZQMrPA41OadGTvjfqDTwJpF2gCs/s1600/IMG_9243.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LYtD5Y6NG9TOONT_6UYpB73v0pRtnAjWg97KRYJ9z2aTJqNYV17urgc4crHhyo8tEcL6kv_yNc-itkC4DU5B2qiV8_YF2v4U_-F1XTBVEwZ-VUrtZQMrPA41OadGTvjfqDTwJpF2gCs/s1600/IMG_9243.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dasypeltis scabra, </i>the
Rhombic Egg-eater is a snake that specialises on bird eggs. These
snakes are completely harmless and superficially resemble adders. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUrEILzm_s12CBHhKLtitVSBCMmPlw43LxUEdm4DhFoTbV2hSjhIFRyEQxO1BPWhOfxuQZDbFdwBd5r9Sx5fxD6jCddS8pZktLkOpoE0jRZKCqVKQ_0eeDuEzz4gJz-JH0Icclc0HjE4/s1600/IMG_9255.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUrEILzm_s12CBHhKLtitVSBCMmPlw43LxUEdm4DhFoTbV2hSjhIFRyEQxO1BPWhOfxuQZDbFdwBd5r9Sx5fxD6jCddS8pZktLkOpoE0jRZKCqVKQ_0eeDuEzz4gJz-JH0Icclc0HjE4/s1600/IMG_9255.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Thelotornis capensis subsp. capensis</i>,
the Southern Vine Snake. I saw a few of these alive, but they are very
difficult to approach and photograph because of their excellent vision.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaigumj-1lYmKT9PelhG6nLv2W88NKiF37tdBhY-Fq3zX_XdtY55L2J4a87ABT65KFYzoqM9G9ZDcnxojcM3LhgodVzHltWFrZ4te9fdpx6LjpOoxLKEOyruCgmmr5YCTYpg4jOwWM80/s1600/IMG_9210.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaigumj-1lYmKT9PelhG6nLv2W88NKiF37tdBhY-Fq3zX_XdtY55L2J4a87ABT65KFYzoqM9G9ZDcnxojcM3LhgodVzHltWFrZ4te9fdpx6LjpOoxLKEOyruCgmmr5YCTYpg4jOwWM80/s1600/IMG_9210.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Black Mamba (<i>Dendroaspis polylepis</i>)
Africa's most feared and notorious snake. These snakes are big and very
fast, most sightings are fleeting, but this individual was relaxed and
allowed relatively near approach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70tLPkPhoP1Z61lkApBYcxD-vViyg5xlZhQlyeIHdcryoZBLNRpI9Bng7ICYiWfB6_7tZLyUw3B63NdIzFq7-kVOndCLLk6q9alQfa18m4-IPdRdHGAu1vgrSzIX6DHqc1kaWuaa0MBs/s1600/IMG_9560.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70tLPkPhoP1Z61lkApBYcxD-vViyg5xlZhQlyeIHdcryoZBLNRpI9Bng7ICYiWfB6_7tZLyUw3B63NdIzFq7-kVOndCLLk6q9alQfa18m4-IPdRdHGAu1vgrSzIX6DHqc1kaWuaa0MBs/s1600/IMG_9560.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Rock Snake (<i>Lamprophis guttatus</i>) feeding on <i>Smaug breyeri. </i>This
is one of the best reptile observations I have ever had. The Spotted
Rock Snake is not very common and to come across one eating was really
special. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI7z2y5C0Dea2BU-tbPFfrS4W7cAVfmveg0Ita8WrQvt1v_h4pB7NqEaqwFHYSGAnEQywDT2mytt8yEafrQ-1SQt-CF6S98Bq_jSGOWa9wjAgNE3XQZFpJf37QINRg0w7HBa5XcKdQsI/s1600/IMG_7139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI7z2y5C0Dea2BU-tbPFfrS4W7cAVfmveg0Ita8WrQvt1v_h4pB7NqEaqwFHYSGAnEQywDT2mytt8yEafrQ-1SQt-CF6S98Bq_jSGOWa9wjAgNE3XQZFpJf37QINRg0w7HBa5XcKdQsI/s1600/IMG_7139.jpg" height="398" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This strange looking lizard is Sundevall's Writhing Skink (<i>Mochlus sundevallii subsp. sundevallii</i>). They are adapted to life in the loose sand around rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNBtVIjYTTpsvQSPFgTvLEwMx_6Hyec1C_QhVG3p891VmByWDNUfZdu-sZJmgXUasK_N_oYbZKpwIEUlHfvABc8XBNbjxwU9F3gVc__Z7RmkJPyy5HZ_VPH3h7mW6txrxV0d6rpbwZwc/s1600/IMG_7212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNBtVIjYTTpsvQSPFgTvLEwMx_6Hyec1C_QhVG3p891VmByWDNUfZdu-sZJmgXUasK_N_oYbZKpwIEUlHfvABc8XBNbjxwU9F3gVc__Z7RmkJPyy5HZ_VPH3h7mW6txrxV0d6rpbwZwc/s1600/IMG_7212.jpg" height="394" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kinixys spekii, </i>the Speke's Hinged Tortoise is very common in Masebe Nature Reserve.<i></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR640Ui16DQI8VCG2tEuo9Rhsst3TB2OeK5OTzWJIyvq6hQP4Ykwb5Jii3hpzigAMOzvyEKTDnd8NoRoaBMCyH8pFcliZ-2mO7vLlI2N8rQ-0C3wg-39JhIjQ9uh3MqSd8WXtBA4jch4c/s1600/IMG_7629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR640Ui16DQI8VCG2tEuo9Rhsst3TB2OeK5OTzWJIyvq6hQP4Ykwb5Jii3hpzigAMOzvyEKTDnd8NoRoaBMCyH8pFcliZ-2mO7vLlI2N8rQ-0C3wg-39JhIjQ9uh3MqSd8WXtBA4jch4c/s1600/IMG_7629.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Speke's Hinged Tortoise (<i>Kinixys spekii</i>). When looked at from this perspective the tortoise looks very strange, the beak and the forward facing nostrils give it an otherworldly appearance. This is a strange visitor from another time. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV05ahnCNIoFGVSlMcmahrZr_kPRZiTvqZkzXOYmExxKkSb-WR4iioFxGrw_KeUxNOpYj_gwI_B0Xux3YGWkrulaHspCyqKCndP-1IlTELYxBTYcSg2mUAec49BPHLbceXHL45g-ln5oo/s1600/IMG_9826.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV05ahnCNIoFGVSlMcmahrZr_kPRZiTvqZkzXOYmExxKkSb-WR4iioFxGrw_KeUxNOpYj_gwI_B0Xux3YGWkrulaHspCyqKCndP-1IlTELYxBTYcSg2mUAec49BPHLbceXHL45g-ln5oo/s1600/IMG_9826.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transvaal Gecko (<i>Pachydactylus affinis</i>). A gecko that inhabits rocky areas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY38w8lZtSX-YnrYaAmIulRhkkna6FZCSw5UAqDltCvzT8bEvLbjlMrfAj9Jpcz6Zdtjjt6WMdBY_g4WTP8FTJhRMpivgK0VRV7lfwActWLrU_hjW9cLJSla1xVBvP1S6bP36eyxX6Hxg/s1600/IMG_7557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY38w8lZtSX-YnrYaAmIulRhkkna6FZCSw5UAqDltCvzT8bEvLbjlMrfAj9Jpcz6Zdtjjt6WMdBY_g4WTP8FTJhRMpivgK0VRV7lfwActWLrU_hjW9cLJSla1xVBvP1S6bP36eyxX6Hxg/s1600/IMG_7557.jpg" height="364" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Dwarf Sand Snake, <i>Psammophis angolensis. </i>These small snakes are very secretive. This is the second individual I have ever come across.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-56629033793455595042014-01-02T04:17:00.000-08:002014-01-03T13:11:17.824-08:00Durban and surrounds: Frogs, frogging and biodiversity <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdixLNv6lE3mCz1gRXNeYKR9uDnOWkUDQavYtKyt8Hc0PN9vvjkUsjgsHacgAm2hMbWL56I2iGaSUahUojqZZL34IBNN45KwFu_t4Nmb7oq9bPTwFklsq6dmMm2kSuxoJqjCM0icrk-k0/s1600/IMG_8199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdixLNv6lE3mCz1gRXNeYKR9uDnOWkUDQavYtKyt8Hc0PN9vvjkUsjgsHacgAm2hMbWL56I2iGaSUahUojqZZL34IBNN45KwFu_t4Nmb7oq9bPTwFklsq6dmMm2kSuxoJqjCM0icrk-k0/s640/IMG_8199.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hycleus </i>mating on a sedge in Ongoye Forest Reserve.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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Durban has for sometime been my favourite South African
city. It is very hot, the ocean is warm, the people are friendly and the
culture is very diverse. These all add to the appeal of Durban, but the greatest
attraction of the city for me is the strength with which nature has managed to
hold on here. Trees grow everywhere, even on buildings; wooden houses are eaten
by beetles and termites: fruit bats can be seen and heard every night flying
from tree to tree; geckos and snakes are found nearly everywhere; monkeys still
roam suburbia; and the birding is excellent. There are many different habitats
and a short drive out of the city can take one to some spectacular places. To
give an idea of just how good the birding is in Durban, during a short walk in the Mangrove swamps at the Umgeni river mouth I saw a Palm-nut Vulture and a
Black-throated Wattle-eye. In winter one can also see the Spotted Ground Thrush
as it migrates to coastal areas from its forest habitats.
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Here are some of the animals I have seen during the past week at the house where I stayed in Durban North.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWf9HojhhQLv0yYxfdTmU2zXKaF7U4rhGEomHF4Op6qvexvkS_LkAiXB3OA0vSqT10LC_S_XraszkqIjMGRXikaGKoLfVWCux1scuLFvvPCMt7UjE_WF55fDpCuL678_Jm3bHhrBfkuI/s1600/IMG_8233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWf9HojhhQLv0yYxfdTmU2zXKaF7U4rhGEomHF4Op6qvexvkS_LkAiXB3OA0vSqT10LC_S_XraszkqIjMGRXikaGKoLfVWCux1scuLFvvPCMt7UjE_WF55fDpCuL678_Jm3bHhrBfkuI/s640/IMG_8233.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ant-mimic Jumping Spider (<i>Salticidae</i>).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWAKZkxy6S0hfjM-bHb5169I6rBqDlt3b4fSlggovLt1azPBDGHml-lFp5co1KPgZ5lTTg1OQBQxCxPJQV0K3kKSRB1vGGYILTB_4h4ga3dtRJymnVQD0WDsRXhkO2QH6KEIbURQ0ZB8/s1600/IMG_8560.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWAKZkxy6S0hfjM-bHb5169I6rBqDlt3b4fSlggovLt1azPBDGHml-lFp5co1KPgZ5lTTg1OQBQxCxPJQV0K3kKSRB1vGGYILTB_4h4ga3dtRJymnVQD0WDsRXhkO2QH6KEIbURQ0ZB8/s640/IMG_8560.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Wahlberg's Snake-eyed Skink (<i>Afroablepharis walbergii</i>). This lizard was tiny, only 1.5cm in length.</td></tr>
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I am lucky to have regular opportunities to visit Durban and
manage to visit the city at least twice a year. During this most recent visit I
was privileged enough to meet up with frog expert Carl Scholms from uShaka Marine
World, to go and look for frogs in some of the local ponds. The first night we
went out we visited a pond in the heart of suburbia at Danville. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3mgojezB2DazOzG4no6PVVy25bW9VKEtmTJSZyJrDcwlabO6RBv9O1dcxss8IcWSEmtJvcOFLX8izPUJNTRTLtZW7mZONYHMox72Qo5vWLvr6Nab8oIrwzoiTRtpVDWCXfHYvTpe5II/s1600/IMG_8040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3mgojezB2DazOzG4no6PVVy25bW9VKEtmTJSZyJrDcwlabO6RBv9O1dcxss8IcWSEmtJvcOFLX8izPUJNTRTLtZW7mZONYHMox72Qo5vWLvr6Nab8oIrwzoiTRtpVDWCXfHYvTpe5II/s640/IMG_8040.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhombic Night Adder (<i>Causus rhombeatus</i>). A major predator of toads and frogs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxkVFlvD9v8Tij1LP1OxCqA7dERTCxUPFfVVHnoXyaiE_3hAwVnTXEdBf8xuPLrkWnWML_a4SPglvU9rACvzvi49cY3Txt5rSID-AT0dTbw9ZvAFInKNbclip_VothNclFrbw8GISEnM/s1600/DSCN7776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxkVFlvD9v8Tij1LP1OxCqA7dERTCxUPFfVVHnoXyaiE_3hAwVnTXEdBf8xuPLrkWnWML_a4SPglvU9rACvzvi49cY3Txt5rSID-AT0dTbw9ZvAFInKNbclip_VothNclFrbw8GISEnM/s640/DSCN7776.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Reed Frog (<i>Hyperolius marmoratus marmoratus</i>). Perhaps the most abundant reed frog in Durban.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5-Y-WPllXph98MEcJjqjjkqH3eMxxnvFPs7VjReirSK1F55NGz4OxVUGrFY2dSaLeyFMrAi2kKSQtsHQhrp2OLsvHcY9okN-QRr3pfQBauk9Bl1al-T1kLq1OupuyOSgRtDIHZe-zkA/s1600/IMG_8079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5-Y-WPllXph98MEcJjqjjkqH3eMxxnvFPs7VjReirSK1F55NGz4OxVUGrFY2dSaLeyFMrAi2kKSQtsHQhrp2OLsvHcY9okN-QRr3pfQBauk9Bl1al-T1kLq1OupuyOSgRtDIHZe-zkA/s640/IMG_8079.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tinker Reed Frog (<i>Hyperolius tuberilinguis</i>). The call of these frogs is particularly piercing and literally sounds like a hammer hitting steel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9Rbqv337AqOZQbZz_N3-XN2WCrCrTJV7dO2l1Aw8_iCSc36jWiwRiKvR8UjhrY1cStIG2nNdjs1_5CF2VSmf-V0HAr1VnVAa3Adrn7BDl0Vj44Ixp9X6FECniqfEFMphCjtLyu17ROw/s1600/IMG_8113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9Rbqv337AqOZQbZz_N3-XN2WCrCrTJV7dO2l1Aw8_iCSc36jWiwRiKvR8UjhrY1cStIG2nNdjs1_5CF2VSmf-V0HAr1VnVAa3Adrn7BDl0Vj44Ixp9X6FECniqfEFMphCjtLyu17ROw/s640/IMG_8113.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Leaf-folding Frog (<i>Afrixalus fornasinii</i>).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOe1i2ZadasKl28JNf7JPbkqoZ_EX4fXoc2y_XGUUtG6QEPI23K6HWaIIc7KRFKDH_xwJP3V8Yqby5EV9x9dB77Oo5Y7V_mf0m8GIhBuR80h7T2P_ovn3hDQXreCdqXJ3dElYRCv5aWI/s1600/IMG_8124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOe1i2ZadasKl28JNf7JPbkqoZ_EX4fXoc2y_XGUUtG6QEPI23K6HWaIIc7KRFKDH_xwJP3V8Yqby5EV9x9dB77Oo5Y7V_mf0m8GIhBuR80h7T2P_ovn3hDQXreCdqXJ3dElYRCv5aWI/s640/IMG_8124.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Argus Reed Frog (<i>Hyperolius argus</i>). These frogs favour habitats with floating vegetation.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJV7DDjNkhPA1brP7eFc2VXW99hTQesXLbckZOHX4Wb0sJWIL5v6Sgnaz-utp_kH5HQtoxQIGGsAx6EA_1BKxl6-hRY7o_t8rtzHK596MzbYWuhT-PPjO7YzKMp6_uhR6pgprtIAwDVlM/s1600/IMG_8150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJV7DDjNkhPA1brP7eFc2VXW99hTQesXLbckZOHX4Wb0sJWIL5v6Sgnaz-utp_kH5HQtoxQIGGsAx6EA_1BKxl6-hRY7o_t8rtzHK596MzbYWuhT-PPjO7YzKMp6_uhR6pgprtIAwDVlM/s640/IMG_8150.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Lily Frog (<i>Hyperolius pusilius</i>). These frogs are very small and delicate, their skins are translucent.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBtjFgtsRU9k_ing3AQA86V2UgGnbI2kXSvGcDWLdbJ67zPrWCycJzv4wRNKUV47E0xbHzXKBO4mhKF5cSXE7V11HVgS_NneLRsA7pkWS_XGUbzDkcvnPLCO_wMzkGXze2-T-RDaddA8/s640/IMG_8123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guttural Toad (<i>Amietophrynus gutturalis</i>). This widespread frog is a monster in size when compared to the small reed frogs and leaf-folding frogs it shares its habitat with.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmhbKoYC5mQ9LG51bxv2G-wvVbxQcozfdbCYbDRjOJFX1U_w4w9X-03qTbD-nDX2FInfWXilNWRYzRkKtl7Bpaiqi3MK7QfpPUQm_1GusthtlMyaHwGWWaoDcu1AbwnWvhZ622_HEUx4/s640/IMG_8156.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When wading through the water it is incredible how many spiders there are hunting in the reeds and on the water. This fishing spider (<i><span class="superfamily" style="white-space: nowrap;">Lycosoidea</span></i><span class="superfamily" style="white-space: nowrap;">) will eat frogs small enough to overpower.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicssw0F4n3hkJy7siCiKJRZgL9-ajzorlFi0VEqBOdOcOqLgPY0FX-IPVc2iXAt1qb-oud1VxdLL_TirR7SYiU5IZYyoeLwrUmRXTvsaR1mO7QHjhbvpVtJ9_A-ea8C39gQguI5wpxe1k/s1600/IMG_8161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicssw0F4n3hkJy7siCiKJRZgL9-ajzorlFi0VEqBOdOcOqLgPY0FX-IPVc2iXAt1qb-oud1VxdLL_TirR7SYiU5IZYyoeLwrUmRXTvsaR1mO7QHjhbvpVtJ9_A-ea8C39gQguI5wpxe1k/s640/IMG_8161.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frogs don't really get more photogenic than this Natal Tree Frog (<i>Leptopelis natalensis</i>). These frogs have taken well to suburban life where there is indigenous vegetation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After wading in the pond I felt that I had gone a little
frog crazy and not being one to hold back, I decided to make a journey to <a href="http://www.kznwildlife.com/index.php/ongoye-forest.html" target="_blank">Ongoye Forest</a> north of Durban to do some birding and maybe find some more frogs. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhh9Vq7s1zEiVT-4_CbzLVb9pQXhxvpL7N2h57qGy3PkZ5tZMW3UyaOrrR0SIOEt2UQHtABbJ3QGc3xT9xhS1xl8IUzk-M9iywiAOFvHwIddU8Q5E2ooEwploaNoz8PjnuOSpH0yWUo_s/s1600/IMG_8166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhh9Vq7s1zEiVT-4_CbzLVb9pQXhxvpL7N2h57qGy3PkZ5tZMW3UyaOrrR0SIOEt2UQHtABbJ3QGc3xT9xhS1xl8IUzk-M9iywiAOFvHwIddU8Q5E2ooEwploaNoz8PjnuOSpH0yWUo_s/s640/IMG_8166.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Ongoye's attractions is the Red Squirrel (<span class="st"><i>Paraxerus palliatus</i>) and this species features on its logo.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQ98uRo7hPaSFugijVkMoKu7wfApcsJq2VZhQHlEm20MDXhgQmHEza-ORYFXOntT_h-z8wYmU0bsrOTsUdYmvN880rkdoZ-C-xqhZz-pDBAYpdNXCvk5CW83mxKzcL_F_1Pfl11TZ8W4/s1600/DSCN7856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQ98uRo7hPaSFugijVkMoKu7wfApcsJq2VZhQHlEm20MDXhgQmHEza-ORYFXOntT_h-z8wYmU0bsrOTsUdYmvN880rkdoZ-C-xqhZz-pDBAYpdNXCvk5CW83mxKzcL_F_1Pfl11TZ8W4/s640/DSCN7856.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of the three major habitats at Ongoye, the granite outcrops and the grassland areas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Ongoye is a unique habitat situated inland on a granite
ridge. The exposed granite, grassland areas and forest create a wonderful mix
of habitat types and many rare and interesting species can be seen in the area.
The area was first proclaimed a protected area in the 1800s by King of the Zulu
Kingdom <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cetshwayo. Unfortunately my visit was cut short by bad
weather and loss of time, but I will visit the place again in the near future
for a few days to really explore its biodiversity. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAYgf-N7y2pjAalwSn4k7Rk1uODR1igFYVkI8KUlU8hCoqu9VqZI5I5UWR50BRAqjLWBOJRVN1V1qVZITBG_gkLQABxa5_3XjqD8gnKR3SK4-ivI5ehg1coSoRimFoXl7RpONKEgrHv0/s1600/puddle_frogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAYgf-N7y2pjAalwSn4k7Rk1uODR1igFYVkI8KUlU8hCoqu9VqZI5I5UWR50BRAqjLWBOJRVN1V1qVZITBG_gkLQABxa5_3XjqD8gnKR3SK4-ivI5ehg1coSoRimFoXl7RpONKEgrHv0/s1600/puddle_frogs.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A collage showing two different colour morphs of the Snoring Puddle Frog (<i>Phrynobatrachus natalensis</i>), their eggs and the habitat in the road where these frogs were found. They use these puddles in the road made by vehicles to breed and their eggs and tadpoles develop fast in the warm water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next area I visited was inland from Durban, Howick and
Lion’s River. Here I met up with nature guide Daniel Marsh and explored Umgeni
Valley Nature reserve and Lion’s river.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSdOV_lgckN3-rKM9suy1NWwTwgSieXBMQK_mo0VBafAs50haVVI47y5Y0QvQB9b9_vmBIZ8mKsbP86Xsmu3ygCubeZEkoBhctPC0jcKjaL7SNzGOV-dRdEjisplKoxvrn2Psp9MeHVY/s1600/IMG_8260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSdOV_lgckN3-rKM9suy1NWwTwgSieXBMQK_mo0VBafAs50haVVI47y5Y0QvQB9b9_vmBIZ8mKsbP86Xsmu3ygCubeZEkoBhctPC0jcKjaL7SNzGOV-dRdEjisplKoxvrn2Psp9MeHVY/s640/IMG_8260.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gorge cut by the Umgeni River is forested and many birds can be heard calling down below.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://www.wessa.org.za/regions/kzn/kzn-environmental-education-centres/umgeni-valley.htm" target="_blank">Umgeni Valley Nature reserve</a> is a small nature reserve and
managed by WESSA (<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the Wildlife and Environment Society of
South Africa)</span>. There are several walking trails through the reserve
which frames a gorge cut by the Umgeni River (the Umgeni river flows through
Durban before it empties into the Indian Ocean). The nature reserve is
incredibly scenic and the big waterfall is one of the main attractions and well
worth a visit.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivkEuYKzNJguBNpPU1daUsbUdAz90K7lgSscfJ9clVOxEWZ4nZyOXDV12CqBvnU-eShcorVd53wkv8atmlhdy3qsX5rZJp2q7JTY8f0mFw5uH-YcESGFtXWXyaXgAiK9B7DOcOCvDKMg/s1600/IMG_8272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivkEuYKzNJguBNpPU1daUsbUdAz90K7lgSscfJ9clVOxEWZ4nZyOXDV12CqBvnU-eShcorVd53wkv8atmlhdy3qsX5rZJp2q7JTY8f0mFw5uH-YcESGFtXWXyaXgAiK9B7DOcOCvDKMg/s640/IMG_8272.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big pied cricket (<i>Libanasa</i>) found under a rock.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeuMI4X31VytpczZRMuLN3r3DocdflWFjwzvv86XGA488x-T97fn_LLk8pjTwyWNhRufmnGrv8CNtggShmj41g_nw0bU7BEumo5FZnUnuH2rkTZwcXb-ggjnXm4o7lqICn5MH3h5KX0E/s640/IMG_8282.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="466" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A striking cockroach (<i>Pseudoderopeltis</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhmkovRyznXRhbiwXnDuGkoW1i3GpMGmcp6zDJZdie8NVJzS2Uj0522-wVS9cRLVu96i0tBf2Pxl3D79u-akPKBRQNRw76CQS3rQfsJsAQn-hfqYLc4VVa7A1LIXoRKu60UTT7OcANIQ/s640/IMG_8286.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Duberria lutrix</i>, the Common Slug-eater is a harmless little snake that preys on snails and slugs. This individual was about to slough - the fluid separating the old skin from the new skin is visible on the eye.<i> </i><i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iu6675669rD2bnpBzL9QsnXq45Tp9pasDz4hUYy-sq8K1ULzgCVby9CLMdMcpCjMwhfLrPXdxY3BL6U02X-fYNLoLgyCvf8OIOT5VmXfTALNQdxh_XmniRrpvnb22Dzo99JKp7cycz8/s1600/IMG_8303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iu6675669rD2bnpBzL9QsnXq45Tp9pasDz4hUYy-sq8K1ULzgCVby9CLMdMcpCjMwhfLrPXdxY3BL6U02X-fYNLoLgyCvf8OIOT5VmXfTALNQdxh_XmniRrpvnb22Dzo99JKp7cycz8/s640/IMG_8303.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waterfall in Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Lion's river is in the area known as the Natal Midlands and
the wet cool climate is ideal for growing trees - hence plantations take up a lot
of the land. Walking in the area, however, reveals spoor of many small antelope
and there are a lot of birds. The day I visited the area was very wet and the
weather was cool. This created a beautiful atmosphere.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VmnCyILiqYvEIzJ-0Txz4V-PJw2sn_jLTCsoEj6m8ob0244L0Fa-zEASEeV8W9nJgLucQS7g5G64cT5zM6IOJqa9PCd8hqCniIjzh_Bq5PHAPcj7miDBhheeLBDWbKGKrw1pv8qvAvg/s1600/IMG_8329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VmnCyILiqYvEIzJ-0Txz4V-PJw2sn_jLTCsoEj6m8ob0244L0Fa-zEASEeV8W9nJgLucQS7g5G64cT5zM6IOJqa9PCd8hqCniIjzh_Bq5PHAPcj7miDBhheeLBDWbKGKrw1pv8qvAvg/s640/IMG_8329.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Wolf Spider (<i>Lycosidae</i>) carrying its young on its back. It is amazing to see all those spiderlings sitting tight together while the mother continues hunting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYrjgK2teBG_mcFmzpO91MuaV5_gC8iFYlcKRp4hR7-GfHY53ftYLMOypzz1Nvc3qgbj2piOx73SAwTr8gq858J_I9zZy1tiSpYyt91MfrTkWD1E9OVjJDtaWNaxd3xRX7vre8PEnk3o/s1600/IMG_8335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYrjgK2teBG_mcFmzpO91MuaV5_gC8iFYlcKRp4hR7-GfHY53ftYLMOypzz1Nvc3qgbj2piOx73SAwTr8gq858J_I9zZy1tiSpYyt91MfrTkWD1E9OVjJDtaWNaxd3xRX7vre8PEnk3o/s640/IMG_8335.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Common River Frog (<i>Amietia angolensis</i>) is widespread in Southern Africa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS0pUs70Y0jGl9PrAiVPIdozOi3xKg6uLVQci8y3alByOFDhK6T2SBqbsFmhNh4yw1jJNwwav_sArcnBQaEkDVi4tUU4Qmf3Jh_BMuyIFSR0zkTDP92HN4jVp2EOWwiYmOWdhJnNJ81U/s1600/IMG_8355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS0pUs70Y0jGl9PrAiVPIdozOi3xKg6uLVQci8y3alByOFDhK6T2SBqbsFmhNh4yw1jJNwwav_sArcnBQaEkDVi4tUU4Qmf3Jh_BMuyIFSR0zkTDP92HN4jVp2EOWwiYmOWdhJnNJ81U/s640/IMG_8355.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Natal Sand Frog (<i>Tomopterna natalensis</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So far my holiday had been very good in terms of exploring
different areas and seeing different animals and plants, but things were about
to get better when herpetologist Carl Scholms invited me to go frogging again.
This time we were joined by another frog expert Nick Evans and we traveled to a
wetland area in Mount Moreland north of the city, close to the King Shaka
International Airport. Wading in some nettle invested wetland we saw some
really interesting frogs.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs14c4ePSrsc3twz4GwbDQJ8xxQ5w_RHYb6HtBKVyZpWuQpBA3ysJ3FNYYnfaOunTkiKkkcSF4JJ7vWe9g9r-hwg8Ft7nT2gofgMBkYU29KrMnwAlTKA6QPycahooWXSbFIZi1qRj5dJA/s1600/IMG_8368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs14c4ePSrsc3twz4GwbDQJ8xxQ5w_RHYb6HtBKVyZpWuQpBA3ysJ3FNYYnfaOunTkiKkkcSF4JJ7vWe9g9r-hwg8Ft7nT2gofgMBkYU29KrMnwAlTKA6QPycahooWXSbFIZi1qRj5dJA/s640/IMG_8368.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Pickersgill's Reed Frog (<i>Hyperolius pickersgilli</i>). These beautiful little frogs are endangered due to habitat destruction. A lot of the species previous habitat has been destroyed to plant sugar cane plantations. Even something as everyday as sugar has a major environmental impact.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3WQ4rf7FEDnpHcD6DLn3uNjpzwtZRwM4PAH0PkZ0sbediVq-ak0vu56dkhyHhc82012wGdQbZMDcptHlMjT-dXZJi1x57G4_Sb3VRBfhKwvauUb3qEq_jIqmo_jTKBAAupXGmRo_RVU/s1600/IMG_8372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3WQ4rf7FEDnpHcD6DLn3uNjpzwtZRwM4PAH0PkZ0sbediVq-ak0vu56dkhyHhc82012wGdQbZMDcptHlMjT-dXZJi1x57G4_Sb3VRBfhKwvauUb3qEq_jIqmo_jTKBAAupXGmRo_RVU/s640/IMG_8372.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicate Leaf-folding Frog (<i>Afrixalus delicatus</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBkopsr1qDjh9SiG5VbCt900lbm1GrgGsrG9Et5POoVE2gGiRlLKSlspLK_XS5jXOxnAtX5MhPfLrqGhpnEtUL_JS7iWnX3C6S6Mwd1X2KHRoGsbEkpt8ML5pZWmtMmWZUmQ8WLRktNo/s1600/IMG_8402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBkopsr1qDjh9SiG5VbCt900lbm1GrgGsrG9Et5POoVE2gGiRlLKSlspLK_XS5jXOxnAtX5MhPfLrqGhpnEtUL_JS7iWnX3C6S6Mwd1X2KHRoGsbEkpt8ML5pZWmtMmWZUmQ8WLRktNo/s640/IMG_8402.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Lily Frog (<i>Hyperolius pusillus</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife_jOMBIAIBA9sYoEwOBUllCGVMxZCl5GGWx8kqrtEOAc0q-mawWsELgqeRITC60HWtUBJq86lY6xmcUEBXBFGJIgeLNKZ5WVn3vghjNs7hE7KWNrhlU4XFsrHmpdlUWL10JRosFJ72U/s1600/IMG_8400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife_jOMBIAIBA9sYoEwOBUllCGVMxZCl5GGWx8kqrtEOAc0q-mawWsELgqeRITC60HWtUBJq86lY6xmcUEBXBFGJIgeLNKZ5WVn3vghjNs7hE7KWNrhlU4XFsrHmpdlUWL10JRosFJ72U/s640/IMG_8400.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Leaf-folding Frog (<i>Afrixalus fornasinii</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47l2QPIc-RCwFipG1_Xo8zbofZp1YWlD0WqiBx7nCMCiRjVpl49WC1EMbkPStUjo0qXJ9JWzBlf9VwLvw_bpjnNoXwoX_dk4Zgq2GKKHsIwki_CiY80BEwGpiQ7uRP1zaFdBNTbiLRqM/s1600/IMG_8417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47l2QPIc-RCwFipG1_Xo8zbofZp1YWlD0WqiBx7nCMCiRjVpl49WC1EMbkPStUjo0qXJ9JWzBlf9VwLvw_bpjnNoXwoX_dk4Zgq2GKKHsIwki_CiY80BEwGpiQ7uRP1zaFdBNTbiLRqM/s640/IMG_8417.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Common Water Snake (<i>Lycodonomorphus rufulus</i>) is a non-venomous snake that preys on frogs and is able to hunt underwater, on land and even climbs up into the reeds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-t-PfxMuHnJ3t8ej-RgJbPX_d4kk0s1n_pZ_hG4ndjLEEPn5i9rXvKCzuIDV-NBsugGJrswYxwKBDBl5uplgwjvTt0X7HijV2Gs040mb8CE4yxhkmp7dLAMjOBN5AAjSw-j3uxrT_5xE/s1600/IMG_8483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-t-PfxMuHnJ3t8ej-RgJbPX_d4kk0s1n_pZ_hG4ndjLEEPn5i9rXvKCzuIDV-NBsugGJrswYxwKBDBl5uplgwjvTt0X7HijV2Gs040mb8CE4yxhkmp7dLAMjOBN5AAjSw-j3uxrT_5xE/s640/IMG_8483.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The KwaZulu Dwarf Chameleon (<i>Bradypodion melanocephalum</i>) is one of the many Dwarf Chameleons found in South Africa. Each species has a very restricted range and new species are regularly described. At the moment there are about 20 recognised species. This number is subject to change as the taxonomy is resolved. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPSj90rw4IY0SwnfzdJCAJWaE3X0ZAKF6byxr5pWZeyy-mLV5DZoRiN1oUAq6eNkjRG3OVFL6Tu3S-QEm3akEfoltU2Yz7m3s23xmopA1DYkxzEtnRQMw_ju2F47ldHuTq_8ewzyXLW4/s1600/IMG_8503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPSj90rw4IY0SwnfzdJCAJWaE3X0ZAKF6byxr5pWZeyy-mLV5DZoRiN1oUAq6eNkjRG3OVFL6Tu3S-QEm3akEfoltU2Yz7m3s23xmopA1DYkxzEtnRQMw_ju2F47ldHuTq_8ewzyXLW4/s640/IMG_8503.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Tinker Reed Frog (<i>Hyperolius tuberilinguis</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During the drive back home we also saw a few interesting
animals along the road. Including a scorpion.
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6vd1WprsFgTp0JVZwEI-qhUOYxMVmujn-4mxZbF8pWnnQE6mcY-GnbR9fFJ8dO5nfDRQBQZMyIy9uOhC_jsrPiODfH569IBrCM9aAdoGqxXMikTnHtn4Xm7X7IojQK2vxnlAjmekFyM/s1600/IMG_8515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6vd1WprsFgTp0JVZwEI-qhUOYxMVmujn-4mxZbF8pWnnQE6mcY-GnbR9fFJ8dO5nfDRQBQZMyIy9uOhC_jsrPiODfH569IBrCM9aAdoGqxXMikTnHtn4Xm7X7IojQK2vxnlAjmekFyM/s640/IMG_8515.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Toad (<i>Schismaderma carens</i>). These toads are one of my favourite frogs and have a very wide distribution. The individuals in Durban tend to be more grey than red.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGc-jMMdIGQwTiwnfgkG27zZ0INlUIeTGN0yPKI0emUmhwCsQjsGkZwJiW4qwALROWStukzxpkS-Gj4eSu7CiLiLcFL6vQdntohLAscCH9MAlULeVufpJwy9joMV7eiPsQQfbpPRbO1po/s1600/IMG_8510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGc-jMMdIGQwTiwnfgkG27zZ0INlUIeTGN0yPKI0emUmhwCsQjsGkZwJiW4qwALROWStukzxpkS-Gj4eSu7CiLiLcFL6vQdntohLAscCH9MAlULeVufpJwy9joMV7eiPsQQfbpPRbO1po/s640/IMG_8510.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Uroplectes </i>scorpion found on the verge of the road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsiT3od0sQYDD7jQfW6hWt-7X-ai1h-cpvjVFw3Gl7Mh4JLcQr4WROEqUV_w7R_68pQYZ4T0y1zwtb5MzGFZFtsQjsp3ZYj8cbarz96AasYqVJr1ZfgoJ46BlxKdOR00cgb0Hn8oXF2Y/s1600/IMG_8514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsiT3od0sQYDD7jQfW6hWt-7X-ai1h-cpvjVFw3Gl7Mh4JLcQr4WROEqUV_w7R_68pQYZ4T0y1zwtb5MzGFZFtsQjsp3ZYj8cbarz96AasYqVJr1ZfgoJ46BlxKdOR00cgb0Hn8oXF2Y/s640/IMG_8514.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dwarf Puddle Frog (<i>Phrynobatrachus mababiensis</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOIFsPHknqfnNQSSa7T3CnWAloM7bbPSBharw45ueR9G2yuxxY2FvCxpvs_sEf_U4pzc-0YOdJvlN7WcHm1e3-Sz9tTs19ViAT6o0z0iecS659es_LT4GQY0pYeNUtxVFpU0TqyG71ac/s1600/IMG_8525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOIFsPHknqfnNQSSa7T3CnWAloM7bbPSBharw45ueR9G2yuxxY2FvCxpvs_sEf_U4pzc-0YOdJvlN7WcHm1e3-Sz9tTs19ViAT6o0z0iecS659es_LT4GQY0pYeNUtxVFpU0TqyG71ac/s640/IMG_8525.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natal Tree Frog (<i>Leptopelis natalensis</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With a new found enthusiasm for frogs it was an easy choice
when deciding what to do for New Year’s Eve. One hundred thirty kilometres
North of Durban there is a beautiful nature reserve called Umlalazi Nature
Reserve. I have spent a lot of time at this nature reserve and although it is
small in comparison to other destinations, it is really special. The reserve boasts dune forests, mangrove swamps, a large wetland area and just outside the
reserve is a unique Raffia Palm forest (<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Raphia australis)</span></i>. The different habitats make this reserve a
rewarding place to explore biodiversity.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walking through the reserve and wading in a few wetland
areas revealed some very interesting animals. Below are the highlights.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6s-2416XmsZL1_yfOYFp_XJBElWBDnx4HGrOu0-9DHz02jKTpRTcVZ2C2cmQjBv0KYqIcPkDjYcgyx0L_77vzAK21OcIlQSrjWfkdSv-sWCiU3ZfDCZPt9nlu0bhevhvK4ulbmoa37Gg/s1600/pillMillipede.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6s-2416XmsZL1_yfOYFp_XJBElWBDnx4HGrOu0-9DHz02jKTpRTcVZ2C2cmQjBv0KYqIcPkDjYcgyx0L_77vzAK21OcIlQSrjWfkdSv-sWCiU3ZfDCZPt9nlu0bhevhvK4ulbmoa37Gg/s640/pillMillipede.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sphaerotherium </span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;">the Pill Millipede is able to completely seal its legs when it curls up. The coastal forest is full of these animals at night where they feed on decaying plant matter. </span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFIOUGs9TL3UOU3TMBySeP_Jw_D0c3FvA3PwjXueLNQZqTzeyaQkeyUmxd1DeScgIx8m1RJUKHRXrOHn19X7ieqPi4PqI0iTpbtRNcaMk5Ajbc_j8VYSCKmQF5dMqcv_QAKJ6XiRh-LE/s1600/IMG_8620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFIOUGs9TL3UOU3TMBySeP_Jw_D0c3FvA3PwjXueLNQZqTzeyaQkeyUmxd1DeScgIx8m1RJUKHRXrOHn19X7ieqPi4PqI0iTpbtRNcaMk5Ajbc_j8VYSCKmQF5dMqcv_QAKJ6XiRh-LE/s640/IMG_8620.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There must have been over a thousand Tinker Reed Frogs (<i>Hyperolius tuberilinguis</i>) calling in the reeds of the small river which runs through Umlalazi forest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHYZ2FU6cEXed2MTzHDrOSCXBG2__f1tWYg9oSlXkQLBC_gStQ7ZWkWTfFaXuBCtMt6joQ4IXf1eX8jD57vFmnDQXrF0Oh327IzdCI7UhAz_dTYUzPl_At47dnfMD1PyllId06-WznPk/s1600/IMG_8627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHYZ2FU6cEXed2MTzHDrOSCXBG2__f1tWYg9oSlXkQLBC_gStQ7ZWkWTfFaXuBCtMt6joQ4IXf1eX8jD57vFmnDQXrF0Oh327IzdCI7UhAz_dTYUzPl_At47dnfMD1PyllId06-WznPk/s640/IMG_8627.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not the type of sign one wants to see when the intention is to wade in the water looking for frogs. Not a warning to take lightly when you consider the amount of people killed by crocodiles in Africa every year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G9bads8PyqdWociyvB66xCiP7UdWB8U_uqvoY35sy484KRVmYuJJF1Ln60Gab0tfZxz3m9xTbUJ6FSDOLjhFBGImZXE1RNTD8dJSoesVuGYHYXPMGUQSifH6zGb6ZPfKHjfH4ropLvA/s1600/IMG_8630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G9bads8PyqdWociyvB66xCiP7UdWB8U_uqvoY35sy484KRVmYuJJF1Ln60Gab0tfZxz3m9xTbUJ6FSDOLjhFBGImZXE1RNTD8dJSoesVuGYHYXPMGUQSifH6zGb6ZPfKHjfH4ropLvA/s640/IMG_8630.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Leaf-folding Frog (<i>Afrixalus fornasinii</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqfmRL77RD-0lpI_pTqtda3znX_pJl-h2bUTFBUK2DjIy73Nlbt3o0oTlJuC_FXGUNzs1WIlnkB2CNXsuuu8_ehjBrqnc-wnSB5H-K8fp45v8RAIYxxykO9x9nnvR4juiWFze_lvpqAA/s1600/IMG_8643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqfmRL77RD-0lpI_pTqtda3znX_pJl-h2bUTFBUK2DjIy73Nlbt3o0oTlJuC_FXGUNzs1WIlnkB2CNXsuuu8_ehjBrqnc-wnSB5H-K8fp45v8RAIYxxykO9x9nnvR4juiWFze_lvpqAA/s640/IMG_8643.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Lily Frog (<i>Hyperolius pusillus</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrArE2HAd_ii1850N1D68i_F1qKBvKnd1cT7HP-sL-3bE_YmUrN_gIGwdy5dmrBW9OPRDaZiUgSDPIQjW1QektaecwjnjX2X_Sqy_Yme3lhwNTyY6ftlXDMx7BPKqIkULzsG-cbtlXqDo/s1600/IMG_8648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrArE2HAd_ii1850N1D68i_F1qKBvKnd1cT7HP-sL-3bE_YmUrN_gIGwdy5dmrBW9OPRDaZiUgSDPIQjW1QektaecwjnjX2X_Sqy_Yme3lhwNTyY6ftlXDMx7BPKqIkULzsG-cbtlXqDo/s640/IMG_8648.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Pickersgill's Reed Frog (<i>Hyperolius pickersgilli</i>). Umlalazi Nature Reserve is an important conservation area for this species.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXekZWYrcY85mJCYd_M0-C-uQaT98R5A_j8zSPJDONxa_FUIsspXzeV0byAtog6VM69YCYa0xKftilFa_4p1Q59FIA9-BVqEDxejUpzXF06bsLzROMHVkiWvrzT9nI2bR0-FfCYElQyC8/s1600/IMG_8662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXekZWYrcY85mJCYd_M0-C-uQaT98R5A_j8zSPJDONxa_FUIsspXzeV0byAtog6VM69YCYa0xKftilFa_4p1Q59FIA9-BVqEDxejUpzXF06bsLzROMHVkiWvrzT9nI2bR0-FfCYElQyC8/s640/IMG_8662.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tinker Reed Frog (<i>Hyperolius tuberilinguis</i>). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q6rFYvYVptz3qVB_Dz4v29KUrug8yrkiffSdYYbqGFnqP1Ooi1s_dglQZ9KRNVnzbSELn-Ss-xW6obA1UKCZSyGmQtN_sMiFCeJVE9HYu8eBUJAETXNFFZPXlA_-jz7a_kXTp12Awuc/s1600/DSCN8018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q6rFYvYVptz3qVB_Dz4v29KUrug8yrkiffSdYYbqGFnqP1Ooi1s_dglQZ9KRNVnzbSELn-Ss-xW6obA1UKCZSyGmQtN_sMiFCeJVE9HYu8eBUJAETXNFFZPXlA_-jz7a_kXTp12Awuc/s640/DSCN8018.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive Moth found while walking in the forest. Identification pending.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJYNlx_lbs4tm8v_6bJVGznE1Oa6a0mSRsmz2QBkMWNKHTq5aNsVm6wDK0ueKCY94BtF5jkqVxRgVPUOlClifcdNdz1kaOWlVmqDhhdFg10y3SJpR101bAW_HIoGauFPif55BhWrANhc/s1600/IMG_8665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJYNlx_lbs4tm8v_6bJVGznE1Oa6a0mSRsmz2QBkMWNKHTq5aNsVm6wDK0ueKCY94BtF5jkqVxRgVPUOlClifcdNdz1kaOWlVmqDhhdFg10y3SJpR101bAW_HIoGauFPif55BhWrANhc/s640/IMG_8665.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longhorn beetle (<i>Mallodon downesi</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkV-s4PgCEcKvpwSeE8J2HI32ErQYm2kXjbc-uR47zCrPCOdVWf0O6mE09gE0sT7XvCVhPw4ExPGcFPxq02wvMR6fU_76kM197D42bbzp8S5WUnI6083mp-IFiygcStl_21s8pF1nU80U/s1600/IMG_8673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkV-s4PgCEcKvpwSeE8J2HI32ErQYm2kXjbc-uR47zCrPCOdVWf0O6mE09gE0sT7XvCVhPw4ExPGcFPxq02wvMR6fU_76kM197D42bbzp8S5WUnI6083mp-IFiygcStl_21s8pF1nU80U/s640/IMG_8673.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the 'small five', the Rhinoceros Beetle (<i>Oryctes</i>). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESX8lyWvY8I3_duXxEH_p83wUgSVh8QI7BNx0xfxW5VDVMScsyPEbFUPZEueB1roL5VTiuTgae1cWcLYDs-3fkIlW3YXsb94WRcnXF_7vMFpCOHySggu4EgyTi4esZ2Kev1fJma9YTEw/s1600/IMG_8681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESX8lyWvY8I3_duXxEH_p83wUgSVh8QI7BNx0xfxW5VDVMScsyPEbFUPZEueB1roL5VTiuTgae1cWcLYDs-3fkIlW3YXsb94WRcnXF_7vMFpCOHySggu4EgyTi4esZ2Kev1fJma9YTEw/s640/IMG_8681.jpg" width="406" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Automolis </i>Moth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj5rL8qPcnkO9G5npjpd3MlGcqDFYpsnZ9j6KhN3PoC6kbHvQZQScJAL8A-h2yxINIFsmQbAYcvIfDP1vge9DiERKR1K3Ysyvik90ah8P_LP0uiQy4EuzbTlMy2S4lG-E3J1rJNYtuhg/s640/IMG_8693.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOR Rhombic Egg-eater (Dasypeltis scabra). These snakes feed exclusively on bird's eggs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXto4yLKiBtBcLqu5qv4cZ0Q1L93gnT8WUjnsu073Mbe6Dq2AG9LIYZrsMJ-ssVdnJvGxfZBCzLqTmzQRGn4NtBlUr9Qfpyrc-Wie4JOeSSXQ5Cey-JM-I6NZemIkPeSTKL-FytUW6Qg/s1600/IMG_8697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXto4yLKiBtBcLqu5qv4cZ0Q1L93gnT8WUjnsu073Mbe6Dq2AG9LIYZrsMJ-ssVdnJvGxfZBCzLqTmzQRGn4NtBlUr9Qfpyrc-Wie4JOeSSXQ5Cey-JM-I6NZemIkPeSTKL-FytUW6Qg/s640/IMG_8697.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raucous Toad (<i>Amietophrynus rangeri</i>). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJhWSSq1vqglxnVMnNSVSGtyqfxhM2dcou5viDnWR2kf-zGwJN7c2F8JASdXOmP_kJN8g-AgfVCrDEhPeGNpYXfqUHI-zn3lmPVohxgOXgxnabS_POjR0mPpAWdYZfCwgdbXr9r2mLwY/s1600/IMG_8705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJhWSSq1vqglxnVMnNSVSGtyqfxhM2dcou5viDnWR2kf-zGwJN7c2F8JASdXOmP_kJN8g-AgfVCrDEhPeGNpYXfqUHI-zn3lmPVohxgOXgxnabS_POjR0mPpAWdYZfCwgdbXr9r2mLwY/s640/IMG_8705.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOR Herald Snake (<i>Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia</i>). These snakes feed on amphibians and specially adapted to eating toads. They use their relatively large fangs to puncture toads that have inflated themselves with air in defense.</td></tr>
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Overall I think that Durban is an incredibly rich region in
terms of biodiversity. The amphibian diversity in the area is incredibly high
and I don’t think any other South African cities can rival Durban in sites and
accessibility in terms of frogging. The city is also very rich in other biota
and is the ideal base to explore the region from for any nature lover. There is
just so much to see and do here and this is what makes Durban my favourite
South African city.</div>
ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-30122622922992663162013-11-12T08:57:00.000-08:002013-11-12T08:57:33.114-08:00Tswaing Meteor Crater
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajfStRO5nJ2XycWAHgjUaTrorYwkYCPZFM8gFHb9dEVCWXO6ApD96DeJDKmxnAOY5gsG9tqZqsr8l5NNJPT5jcbt6t5ZecFXN1t12DcL47jdQPVLA4IJLcCxC_oK3mCXYBKa6d_hcbCM/s1600/IMG_5551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajfStRO5nJ2XycWAHgjUaTrorYwkYCPZFM8gFHb9dEVCWXO6ApD96DeJDKmxnAOY5gsG9tqZqsr8l5NNJPT5jcbt6t5ZecFXN1t12DcL47jdQPVLA4IJLcCxC_oK3mCXYBKa6d_hcbCM/s640/IMG_5551.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tswaing Crater seen from the rim. The rim is about 100 metres above the bottom of the crater. Inside is saline water, in the past soda and salt were extracted from the crater. The ruins of the factory and associated operations can be seen around the area. Tools from the middle stone age show that people have been coming to the crater for at least 100 000 years. </td></tr>
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“The shockwave through the ground would have been equivalent
to a major earthquake, but the air blast and associated impact debris would
have done most of the damage. Loose rocks, debris from buildings, cars and even
trees would have become lethal projectiles and within a radius of 50 km around
the site all life would have been destroyed”. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a></span></div>
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This is how McCarthy and Rubridge (2005) describe the impact
of something the size of the object that hit the earth near Pretoria 200 000 years
ago would be like. The devastation caused by something like that today would be
catastrophic. Yet major impacts on earth are relatively common. Since 2000
there have been at least eight widely reported impact events. The most recent
was <span>Chelyabinsk
meteor</span> which exploded over Russia in February 2013. This was well
documented and footage can be seen <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcNPPEfD4OI" target="_blank">here</a>.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTHLWwFVWcsDU88-SN2c7Ix0FeSrEtXikpVEW9XQUfVl0qXfwSwNrzabQW30SEn5QO8Mg398_Jiz2_VqGvwZMNbLa-kaE1G-GJvZx3qdLwjDQrOasEgHKiDl8mKsmFwW9yoXP9j2Mzf4/s1600/IMG_5597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTHLWwFVWcsDU88-SN2c7Ix0FeSrEtXikpVEW9XQUfVl0qXfwSwNrzabQW30SEn5QO8Mg398_Jiz2_VqGvwZMNbLa-kaE1G-GJvZx3qdLwjDQrOasEgHKiDl8mKsmFwW9yoXP9j2Mzf4/s640/IMG_5597.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the crater the slopes are dominated by <i>Vachellia robusta </i>and <i>Combretum</i> trees. Creating a good habitat for birds and other animals that favour woodland environments.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxA6OtgQKtKpi-0DEbe8YYq9HMfUcMJ69PggicbEGTHPxK2lbddDW2CWC82doXUXTOQNAE6wa_T5rWzJmmQajYqzi-GRmhx_z8MTFAjU9XdQY_wlgoUrkE58M58NiB6PLGM2EC0hXZ0k/s1600/IMG_5604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxA6OtgQKtKpi-0DEbe8YYq9HMfUcMJ69PggicbEGTHPxK2lbddDW2CWC82doXUXTOQNAE6wa_T5rWzJmmQajYqzi-GRmhx_z8MTFAjU9XdQY_wlgoUrkE58M58NiB6PLGM2EC0hXZ0k/s640/IMG_5604.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From inside the crater one is struck by the roundness of the rim. </td></tr>
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McCarthy and Rubridge Break down the estimates of how often
impact events of different magnitudes take place. Every 100 million (<span>10<sup>8</sup></span>)
years an impact leading to global mass extinction occurs. Smaller events
causing craters 20-50km in diameter occur once every 500 000 years and even
smaller events, like the one that caused the Tswaing Crater occur as often as
one to three times per hundred years.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a></span>
These kind of numbers really bring ones tentative place on earth into
perspective. The Hollywood version would have a hero going up into space and
somehow stopping the massive body from colliding with the earth, but that is a
fantasy. A meteor the size of the one that created the Vredefort Dome in South
Africa would not be stopped and impact and extinction would be unavoidable.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyYDlYn7V0PpGwwFF_wvPVl9WG0tCReyZS3xbpnn2PnEmx7RcC6Bk9AknyDrH3sNVher2EqP1BjXvhO3SA411YpIG_oSv7HdDYKsurd2n8L0KGnjcOWU5k_FgZMsQ3j18ebvY7HeJ2T0/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-11+at+3.57.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyYDlYn7V0PpGwwFF_wvPVl9WG0tCReyZS3xbpnn2PnEmx7RcC6Bk9AknyDrH3sNVher2EqP1BjXvhO3SA411YpIG_oSv7HdDYKsurd2n8L0KGnjcOWU5k_FgZMsQ3j18ebvY7HeJ2T0/s640/Screen+shot+2013-11-11+at+3.57.51+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A satellite image of Tswaing Crater. The urban sprawl is beginning to encroach on the crater. </td></tr>
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But what will be will be and the event that happened 200 000
years ago left a remarkable crater and the surrounding environment has become
Tswaing Meteor Crater Nature Reserve. The reserve is surrounded by urban
sprawl, but is a refuge for some wildlife that would otherwise have nowhere
else to go. It is also a good birding area, I have observed: Green-backed Herons, Magpie Shrikes, Temnick's Courser, Wattled Starling, African Hawk-Eagles, Red-billed Hornbills, Yellow-Billed Hornbills and African Grey Hornbills. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPsUcKzZerW4RrCKb9DtFWiQe1foYt7eZvE0hJrWxK2PWjAQ4Z82lQfXjh4xkWXtTiyzltFMYnEixCes7sb_ad1axnN1qf46jCTcx02W-LsTDKpIR5MkQ4pSSuljtszuoHdXPjngOk08/s1600/IMG_5543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPsUcKzZerW4RrCKb9DtFWiQe1foYt7eZvE0hJrWxK2PWjAQ4Z82lQfXjh4xkWXtTiyzltFMYnEixCes7sb_ad1axnN1qf46jCTcx02W-LsTDKpIR5MkQ4pSSuljtszuoHdXPjngOk08/s640/IMG_5543.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are many Variable Skinks (<i>Trachylepis varia</i>) moving around in the leaf litter around the crater. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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On a single small tree (<i>Combretum molle</i>), without looking too hard I found three different insects all apparently feeding on the new growth of the tree. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWCX_W5zVOYDt62egTJj7O6HTrrTCL5vapZ0HKbIo83EH3pNEUywVt6KcjKRwv1tHMUxAwGoJB3ik-KA7JoTTUu6sJ29Xw3nM9b21RVYmbJeZw-D2uYQJAep5x1zucSSFLo0uGfN8N9o/s1600/IMG_5584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWCX_W5zVOYDt62egTJj7O6HTrrTCL5vapZ0HKbIo83EH3pNEUywVt6KcjKRwv1tHMUxAwGoJB3ik-KA7JoTTUu6sJ29Xw3nM9b21RVYmbJeZw-D2uYQJAep5x1zucSSFLo0uGfN8N9o/s640/IMG_5584.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Velvet Bush Willow (<i>Combretum molle</i>). On this small tree I found three different types of insects just by quickly scanning what was moving around. With a bit more effort I am sure I could have found more than three times that amount.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEzyW7djl4bcyE0DL1DB7th5gmluzaUgwLkdOQTaweUoNme0VC6Y9prxcCNAPYfE4XxRnsDzAOpqLMCpOkOozaWixAcsn1h69HbOQBT2U8WxDtVcz1PGY8OZbx2IZAR2sazQGK31Zu4o/s1600/IMG_5558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEzyW7djl4bcyE0DL1DB7th5gmluzaUgwLkdOQTaweUoNme0VC6Y9prxcCNAPYfE4XxRnsDzAOpqLMCpOkOozaWixAcsn1h69HbOQBT2U8WxDtVcz1PGY8OZbx2IZAR2sazQGK31Zu4o/s640/IMG_5558.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Fruit chafers (<i>Pedinorrhina trivittata</i>) clambering on a branch.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPankpzwUQ1H8IqasckTbVNx7dfpHirMnyn_TlELNn3Wt3QOwVA8UiL8cpRcs73z9Y2fBQBf3eRVtEaDsLJTpWkAL1yRrNsUGM89P0muzX0BHWv_3REgKRvCv2EGObwtkvnS_kMUoCEw/s1600/IMG_5571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPankpzwUQ1H8IqasckTbVNx7dfpHirMnyn_TlELNn3Wt3QOwVA8UiL8cpRcs73z9Y2fBQBf3eRVtEaDsLJTpWkAL1yRrNsUGM89P0muzX0BHWv_3REgKRvCv2EGObwtkvnS_kMUoCEw/s640/IMG_5571.jpg" width="470" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another <span>fruit chafer but a different species (<em>Clinteroides permutans</em>).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouVgyF1b9xUhcT_KRNIGP38z1AXZ1jKBa6ZJqYIdw1cU6qCmynYpmrYIid7p2bLF9DbSd0K9s3-GdZ5WTzyCP4dKU2-RpseX_ZqRUhJshChrJOthSTDJQrF8DmC1MPtMgH32ArtNYGXM/s1600/IMG_5573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouVgyF1b9xUhcT_KRNIGP38z1AXZ1jKBa6ZJqYIdw1cU6qCmynYpmrYIid7p2bLF9DbSd0K9s3-GdZ5WTzyCP4dKU2-RpseX_ZqRUhJshChrJOthSTDJQrF8DmC1MPtMgH32ArtNYGXM/s640/IMG_5573.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>This<em> Polyrhachis </em>ant was busy feeding on a broken tip of a new shoot. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> <span>McCarthy,
T and Rubridge, B. 2005. The Story of Earth & Life: a southern African
perspective on a 4.6-billion-year journey. Random House Struik: Cape Town
(305-306).</span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a> <span>McCarthy,
T and Rubridge, B. 2005. The Story of Earth & Life: a southern African
perspective on a 4.6-billion-year journey. Random House Struik: Cape Town
(306).</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-50547181834004873802013-11-11T04:59:00.000-08:002013-11-11T05:37:16.105-08:00Spring 2013 – Venda, Limpopo Provence and the Makuleke/Pafuri Area Kruger National Park<br />
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I was fortunate enough to spend the spring of this year in
the far north-eastern region of South Africa. Leaving Johannesburg on a
somewhat chilly Thursday morning, I drove up towards my first destination
Gundani camp site deep in the heart of Venda. I arrived in the dark and after
trying to get into what I thought was the campsite (it turned out to be the
cemetery) and walking around the village trying to find someone willing to help
me I was shown where the site was. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuSECM8YfScDSrSUBfFLrfNi88W5HDoSv2iR4tFJt5Sn_MUTBDTvf9l5ZgIQEi67OXpjW60noZr8N0iLi560vXp7m0d3EYNZVTYmnEEPHWc5EgZ1Ysw2Lw8yda5bqBzSazg4rwdNa-7o/s1600/IMG_4131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuSECM8YfScDSrSUBfFLrfNi88W5HDoSv2iR4tFJt5Sn_MUTBDTvf9l5ZgIQEi67OXpjW60noZr8N0iLi560vXp7m0d3EYNZVTYmnEEPHWc5EgZ1Ysw2Lw8yda5bqBzSazg4rwdNa-7o/s640/IMG_4131.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miombo Woodland in Gundani, Venda. This is the only patch of <span class="st"><i>Brachystegia</i> woodland in South Africa, making it a rare ecological area. The characteristic The golden and red shades to the leaves are characteristic of this type of woodland.</span></td></tr>
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The reason I chose to make a stop at Gundani was because it
is the only patch of Miombo Woodland in South Africa. I hoped to explore the
biodiversity of the area but there was no water and I was not prepared. So
after I took a short walk, I decided to drive and find a place that offers
camping <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> water. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2Ui3V3xdeDDbO-LZvp-lV2ya4dPxZeWwAHa0kZTZy4OK8KfNARMUPLAT4fVqLgwD4mdJqs-AA6BICPJkpqC6wDf9AbcWDtOQS3d8pU4Cm144cz_9QdsPF2wVPvtSN-7gvjdWD_gjbpc/s1600/IMG_4122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2Ui3V3xdeDDbO-LZvp-lV2ya4dPxZeWwAHa0kZTZy4OK8KfNARMUPLAT4fVqLgwD4mdJqs-AA6BICPJkpqC6wDf9AbcWDtOQS3d8pU4Cm144cz_9QdsPF2wVPvtSN-7gvjdWD_gjbpc/s640/IMG_4122.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variable Skink, <span class="st"><i>Trachylepis varia. </i>These widespread skinks are often very common. Interestingly they have been known to lay eggs in part of their range while in other parts of the range they give birth to live young. <i><br /></i></span></td></tr>
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The next place I stopped at was Nwanedi Nature Reserve. The
reserve encompasses about 11 000 hectares and includes the foothills of the
Soutpansberg Mountain Range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
also two dams on the nature reserve and the dam walls are very close to one
another (500 metres or so). The campsite was full of life with many Baboons, Vervet
Monkeys and Banded Mongooses. I spent two nights in this reserve and had a
whole day to hike. I chose to explore the koppies and got my first close
encounter with the vegetation I was to encounter in the Limpopo Basin.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsjt5ai_2vdX5pV1klE-byFdgC3dMfLdgCqOGEoZepYKygfKeYO1xmSrFR4B4H2mNfz92BrBDSXyGMmJM-zvVczWLxACeAtxDuChGfDxs3ubHI7Lko3GaF62ABoq9hfM8EFWElY519Wc/s1600/IMG_4154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsjt5ai_2vdX5pV1klE-byFdgC3dMfLdgCqOGEoZepYKygfKeYO1xmSrFR4B4H2mNfz92BrBDSXyGMmJM-zvVczWLxACeAtxDuChGfDxs3ubHI7Lko3GaF62ABoq9hfM8EFWElY519Wc/s640/IMG_4154.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baobab Tree, <i>Adansonia digitata</i>, through an ongoing effort on the part of eco-tourism marketing people, the Baobab has become iconic of Africa. Many people don't know that both Madagascar and Australia have their own species of Baobabs. This points to the ancient ancestry of the tree they developed before the continents drifted apart, and to their emergence on the continent of Gondwana. </td></tr>
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The most striking tree in the area is the mighty Baobab
Tree, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Adansonia digitata</i>. I have seen
Baobab trees before, but have never been in an environment where they are as
prominent. In this far northern corner of the Limpopo Provence there are many
Baobabs jutting out of the ground and raising their root-like branches high
into the air. </div>
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The age of baobab trees seems to be a contentious issue.
Some sources claim that there are individual trees over 3 000 years old, while
others see them as 1 000 years old. When standing next to one of these trees
one gets the feeling that they are ancient. I would not be surprised if they
did turn out to be amongst the oldest organisms on earth.</div>
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Another striking tree that grows in the rocky areas of the
Limpopo Basin is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commiphora marlothii</i>.
These trees have peeling yellow bark that reveal a trunk that is green. There
is a theory that some trees have evolved this paper-thin peeling bark in a
response to parasites such as mistletoe. The mistletoe seeds are not able to
get a hold on the tree for long enough to send a root into the bark as the
continuous peeling causes the seeds to fall off.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtKYl9sLj4r6KozXKa5b8h3MJVn1CyP-xWShQ9KIHeR0c9ZsxQG546vWVe-FTAO3mEGU1tuDpMyAntHNHxivJfkmQEWSefDEp8SNXhIE3gyA27sGu90q76I9teE2MA2c4yVxtYNyAwWM/s1600/IMG_4142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtKYl9sLj4r6KozXKa5b8h3MJVn1CyP-xWShQ9KIHeR0c9ZsxQG546vWVe-FTAO3mEGU1tuDpMyAntHNHxivJfkmQEWSefDEp8SNXhIE3gyA27sGu90q76I9teE2MA2c4yVxtYNyAwWM/s640/IMG_4142.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peeling bark of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commiphora marlothii </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">diagnostic in this species.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8oNWEEzf8TKzKlURdTxJWGsRBFHqFqXe08XC8VwLQZPESyw0R47TzvElFAeqdZBQm6atdr3az3VQRJ6N77UfsATOGtRs-didIQuPcmJNvVNZgAaW9fWqaNuIfxS08W5h3wMe3J0Kkxo/s1600/IMG_4138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8oNWEEzf8TKzKlURdTxJWGsRBFHqFqXe08XC8VwLQZPESyw0R47TzvElFAeqdZBQm6atdr3az3VQRJ6N77UfsATOGtRs-didIQuPcmJNvVNZgAaW9fWqaNuIfxS08W5h3wMe3J0Kkxo/s640/IMG_4138.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the dry season these trees stand bare and are a very striking contrast to the subdued colours of the rocks.</td></tr>
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Another tree, superficially similar to both the Baobab and
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commiphora marlothii</i> is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sterculia rogersii</i> the Lowveld Star
Chestnut. These trees have an orange tinge to the bark and also express the
peeling adaption of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commiphora</i>.
All three trees are adapted to a life of long dry periods on the well-drained
mountain slopes. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPRJ-fWqIyTRmhs84b1caz_58nMk-0CSMqLSgLrl9CGkLIKhuAfVdyKPkH2RtqexmLXxDEAeS0kNEFsEY8xDBhemZ-AL4Mf1QxXKJY9LNx8iCRvs6V4VU7tmsmQ0oVG6yykg1jjVtvlU/s1600/IMG_4263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPRJ-fWqIyTRmhs84b1caz_58nMk-0CSMqLSgLrl9CGkLIKhuAfVdyKPkH2RtqexmLXxDEAeS0kNEFsEY8xDBhemZ-AL4Mf1QxXKJY9LNx8iCRvs6V4VU7tmsmQ0oVG6yykg1jjVtvlU/s640/IMG_4263.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In areas without elephants </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sterculia rogersii</i>, the Lowveld Star
Chestnut grows out in the open and is very common. Elephants eat this tree wherever they can find them and in areas with elephants these trees are limited to areas where they can be protected by rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFsQjclHjiRKOOB1o6YpXCLKIfV_vvMUYS9dlUdV67TjEBhaz0cVHhv0HwHVK2rzgjSya1DTOgba0BRNrfwHyHPb6FCNIZHg6W9ZXTQAdQUZgCUbmiQL0eci0j7CMouoAHpmp8Az1irA/s1600/IMG_4265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFsQjclHjiRKOOB1o6YpXCLKIfV_vvMUYS9dlUdV67TjEBhaz0cVHhv0HwHVK2rzgjSya1DTOgba0BRNrfwHyHPb6FCNIZHg6W9ZXTQAdQUZgCUbmiQL0eci0j7CMouoAHpmp8Az1irA/s640/IMG_4265.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bark of these trees is superficially similar to the bark of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commiphora </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">species.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7ozTMWCZ50uzePSQwcjCq5HxAErg-oE_nDLsOSeU8SLX11VRPSq0dDlDozZpDianmyTxqi_pm2lzYVU-E6TD7V_V6f-eSosJIgx8_G_oARLG7LmxhG9yyjKdK29MW2LMcu5c84ajAWY/s1600/IMG_4275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7ozTMWCZ50uzePSQwcjCq5HxAErg-oE_nDLsOSeU8SLX11VRPSq0dDlDozZpDianmyTxqi_pm2lzYVU-E6TD7V_V6f-eSosJIgx8_G_oARLG7LmxhG9yyjKdK29MW2LMcu5c84ajAWY/s640/IMG_4275.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The small flowers of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sterculia rogersii </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grow straight off the trunk and branches of the tree and stand out nicely against the bark. The<i> </i>name "<i>Sterculia"</i> is derived from the roman god of god of manure. The flowers have a rather pungent smell.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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At night I looked around the area for some of the small
things and came across some interesting creatures, some new and others
familiar.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmzcwIFXlKm_36vArVqFX-oAWxHeihz0SCmh1dznEsQ1VNDQG78bjsVXevfjlPlvRHp6De2XsqOkK0dmOaER0PNx2cyVewcp1zGR5SQt2RAycnirsW8gAdxCBRY1mOCgHzVlpjXMys28/s1600/IMG_4202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmzcwIFXlKm_36vArVqFX-oAWxHeihz0SCmh1dznEsQ1VNDQG78bjsVXevfjlPlvRHp6De2XsqOkK0dmOaER0PNx2cyVewcp1zGR5SQt2RAycnirsW8gAdxCBRY1mOCgHzVlpjXMys28/s640/IMG_4202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Assassin (<i>Platymeris</i>). These are big assassin bugs. They are slow moving while hunting, but can move fast when disturbed. I have heard that they can inflict a very painful bite. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCgzR4uU2pc-sPLGp9ceTIzyOADypE9L_m90BKD3B8ABLWZLWqi8x1I3clOq6oS2x5nS5kaiEqI9OKVaV_msKEhoYHienfcRCYYeliJLeiIDeN4LI73t7Uwm1VQZJ9CfsLg7FblPEKa0/s1600/IMG_4158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCgzR4uU2pc-sPLGp9ceTIzyOADypE9L_m90BKD3B8ABLWZLWqi8x1I3clOq6oS2x5nS5kaiEqI9OKVaV_msKEhoYHienfcRCYYeliJLeiIDeN4LI73t7Uwm1VQZJ9CfsLg7FblPEKa0/s640/IMG_4158.jpg" width="502" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Giant Assassin is host to small parasites. I think they are members of
the <i>Trombidiidae</i> family. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRss9tCYWlhVA9ez7kvf5JHBACGAKXAABJgGiTHhzhj7ka4lH7g4-hLwdihluJrIVT_wpvhY8KrNc6RqQXHelDu9b4OB-717vGl6MK-hLATDeBrbOmN10hHisRpr7TLA2Zv7i1Y94p3_4/s1600/IMG_4185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRss9tCYWlhVA9ez7kvf5JHBACGAKXAABJgGiTHhzhj7ka4lH7g4-hLwdihluJrIVT_wpvhY8KrNc6RqQXHelDu9b4OB-717vGl6MK-hLATDeBrbOmN10hHisRpr7TLA2Zv7i1Y94p3_4/s640/IMG_4185.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This small Leaf Rolling Cricket (<i>Gryllacrididae</i>) was moving around on the grass. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMRtXeE8t4ofdU8tTj8GzShQPYXpyZg4yf3NE1uET5kmr4WxdmJJ17n0qzSUUGWgMtYbKV7w7WjybIZjPLE2nnLrkswAu8An_fOEHg7FXQrbZFC655CkUNnfhzMNtAliRUQDiSmZxZKg/s1600/IMG_4171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMRtXeE8t4ofdU8tTj8GzShQPYXpyZg4yf3NE1uET5kmr4WxdmJJ17n0qzSUUGWgMtYbKV7w7WjybIZjPLE2nnLrkswAu8An_fOEHg7FXQrbZFC655CkUNnfhzMNtAliRUQDiSmZxZKg/s640/IMG_4171.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cockroach (<i>Blattodea</i><b>) </b>has an exposed tergal gland which emits a hormone that attract females.<b><br /></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8hQdsYdMQF36EU3K6AWEysYaSp5GKWixMo9OSwBxocjLLk91xUqEuiQpfa63-F9htO4LRszxm9QpdJmfFXUlYUWwLzB6R-3-aBbsa1iatR-kFZjlD0kj94g3acyVVIVth2QgDUox-p8/s1600/IMG_4230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8hQdsYdMQF36EU3K6AWEysYaSp5GKWixMo9OSwBxocjLLk91xUqEuiQpfa63-F9htO4LRszxm9QpdJmfFXUlYUWwLzB6R-3-aBbsa1iatR-kFZjlD0kj94g3acyVVIVth2QgDUox-p8/s640/IMG_4230.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turner's Tubercled Gecko (<i>Chondrodactylus turneri</i>) is common throughout the Limpopo Basin. I see many of these and they are really a joy to photograph when they do stay still.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Leaving Nwanedi Nature Reserve, I drove east towards the
Kruger National Park. This was the reason I was up in the north-western part of
Limpopo Province; I was to spend the rest of the month doing training in the
Makuleke/Pafuri area. Everyday was spent walking and learning about ecology,
dangerous game, birds and plants of the area. </div>
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The camp I stayed in was about three kilometers from the
Limpopo River, bordering Zimbabwe to the north. In the east was Mozambique. The
Makuleke concession belongs to the Makuleke people who used to inhabit the area
until the 60s when they were forced out by the police when the area was
incorporated into the Kruger National Park. The Makulekes filed a land claim
and won the land back. They now own the land, but have entered into an agreement
with Kruger National Park for the continued management of the land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The Makuleke area can be broadly divided into four types of habitats: Floodplains dominated by Northern Lala Palm (<i>Hyphaene petersiana</i>) thickets; Forests dominated by Fever Trees (Vachellia xanthoploea); Rocky scrubland dominated by thorn trees (<i>Vachellia</i> and <i>Gynosporia </i>species) and Baobabs (<i>Adansonia digitata</i>)and Koppies that are covered by stands of Lembobo Iron Woods (</span><span class="st"><span class="st">Androstachys johnsonii</span>).</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvO5jyrBjdGUJ7LkYXBlC4d3aE8eIbEKuyyfgoCQyeNpl0tjy-xfpc0jwkdfP2Y3Gb94_nKthgM1bslIxtE0HXYQJYTRUDQmqmhNFELnItqYEXE0RHo4y07vkwjrawXuEjtTl-PuCiqlQ/s1600/IMG_4396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvO5jyrBjdGUJ7LkYXBlC4d3aE8eIbEKuyyfgoCQyeNpl0tjy-xfpc0jwkdfP2Y3Gb94_nKthgM1bslIxtE0HXYQJYTRUDQmqmhNFELnItqYEXE0RHo4y07vkwjrawXuEjtTl-PuCiqlQ/s640/IMG_4396.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a typical view of the Limpopo Flood Plain, the area is sandy and dominated by <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Northern Lala Palm thickets (<i>Hyphaene petersiana</i>). </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPjsPjqj-a-AAepibzFajNMAs42cpfZk0n33TxewNodIdTx7pVF9NIwCU0n_vUYyd623amN4m5-UBu4Fj7TnGP7bQtWPgkemzQOkoqVDKHhXxJvzrQ2NRCyo01Qrr1Oqy-7eKVkCJ0l0/s1600/fever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPjsPjqj-a-AAepibzFajNMAs42cpfZk0n33TxewNodIdTx7pVF9NIwCU0n_vUYyd623amN4m5-UBu4Fj7TnGP7bQtWPgkemzQOkoqVDKHhXxJvzrQ2NRCyo01Qrr1Oqy-7eKVkCJ0l0/s640/fever.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This composite image portrays the Fever Tree, Vachellia xanthophloea. These trees dominate the forested areas. The green of the bark lends a strange quality to the light in the forest. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlU7iNBdopQSNbhwoyJ3TGugpQ7aBHW4qM6zVJNNrCxbW9BvWKO3WfYQsCIHXWfQXdyiW3DKimJMkh9JWDGfZeItQkSLoQJxEmX87rwKlg3yHi44M4Lg-jETc5ZFy5D5h8ce8d-ck2R4/s640/IMG_4443.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scrubby high lying areas of the Makuleke/Pafuri area are bushy and sandy. Baobabs sprout out of the earth and between them there are Impala Lilys (<i>Adenium multiflorum) </i>which are also adapted to the dry conditions.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsmkRn-92YDccghHgL2tLyUUwBO8_0tk_vXskf0d9zjYcTkS4vjg83B1DbhDPZ0-v56aLZYalvuCdJ40cQUVWLgOCKGRN09mbVfL_c6yjYcF4VNRPjDRkOXZlGinqf8N7jkQHnxnIWjY/s1600/IMG_4798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsmkRn-92YDccghHgL2tLyUUwBO8_0tk_vXskf0d9zjYcTkS4vjg83B1DbhDPZ0-v56aLZYalvuCdJ40cQUVWLgOCKGRN09mbVfL_c6yjYcF4VNRPjDRkOXZlGinqf8N7jkQHnxnIWjY/s640/IMG_4798.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the koppies in the Makuleke area Lembobo Ironwood trees (<span class="st"><i>Androstachys johnsonii</i>)</span> are common and tend to grow in dense stands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Makuleke area is one of the most beautiful regions I have ever
visited. Along the Limpopo there are forests of fever trees with an undergrowth
of fragrant Dwarf Sage (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Litogyne gariepina</i>),
in the expansive flood plains there are thickets of Northern Lala Palms and
slightly higher on the rocky ridges there are clusters of Baobabs growing out
of the basalt. A little higher on the slopes are the endless Mopane woodlands.
These are the predominant areas and their associated plants, between them are
many different species growing.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCVT4WS8rDV2I2-4ByAcZdLEJ4jy2EPPY9h7phYe4Vv-zaKlEeu2tv0EhcNRhqnZdoxrlmYl3Bah20lKyVdUhzIk2ecE8xAVvG5DCNS9QOHXoEu5zRyzUrB03dCIqY_205N6rlEr7rwM/s1600/IMG_4379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCVT4WS8rDV2I2-4ByAcZdLEJ4jy2EPPY9h7phYe4Vv-zaKlEeu2tv0EhcNRhqnZdoxrlmYl3Bah20lKyVdUhzIk2ecE8xAVvG5DCNS9QOHXoEu5zRyzUrB03dCIqY_205N6rlEr7rwM/s640/IMG_4379.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The striking <i>Combretum microphyllum</i> added to the beauty of the area, these plants were flowering everywhere giving a red blanket to the dense greenery in the lush areas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0cfhE-bRF8m3q6_MCZ9_vQ7lft9LCUKBwlMbNWezaQjGW6D_H5G1N5EACyzqrMSlJzxVNTA7PTUPpVwcWZaXLDndPAtpr5Vx1kNU7RVZoYHrJCA2jFJnjDkCiNsQgA2cGxDTzwIBP3k/s1600/IMG_4508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0cfhE-bRF8m3q6_MCZ9_vQ7lft9LCUKBwlMbNWezaQjGW6D_H5G1N5EACyzqrMSlJzxVNTA7PTUPpVwcWZaXLDndPAtpr5Vx1kNU7RVZoYHrJCA2jFJnjDkCiNsQgA2cGxDTzwIBP3k/s640/IMG_4508.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Harrier-Hawk being mobbed by African Palm-Swifts. These birds are ferocious predators, I have been lucky enough to see one move from tree to tree in search of bird nests. They move methodically up the trunk and once they reach the top they fly to the next tree and repeat this until they find a nest. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0AyiEsWMDCzJGGvx6MAxUqjRawo7tOApDzTvF5kTAjN-C0SB_aovjPzPSQBu-CqRs88SyGLFOEn-lq0t-6rmGUlZiEgNhwIEYU4wbiQ8tM7btfzIXPLeZ0pACtX4kukqbh3rd0JPn18/s1600/IMG_4391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0AyiEsWMDCzJGGvx6MAxUqjRawo7tOApDzTvF5kTAjN-C0SB_aovjPzPSQBu-CqRs88SyGLFOEn-lq0t-6rmGUlZiEgNhwIEYU4wbiQ8tM7btfzIXPLeZ0pACtX4kukqbh3rd0JPn18/s640/IMG_4391.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bush Pig skulls, pictured here, can be differentiated from Warthog skull by the the large tushes on the lower jaw and the heavy glandular area in the top of the snout.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPQhGwtgps3vR8Tt6D-i_FQ-7kiqw7HbCzgR2CeymRlbpmklLRdBPRZ78ZyXENU4WX8JuBoIZPPjP90GRY3U_uaEFsiiVHX9VDlhEkCgepLndk6Jyk2XwJVhdV6qJRuvTyFXa2ZQyv7I/s1600/IMG_4441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPQhGwtgps3vR8Tt6D-i_FQ-7kiqw7HbCzgR2CeymRlbpmklLRdBPRZ78ZyXENU4WX8JuBoIZPPjP90GRY3U_uaEFsiiVHX9VDlhEkCgepLndk6Jyk2XwJVhdV6qJRuvTyFXa2ZQyv7I/s640/IMG_4441.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Black-Backed Jackal, one of Africa's most successful and widespread carnivores. Jackals often supplement their meat diet with fruit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbWRBC2NWgX7fuOgMWytayDp8cXXF93_TGlnJNfgg5jJuvjD5x1sxUTO1-IczbffHexmraiDE3k5ldTvmlQHyoxeYZb74IVaGtzg0VwP4ZXNiRiIbkP1vfVG8srM8CZ0rtGWb8YKh-xc/s1600/IMG_4821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbWRBC2NWgX7fuOgMWytayDp8cXXF93_TGlnJNfgg5jJuvjD5x1sxUTO1-IczbffHexmraiDE3k5ldTvmlQHyoxeYZb74IVaGtzg0VwP4ZXNiRiIbkP1vfVG8srM8CZ0rtGWb8YKh-xc/s640/IMG_4821.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One night we saw a leopard make a kill. There was a group of impala in the road one night on the way home after a walk. We turned off the headlights to allow them to move off without being dazed, when we turned the lights back on we saw a leopard run across the road toward the group of impala. The next thing it was back on the side of the road it had come from and was in the process of killing an impala. It all happened very fast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The area has a lot of game. There are many Impala, Nyala,
Kudu, Eland, Buffalo and Elephant. There are also Bushpigs, Leopards, Sharpe’s
Grysbok, Warthog, Thick-Tailed Bush Babies, Baboons and Vervet Monkeys. The
area is also very famous for its birding, there are some very special birds in
the area and among those I saw Racket-tailed Rollers, Black-throated Wattle-eyes,
Lemon-breasted Canary, Meve’s Starling, Pel’s Fishing Owl, White Crowned
Lapwing, Green-capped Eremomela, Grey-headed Parrot, and Senegal Coucal.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCHNb_aQYbJIasroPxg33dVDTYEQZ3bK_7vgoO1RTRL5v-bUa-6dH73d_HXKe4ymLKy4KEMgQeuwOFBp_jjN90UYi4bjZCUzRSlBJE2ki6Xy1Cfl0Op5AKOczCMJh0Sx_XEhLXeUUN3k/s640/IMG_4305.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="466" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of Racket-tailed Rollers. These birds just enter South Africa in the Makuleke area and are one of the specials of the area. We saw quite a few of these birds up there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCJjoi-svuk3o23JNhdelnfVrbeivjeUu1MlYrGicwYPAFOLjna6JdSz0NAMYz_RO3SSZYzrsNhdi91Kpk0Ns-MLvinBI7-xJ9Nm5CMA2Tru_NM9HaOyYOJPSZ4JJkMFpwB7Lywp-MkY/s1600/IMG_5164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCJjoi-svuk3o23JNhdelnfVrbeivjeUu1MlYrGicwYPAFOLjna6JdSz0NAMYz_RO3SSZYzrsNhdi91Kpk0Ns-MLvinBI7-xJ9Nm5CMA2Tru_NM9HaOyYOJPSZ4JJkMFpwB7Lywp-MkY/s640/IMG_5164.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of a clearing in the forest. The forest was a enchanting place to walk, all around birds would call and butterfly would drift by in masses. There was also an abundance of animals in these forests.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK0jz5yLAJijN1JnDRlYU2rYISKS9ZQdEGZFIc39JfUj3hiiqhDve9UCx1lCUf-vkHOKhvs_jaSQTp1KUctlp-AAmVsDHh0_b8iBLolUR1HKnlEus_sb48RnvcEygS5BhzOI7bP_Me88/s1600/IMG_4457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK0jz5yLAJijN1JnDRlYU2rYISKS9ZQdEGZFIc39JfUj3hiiqhDve9UCx1lCUf-vkHOKhvs_jaSQTp1KUctlp-AAmVsDHh0_b8iBLolUR1HKnlEus_sb48RnvcEygS5BhzOI7bP_Me88/s640/IMG_4457.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An elephant in the forest feeding on the leaves of a fever tree (<i>Vachellia xanthophloea</i>).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walking everyday, one gets a very different bush experience
than one would on a vehicle. You get closer to nature as you are immersed in
it, thus increasing the intensity and the tempo in which you experience
everything is much slower. The aims of our walks were to explore this
wilderness area, learn as we walked and achieve non-dangerous encounters with
dangerous animals.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjvQ7C0pmjjfPhsTTZjhBCmEPIpCUhjbgnrMCKRC2ERfEUDTvPpyLABG-gk9cPzfR7eVA1D03UqflG1ftHPDgx604oY08g8Q41xZzAIiXEAiCgjr088L7vEsqH9_AXX_caBi26coebeg/s1600/IMG_4493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjvQ7C0pmjjfPhsTTZjhBCmEPIpCUhjbgnrMCKRC2ERfEUDTvPpyLABG-gk9cPzfR7eVA1D03UqflG1ftHPDgx604oY08g8Q41xZzAIiXEAiCgjr088L7vEsqH9_AXX_caBi26coebeg/s640/IMG_4493.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sight of buffaloes in the long grass has got to be one of the better ways to start off a day. These animals are huge and can be dangerous if they are not given their room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWUz296wRMyeZNwN5QHcLxJWBcZxrjNTmtziRZXnlnPNd0fV-JOy8LOC_qOJPuXEPEGngnPl33srs5tubivDNJW5nDs2mh3sxnybAXv1LksApnJ_CP1XZEFjJ2wDvGNsru9k0z5tTOI0/s1600/IMG_5128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWUz296wRMyeZNwN5QHcLxJWBcZxrjNTmtziRZXnlnPNd0fV-JOy8LOC_qOJPuXEPEGngnPl33srs5tubivDNJW5nDs2mh3sxnybAXv1LksApnJ_CP1XZEFjJ2wDvGNsru9k0z5tTOI0/s640/IMG_5128.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We encountered this buffalo while on a walk in some long grass. The buffalo was coming up toward us on the path. The wind was in our favour and we managed to move onto a ridge just above the path and viewed it as it walked into our scent. Immediately it's body language changed and it began to look for us with malicious intent. We were safe however crouched up on the ridge in silence. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had many “dangerous game encounters”. There were many Buffalo
encounters and many elephant encounters. Some of the encounters were fleeting,
while others were experiences that I will never forget. When a full-grown bull Elephant
comes over to you and decides to take a closer look there is a moment of
intensity and paradoxically, calm. Time seems to stretch and you are brought
down the same level as the animal – an animal among animals. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS_uyqlfbZybAZr_vTA0_Lw6jWduOuvBhwKEQGgBW7u3qaSRxnd5UXPDQopnUpOu4hx93qFhjMpPJzZMJd01UPW11d_tpVZ8HQLexV18EDSCmK1AyVv73NpzsfF27ZICYFjMCVUP1Rso/s1600/elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS_uyqlfbZybAZr_vTA0_Lw6jWduOuvBhwKEQGgBW7u3qaSRxnd5UXPDQopnUpOu4hx93qFhjMpPJzZMJd01UPW11d_tpVZ8HQLexV18EDSCmK1AyVv73NpzsfF27ZICYFjMCVUP1Rso/s640/elephant.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We encountered this elephant some distance away, at first it turned its back on us and walked away, we decided to walk in front of it to see if it would follow us and it did. We led it all the way to a ridge and it gave us a bit of a show by reaching up to this tree and then moved on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the more interesting encounters we had with an elephant was with this dead bull. The elephant died in the middle of a popular gorge that we walked. There were many vultures feeding on it and it was full of maggots and beetles. To this animal just lying there and being decomposed and cleaned up by tiny maggots was very interesting. To see something as massive as this returning to the earth and back into the energy cycle was really thought-provoking. Everything moves through its life consuming and absorbing energy, only to pass it on when it dies. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jk1f5Jweh4Ds1mR8wVPB9mRyEjtXsYlUJYlfsGEiYkMEXo0eegp3bttoZMgwK4uq8jdHb-m9kvHgwwi57U9Pw45NmdymxjhLbmrIyHEAjISMHJ0KJECaG2t-dZMWMzdyp_Zjh2sGbcA/s1600/IMG_5123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jk1f5Jweh4Ds1mR8wVPB9mRyEjtXsYlUJYlfsGEiYkMEXo0eegp3bttoZMgwK4uq8jdHb-m9kvHgwwi57U9Pw45NmdymxjhLbmrIyHEAjISMHJ0KJECaG2t-dZMWMzdyp_Zjh2sGbcA/s640/IMG_5123.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This elephant died of natural causes, it was already a few days old and in a advanced state of decomposition. The white stains are where the vultures have defecated. The trunk has been dragged about fifty metres away.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMWsc6zH3PAW_CCIhMceqrN_9DJSa8Smy-v5iBDm7wxaljCsN5SBwYW4J7kw4rRgHf4nFnND0EDZijE-oCViYBdlK6JgpC1msnF6MyCVV9PWa5HXz3I3pPXQlspI-xzgVTkJ-utuWdgA/s1600/IMG_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMWsc6zH3PAW_CCIhMceqrN_9DJSa8Smy-v5iBDm7wxaljCsN5SBwYW4J7kw4rRgHf4nFnND0EDZijE-oCViYBdlK6JgpC1msnF6MyCVV9PWa5HXz3I3pPXQlspI-xzgVTkJ-utuWdgA/s640/IMG_0172.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowflies of the <i>Calliphoridae </i>family feeding on the elephant carcass.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another animal that we encountered was White Rhino. We
were walking and saw them grazing in a thicket. We sat in the shade of a tree
and waited for them to come out and they did. We sat there for about an hour
watching the rhino, which were 30 metres away from us and unaware of our
presence. We managed to move out of the sighting and did this without the
animals becoming aware of us: A perfect encounter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmeEn1xlE8vpAJBBgMJII4CNoIty_XmfoKNvlIhln3foipeXFcHG9N_W1LVnsJEwpVAbDLnKj6FTJQLH2UMEqg34YYw-WT3Urtx3Hb5ZiA4OZt7yj6D4gb5AFVIUXVfql6aFyA8O06wo/s1600/IMG_4430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmeEn1xlE8vpAJBBgMJII4CNoIty_XmfoKNvlIhln3foipeXFcHG9N_W1LVnsJEwpVAbDLnKj6FTJQLH2UMEqg34YYw-WT3Urtx3Hb5ZiA4OZt7yj6D4gb5AFVIUXVfql6aFyA8O06wo/s640/IMG_4430.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once a common sight. Seeing Rhino on foot is becoming increasingly more difficult due to the declining populations. There were two rhinos at this sighting. The last two in the area. Both were males, so even if these two somehow escaped being poached, they would still be a stagnant population. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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As I write this I wonder if those two rhinoceroses are still
there? The amount of money that can be gained from supplying information on
whereabouts of a rhinoceros is around R 10 000. The price of the horn is
another story. At the moment, rhino horn is said to be the most expensive
product on earth. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblvg5EunWe43xeI2vaUCLdzdka1FHRH8yR2Z0UrCc9SPZwukBbgqBtfMev8Vsojf1SHuZDHFTPbKOwizc7MS-qHveJB2Stisiyx7nhPDOhV_j-N6lxEgkenp_ZndzL23kL22Uuvi3WGc/s1600/IMG_4703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblvg5EunWe43xeI2vaUCLdzdka1FHRH8yR2Z0UrCc9SPZwukBbgqBtfMev8Vsojf1SHuZDHFTPbKOwizc7MS-qHveJB2Stisiyx7nhPDOhV_j-N6lxEgkenp_ZndzL23kL22Uuvi3WGc/s640/IMG_4703.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An increasingly common sight. Rhino skull with horn removed. One can see how the animal was cut right deep in the face to remove the horn and surrounding bone. Grim business. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILbzvCIb1chdAgbbVdmzCRp25OuK88qKyA99_ozPLC_BWJV_Q3_WAwMief3N-r0jxCB3Yyv5urKVDRTdQlz1kYL_yyQ3p0mC_EbhjUfxb1G0U4NQKgsC3uHDQcyR8yFrcJa1NJTVwjKU/s1600/IMG_4706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILbzvCIb1chdAgbbVdmzCRp25OuK88qKyA99_ozPLC_BWJV_Q3_WAwMief3N-r0jxCB3Yyv5urKVDRTdQlz1kYL_yyQ3p0mC_EbhjUfxb1G0U4NQKgsC3uHDQcyR8yFrcJa1NJTVwjKU/s640/IMG_4706.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this image you can clearly see the vertical chop by a panga and then the clean horizontal cut made by a hacksaw to remove the horn. The poachers get to work so fast to make an escape that the animal was in all likelihood still alive when they left the scene. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
In addition to the abundant big game animals in the area, there was a
multitude of smaller animals. The October rain’s had not yet arrived and I got
the impression that nature was just waiting to explode with renewed vitality. A
few days before I left there was a small amount of rain and immediately after
that the amount of invertebrates increased dramatically. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mjZFVm7mcLfcumfL6c-uncyfSg080FAuoRiSOBIuzuhofIsJ2LYQd5Ed-hciqrVzvwSWG8T12sITwySKXCZd4RA6OzoMTnOUVp7SLsU_mXmOYqrpVRXgbC-KIoqkdTLjOJHV26-dPFg/s1600/1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mjZFVm7mcLfcumfL6c-uncyfSg080FAuoRiSOBIuzuhofIsJ2LYQd5Ed-hciqrVzvwSWG8T12sITwySKXCZd4RA6OzoMTnOUVp7SLsU_mXmOYqrpVRXgbC-KIoqkdTLjOJHV26-dPFg/s640/1000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Scolopendromorpha </i>centipede. These were very big and were often seen hunting at night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQkzkOqOdwtVMbK6dqAHea2K7MMpzDvJ_D4Z5uPm9vDBb39Xexgt-cSYECULlJBmjMrxnq259XyO-BcxbcaPtcygEATPIypVoBcmnsDYtH0PeCGzwiWOxnbpJFw617Ss6lx5VtT2vXZs/s1600/IMG_5052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQkzkOqOdwtVMbK6dqAHea2K7MMpzDvJ_D4Z5uPm9vDBb39Xexgt-cSYECULlJBmjMrxnq259XyO-BcxbcaPtcygEATPIypVoBcmnsDYtH0PeCGzwiWOxnbpJFw617Ss6lx5VtT2vXZs/s640/IMG_5052.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other active night hunters were these large Ground Beetles (<i>Thermophilum</i>)<i>. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pebA0_ji-0h2p2r1vuN916pnw0-riA_2P3C0PyfOllOsT4a5tLP0ZyL8e28UhHzZdJoZjV7IzCZgfJfk0fFQ7uv8drDeQQUrmdnO-E7fcE00_jnZkSSwn1VZjEB7_Z4eRcqWkuSCtoE/s1600/IMG_5217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pebA0_ji-0h2p2r1vuN916pnw0-riA_2P3C0PyfOllOsT4a5tLP0ZyL8e28UhHzZdJoZjV7IzCZgfJfk0fFQ7uv8drDeQQUrmdnO-E7fcE00_jnZkSSwn1VZjEB7_Z4eRcqWkuSCtoE/s640/IMG_5217.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Armoured Ground Cricket, <i>Enyaliopsis transvaalensis</i>. At certain times of year this species emerges en masse and although they are generally herbivorous, they will often become cannibals, eating other Armoured Ground Crickets that have been squashed. However, at the end of the dry season, this was the only one I saw.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtb9KxzhaAEyswQjmsgWo0TROOlTTjnza7BL4siAPEbVUWs-VxBtz2jDSEHlFbzcx0ohEafHyDianWCLI7teDiW-F1fD0G-LS25m-4NEHJSLBXF5VZqnSbxLvC51L2JQVTdpJ3T9wVmU8/s1600/IMG_4700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtb9KxzhaAEyswQjmsgWo0TROOlTTjnza7BL4siAPEbVUWs-VxBtz2jDSEHlFbzcx0ohEafHyDianWCLI7teDiW-F1fD0G-LS25m-4NEHJSLBXF5VZqnSbxLvC51L2JQVTdpJ3T9wVmU8/s640/IMG_4700.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped crickets from the <i>Gryllidae </i>family are abundant in the Makuleke area. They are very striking with their black and white patterning. <i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAiBsMmzIBVMFlAUFqnloR4A05gBnC5p-YjqJMmfyRv_dKSW3IsaqCgGIhR2DEasS8V9hTfVMr9_vdGxWZmT-jydZwzdtCW9wZYcJ-iCtxrvuFoToZMfse_Lm8tJBEpmhqHBWY8n-tyw/s1600/IMG_4646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAiBsMmzIBVMFlAUFqnloR4A05gBnC5p-YjqJMmfyRv_dKSW3IsaqCgGIhR2DEasS8V9hTfVMr9_vdGxWZmT-jydZwzdtCW9wZYcJ-iCtxrvuFoToZMfse_Lm8tJBEpmhqHBWY8n-tyw/s640/IMG_4646.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These small Hister Beetles (<i>Histeridae</i>) dotted the paths at night. These beetles are predators and there are said to be around 4 000 species worldwide.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfE-21efyJXwrg3lqUzonvHcwEHBRAErbTfaTC62JTNDRxGxlzKskPqb2bZ7QkEflpcqzlo5GSvXu8OYFMKBR-vbq6hQfO37Unbc3Ia4MGyArE3VhivnYtJXZtGornVXvmSYZWsurk0k/s1600/IMG_5242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfE-21efyJXwrg3lqUzonvHcwEHBRAErbTfaTC62JTNDRxGxlzKskPqb2bZ7QkEflpcqzlo5GSvXu8OYFMKBR-vbq6hQfO37Unbc3Ia4MGyArE3VhivnYtJXZtGornVXvmSYZWsurk0k/s640/IMG_5242.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Copper Dung Beetle (<i>Kheper nigroaneus</i>). Dung Beetles are said to navigate and orientate themselves using the Milky Way (<a href="http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/01/24/dung-beetles-navigate-via-the-milky-way-an-animal-kingdom-first/" target="_blank">click here</a> to find out more).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid67ycXFaA3iI6dfWLl57ykS1IckFbQ2YZqdYE5NEsRunTi7TNooXIzWr9lVuH_G2dPUCg0ru3ZGl7kSOR0lq5tRM1mZQ2C94aZwro_LTxIfSrG8lyevx5_yp-CePFF6jmvdfbgYWBIbI/s1600/IMG_4616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid67ycXFaA3iI6dfWLl57ykS1IckFbQ2YZqdYE5NEsRunTi7TNooXIzWr9lVuH_G2dPUCg0ru3ZGl7kSOR0lq5tRM1mZQ2C94aZwro_LTxIfSrG8lyevx5_yp-CePFF6jmvdfbgYWBIbI/s640/IMG_4616.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This assasin <i>(Acanthaspis species)</i> uses debris to disguise itself to blend into its surroundings. I only noticed them when they moved and it really did look like moving dirt. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPCMjjIyHFqYRfEbPQwIxyu1_Ec7gjOSDtCvIKvgJgeF1nHCRKpGbpqU3gjJ097wZtW4RYANQwBXYvLq7lWEtX9hlA5JjVMeYAS4Y_MgTxRaliFM8caL3oy-4UXitd24yJ6AsK_BEVB8/s1600/IMG_4578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPCMjjIyHFqYRfEbPQwIxyu1_Ec7gjOSDtCvIKvgJgeF1nHCRKpGbpqU3gjJ097wZtW4RYANQwBXYvLq7lWEtX9hlA5JjVMeYAS4Y_MgTxRaliFM8caL3oy-4UXitd24yJ6AsK_BEVB8/s640/IMG_4578.jpg" width="518" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Hemiptera nymph mimicking an ant, this animal is using the aggressiveness of ants to its own advantage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZr_ckxtoLHSFKYCXOLvNqC8yfE00LXs-_rH5Je8uBQU7YF1QQVvobk3U1Kp20XuqV3BlDD0GeGPEEPEW_NveU7oGsUD69WX5nAInGlVZ0LIlZeMmBM2BqktbCBO8as0ZR8V2IGhA2zVY/s1600/IMG_5233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZr_ckxtoLHSFKYCXOLvNqC8yfE00LXs-_rH5Je8uBQU7YF1QQVvobk3U1Kp20XuqV3BlDD0GeGPEEPEW_NveU7oGsUD69WX5nAInGlVZ0LIlZeMmBM2BqktbCBO8as0ZR8V2IGhA2zVY/s640/IMG_5233.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This assassin of the <i>Rhaphidosoma </i>genus mimics grass. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJPdR1rj0S3aVG-ALqAjBg8OwfQgva7mFpow1f4tf4tgDjQTt5tr46dYJPWsq09tTjYBZcqA0zgtf3GK-pCd9Yj7M1P2VKQn8VpkIfzikVN19a2eokGxdEIcea0tOjtLxwmUdhgpW7vs/s1600/IMG_5203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJPdR1rj0S3aVG-ALqAjBg8OwfQgva7mFpow1f4tf4tgDjQTt5tr46dYJPWsq09tTjYBZcqA0zgtf3GK-pCd9Yj7M1P2VKQn8VpkIfzikVN19a2eokGxdEIcea0tOjtLxwmUdhgpW7vs/s640/IMG_5203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trumpet-shaped waxy entrance to a Mopane Bee Hive. The resinous wax deters insects that may raid the nest. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr4sUULKbCbjohBZoaARNy1OSy0bEgs2BIvuhxOX8ZRbLaX-aIWFs2_wBfjQtfELbqmmRUH0NpQE7fQHJN5ITJySNMPpuIml_M752nz_BSaaKx_zYNgrOkjyoplg-2BdULjNBJE9w2Bc/s1600/IMG_4408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr4sUULKbCbjohBZoaARNy1OSy0bEgs2BIvuhxOX8ZRbLaX-aIWFs2_wBfjQtfELbqmmRUH0NpQE7fQHJN5ITJySNMPpuIml_M752nz_BSaaKx_zYNgrOkjyoplg-2BdULjNBJE9w2Bc/s640/IMG_4408.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mopane Bees (<i>Meliponula</i>) in the tube of their hive. It is said that Mopane Bee Honey is very tasty and well worth the effort of getting out the tree. The bees are also stingless.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8oItvgz_B_vtwMv22J1ErNFezxwJd8Bv6bv7Jt-qKTdPWVJgpF6HqH5_2Kk5xAa6hWLAVUJvqXxKhGdxj1pThfC-Da65t5AxiWT6NvajveyU2HMfLjVgPfgYY8wq6b5MMwRi9lCvhyc/s1600/IMG_4981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8oItvgz_B_vtwMv22J1ErNFezxwJd8Bv6bv7Jt-qKTdPWVJgpF6HqH5_2Kk5xAa6hWLAVUJvqXxKhGdxj1pThfC-Da65t5AxiWT6NvajveyU2HMfLjVgPfgYY8wq6b5MMwRi9lCvhyc/s640/IMG_4981.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spider Hunting Wasp (<i>Pompilidae</i>) dragging its quarry to a burrow where it will be paralysed, have an egg layed on it and finally it will be entombed: food for the growing larva.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As far as reptiles go, the area has many specials. I was
lucky enough to find one of these specials: The Zimbabwe Flat Gecko (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Afroedura transvaalica</i>), also known as
the Transvaal Flat Gecko. I found the gecko on a rocky ridge on the western
side of the park. The park also boasts a record of a Forest Cobras (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Naja melanoleuca</i>) along the riverine
forests of the Limpopo. This record is well documented. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSsRFTvaJV9wglLJvgzVruWGOVIkW9SN5iO9YmWOPnch7cmm3nBySPBJfs2FSNqC5rhYlN5UbPdzHSM9FaTF5tl1RWrJ2pxKmcvC_Q1qORYYIbXMocfQ_7qrI9Oph2BZNdw8Is8iMl9c/s1600/IMG_4885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSsRFTvaJV9wglLJvgzVruWGOVIkW9SN5iO9YmWOPnch7cmm3nBySPBJfs2FSNqC5rhYlN5UbPdzHSM9FaTF5tl1RWrJ2pxKmcvC_Q1qORYYIbXMocfQ_7qrI9Oph2BZNdw8Is8iMl9c/s640/IMG_4885.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the highlights of my trip was finding this <i>Afroedura transvaalica </i>or Transvaal Flat Gecko<i> </i>or Zimbabwe Flat Gecko. The one pictured here is a juvenile.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While I was in the area, the most common reptiles were
Variable Skink, Eastern Striped Skink, Cape Dwarf Gecko, Tropical House Geckos
(these really seem to be everywhere), Rock Monitors and Crocodiles. I was also
lucky enough to see a Western Stripe-bellied Sand Snake eat a skink, a python
and a very lightly coloured juvenile (+/- 1.8m) Black Mamba in a tree. I was
unable to get a photograph as the sun was behind the snake. I did spend a long
time watching it and I must say that there is something so special about seeing
a Black Mamba in the wild. They are such amazing and misunderstood snakes.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeQz7NZltC3-G1cMvtgQKngZky2FzRCfINOo3a33Jm1AxzSlTk43ZKnZleQ85W1nOHTqRu7tGx-8C2KJPs6CG6YQatDGr2JKDV29vLAnM1huCJqf3h41zidoCT5iU0KuLc2Fn8K9_DeA/s1600/IMG_4336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeQz7NZltC3-G1cMvtgQKngZky2FzRCfINOo3a33Jm1AxzSlTk43ZKnZleQ85W1nOHTqRu7tGx-8C2KJPs6CG6YQatDGr2JKDV29vLAnM1huCJqf3h41zidoCT5iU0KuLc2Fn8K9_DeA/s640/IMG_4336.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Striped Skink, <i>Trachylepis striata </i>is common in the lowveld. These generally inhabit trees, but they have also adapted to living in and around tents and other structures in the bush.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR9hw6LzRox9rHGv2H7x-FsYP-EeCOzBNn6b63lk7S8cB12DLtfocDXZvcUfiZRDuKj0VSCK0nD5a7KxG5IHEbeCNwJDOVSykHnl6cFtDfJ39MKyYCgl5jkSFbfGX7oHyIjeeDo6QFg8/s1600/IMG_4927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR9hw6LzRox9rHGv2H7x-FsYP-EeCOzBNn6b63lk7S8cB12DLtfocDXZvcUfiZRDuKj0VSCK0nD5a7KxG5IHEbeCNwJDOVSykHnl6cFtDfJ39MKyYCgl5jkSFbfGX7oHyIjeeDo6QFg8/s640/IMG_4927.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natal Rock Python (<i>Python natalensis) </i>is one of the larger reptilian predators in the area. This individual was in a small shrub and perfectly camoflauged. I'd say it was between 2.5 and 2.8 metres long.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOnz6Q7f1_zEUkLFBob0Jh_DemgsL4aWLmtZpPGFYRf1r2WEiEmbTba4YEV5j-sqANls-ZvMvoRnV2D76Vy-9razotndul2lMAfDdJ8BZFLbg6FjSFVQ9DQ0g33wmdoYt2f57eEn5U58/s1600/IMG_4311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOnz6Q7f1_zEUkLFBob0Jh_DemgsL4aWLmtZpPGFYRf1r2WEiEmbTba4YEV5j-sqANls-ZvMvoRnV2D76Vy-9razotndul2lMAfDdJ8BZFLbg6FjSFVQ9DQ0g33wmdoYt2f57eEn5U58/s640/IMG_4311.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was lucky enough to see this Western Stripe-bellied Sandsnake <b>(</b><i>Psammophis subtaeniatus</i><b>)</b> make a meal of a Variable Skink (<i>Trachylepis varia</i><i><b>)</b></i>. After consuming the skink, the snake continued hunting and was not at all phased by my presence. It came within a half a metre of where I was sitting as it moved through the leaves looking for another skink.<b><br /></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDLiQz9HGUeFfZpzd9tmX4DjhTb1kwQpgPsGCv84680w1D4frQYVs16IbXQnYpafC7kjpUpKCuNa6reos6A4wZOZoH1fNbJK4akNAsgYh9oAhpeCfOvNPqjIHpA1_lPg4cyAoLTdB-5Q/s1600/IMG_4828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDLiQz9HGUeFfZpzd9tmX4DjhTb1kwQpgPsGCv84680w1D4frQYVs16IbXQnYpafC7kjpUpKCuNa6reos6A4wZOZoH1fNbJK4akNAsgYh9oAhpeCfOvNPqjIHpA1_lPg4cyAoLTdB-5Q/s640/IMG_4828.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In anticipation of the rain and the upcomming breeding season, this Eastern Olive Toad (<i>Amietophrynus garmani</i>) was full of eggs. Between 10 000 and 25 000 eggs can be laid at a time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZvcao6m2r6F187NMWBe7VbCY-PKb4_vcMlN135qSWsf42AubuIgtmWWBWWY0o4GRb-fcS1gGVnaYpZUkq8TAMmNbeD1hyphenhyphenivj1elma-c25SGyNwAI7qI_aei-y-GHvNPMzTIXxDn6Ihs/s1600/IMG_4490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZvcao6m2r6F187NMWBe7VbCY-PKb4_vcMlN135qSWsf42AubuIgtmWWBWWY0o4GRb-fcS1gGVnaYpZUkq8TAMmNbeD1hyphenhyphenivj1elma-c25SGyNwAI7qI_aei-y-GHvNPMzTIXxDn6Ihs/s640/IMG_4490.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This big Rock Monitor (<i>Varanus albigularis</i>) came through the camp hunting one day. It was seen a few times and was not concerned at all about human presence.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikatwCAV7MVoGLVar4XL6SdBb91iwMlCoQuSWbl1KUHSA6XWcONA9VJatoE1umluXteAMDvfuCX8CHSveaoVBXEY4lZRIrcpIvHh9ueP7nIgVE-81HU2n4UUnbi19jF_DXUfzlFBTensU/s1600/IMG_5075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikatwCAV7MVoGLVar4XL6SdBb91iwMlCoQuSWbl1KUHSA6XWcONA9VJatoE1umluXteAMDvfuCX8CHSveaoVBXEY4lZRIrcpIvHh9ueP7nIgVE-81HU2n4UUnbi19jF_DXUfzlFBTensU/s640/IMG_5075.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Turner's Tubercled Gecko (<i>Chondrodactylus turneri</i>). This one posed very nicely. These geckos get big.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjklcLzfIEIGj9KyyDAQPnzj4t1MPv_XtuhUN6A5RFD9j_9a8Ja12izSiaFQf4dgGcVa8r4sNZW60UcBela_VEd5jFQVJy7tHgL1AC7V6d5rNl9XGBR2pUc-suxAGHOVmcD15dfCS9ek/s1600/IMG_5031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjklcLzfIEIGj9KyyDAQPnzj4t1MPv_XtuhUN6A5RFD9j_9a8Ja12izSiaFQf4dgGcVa8r4sNZW60UcBela_VEd5jFQVJy7tHgL1AC7V6d5rNl9XGBR2pUc-suxAGHOVmcD15dfCS9ek/s640/IMG_5031.jpg" width="446" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Cape Dwarf Gecko (<i>Lygodactylus capensis</i>). These small widespread geckos are diurnal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JGpgfBcAloS5xQrHOF4Rui7ZUbORraYPv-GijUtZgUvI69Dk-DZrO8PcrPaIZYiuQ9Fj7Zbf8oKCHvUHpNlrv_G2PEOOV_JXxYYaAk7trlcP7_TReOOcEeJ2oLvZNl5swCsZ0rp5MCY/s1600/IMG_5048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JGpgfBcAloS5xQrHOF4Rui7ZUbORraYPv-GijUtZgUvI69Dk-DZrO8PcrPaIZYiuQ9Fj7Zbf8oKCHvUHpNlrv_G2PEOOV_JXxYYaAk7trlcP7_TReOOcEeJ2oLvZNl5swCsZ0rp5MCY/s640/IMG_5048.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Worm Snake or Thread Snake<i> </i>(<i>Leptotyphlops</i>). These small burrowing snakes are completely blind and adapted to a life underground where they feed on the eggs and larvae of termites and ants. It is very difficult to tell the species apart from one another using images alone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlK0eMRjKQJFaPOUcLYeiXs0whmMg3-OOjhA7OJNYgZkSMyQHc3DmeE9rehUbSDZW9zTxBYfE_X8x5zTwcBCxccKUGKdugMinIXPIwfUrw7sdm2BJ1V-U1In_vYfxWd9xL6hRfjoDrgKU/s1600/IMG_4548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlK0eMRjKQJFaPOUcLYeiXs0whmMg3-OOjhA7OJNYgZkSMyQHc3DmeE9rehUbSDZW9zTxBYfE_X8x5zTwcBCxccKUGKdugMinIXPIwfUrw7sdm2BJ1V-U1In_vYfxWd9xL6hRfjoDrgKU/s640/IMG_4548.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Limpopo river and the Limpopo Basin is a good area for crocodiles. This is a "small" Nile Crocodile (<i>Crocodylus niloticus</i>) of about two metres. The Nile Crocodile is arguably Africa's most dangerous animal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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While walking in the Kruger National Park, one encounters
some strange things. One day while walking from the eastern side to the west we
came across what we initially thought was an old Makuleke homestead. We
uncovered it and it turned out to be a memorial to a certain Cezani Piet Rose.
Finding this memorial in the middle of the Limpopo Floodplain was one thing,
but then it struck us that the day of the man’s burial and the erection of the
memorial were exactly to the very day 63 years and 8 years ago. What are the odds
of finding something like that when walking in the wilderness? There was some
speculation of the meaning of this encounter. Some people thought it was fate,
some ventured that the universe was sending a message to us. I however, am of
the opinion that the universe is cold and dead, and that what we encountered
was a meaningless coincidence: dwarfed by the coincidence that I am alive and
able to think about coincidences at all. But none the less, this was a very
remarkable thing to find.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87lOABKpn84hxAVCWHa3Vs6vlY0VKXZkF66px36q9sqo30j3YTvPlZzS450QLSP3cwwPX2n7Yi22OmAM83-4NvDrRUyi9JRTpgNCMLSZXdwkCnGRu4wpEVfv-ZoSbpx2_jgIblzcp8JM/s1600/IMG_4354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87lOABKpn84hxAVCWHa3Vs6vlY0VKXZkF66px36q9sqo30j3YTvPlZzS450QLSP3cwwPX2n7Yi22OmAM83-4NvDrRUyi9JRTpgNCMLSZXdwkCnGRu4wpEVfv-ZoSbpx2_jgIblzcp8JM/s640/IMG_4354.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The memorial we found on one of our walks in the middle of nowhere. Sixty Three years ago to the very day this man died. Who he was or what he did is still a mystery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Being the end of the dry season the area was relatively
parched. There must have been a lot of groundwater however as many of the areas
were still green. While I was there we saw some of the pans dry up. As they
dry, storks and eagles arrive to pick of the fish that are slowly becoming
exposes. These drying pans also become concentrated sources of another killer
in the area: anthrax (<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bacillus anthracis)</span></i>. In
areas like this anthrax really begins to take its toll at the end of the dry
season. This is due to the high concentration of spores in the lower sediments
of pans. As the pans dry the bacteria becomes more concentrated. Vultures are
thought to be one of the major transmitters of anthrax into pans. However when
one thinks that the spores can survive in the environment in a dormant state
for seventy years, it is a moot point to try and determine which animals are responsible
for introducing the the disease as the disease is in the environment and all
the animals are really doing is stirring the bacteria around.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT65sOAnImwIKlcAcl69Ss9PMEgKsCerzkFfwpZUVrQHmlqKD7T3t78dCBsqtw6jGIQmtNWPODo7e33tkErk-FJ-6Etxfox1X6tsdmadV_mEdm6-emJqK1cUA_7V6gPDDX8cYpsuno1c/s1600/IMG_4774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT65sOAnImwIKlcAcl69Ss9PMEgKsCerzkFfwpZUVrQHmlqKD7T3t78dCBsqtw6jGIQmtNWPODo7e33tkErk-FJ-6Etxfox1X6tsdmadV_mEdm6-emJqK1cUA_7V6gPDDX8cYpsuno1c/s640/IMG_4774.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharp-toothed Catfish (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i>) trying to get under a rock and into the mud. These fish will lay dormant during dry spells in the mud of pans. When it rains again they will emerge and continue their life in the pan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In closing, I wanted to add that I
had a really different image in my mind of the mighty Limpopo River. The first
day we walked to the banks of the river there was not even a trickle of water.
The river has been strangled by human activity up course and many of its
tributaries are dammed up. In January 2013 the Limpopo revealed it’s true nature
when the river flooded and caused mass destruction as the water rose and pushed
its way towards the Indian Ocean. In some areas one can see debris high up in
trees that show the height of the flood. The width that the river swelled up to
was also incredible. One can see debris in trees more than two kilometres away
from the river.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACodjLd5S9pNpa9BKmSqF1thK6mK4GuWWRQsZPh6YMZerF6Dt4OdFhQvz-679_dr0zkgE8fo8Egb1IykQ0LSR8y310sLPBz4Raicg4UxXwgGg8bdN8074IQQephVgl7ko6CcG08VqMTY/s1600/IMG_4562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACodjLd5S9pNpa9BKmSqF1thK6mK4GuWWRQsZPh6YMZerF6Dt4OdFhQvz-679_dr0zkgE8fo8Egb1IykQ0LSR8y310sLPBz4Raicg4UxXwgGg8bdN8074IQQephVgl7ko6CcG08VqMTY/s640/IMG_4562.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Limpopo River. Nothing but sand. Across where the treeline begins is Zimbabwe. To see this river flowing from bank to bank must have been a memorable sight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4olhE-IxwHPZX9GrJTCm61er487L4noGSu_IxoWMweZs-DA0PvWoauxOhtu-DegLYJrgWSF87PCdIS3BFAHLKoeS_lQc-AdwFujEbW0kVW-qNZNFwWMj-WcPohddRYs-qHTdPWYly1Dk/s1600/IMG_5189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4olhE-IxwHPZX9GrJTCm61er487L4noGSu_IxoWMweZs-DA0PvWoauxOhtu-DegLYJrgWSF87PCdIS3BFAHLKoeS_lQc-AdwFujEbW0kVW-qNZNFwWMj-WcPohddRYs-qHTdPWYly1Dk/s640/IMG_5189.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an image of the Luvhuvu River which drains into the Limpopo. The debris in the top of this tree is the high water mark from the floods in 2012. That is about 20 metres up from where the water is in this picture. To think that all that water was pumping into the Limpopo is incredible. The potential power these rivers have is more than man can harness. </td></tr>
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Human influence on the river in
times of flood is trivial. When this river flows nothing can stop it. I like to
think of a time in the future when the area experiences another wet cycle and
the river can resume its mighty nature. Nature is robust and even though humans
believe our short time here is significant, it is not. This river will rise
again and we can be certain of that. </div>
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ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-74870399995054533282013-10-16T14:12:00.000-07:002016-01-04T13:57:19.000-08:00Arachnids: primeval survivors of an ever-changing world <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZauikWjDDN9_MY4Syz6oNyhWHRCeLzKEF2bJcuO4CsE8GkcIoOlIIxEh0DWU5-Ali7kMx7ni0zgWAPAbu33rhh6RwB9LCG6cJkDNY0OT8t2tBXKgaFtjban40DwinOo-VfN7zMm6XhAs/s1600/IMG_5111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZauikWjDDN9_MY4Syz6oNyhWHRCeLzKEF2bJcuO4CsE8GkcIoOlIIxEh0DWU5-Ali7kMx7ni0zgWAPAbu33rhh6RwB9LCG6cJkDNY0OT8t2tBXKgaFtjban40DwinOo-VfN7zMm6XhAs/s640/IMG_5111.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under ultraviolet light scorpions fluoresce. It is not well understood why they do this. </td></tr>
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With their origins tied deep into the ancient oceans of the
Cambrian, arachnids have come a long way. Modern arachnids have diversified
into many different families. Most people are familiar with at least some:
spiders, scorpions, ticks and mites. Some people have never even seen others
like the psuedoscorpions and some are just grouped with spiders with people not
seeing the uniqueness of families like solifuges and harvesters. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxO6PBNiXtlgJpMDu4se4LDGIDF89aZJ3S0UxtWSgZBaVqNxD9zTYGO_S3mgEcacEvttR-UeU0z1iIf19cP-tJ8MEkPKnAgSR_tGZqUFksYXiblJ7hd8O004_EPgbjltKAyEb9bqNFLTA/s1600/IMG_2912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxO6PBNiXtlgJpMDu4se4LDGIDF89aZJ3S0UxtWSgZBaVqNxD9zTYGO_S3mgEcacEvttR-UeU0z1iIf19cP-tJ8MEkPKnAgSR_tGZqUFksYXiblJ7hd8O004_EPgbjltKAyEb9bqNFLTA/s640/IMG_2912.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gasteracantha, </i>also known as a kite spider. These spiders can reach phenomenal densities in wooded areas, the amount of insects that are caught per day in an area of a square kilometer must be astounding. </td></tr>
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The arachnids are invertebrates that belong to the phylum <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arthropoda</i> and the sub-phylum <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cheliceriformes</i> which includes horseshoe
crabs, spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, solifuges and other groups that are
not as well known. The sub-phylum <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cheliceriformes</i>
once had a member known as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pterygotus
buffaloensis</i> which attained a length of close to three meters. This now
extinct animal used to inhabit the oceans, in fact this is where the phylum has
its origins, the ancient oceans of the Cambrian. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span></span></span></a>
That points to an emergence about 485 million years ago. Today the majority of the
sub-phylum <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cheliceriformes</i> are
terrestrial in habits. The aquatic forms include sea-spider and horseshoe
crabs. On land the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cheliceriformes</i>
have adapted to many situations and lifestyles and there are many families. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcN8AayHp4yaLI6rvgT3VSiLoN1Of7lcJLEe38qMPFoqYO0CEEjStIdvCUo4VFModJXvK8RBRSmNhGkclBQ21H8T8V9KbBqlQMUTBg8kwdUq843ZDOAPlzYiapyqJLGE_BrzfVkiTVR4/s1600/Uroplectes+triangulifer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcN8AayHp4yaLI6rvgT3VSiLoN1Of7lcJLEe38qMPFoqYO0CEEjStIdvCUo4VFModJXvK8RBRSmNhGkclBQ21H8T8V9KbBqlQMUTBg8kwdUq843ZDOAPlzYiapyqJLGE_BrzfVkiTVR4/s640/Uroplectes+triangulifer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two U<i>roplectes triangulifer</i>, these small scorpions are very common in the veld around Johannesburg.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Platyoides </i>also known as scorpion spiders are bizarrely shaped, an adaption for living under bark and stones. <i><br /></i></td></tr>
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Just to give you an idea of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>diversity of the phylum <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chelicerata</i>
there are estimated to be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7,000 well-identified
species of air-breathing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chelicerates</i>,
and there may be about 500,000 unidentified species”. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ii]</span></span></span></span></a>
This kind of diversity is only rivaled by the Hexapoda (insects and their close
relations).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is just so much out
there.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTABkW0cHQF6kN14yCxNxTnUccYD75FptgYMHxbhQr2hmKTE4daRA1EQGMaaEQlSpwPIU47gMkDbAm_DFXGWVBsTJOd4PaBlMDlJDkFK4etT5W7Q-c4ZzwYlY6EvW6cjAnq8b3Mw0qS-4/s1600/IMG_1952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTABkW0cHQF6kN14yCxNxTnUccYD75FptgYMHxbhQr2hmKTE4daRA1EQGMaaEQlSpwPIU47gMkDbAm_DFXGWVBsTJOd4PaBlMDlJDkFK4etT5W7Q-c4ZzwYlY6EvW6cjAnq8b3Mw0qS-4/s640/IMG_1952.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Platythomisus</i>, a bright coloured spider that has made its retreat amongst some dead blades of grass. <i><b><br /></b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZ2p7rPzC7brbYIr2bq8vtPPfYsyi_YDBLenazpELacXUSxvtO0CqQHh38VWFEbUwu50AVB0mizsk7zb_V432C6FcmU0lrDjamwJ57iDLGSddjOQXokaUlhyphenhypheng4tpFl5u0O641yl5vMW4/s1600/IMG_4717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZ2p7rPzC7brbYIr2bq8vtPPfYsyi_YDBLenazpELacXUSxvtO0CqQHh38VWFEbUwu50AVB0mizsk7zb_V432C6FcmU0lrDjamwJ57iDLGSddjOQXokaUlhyphenhypheng4tpFl5u0O641yl5vMW4/s640/IMG_4717.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Anyphops</i>, Flat Wall Spider or flatties as the are sometimes affectionately called are always a nice surprise to find under rocks or in the house. They are able to run forwards or sideways very quickly. </td></tr>
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With this post I’d like to introduce those that are
unfamiliar with arachnids to these amazing creatures and to those who are
already familiar with them I hope you can enjoy the pictures. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
will look exclusively at arachnids here, starting with the most familiar
arachnids – spiders. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Ceratogyrus darlingi</i>, the </span>Rear Horned Baboon spider. These spiders get relatively big and when found moving around at night like this one, it is often a male in search of a female. When he finds a female, he will perform a complicated courtship ritual that involves drumming and touch, she will then allow him to mate with her. He may or may not be consumed by the female, but he is doomed to die anyway. Once he has mated he will not feed again and will not live very long. Male baboon spiders do not live as long as females which are able to live up to 15 years.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG0gJ4SNslzekKoku74aoaefGxSv6A_1qbOQaOxc_-r2IzyP1ShL7pppyLgJefyjo3w-U_WuBLcCdYyvAJWHOf0dTnON_1uFJg6R-O9OWCjIk1HgeAq2ETIrRp_lNd-avDlFUdQMyFJ4/s1600/IMG_2560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG0gJ4SNslzekKoku74aoaefGxSv6A_1qbOQaOxc_-r2IzyP1ShL7pppyLgJefyjo3w-U_WuBLcCdYyvAJWHOf0dTnON_1uFJg6R-O9OWCjIk1HgeAq2ETIrRp_lNd-avDlFUdQMyFJ4/s640/IMG_2560.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stegodyphu</i><i>s</i>, a small spider that has adapted to live in a community made up of others of the same species. Most spiders are solitary, but these Community Nest Spiders are one of the handful of species that are not.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zi0vBWuNFlQai3lT3XnByW8EPjEAoylvLMJJwrWmL8lBmror4rs8BsJtTPdK9U7hyXaEBV6uJXJ_YaZzuq4MWpF7LrdarF1B4GccnZpONAsiwacgmF2SIFlx2il-16jv6nUTIhSIGbo/s1600/IMG_2565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zi0vBWuNFlQai3lT3XnByW8EPjEAoylvLMJJwrWmL8lBmror4rs8BsJtTPdK9U7hyXaEBV6uJXJ_YaZzuq4MWpF7LrdarF1B4GccnZpONAsiwacgmF2SIFlx2il-16jv6nUTIhSIGbo/s640/IMG_2565.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "nest" of the Community Nest Spiders is built up overtime and they tend to accumulate the exoskeletons of their consumed prey.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is some ambiguity as to when
exactly spiders emerged, some estimates say about 400 million years ago but
small soft bodied arthropods are not easily fossilized. The oldest fossil of a
spider is from 374 million years ago and is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Attercopus fimbriunguis</i>, and it is said that when the fossil was
being cleaned and prepared a silken thread was still attached to the
spinnerets. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iii]</span></span></span></span></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-NeNPwMlrtmK2npsH1RSJjK8CBPFtwsDUrvPBLZim-B_R0mclFR_mBi-b0A3Cjfi-7-sbLvwHwBzH2WjmNzNyz8Vd6iY3JV_Vy-RIBxH13WgkGxniU-AHVcLtkJzn7SGNbFFrzW7TiI/s1600/IMG_5355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-NeNPwMlrtmK2npsH1RSJjK8CBPFtwsDUrvPBLZim-B_R0mclFR_mBi-b0A3Cjfi-7-sbLvwHwBzH2WjmNzNyz8Vd6iY3JV_Vy-RIBxH13WgkGxniU-AHVcLtkJzn7SGNbFFrzW7TiI/s640/IMG_5355.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Idiops,</i> a large Trap-door Spider. These spiders are considered to be closer to primitive spiders in shape and habits than those that build webs. It is important to remember that they are not actually primitive in anyway. </td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Today spiders are commonly split into
two groups. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mygalomorphae</i>
(usually live in silk-lined burrows or other retreats) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Araneomorphae</i> (web spinners). The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mygalomorphae</i> include New World Tarantulas, Bird-eaters and Baboon
Spiders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Araneomorphae</i> are considered more modern and are far less limited
in where they can live. Members of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Areneomorphae</i>
are commonly found in houses and have colonized the entire world except for the
continent of Antarctica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLfXrvRXO_ESS41IiBUPVgt6Ymx9u9Eo-62MkYw7aHfXkteQ5FKt55nTqE1GZiMpk0UYIo1dHKT337kVmpTlwEJwQ3cah7EcEk5glLBkordvsDSiHc8p3VT8qsvdrr13KQ7tQE3WFai8/s1600/IMG_1800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLfXrvRXO_ESS41IiBUPVgt6Ymx9u9Eo-62MkYw7aHfXkteQ5FKt55nTqE1GZiMpk0UYIo1dHKT337kVmpTlwEJwQ3cah7EcEk5glLBkordvsDSiHc8p3VT8qsvdrr13KQ7tQE3WFai8/s640/IMG_1800.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Scytodes</i>, the Spitting Spider is unusual among spiders and only has six eyes rather than eight. They use a sticky glue type of venom to catch their prey. In this image the sticky venom can be seen in the spiders jaws.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of the reasons spiders have been so
successful is through the ability to produce silk and spin webs. This allowed
them to exploit a biological niche and capture insects that had begun to take
flight. A theory on the development of web spinning is outlined in Leroy and
Leroy’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spiderwatch</i>: </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Webs might have
developed from silken lines that radiated from the mouths of burrows or
retreats, which these early spiders, like their modern counterparts, probably
laid down as they moved around. These silken trails would have been similar to
the slime trails of slugs and snails, and could have enabled them to find their
way around and, because they probably contained pheromones, to recognize one
another by scent. At the same time, they might have snared crawling insects
and, as the millennia passed, the spiders with the most elaborate and efficient
silk trails would have caught more insects, eaten better, bred more successfully
and evolved increasingly more efficient webs” (11-12).</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is interesting to think of the
spider’s web as an extension of its sensory organs and not just as a device for
capturing its prey. When the spider sits on its web in anticipation of
potential insect prey it is spreads its senses over the entire area the web
covers and is made immediately aware when something is caught in the web, from
the impact it can tell the size and even the location in the web were the
impact occurred. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW71Jz7VkTgWLEU7-H3XdUQs_6HocM8lIfnafM98r621t2ajA-ZYD8_oS6Wdjcl6F91nF0Wa7bCM6Weavofcc_-N5VrskjIFKwfey40EwQnmMrsznvT3CxK2ftLqfq1M9tQBI7L76UHDc/s1600/IMG_1762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW71Jz7VkTgWLEU7-H3XdUQs_6HocM8lIfnafM98r621t2ajA-ZYD8_oS6Wdjcl6F91nF0Wa7bCM6Weavofcc_-N5VrskjIFKwfey40EwQnmMrsznvT3CxK2ftLqfq1M9tQBI7L76UHDc/s640/IMG_1762.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nephila senegalensis</i>, the Golden orb-webbed spider feeding on a locust she has caught in her web. On the ventral side of the spiders abdomen is the tiny male. It is waiting to eat some of what the huge female has caught. These spiders can produce more than 300 meters of silk daily and their webs are strong enough to catch small birds, which the spider will proceed to eat like any other meal they catch in their web.</td></tr>
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Silk in spiders is produced as a liquid in the cells of the
silk glands. The liquid silk changes to a solid form as soon as it is pulled
out from the spinnerets. Spiders can produce a lot of silk in short periods of
time. The Golden Orb Web Spiders (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nephila</i>
species) can produce more than 300 metres of silk per day. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn4" name="_ednref4" style="mso-endnote-id: edn4;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[iv]</span></span></span></span></a>
Spiders also recycle silk by eating it and it has been found that 80-90% of an
old web is reused in new webs. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn5" name="_ednref5" style="mso-endnote-id: edn5;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[v]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiLkJdn_8SBq2wSg7ogqLwr_uZH-q-ctQImJz5E3aEgcMMMRcoIfJ8KlQcAij-026Tc0YR-AyYG8c40zVkYP5ONLxInXdxxLTVn6Zt984lE_h4Ie6bZH3r9AQowkKVqfW9xOOESqzZjg/s1600/IMG_2489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiLkJdn_8SBq2wSg7ogqLwr_uZH-q-ctQImJz5E3aEgcMMMRcoIfJ8KlQcAij-026Tc0YR-AyYG8c40zVkYP5ONLxInXdxxLTVn6Zt984lE_h4Ie6bZH3r9AQowkKVqfW9xOOESqzZjg/s640/IMG_2489.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mexcala</i>, the ant mimicking jumping spider does a good impression of an ant. They have become ant-prey specialists with a prediliction for ants of the species <i>Camponotus cinctellus</i>. To think how this spider came to favour and mimic ants of this specific species is just one of things in nature that bends ones mind.<i> </i></td></tr>
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The next group I would like to look at is a lesser-known
group that is often mistaken for spiders. These are the harvestmen or
harvesters of the order <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Opiliones</i>.
They superficially resemble spiders and have long legs and a very round body
that is not distinctly divided into an abdomen and cephalothorax. These animals
are commonly found in leaf litters of forested areas and are not very often
seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harvesters are generally predatory
and eat mites and aphids, some are scavengers and some eat rotting plant
material.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLqy8Ypvmd9yNhDbSAW4f0K7bkAV0ArvUU4ukCZGslULHhqpAi6TdXH_A8RNjxk-3hBpF9_p5oRlalEL7qoYgMuu3OuNyELYnze3DyW0lDWYhaVCh7F0QGHGD_5Q_csdo94DKQtbwgJ8/s1600/DSCN5676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLqy8Ypvmd9yNhDbSAW4f0K7bkAV0ArvUU4ukCZGslULHhqpAi6TdXH_A8RNjxk-3hBpF9_p5oRlalEL7qoYgMuu3OuNyELYnze3DyW0lDWYhaVCh7F0QGHGD_5Q_csdo94DKQtbwgJ8/s640/DSCN5676.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opiliones</i>, the Harvestman. Over 6 500 species have been described globally. This particular one was photographed in Amsterdam. Picture courtesy of Francis Burger.</td></tr>
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The next arachnid order I would like to share is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amblypygi</i>, commonly called whip
scorpions but more "correctly" should be called Whip Spiders. These are large flat arthropods get their name from
the large sensory “whips” which are sensitive to smell, touch and environmental
factors such as heat and humidity. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn6" name="_ednref6" style="mso-endnote-id: edn6;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[vi]</span></span></span></span></a>
These whip spiders have powerful modified pedipalps with spines which they use
catching their prey which is generally insects and other arthropods, but they
have been known to catch small geckos and frogs. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn7" name="_ednref7" style="mso-endnote-id: edn7;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[vii]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJv9w8RSQOcEybYygCX6vsCsTYXdMaHbRSTSVd3I2tEj8RW5uLCOeHTdX6nHLyGYZq0_1tV-vA9AjERNlfM9EHsL_-QkqO9JcpLZHH3_oYvgaaUo4VSPXITgHbQhCydbujV2WaRwQLKM/s1600/IMG_1405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJv9w8RSQOcEybYygCX6vsCsTYXdMaHbRSTSVd3I2tEj8RW5uLCOeHTdX6nHLyGYZq0_1tV-vA9AjERNlfM9EHsL_-QkqO9JcpLZHH3_oYvgaaUo4VSPXITgHbQhCydbujV2WaRwQLKM/s640/IMG_1405.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Damon variegatus, </i>the Whip Spider.<b><i> </i></b>These strange looking arachnids can be found in the moister and warmer regions of Southern Africa. In some areas they are very common in dark, moist spaces, sometimes with high densities of individuals inhabiting the same space. <i><br /></i></td></tr>
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These whip spiders can move suddenly in any direction and
their only defense when threatened is to scuttle into the nearest crack. There
is something about their creeping movements that unnerves people. They are,
like most arachnids, completely harmless and inoffensive and can be handled
safely. I have also heard that they make interesting pets.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukPe1F80e0Gya6AOGp1XnWo9SG_xA_IrHpCd9PTat3JyrZB057ks8sn3hlHZLIC3jv2ghrHEZS2D3sVwF2bfN9l3lTMxfmW7MyoLFlqo-vIsRYhtZUEVxylpBzcNsw0VLuJLt5VFDsH0/s1600/IMG_4955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukPe1F80e0Gya6AOGp1XnWo9SG_xA_IrHpCd9PTat3JyrZB057ks8sn3hlHZLIC3jv2ghrHEZS2D3sVwF2bfN9l3lTMxfmW7MyoLFlqo-vIsRYhtZUEVxylpBzcNsw0VLuJLt5VFDsH0/s640/IMG_4955.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pseudoscorpiones </i>are very small arachnids. This individual was photographed in my hand. </td></tr>
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Another overlooked order of arachnids are the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pseudoscorpiones</i>. These are very small
and easy to miss. There are said to be around 2 000 species worldwide and 135
species have been found in South Africa. Psuedoscorpions look like scorpions
but don’t have a tail. They do have venom though: on the pedipalps (pincers)
there is a small joint with venom gland and a “sharp tubular tooth” with which
they can inject venom into their prey. The pseudoscorpions prey predominantly
on mites and one species <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chelifer
cancroides </i>has become associated with human dwellings and come to hunt mite
and fish moths in book shelves (this is where the common name book scorpion
comes from). <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn8" name="_ednref8" style="mso-endnote-id: edn8;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[viii]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaqPkLIyPY6WMPFTzp_0l0e_QVrJH4d8ieLagyccNtDg3_NZ5eL4f7m0mq6bMsIChtdTdISNBuJaMJuwCopRgj9kWLAXSkOZGpeCgcAfTDGv8F3UhTMOZQSo50ZGnPOJQCxqMAaPvkTA/s1600/IMG_4959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaqPkLIyPY6WMPFTzp_0l0e_QVrJH4d8ieLagyccNtDg3_NZ5eL4f7m0mq6bMsIChtdTdISNBuJaMJuwCopRgj9kWLAXSkOZGpeCgcAfTDGv8F3UhTMOZQSo50ZGnPOJQCxqMAaPvkTA/s640/IMG_4959.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like scorpions, <i>Pseudoscorpiones </i>have pedipalps modified into pincers. They lack the tail but do possess venom which is located in the modified pedipalps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Scorpions are the next order of arachnids I’d like to look
at. Southern Africa has a high diversity of scorpions. Of the 1 500 species
found worldwide there are said to be more than 130 in Southern Africa. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn9" name="_ednref9" style="mso-endnote-id: edn9;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[ix]</span></span></span></span></a>
Scorpions can be found nearly anywhere in Southern Africa and there are three
families that occur in South Africa: Buthidae, Ischnuridae and Scorpionidae. Of
these, some members of the Buthidae are medically important. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfutY_XC_GdhhX7RvUYbqPzfBfYriROfjp-DoFB6RSXxJcTXUw8e4I7P1LAGIYZBMiwYJisN1jfbnUWdF51Lnr85GQB18mIuDBPw_2-pS4k9PctDxwNVzlMXDoRf9URYrUmyhN03ZYS8/s1600/IMG_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfutY_XC_GdhhX7RvUYbqPzfBfYriROfjp-DoFB6RSXxJcTXUw8e4I7P1LAGIYZBMiwYJisN1jfbnUWdF51Lnr85GQB18mIuDBPw_2-pS4k9PctDxwNVzlMXDoRf9URYrUmyhN03ZYS8/s640/IMG_0036.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opistophthalmus pugnax</i>. These scorpions are a burrowing species and can be found in the veld and koppies around Johannesburg. The name <i>pugnax </i>comes from the Italian word <i>pugno </i>and has combative associations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGpanUw0wDRBzs23tsnI10_1GFrQV-JPds-wzi2LlKlCfCEuTPr2qkijAIorI6g_cbkVLYtYQJQKFg5-Do5Sy3ahJf18T7uJQT7iAiv8i-jm19mQWJIEaa-sD4AYb4EjIMf26o9Myhsw/s1600/IMG_4610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGpanUw0wDRBzs23tsnI10_1GFrQV-JPds-wzi2LlKlCfCEuTPr2qkijAIorI6g_cbkVLYtYQJQKFg5-Do5Sy3ahJf18T7uJQT7iAiv8i-jm19mQWJIEaa-sD4AYb4EjIMf26o9Myhsw/s640/IMG_4610.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parabuthus transvaalicus</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, the Transvaal Thick-tailed Scorpion is a formidable creature. Their venom is considered medically important and they are also known to spray venom at attackers. This is a good reason to shake out ones clothing before putting it on in areas where these scorpions occur in high densities. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The Buthidae that are likely to be encountered in Southern
Africa come from three genres: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hottentotta</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Uroplectes</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parabuthus</i>. These scorpions all have thick tails and small pincers.
All individuals from these groups can deliver painful stings and stings from
large <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parabuthids</i> have resulted in a
few deaths. That said, the strength of the venom in these animals is often
exaggerated. Many people are stung by full-grown <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parabuthus transvaalicus</i> scorpions and although they experience a
lot of pain and discomfort suffer no adverse symtoms.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH0IDWAYsJFBsQioo_F7FcNgo690wANhVnPvjsnl96xqhISwiCkWLmIBlJXlyfZNGqz6pAuRueqOMOwM3PEL3RnYL6y9Vwiz1VOA8s9yOUTEJZLJ4OZL58kVh4bLX8p8HmMR61dms1aA/s1600/IMG_4283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH0IDWAYsJFBsQioo_F7FcNgo690wANhVnPvjsnl96xqhISwiCkWLmIBlJXlyfZNGqz6pAuRueqOMOwM3PEL3RnYL6y9Vwiz1VOA8s9yOUTEJZLJ4OZL58kVh4bLX8p8HmMR61dms1aA/s640/IMG_4283.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hottentotta trilineatus, </i>this scorpions are also considered to have very strong venom. A member of this genus from India <br />
<span class="binomial"><i>Hottentotta tamulus</i> is considered the most lethal scorpion in the world. As with most scorpions, fatalities are usually children and those whose health is compromised in other ways.<i><br /></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYchjvLD1QdMHb-2rj2ar31MR0Vf31cE3fbVD1CW7IOZWNjKfy7RGno52aTHUJXKNUCj9qNHOqzu8I-mxfO3lwVAFddqX_H1wFv5ExzhsA38V2Nznit5xvh5EFO9jnOvx1AweTxobOGg/s1600/IMG_4867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYchjvLD1QdMHb-2rj2ar31MR0Vf31cE3fbVD1CW7IOZWNjKfy7RGno52aTHUJXKNUCj9qNHOqzu8I-mxfO3lwVAFddqX_H1wFv5ExzhsA38V2Nznit5xvh5EFO9jnOvx1AweTxobOGg/s640/IMG_4867.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Uroplectes
flavoviridus</i></span></i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ischnuridae</i>
family is represented here by members of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Opisthacanthus</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hadogenes</i>
genus. These scorpions are characterized by small tails and large pincers
indicating that they have relatively weak venoms and mainly rely on their
pincers to overpower prey. These scorpions are generally incredibly docile and
reluctant to sting in self-defense.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UF0BtqAjpOz7wl7H-FkDxdw7fwAehkD8T9ODjurLVezRnox4kpLYLtg46EOKidzqWzuXchkBgC9NJcWON0V_nhXySVk52rSseddDS9L6nUy952sqCYFFsXTFN-oD3T0KjmoA0CmUY14/s1600/IMG_4891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UF0BtqAjpOz7wl7H-FkDxdw7fwAehkD8T9ODjurLVezRnox4kpLYLtg46EOKidzqWzuXchkBgC9NJcWON0V_nhXySVk52rSseddDS9L6nUy952sqCYFFsXTFN-oD3T0KjmoA0CmUY14/s640/IMG_4891.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hadogenes troglodytes</i>, these are scorpions associated with rocky areas. This species of scorpion can grow up to 21cm long, making it the longest scorpion in the world. They are very docile and inoffensive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwuEraAssXNsv9zcKCbiPhURG_97XpjmvjcYbLA3DzIZ7c-0Xxi2imY76vVLFT0sRxl4ytW3DISAx9paqzGNHE9UDvxkGzagOLNkOVBHtz-9xp-cBROFls8pthuezcCe40ncUkppxg6c/s1600/IMG_5017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwuEraAssXNsv9zcKCbiPhURG_97XpjmvjcYbLA3DzIZ7c-0Xxi2imY76vVLFT0sRxl4ytW3DISAx9paqzGNHE9UDvxkGzagOLNkOVBHtz-9xp-cBROFls8pthuezcCe40ncUkppxg6c/s640/IMG_5017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opisthacanthus</i>, the massive pincers and small tail indicate that this species does not have a potent venom. They are also docile scorpions that tolerate gentle handling. <i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scorpionidae</i>
family is represented by one genus in Southern Africa, the endemic <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Opistophthalmus</i> genus. These are
burrowing scorpions and use their powerful pincers to crush their prey. When
harassed these scorpions make a hissing sound by “rubbing the stiff bristles on
their mouthparts against the underside of their carapace”. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn10" name="_ednref10" style="mso-endnote-id: edn10;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[x]</span></span></span></span></a>
These scorpions can deliver painful stings, but are considered harmless. Some species in the genus are very colourful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCjwRJuhNzEo0KkWlSZR8w-wvaOu89GXI_fDf24xns84MCC9CovL7YAR9fzMWuneYOftx9NXNHc5bcAuadwwZDVZYEsAfIDjF0pG8o6xNCX5QcSTiSPVI3X_PZ8SoDoww_Ag_TJtVPWc/s1600/IMG_5009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCjwRJuhNzEo0KkWlSZR8w-wvaOu89GXI_fDf24xns84MCC9CovL7YAR9fzMWuneYOftx9NXNHc5bcAuadwwZDVZYEsAfIDjF0pG8o6xNCX5QcSTiSPVI3X_PZ8SoDoww_Ag_TJtVPWc/s640/IMG_5009.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opistophthalmus glabrifrons,</i> this large female was moving around at night. She was gravid and very defensive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU89FPjzEMBzBKXoZGRfjsq1Kjai-RjwehDR_p4Ha5ssh3uyYtCln0SO-70vRazduWRT24_f8u8O4j5h50Iky3OHzTC-H_ltEuMaRpzDijdwXzOzr7E9XVKTiB_a31ApB6eYtEYZ3uoGA/s1600/rsDSC_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU89FPjzEMBzBKXoZGRfjsq1Kjai-RjwehDR_p4Ha5ssh3uyYtCln0SO-70vRazduWRT24_f8u8O4j5h50Iky3OHzTC-H_ltEuMaRpzDijdwXzOzr7E9XVKTiB_a31ApB6eYtEYZ3uoGA/s640/rsDSC_0157.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opistophthalmus capensis</i>, this scorpion is in a heightened state of agitation,<i> </i>its pincers are ready to grasp at anything within reach and its venom gland has already begun to secrete a droplet of venom. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scorpions are one of the few arthropods that actively care
for their young. They give birth to live young which emerge from the mothers
body one at time and shortly after being born they climb onto the mothers back.
The young scorpions stay on their mother’s backs until their first moult, once
they have moulted they move away from the mother and make their way into the
world on their own, ready to fend for themselves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9oebJC1wPEK9Kw69dUOSaLKLaq_By5bt_v4XrAp2uPPUd4HPo6IcflR3KdjIhvOtKicmnh4TAnddm17xTMEm9Hptk_G4gem3vR9U7BKX2ShGG_ZEovK-wB4NMNawT-426zb5epc11ek/s1600/IMG_0221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9oebJC1wPEK9Kw69dUOSaLKLaq_By5bt_v4XrAp2uPPUd4HPo6IcflR3KdjIhvOtKicmnh4TAnddm17xTMEm9Hptk_G4gem3vR9U7BKX2ShGG_ZEovK-wB4NMNawT-426zb5epc11ek/s640/IMG_0221.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Opistophthalmus pugnax</i> with young on her back. It is fascinating to see these animals with their young on their backs. The young are tiny replicas of the adults.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Due to their attractive appearance scorpions have become
very popular and many people have developed a keen interest in them. There are
special UV torches that can be bought to find scorpions at night and there is a
very good reference book available on scorpions called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scorpions of Southern Africa </i>by Jonathan Leeming. There is an
initiative that has been created by the Animal Demography Unit at the
University of Cape Town called Scorpion Map. This map allows everyday people to
upload images of scorpions along with other data onto a database which is
beginning to catalogue and map the scorpions of Africa. I recommend that anyone
with an interest in scorpions gets involved in this project (see http://vmus.adu.org.za).
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSUHqQxhYONRBvNueFN6-UzHqrl7xhZbmU74kCSl6rF38kk0sNNDvCSikocKoubC18xDj5s9-nUulL6j6uMKtVa55hGmxi_dX4LdNrwd_J_erthtO7Vi-xNg0uSBni1ba0wJ4xHOUWlY/s1600/IMG_4619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSUHqQxhYONRBvNueFN6-UzHqrl7xhZbmU74kCSl6rF38kk0sNNDvCSikocKoubC18xDj5s9-nUulL6j6uMKtVa55hGmxi_dX4LdNrwd_J_erthtO7Vi-xNg0uSBni1ba0wJ4xHOUWlY/s640/IMG_4619.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These <i>trombidiidae </i>mites are parasites on this scorpion. They attach themselves in a way analogous to ticks on bigger animals.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next family of arachnids that I’d like to look at are
mites and ticks, sub-class <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Acari</i>.
Mites are minute arachnids and 40 000 species have been described globally. It
is said that this is probably one tenth of the actual species number so there
could be 400 000 species of mites out there. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn11" name="_ednref11" style="mso-endnote-id: edn11;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[xi]</span></span></span></span></a>
Mites are everywhere, they are said to exist in densities of millions per
square meter “all over the inhabited earth” and “even on our skins there are
permanent populations of mites”. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn12" name="_ednref12" style="mso-endnote-id: edn12;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[xii]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrH-KPsfH8DjN_HOr1uvgHHYTd1x04bgpQk7EQOXfOZju1hoXIevmGw4l51cfNVjd1HIquiZcXetBubMw1yGQUIATuy4VLfN7m2SK-Em4vymDBAC_0HMefubDISbDaJx8ZGkJi31YnRgA/s1600/IMG_3241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrH-KPsfH8DjN_HOr1uvgHHYTd1x04bgpQk7EQOXfOZju1hoXIevmGw4l51cfNVjd1HIquiZcXetBubMw1yGQUIATuy4VLfN7m2SK-Em4vymDBAC_0HMefubDISbDaJx8ZGkJi31YnRgA/s640/IMG_3241.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This large free living mite was photographed in Johannesburg. I have not found a satisfactory identification for it. I assume it is predatory due to its size. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mites come in so many different forms. There are predatory
mites, parasitic mites, mites that feed on plants, and mites that are
decomposers. Mites cause some medically important conditions, most notably
scabies in humans and mange in animals. The mites pictured here are parasitic
mites of the family <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trombidiidae</i>. The
adult is a large free-living mite.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG6UM_MEWuAIjaqMKg84up8heAaZVovOETinSJx2AGNBzkTNAqT6-wi4zjBmxfOVL0ddAH5PIBNTKlqIgQD0B4iN59gQ3UtgQJFSuV3a0qXshc_3YoGkyq5iEr8O2ljmFKhtlqRXCVTI/s1600/g3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG6UM_MEWuAIjaqMKg84up8heAaZVovOETinSJx2AGNBzkTNAqT6-wi4zjBmxfOVL0ddAH5PIBNTKlqIgQD0B4iN59gQ3UtgQJFSuV3a0qXshc_3YoGkyq5iEr8O2ljmFKhtlqRXCVTI/s640/g3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trombidiidae</i> or Velvet Mite has attached itself to this gecko. Photograph courtesy of Francis Burger.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ticks (order <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ixodida</i>)
are well known because of their ability to infect people and animals with
disease. They are blood-sucking parasites and have been around for about 120
million years. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn13" name="_ednref13" style="mso-endnote-id: edn13;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[xiii]</span></span></span></span></a>
Ticks have an interesting life cycle, the female lays up to 3 000 eggs. When
the larva hatch they climb up the nearest vegetation and wait for passing
hosts. I have been host to this stage of tick development and one day pulled
over forty tiny ticks from my body. These larva ticks are commonly known as
‘pepper ticks’ due to their small size. Once they have fed and are ready to
grow the ticks moult into nymphs and will either reattach to the same host or
find a new host. At the next moult they will drop off or reattach, depending on
the species. It is through this dropping-off and reattaching to a new host that
zoonotic diseases are spread. In southern Africa many diseases are spread by
ticks, these include the livestock diseases of Heartwater, Redwater, East-coast
fever, Gall fever, African swine pest, Billary and the human diseases Congo
fever and Tick-bite fever. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1nyZwOACwlalSOVPkDa6yuYA6QJY8CFbpkohwMILL4hqMtQ_f-Y1q6VMkRJjLIWeKaStXlIRoNNiQpCJPQHl7ULTsa3iZBZqTHNBOv0GcLJMD1zTV59lclmVxqp6RMMODAcyu2PvNo0/s1600/IMG_1625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1nyZwOACwlalSOVPkDa6yuYA6QJY8CFbpkohwMILL4hqMtQ_f-Y1q6VMkRJjLIWeKaStXlIRoNNiQpCJPQHl7ULTsa3iZBZqTHNBOv0GcLJMD1zTV59lclmVxqp6RMMODAcyu2PvNo0/s640/IMG_1625.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This <i>Amblyomma </i>tick has attached itself to this tortoise. Big reptiles such as monitors, tortoises and snakes are often host to ticks, sometimes they can become quite infested and their conditions deteriorate. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although ticks are disliked because of their disease
spreading qualities, it must be kept in mind that disease plays an important
role in the environment. It strengthens the gene pool by eliminating weaker
animals and also kills weaker competitors in times of environmental stress
(drought) thus favoring the stronger individuals and thereby strengthening the
population. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcFTBW1ZcPuDN-2sincEXEMdAqbUHHhzbocaKbnGFhqjXFRkN0jk5Zm_8xHrw_z5sWw5qoEV1TJIjwL1i1vG2O3lWolc9CL11ghNjONhcJV5AKkEiHfLp1YI0oEP6ZTvM-ZZY6e70Tdk/s1600/IMG_4278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcFTBW1ZcPuDN-2sincEXEMdAqbUHHhzbocaKbnGFhqjXFRkN0jk5Zm_8xHrw_z5sWw5qoEV1TJIjwL1i1vG2O3lWolc9CL11ghNjONhcJV5AKkEiHfLp1YI0oEP6ZTvM-ZZY6e70Tdk/s640/IMG_4278.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diurnal solifuge, this animal paused for a moment long enough for me to get a photograph and was off again. The colours on this species are very striking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The last group of arachnids I would like to look at, and these
are perhaps my favourite group, is the order <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Solifugae</i>, These are known by various popular names: sun spiders,
red romans and even camel spiders (this is a popular name given to these
animals by Americans in Iraq, there is a myth that these spiders burrow
underground and feed on sleeping camels from below). There are some interesting
Afrikaans names for solifuges, the ones that stand out for me are <i>vetvreters</i>
(fat eaters) and <i>baardskeerders</i> (beard cutters). <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn14" name="_ednref14" style="mso-endnote-id: edn14;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[xiv]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySUvpZ5Y64K_zoaIn8yhVcjrSUNTgYQ4Dk0Exl4q4EHth7ZbD24cbHVELsq29VW4yl0dJ4E8m0xG1ctIWh_TpdqAaPhySjy9lhDScyMqYq_anvUTjjmRKDRYTU0TX8EHScmCfMQ_psSk/s1600/IMG_5077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySUvpZ5Y64K_zoaIn8yhVcjrSUNTgYQ4Dk0Exl4q4EHth7ZbD24cbHVELsq29VW4yl0dJ4E8m0xG1ctIWh_TpdqAaPhySjy9lhDScyMqYq_anvUTjjmRKDRYTU0TX8EHScmCfMQ_psSk/s640/IMG_5077.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This nocturnal solifuge was photographed while consuming a bolus of chewed up invertebrate. One can see the abdomen beginning to become distended, solifuges will gorge themselves until they cannot move, this is the source of the Afrikaans name <i>vetvreter </i>(fat eater).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When looking at a solifuge one is instantly drawn to the
size of the jaws. There is a jaw on each side and “each jaw consists of two
parts, a solid upper jaw and movable lower jaw, moving past each other like the
blades of shears. The large lower jaws house the powerful muscles… Both jaws
are equipped with strong chitin teeth”. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_edn15" name="_ednref15" style="mso-endnote-id: edn15;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[xv]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICrDs-7lYXRsZyilfuSICqJMv8PuRBavmo-kAebLO57ClhRTTmJR8Y96GZ25Er3esATsUYXRhfcDng7bTvn3dshN-iwS-l_738HiLsgoxr0YelJ5mgZqyTu5KErsOqIBtf-5yCDfuT4Y/s1600/IMG_4652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICrDs-7lYXRsZyilfuSICqJMv8PuRBavmo-kAebLO57ClhRTTmJR8Y96GZ25Er3esATsUYXRhfcDng7bTvn3dshN-iwS-l_738HiLsgoxr0YelJ5mgZqyTu5KErsOqIBtf-5yCDfuT4Y/s640/IMG_4652.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solifuges bear a superficial resemblance to spiders, but, amongst other
differences, they lack venom glands and the ability to produce silk. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Solifuges move fast and run with their front legs
outstretched feeling their way around. They are predatory (although they are
known to be scavengers) and gorge themselves when they eat. Solifuges are very
active and they are always doing something, making them interesting to watch. I
have sat watching them dig holes for a long time, moving like little bulldozers
until the hole is very deep. I have also followed hunting solifuges and they
seem to never rest, checking every little space for prey items. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solifuges can also bite humans and the bite
can be likened to a powerful pinch, but they are completely harmless to people
and their livestock. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fufA4l4pqslcfoS2XX0mBzxzbUKTY9YvuTFKrQHj36gqhf2Mc9TAJC_1AqgN1TjlbxyyA33GquM1DXip3_LK5tknz4ZRJMAz5spBS8XMnsk06w_6aRyGIjVpRaRWlks2qC_HGDd_fao/s1600/IMG_5046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fufA4l4pqslcfoS2XX0mBzxzbUKTY9YvuTFKrQHj36gqhf2Mc9TAJC_1AqgN1TjlbxyyA33GquM1DXip3_LK5tknz4ZRJMAz5spBS8XMnsk06w_6aRyGIjVpRaRWlks2qC_HGDd_fao/s640/IMG_5046.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solifuges are covered in sensitive sensory hairs, they use these to detect fluctuations in their environment, especially the movements of potential prey items and the bigger vibrations of predators.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to Holm and Dippenaar-Schoeman there are 240
species in Southern Africa. There is not much information on these animals
available at a popular level, but Holm and Dippenaar-Schoeman (2010) give a
good overview of the families that occur locally. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to photograph every solifuge I can find
and have found them to be incredibly diverse. This is definitely a group I will
be looking at more closely in the future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgig1-M28vl6viXr1_lzuuT223SkQdrfIlUV7K4kkd2CQ4H99yO47n9lr4aslm_aJuXP0DugxfzMQ-A5gJVCVjxLebiq7pVIpIROK0eMVSMMsPfgviVfTv6EQFXhFnKWLYKbmSpCtGNA_g/s1600/IMG_4656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgig1-M28vl6viXr1_lzuuT223SkQdrfIlUV7K4kkd2CQ4H99yO47n9lr4aslm_aJuXP0DugxfzMQ-A5gJVCVjxLebiq7pVIpIROK0eMVSMMsPfgviVfTv6EQFXhFnKWLYKbmSpCtGNA_g/s640/IMG_4656.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solifuges come in a variety of different shapes. This species has a smaller, slimmer build with long legs, perhaps this is an adaption to an arboreal lifestyle. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With this brief overview of arachnids I hope to have inspired
some of you to take a closer look at these interesting animals we share this
world with. When you see a spider moving across a wall or a tick on your pet,
think about how old these creatures are and how long they have been on the
earth and how long they will continue here compared to our fleeting stay. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br clear="all" />
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[i]</span></span></span></a>
Brusca, R. C and Brusca G. J. 2003. <i>Invertebrates</i>. Sinauer Associates, Inc.:
Sunderland (653-654). </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn2">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[ii]</span></span></span></a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelicerata">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelicerata</a></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn3">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[iii]</span></span></span></a>
Leroy, A and J. Leroy. 2000. Spiderwatch in Southern Africa. Struik: Cape Town.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn4">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[iv]</span></span></span></a>
Holm, E and A. Dippenaar-Schoeman. 2010. <i>Goggo
Guide: the Arthropods of Southern Africa</i>. Lapa Publishers: Pretoria (158).</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn5">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[v]</span></span></span></a>
Holm, E and A. Dippenaar-Schoeman. 2010. <i>Goggo
Guide: the Arthropods of Southern Africa</i>. Lapa Publishers: Pretoria (159).</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn6">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[vi]</span></span></span></a>
Holm, E and A. Dippenaar-Schoeman. 2010. <i>Goggo
Guide: the Arthropods of Southern Africa</i>. Lapa Publishers: Pretoria (77).</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn7">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref7" name="_edn7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[vii]</span></span></span></a>
Holm, E and A. Dippenaar-Schoeman. 2010. <i>Goggo
Guide: the Arthropods of Southern Africa. </i>Lapa Publishers: Pretoria (77).</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn8">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref8" name="_edn8" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[viii]</span></span></span></a>
Holm, E and A. Dippenaar-Schoeman. 2010. <i>Goggo
Guide: the Arthropods of Southern Africa</i>. Lapa Publishers: Pretoria
(81-83).</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn9">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref9" name="_edn9" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[ix]</span></span></span></a>
Leeming, J. 2003. <i>Scorpions of Southern
Africa</i>. Struik: Cape Town (42).</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn10">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref10" name="_edn10" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[x]</span></span></span></a> Leeming, J. 2003. <i>Scorpions of Southern Africa</i>. Struik: Cape Town (66).</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn11">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref11" name="_edn11" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[xi]</span></span></span></a>
Holm, E and A. Dippenaar-Schoeman. 2010. <i>Goggo
Guide: the Arthropods of Southern Africa. </i>Lapa Publishers: Pretoria (85).</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn12">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref12" name="_edn12" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[xii]</span></span></span></a>
Holm, E and A. Dippenaar-Schoeman. 2010. <i>Goggo
Guide: the Arthropods of Southern Africa. </i>Lapa Publishers: Pretoria (85).</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn13">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref13" name="_edn13" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[xiii]</span></span></span></a>
Holm, E and A. Dippenaar-Schoeman. 2010. <i>Goggo
Guide: the Arthropods of Southern Africa. </i>Lapa Publishers: Pretoria (103).</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn14">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref14" name="_edn14" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[xiv]</span></span></span></a>
Holm, E and A. Dippenaar-Schoeman. 2010. <i>Goggo
Guide: the Arthropods of Southern Africa. </i>Lapa Publishers: Pretoria (142). </span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="edn15" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ednref15" name="_edn15" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[xv]</span></span></span></a>
Holm, E and A. Dippenaar-Schoeman. 2010. <i>Goggo
Guide: the Arthropods of Southern Africa. </i>Lapa Publishers: Pretoria (144).</span></div>
</div>
</div>
ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-75360141335150570302013-08-30T13:03:00.001-07:002013-08-31T05:46:24.650-07:00Winter Highlights and the harbingers of Spring 2013<style>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I spent most of the winter in Johannesburg and this year’s
weather turned out to be very mild. I spent a lot of time hiking in the
Klipriviersberg, occasionally getting out and seeing other places around
Johannesburg. Winter in Johannesburg is dry with warm days and cold nights. The
sky is blue and the landscape becomes predominately fawn with darker and lighter colours standing out here and there.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlo8gND60xrXtzwThyUAHyj61QD_7rNfMcO5AZzZfp-pN01H2Tq36wdBN3eHYmEreET9lPisi2FA4yduFdH0_vkJHjkDuylqv1DjffPkLyxErma6d-jLU18hi7tbxK-vb1ZtjVUfBJes/s1600/IMG_3401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlo8gND60xrXtzwThyUAHyj61QD_7rNfMcO5AZzZfp-pN01H2Tq36wdBN3eHYmEreET9lPisi2FA4yduFdH0_vkJHjkDuylqv1DjffPkLyxErma6d-jLU18hi7tbxK-vb1ZtjVUfBJes/s640/IMG_3401.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>A grassland scene from Suikerbosrand just south of Johannesburg.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Due to the generalised diminished activity
of life forms in winter, everyday aspects of life begin to attract attention. A plant
flowering or a minute crawling arachnid become points of interest that would
not be as engaging had they been observed in the bounty offered by summer.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIgmf_Zb4ovR-b7VILJbaTm61zS_6syS_BjY93RY2-ckUu-mAwE0e9f47fdDXt3iIolz5idRW5xszlKZ1erJ9BqK2CD04CSTW6ud8HK5rugkmaQkKn15Ml0XFFGvJLG1hpSOvw6XTBfg/s1600/IMG_3241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIgmf_Zb4ovR-b7VILJbaTm61zS_6syS_BjY93RY2-ckUu-mAwE0e9f47fdDXt3iIolz5idRW5xszlKZ1erJ9BqK2CD04CSTW6ud8HK5rugkmaQkKn15Ml0XFFGvJLG1hpSOvw6XTBfg/s640/IMG_3241.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>A 'large' free-living predatory mite of the </i>Trombidiidae<i> family. Mites are considered the most diverse group of animals after insects. Over 40 000 species have been described and 2 350 have been recorded in South Africa.</i> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYchXrWjg9U1K0c5fVm-LqaB0St1vhq-30IU67ehmfe0qMGX1Zw3n_MTDqkx5vP7pEBJqxEFn8JU0rczl4gqjh5NJAsPUI74DgXCQk89xl7PLq7bi1hjcnEUvhgycYx9GrVFyFRvmmbY/s1600/IMG_3199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYchXrWjg9U1K0c5fVm-LqaB0St1vhq-30IU67ehmfe0qMGX1Zw3n_MTDqkx5vP7pEBJqxEFn8JU0rczl4gqjh5NJAsPUI74DgXCQk89xl7PLq7bi1hjcnEUvhgycYx9GrVFyFRvmmbY/s640/IMG_3199.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This </i>Aloe greatheadii var. davyana<i> flowered early in winter. Standing out on the dried out landscape.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcgaQCNBnew9X1whr1rXmRi_yuxqKQJfzp4b9ucN0iQJwIRL3P49ZJXfWOMuNJ8Kzq_BP07hCeOsb6IpunqQWSjIDBGifbx90ANxWNuQagzDZInu3GjpBpSxNcOCgAkAc6EW7ZKp5HwA/s1600/IMG_3620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcgaQCNBnew9X1whr1rXmRi_yuxqKQJfzp4b9ucN0iQJwIRL3P49ZJXfWOMuNJ8Kzq_BP07hCeOsb6IpunqQWSjIDBGifbx90ANxWNuQagzDZInu3GjpBpSxNcOCgAkAc6EW7ZKp5HwA/s640/IMG_3620.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Later in the season large areas of the hills were covered in flowering aloes. </i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36asPZpGnH0rKRSPWkHHwZ6STOG5kD8jvRrO7NOo6McVsXNI-or8iwFMeDU4qGRR4usbJ2mxM5pZYMlmx-sCiRtQByfa7J_fC_zYsBbLaxWS5z0s50Lx77sEIAi1BO21z5rojeE6rtWo/s1600/IMG_3819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36asPZpGnH0rKRSPWkHHwZ6STOG5kD8jvRrO7NOo6McVsXNI-or8iwFMeDU4qGRR4usbJ2mxM5pZYMlmx-sCiRtQByfa7J_fC_zYsBbLaxWS5z0s50Lx77sEIAi1BO21z5rojeE6rtWo/s640/IMG_3819.jpg" width="446" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The reason for this floral display: pollination, using insects in the the swapping of genetic material between individual organisms. </i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When
walking in a dry landscape sources of water become a space where life
congregates. This slowly moving river in the Suikerbosrand, along the
Bokmakierie trail is full of algael life and water plants. The absence of life
around the stream draws ones attention to what is happening in the water.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHvpSqeYnFRFSd5qb_3qIE-6D_jQwJDEPJvh6Xbeug_aCQt5shCmKHIzZi2W08vXoiaGP_L_fEUjNkCt9-G9bL4BoFngzmbgSF300l6k5usgkY2sC0YJgRcMwM1AhosPqs0_L_HL3Cxw/s1600/IMG_3408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHvpSqeYnFRFSd5qb_3qIE-6D_jQwJDEPJvh6Xbeug_aCQt5shCmKHIzZi2W08vXoiaGP_L_fEUjNkCt9-G9bL4BoFngzmbgSF300l6k5usgkY2sC0YJgRcMwM1AhosPqs0_L_HL3Cxw/s640/IMG_3408.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>A slow moving stream with algae and water plants, an ecosystem.</i></span></td></tr>
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Looking closer at
the algae in the stream one notices many bubbles that have formed amongst the
string like structures of the algae. What is happening is that the algae are
photosynthesising. They are turning sunlight into energy and this process of
photosynthesis is so important: all the food we eat and all the energy we use
(fossil fuels, fire wood etc.) are products of photosynthesis.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Times;">[1]</span></span></span></a></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddIfCErM1olX2AMNA8Gu2oGt4esiy_Si27A0u-POxHzjgqtrhE-1CUQSFTD3BKAuJEm1cVt-43B_TmwcyrNu0Ucvm0TG6LgvdwsSSOUfu2YtKlKt2nW38cfZIiaM2_NnaE7qwx1v5fmk/s1600/IMG_3415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddIfCErM1olX2AMNA8Gu2oGt4esiy_Si27A0u-POxHzjgqtrhE-1CUQSFTD3BKAuJEm1cVt-43B_TmwcyrNu0Ucvm0TG6LgvdwsSSOUfu2YtKlKt2nW38cfZIiaM2_NnaE7qwx1v5fmk/s640/IMG_3415.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Oxygen being released as a waste product from algae.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: large;">Looking at a scene like this one can recall the
early days of life on earth. Algae and other photosynthesising organisms that
inhabited aquatic environments slowly, through bubbling oxygen as waste
product, started to create an excess of free oxygen, first in the aquatic
environments and then later the atmosphere. The process must have taken
millions of years, but in time there was enough oxygen for new oxygen dependent
organisms to develop. In time the atmosphere was filled with enough oxygen to
allow animal life dependent on oxygen to begin colonising the terrestrial
habitats.</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">During a cold winters day I took a drive out to a wet land area to the east of Johannesburg called Marievale Nature Reserve. The reserve is in the middle of a rich gold mining area. There are mine dumps on the reserve and the water is no doubt being poisoned slowly through acid mine drainage. Yet there is a lot of life in the reserve. I saw many water birds and even a pair of Large Grey Mongooses <i>(Herpestes ichneumon)</i> which according to the reference material falls outside of their distribution. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxmGfqebGUUyt-OhDE4MjB0iNw_wmvOrI0Tqo_86uqMStVjj6PkaotVGraHJ_iM96HEso5J_ypMYICvt5_hIfGg9foacNIVsBaTpsu1TlUqsLxH92g-RI3AXMutENcTMBIAUYJsk8Log/s1600/IMG_3456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxmGfqebGUUyt-OhDE4MjB0iNw_wmvOrI0Tqo_86uqMStVjj6PkaotVGraHJ_iM96HEso5J_ypMYICvt5_hIfGg9foacNIVsBaTpsu1TlUqsLxH92g-RI3AXMutENcTMBIAUYJsk8Log/s640/IMG_3456.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>A pair of African Fish Eagles (</i>Haliaeetus vocifer<i>) with a mine dump in the background.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fEm8xGPf7OSf6et37SGG6S4sQh6qf_BBy8AB5JchAWLiaog56BY11nfEHX7M9ZPQeUb5A4FaQxgtBlkSQs56yEZxF-Jgcl5saztGfcP65dSoj987IlkSEdntclxW8OlSqLmIMYw1wFw/s1600/IMG_3458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fEm8xGPf7OSf6et37SGG6S4sQh6qf_BBy8AB5JchAWLiaog56BY11nfEHX7M9ZPQeUb5A4FaQxgtBlkSQs56yEZxF-Jgcl5saztGfcP65dSoj987IlkSEdntclxW8OlSqLmIMYw1wFw/s640/IMG_3458.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Closer view of the African Fish Eagles.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The reserve has many interesting water birds. In the few hours I was there I saw some very interesting species: African Snipe, Cape Shoveler, Red-billed and Hottentot Teals as well as masses of Red-Knobbed Coots and many Little Grebes (Dabchick).</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxGV3hZ4Zmwe-0UC-waVxMPm-2-BXtXT4B3GVyq7IlFIr5-KqNYIUWPLOpQDHwG1IBg8x_cSkNl2scoLM8RImPrOqaT3iWNCucn_Wx96eJTuXuwYuNrDETXWz1sw-mJIyTXkfVTA_am8/s1600/IMG_3460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxGV3hZ4Zmwe-0UC-waVxMPm-2-BXtXT4B3GVyq7IlFIr5-KqNYIUWPLOpQDHwG1IBg8x_cSkNl2scoLM8RImPrOqaT3iWNCucn_Wx96eJTuXuwYuNrDETXWz1sw-mJIyTXkfVTA_am8/s640/IMG_3460.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Red-knobbed Coot (</i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="kno-fv"><span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=2uq&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=%22red-knobbed+coot%22+%22scientific+name%22+%22fulica+cristata%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gbFlQVGGA-MOtbjI_yHveGM6j-6577RIaJ37-SUAL8WBViwAAAA">Fulica cristata</span></span><i><span class="kno-fv"><span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=2uq&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=%22red-knobbed+coot%22+%22scientific+name%22+%22fulica+cristata%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-gbFlQVGGA-MOtbjI_yHveGM6j-6577RIaJ37-SUAL8WBViwAAAA">)</span></span>, these birds are very aggressive and dominate most other birds in their home range.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAxf1r5hnBPAg-1Au6ozG8TxqlbzIPcSTFsIFAj9clkRwXebH1kUr4_cnKdw8aB_44x-d_N5TeDm2CwayDY2aFs__mUSEVK5Iqe0YGBvWjzYZwNvWhO4qNPpLLMQaYZrfBn1RQOh9CJw/s1600/IMG_3462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAxf1r5hnBPAg-1Au6ozG8TxqlbzIPcSTFsIFAj9clkRwXebH1kUr4_cnKdw8aB_44x-d_N5TeDm2CwayDY2aFs__mUSEVK5Iqe0YGBvWjzYZwNvWhO4qNPpLLMQaYZrfBn1RQOh9CJw/s640/IMG_3462.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Little Grebe (</i>Tachybabtus ruficollis<i>), a tiny waterbird. Grebes are unique among birds in the habit of swallowing their feathers to prevent injury while regurgitating fish bones and other indigestible material. </i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the dry winter landscape, fires often move through large areas, leaving a strange black landscape. In these burnt out areas life continues as the fires are considered cool and they move fast. The damage is often superficial and an important part of the rejuvenation of grassland. In these black patches, even the drabbest birds stand out.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1moZGSPS6vRnCk0GrrCmAOVK3gAUv0iE7GzTR9Z17-fINX1p6RTpKYfEnWfP3Do-6-hlti9b2vZxmumI7lGFCTS-kOFlFI6Ct8hG2G_Ynnu-uxwq9vSU0T1A4RlWj7xxkyFEiAsksfI/s1600/IMG_3473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1moZGSPS6vRnCk0GrrCmAOVK3gAUv0iE7GzTR9Z17-fINX1p6RTpKYfEnWfP3Do-6-hlti9b2vZxmumI7lGFCTS-kOFlFI6Ct8hG2G_Ynnu-uxwq9vSU0T1A4RlWj7xxkyFEiAsksfI/s640/IMG_3473.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cape Longclaw (</i>Macronyx capensis<i>) moving through burnt grass looking for insects.</i></span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Unlike most mammals
the Rock Hyrax or Dassie (<i>Procavia capensis</i>) have little control of
their body temperatures and sunbathe and also huddle together at night to keep
warm. Hyraxes superficially resemble rodents, but they are from a different
order that includes elephants, dugongs and aardvarks. The Hyravoidea family was
once one of the dominant herbivores on earth and there were some that grew as
large as pigs. With the rise of ungulates the order was unable to compete and
now only the smaller forms remain.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Times;">[2]</span></span></span></a>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Rock Dassie sunning itself.</i></span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In order to take
advantage of the rains that may come in spring, many plants begin to flower in
winter. This will allow them to drop seed during the early part of the rainy
season and ensure that their offspring gets the maximum advantage of a warm wet
summer.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahbvxqtJ2vm4i5xTiqYDX4munFzBPvEZf_tjCbdQ3MH6DpvGsWPRqZIA9fui1nuLajm7UGOm3Zt8KsUy_Pm6n1mU-3G9p2kejdzuLrMnLJwZGS0F1SKhwyFfqvUtsS4f0M0zGGt7xr9s/s1600/IMG_3605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahbvxqtJ2vm4i5xTiqYDX4munFzBPvEZf_tjCbdQ3MH6DpvGsWPRqZIA9fui1nuLajm7UGOm3Zt8KsUy_Pm6n1mU-3G9p2kejdzuLrMnLJwZGS0F1SKhwyFfqvUtsS4f0M0zGGt7xr9s/s640/IMG_3605.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Aloe marlothii<i> in flower. Many birds are attracted to the flowers and help pollinate this plant. In the background the suburb of Glenvista is visible. I live in there somewhere.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7njJBRaC-FSb1nt3WcIccHwNhgOWDPl1TDme9tgvdIFuy-vjIRrG0sru2g5soHrEq3BIJ-IEkUtFzJkqFq8-yU-HZ4X1JmZRBVSh0ClxO7tIpbvO1-NasSMMLmqE3kQcv9M_mzoz1ooo/s1600/IMG_3851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7njJBRaC-FSb1nt3WcIccHwNhgOWDPl1TDme9tgvdIFuy-vjIRrG0sru2g5soHrEq3BIJ-IEkUtFzJkqFq8-yU-HZ4X1JmZRBVSh0ClxO7tIpbvO1-NasSMMLmqE3kQcv9M_mzoz1ooo/s640/IMG_3851.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ledebouria ovatifolia<i> floweing. These small plants grow close to the ground and flower late in the dry season.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrL1DsjklxheDiMCjU34W_UWd7-3VouEZGdpv9Pwg3xC2NkbiK2yshXP7a4objLVqmaNcT3KgXEeTvQEhVc47jH87uLyPt72kZb98qNs-x8haMO832zLqNRSARpPeMc4xeKjPSnWGISQ/s640/IMG_3847.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="456" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>These </i>Moraea stricta<i> flowers are also late winter bloomers.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvSiEHGQdZRpdTFfkLnqSSL74DeXQq5CR7zIEW-F9UrgDQ9uBhxwLpfFrDr5DSeiXjG_yxfOU4k0L6hB7yf523ssjniE8y-Ij1jB1c_xmU6tO-efr6tfhG4Hrf_zbfiZ7m4p1Mh2SW10/s1600/IMG_3666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvSiEHGQdZRpdTFfkLnqSSL74DeXQq5CR7zIEW-F9UrgDQ9uBhxwLpfFrDr5DSeiXjG_yxfOU4k0L6hB7yf523ssjniE8y-Ij1jB1c_xmU6tO-efr6tfhG4Hrf_zbfiZ7m4p1Mh2SW10/s640/IMG_3666.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>In anticipation of spring, the Common Wild Pear (</i>Dombeya rotundifolia<i>) produces blossoms.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZhZx-B8qsluKheI2GiQkiy1nu4GI42F1xgUONu6Sp9oPC3EMjq5RHHY3CrdwYm8Cp-hHexGxh3NFnz9L8MBLMq2IkzMOT31RBYQMCZbAM4oCtpXmFo9qILNZ6f2BlQnoyCRpk57Cckg/s1600/IMG_4002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZhZx-B8qsluKheI2GiQkiy1nu4GI42F1xgUONu6Sp9oPC3EMjq5RHHY3CrdwYm8Cp-hHexGxh3NFnz9L8MBLMq2IkzMOT31RBYQMCZbAM4oCtpXmFo9qILNZ6f2BlQnoyCRpk57Cckg/s640/IMG_4002.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Camphor Bush (</i>Tarchonanthus camphoratus<i>) has already flowered and set seed. </i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kP_BLVwdqlJ9KRZT4ZqHjXG8o9aZGzz9sK_uGamw27FzadsEa9rqYiYiuUQ-rftBbAPvD3oLQ_082cI-kdDc_k1z2gfeOLVqqhOX649wF_DwXKTrA3Uw4I2H_rNPZnXHYnTq__X0ceo/s1600/DSCN5269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kP_BLVwdqlJ9KRZT4ZqHjXG8o9aZGzz9sK_uGamw27FzadsEa9rqYiYiuUQ-rftBbAPvD3oLQ_082cI-kdDc_k1z2gfeOLVqqhOX649wF_DwXKTrA3Uw4I2H_rNPZnXHYnTq__X0ceo/s640/DSCN5269.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This Shield-back Bug (</i><i>Scutelleridae) nymph has capitalised on the food source provided by the Camphor Bush. It is feeding on the seeds.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On days when there is not much to see, marks in the sand stand out and indicate rich interactions that have taken place unseen.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3hwRLX8RSM26c7Q9CQCNpH2iHkXnekH8jume-qDMoG3efSxYBqF7D2E2k_JNTL5shL9CuzInJL6WZsQmfRS5NbGCNiuDqej19dIFBW3lwOVcTDrmCY_vwh2EI4PHH7d-ztEkE2NmvOU/s1600/IMG_3619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3hwRLX8RSM26c7Q9CQCNpH2iHkXnekH8jume-qDMoG3efSxYBqF7D2E2k_JNTL5shL9CuzInJL6WZsQmfRS5NbGCNiuDqej19dIFBW3lwOVcTDrmCY_vwh2EI4PHH7d-ztEkE2NmvOU/s640/IMG_3619.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This porcupine track and dung point to a species that is very rare to see, yet it is a common animal. Porcupines are very secretive and strictly nocturnal.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lichen slowly grows on rocks. Lichen is a composite organism that is made up of a fungus and an algae. The algae photosynthesises and creates a food source for the algae; the fungus provides moisture and a structure on which the algae can live. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtmmDubfS4kzlZjxUpuSmPfxGWL163FeqorAUS8n13NYBvbU9rFSpIjAm1A7hEYOcd0tiNhj-B8-b0boTHQjR_1w5gYCfaMuV649XIJpvr5wduHW1t0J1S-yIbSmaKWwrXejkizUXmvI/s1600/IMG_3649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtmmDubfS4kzlZjxUpuSmPfxGWL163FeqorAUS8n13NYBvbU9rFSpIjAm1A7hEYOcd0tiNhj-B8-b0boTHQjR_1w5gYCfaMuV649XIJpvr5wduHW1t0J1S-yIbSmaKWwrXejkizUXmvI/s640/IMG_3649.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>A striking yellow lichen growing on a basalt rock.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbfROMJ_XlKmXv-7s1LfH5bcZ3SU3HPfK2CCdkVyGC6NsaKm7CTGc4ZctI7ZF3bia-45M8M8UDn_CP7S6eZ1jlxCPK11I1ZiKZXSWyAVBxSdq0plObuZ41KLQX3mOo2HdJp6zocKeqE8/s1600/IMG_3652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbfROMJ_XlKmXv-7s1LfH5bcZ3SU3HPfK2CCdkVyGC6NsaKm7CTGc4ZctI7ZF3bia-45M8M8UDn_CP7S6eZ1jlxCPK11I1ZiKZXSWyAVBxSdq0plObuZ41KLQX3mOo2HdJp6zocKeqE8/s640/IMG_3652.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Close-up of the lichen, its structure and growth form can be seen. Some lichens slowly chemically erode the substrate they are growing on.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhzZjUOJ7idhojk13ghZdWpFIEzzF66s6yoj03Yx5F6tTyLzikM4fYcvZSI30a3hgsojHsMPeD5swX4y_9w2yzMPApXxg7NM_SdL-1XeWYFCRRhgODYiowOfaKS6lueIDtqnTerGfR0w/s1600/IMG_3776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhzZjUOJ7idhojk13ghZdWpFIEzzF66s6yoj03Yx5F6tTyLzikM4fYcvZSI30a3hgsojHsMPeD5swX4y_9w2yzMPApXxg7NM_SdL-1XeWYFCRRhgODYiowOfaKS6lueIDtqnTerGfR0w/s640/IMG_3776.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This grey lichen has a more pronounced foliose structure than the yellow form.</i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below are some interesting things I saw while walking in different places.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3ayFm2ubO2iTeboymB3NapEsWyV1zLmD5Jg4WepODLZAHHz5VnC3lJNCs_QzyyWb6Lb8L3k8KzGJc8GsdppvIXSk7xzJopUdxldoMAWt5IQWhzskLJaavmJ2VR3Q206k0Q3l_1SU3GU/s640/IMG_3813.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This gum that is being exuded from a Sweet Thorn Tree (</i>Vachellia karroo<i>) is edible and was once marketed as 'Cape Gum'.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhgxOzFBqPVA4W7J8wnGO0MEZuDO91I7tmrWCsm771B0F3Ddl0TAoCfwHXefKF6tVQNdgW9ZQCZULnsfzEFgwGTC_EcZ1fKrgBtpnbGVaZWkpR-mBbP2oq3Iv3nRDPsLVD-nRTbXmFG8/s640/IMG_3945.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="518" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This pair of Hadeda Ibises (</i>Bostrychia hagedash<i>) have become such a common sight in suburban Johannesburg, that they seem a little out of place here in their natural habitat. Photographed in the <span class="st"><i>Klipriviersberg</i> Nature Reserve.</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWh1i4SqkXxNjmYJ_wCq-KXDDQhu4nMIVL7BIqOICTAxSjQPwfUKQB46fu9A37Uh9Nx-oW9tdqFcz8A-JjgQblE1-LAks1jXop-rlIgINWOzoWiRTVIRsgRG4rZFL_cO1ctgABShYYsI/s1600/IMG_3792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWh1i4SqkXxNjmYJ_wCq-KXDDQhu4nMIVL7BIqOICTAxSjQPwfUKQB46fu9A37Uh9Nx-oW9tdqFcz8A-JjgQblE1-LAks1jXop-rlIgINWOzoWiRTVIRsgRG4rZFL_cO1ctgABShYYsI/s640/IMG_3792.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Thickbill Weaver (<i>Amblyospiza albifrons subsp. woltersi</i>)</i> perching in reeds at James and Ethel Gray Park in Melrose, Johannesburg. These birds have found a sanctuary in the vegetation around a small dam in the middle of suburbia. Practically, right next to the M1 Highway, one of the busiest roads in South Africa. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Winter is a time of death. Many organisms that are not
strong enough succumb to the cold and die. Vegetation dries out and dies back,
often fires sweep through areas and burns moribund and kills the weak. This
process is important in strengthening populations of organisms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Even though this process of death is happening all over,
life is still strong and the more robust organisms continue to live (at a
slower pace) and one does not need to look hard to find life just waiting to
for the warmth and rains to return. With the return of warmth come the harbingers of spring. Animals that have been waiting in dormancy for the return of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe3ID2tlX6bCpvCkHftjwKNCMIyHcxyZ_dNemEnURNpEXSHz7e7rl-N9xI_f37YtKZwyXWLYQkltnPJCw00E1xAhdNi9Wg2qM1zZs0_kfqR9lU75VhdhE3CB1dxedhiOerFyIDzU3O2E/s1600/IMG_4032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe3ID2tlX6bCpvCkHftjwKNCMIyHcxyZ_dNemEnURNpEXSHz7e7rl-N9xI_f37YtKZwyXWLYQkltnPJCw00E1xAhdNi9Wg2qM1zZs0_kfqR9lU75VhdhE3CB1dxedhiOerFyIDzU3O2E/s640/IMG_4032.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>A bat of the </i>Vespertilionidae <i>family</i><i> foraging in the early evening. Picture taken at the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve.</i><b><i> </i></b><i>Bats hibernate for the winter months. Emerging again with the warmth and return of their insect prey.</i></span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Summer is returning when reptiles start to emerge from their brumation. Below are the first reptiles of the season. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQf81BfBRh31p1OfImBxa7Ns-EaLhRGmoppZrJWEm7f7ZahzKI_l2pSIR97X-g8k0KwsQZImfMAD84GOOdwlTjh28thbdzb3zRAKXtxPXkPMrDmpjuLQsVMkDcPySQ8vypX7e-COilVrM/s1600/IMG_3691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQf81BfBRh31p1OfImBxa7Ns-EaLhRGmoppZrJWEm7f7ZahzKI_l2pSIR97X-g8k0KwsQZImfMAD84GOOdwlTjh28thbdzb3zRAKXtxPXkPMrDmpjuLQsVMkDcPySQ8vypX7e-COilVrM/s640/IMG_3691.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cape Centipede Eater (</i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Aparallactus capensis</span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">). A specialised feeder which feeds on centipedes which it overpowers with its venom. The snake is completely harmless to humans.</span></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheC0jd4lvJmYHDV93PDjZIIhpW-W7rnrxQrXQcs_yRs_4yrgIUwbwsNwmlaR3TVOjOFhTEifxO3gFrTzuBppZdWgp1Rb5pzfjIuKMBXGMdUDgxyXtJdQnULvi5O51devHEGkmzhodc3yk/s1600/IMG_3974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheC0jd4lvJmYHDV93PDjZIIhpW-W7rnrxQrXQcs_yRs_4yrgIUwbwsNwmlaR3TVOjOFhTEifxO3gFrTzuBppZdWgp1Rb5pzfjIuKMBXGMdUDgxyXtJdQnULvi5O51devHEGkmzhodc3yk/s640/IMG_3974.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Southern Rock Agama (</i>Agama atra<i>) basks in the sun on it's rock. This lizard will spend the summer defending this rock from up and coming males and mating.</i></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9f9ZY6gAUbQBHzMOArZ0SxFx8g6coy9PMICBnOiObCFbuBNw8jbBuPMw3mO_2a5QYGPr48BiPwYEJ9VJmSSSMtZ1fM3j83YN3mw4By_9ehUULpm4o8Fy-eao4ksNt95ckl8zfQnDUro/s1600/IMG_4043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9f9ZY6gAUbQBHzMOArZ0SxFx8g6coy9PMICBnOiObCFbuBNw8jbBuPMw3mO_2a5QYGPr48BiPwYEJ9VJmSSSMtZ1fM3j83YN3mw4By_9ehUULpm4o8Fy-eao4ksNt95ckl8zfQnDUro/s640/IMG_4043.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Transvaal Gecko (</i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pachydactylus affinis<i>). This geckos tail was thin, showing that it used up its fat reserves during the winter. By the end of summer its tail will be good and fat. </i></span></span></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[1]</span></span></span></a>
For a more detailed discussion of photosynthesis see Van As, J., du Preez, J.,
Brown, L. and N. Smit. 2012. <i>The Story of
Life & The Environment. </i>Struik: Cape Town (131-138).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[2]</span></span></span></a>
See Estes, R. D. 1993. <i>The Safari
Companion. A Guide to Watching African Mammals. </i>Russel Frieman Books:
Halfway House (214- 222).</span></div>
ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-18991556111144729502013-08-07T14:12:00.000-07:002013-08-12T06:53:03.655-07:00Rust Fungus<style>@font-face {
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG6xV-iwAFCSor_mZRUqFyF8AiXwMvtnextGqjsj4nPt5I2HCmu8w449Z12BTAh_oMisi0F0X4mX-IzQbQQspu6_vAUzifZXmBny4kFAfbEd_U2mBMk3pWkelqRqGYVPdiaF5bl_5BBU/s1600/IMG_3595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG6xV-iwAFCSor_mZRUqFyF8AiXwMvtnextGqjsj4nPt5I2HCmu8w449Z12BTAh_oMisi0F0X4mX-IzQbQQspu6_vAUzifZXmBny4kFAfbEd_U2mBMk3pWkelqRqGYVPdiaF5bl_5BBU/s640/IMG_3595.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Deformity on stem of </i>Vachellia Karroo<i>, caused by Sweet Thorn Rust (</i>Ravenelia macowaniana)<i>.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rust fungi belong to the order <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pucciniales and are
represented by</span> 540 species (in 40 genera) in Southern Africa and around
7 000 species globally.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[1]</span></span></span></a></span> Despite
their prevalence in the environment, rust fungi are generally overlooked in the
natural environment. The relationship of rust fungus to the host plant is a
pathogenic parasitic relationship. The fungus is an obligate biotroph, meaning
that they cannot live outside of their host organisms. Rust fungi exhibit
complicated life cycles and some develop five distinct types of spores at the
different stages of their life cycles.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafGbs3dpOKPKCIm_BwtnrD6jxCZsXGS5msiFqGp5EecTnYE8ggNogMq6kXOUsM0lZ4H2OPBzsi3caCS7RC53w7qB5ZUUESXFtt0EswjZLJ417lzb3e4q4_20HBaB2BJH8h8Z9vjjuGNo/s1600/IMG_3556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafGbs3dpOKPKCIm_BwtnrD6jxCZsXGS5msiFqGp5EecTnYE8ggNogMq6kXOUsM0lZ4H2OPBzsi3caCS7RC53w7qB5ZUUESXFtt0EswjZLJ417lzb3e4q4_20HBaB2BJH8h8Z9vjjuGNo/s640/IMG_3556.jpg" width="640" /><i></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vachellia karroo<i>, normal plant structure. No galls present.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the most widespread species in Southern Africa is <i>Ravenelia macowaniana</i> or Sweet Thorn
Rust. This species has all the spore types present in its life cycle. It lives
in the<i> Vachellia karroo (Acacia karroo) </i>plant<i> </i>making this species of rust fungus particularly
widespread and common. The life cycle of the fungus is complicated. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGklJbqwo5zmcxZkWlKl8GIXOU1lJ2IaSxYlsEVNyYE0hyxfVQd8z0qOuVMm3ZbqjX59GBdPANgMpcFdJ6ZROXtQ41WqFpIgfQ1jwoJtRpf7tj-GdNieuXdmkfAOnlnGEq_b5RDfTe1lM/s1600/IMG_3561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGklJbqwo5zmcxZkWlKl8GIXOU1lJ2IaSxYlsEVNyYE0hyxfVQd8z0qOuVMm3ZbqjX59GBdPANgMpcFdJ6ZROXtQ41WqFpIgfQ1jwoJtRpf7tj-GdNieuXdmkfAOnlnGEq_b5RDfTe1lM/s640/IMG_3561.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ravenelia macowaniana<i> gall. Note the small holes on the gall, these were made by moth larva feeding on the gall.</i></td></tr>
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Summarised
from Alan R. Wood, the life cycle can be described as follows:</div>
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In the beginning of the growing season, the galls develop on
new growth and on these galls “blister-like structures” (pycnia) manifest.
These produce minute spores (pycniospores) in a sweet suspension that attracts
insects which feed on the substance and spread the spores. This creates a
situation of “cross fertilization” and results in “small cup-like aecia [that]
are produced all over the galls” and in these asexual spores (aeciospores) are
produced which go on to infect the leaflets of the plant. These leaflet infections
then initially produce another asexual spore that appears like blisters
(uredinia) on the surface of the plant. These uredinia go on to produce
urediniospores. Towards the end of the growing season structures called the
telia produce the large teliospores which “after overwintering, germinate in
the next rain season to begin the cycle again. When germinating these
teliospores produce four basidiospores, each of which can infect the new,
developing growth producing the [pycnia] galls.”<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[2]</span></span></span></a></span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbIzGf7JgxtJcXW-u4cV7kAW0GX0fmUBu8KzhOuwDqRb1GZXPXyzekHuh9NuvD6RxyebFAga9PfktW9Y8RLrFAldfxAoobiMdUtyRwR484KdZb-lSus4-BvLB2YVk-iYSPrriXsuLDPY/s1600/IMG_3580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbIzGf7JgxtJcXW-u4cV7kAW0GX0fmUBu8KzhOuwDqRb1GZXPXyzekHuh9NuvD6RxyebFAga9PfktW9Y8RLrFAldfxAoobiMdUtyRwR484KdZb-lSus4-BvLB2YVk-iYSPrriXsuLDPY/s640/IMG_3580.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ravenelia macowaniana <i>gall. Aecial cups are visible here, indicative of the early parts of the fungus life cycle.</i></td></tr>
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In addition to the fungi and tree relationship, there is a
third relationship and that is between the galls and Lepidoptera species (gall
moths). There are at least 24 species and they belong to the Tineidae,
Oecophoridae, GraciIlariidae, Gelechiidae, Cosmopterigidae, Tortricidae,
Pyralidae and Noctuidae families. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[3]</span></span></span></a></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""></a> M. Krüger (1998) groups the moths into three guilds: “putative
obligate species, <i>i.e. </i>those feeding on gall tissue … A second
significant guild comprises polyphagous species that develop as borers, mostly
in fruits and pods of their host plant … The third guild includes species that
are probably predators of other larvae” (55–56). The life history of these moths is, as Krüger
himself puts it, “obscure”. </div>
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The obligate species of moths associated with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ravenelia macowaniana </i>are an example
coevolution. That makes the relationship between the tree, the fungus and the
moths incredibly old. All three have been evolving together into their current
coupling. The tree seems to be relatively defenseless against the rust. I have
noticed that trees growing in less than perfect locations exhibit more of the
disease. It would be interesting to find out more about the trees defenses
against the rust. </div>
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Thinking about the intricacies in the relationship between this tree and the fungus
that lives inside it and the relationship of the moths to the galls produced by
the fungus in collaboration (even though it is through disease) with the tree,
just demonstrates that we are surrounded by biodiversity of such a magnificent
scale. Just looking at something as small as fungal structures on the surface
of tree can reflect relationships and interactions that are not even well
understood. In trying to find out what the cause of the structures are; moths
and a strange world of fungus is called up. This is the mysterious world of
nature that has makes my brain burn with wonder.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></span></span></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[1]</span></span></span></a> For an overview of the taxonomy of the Pucciniales see: <a href="http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/proceedings/FCRS/2011/Presentations/Aime.pdf">http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/proceedings/FCRS/2011/Presentations/Aime.pdf</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span><br />
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[2]</span></span></span></a> Adapted from Wood, A. R. (2012). Rust fungi on South
African plants. <i>Veld & Flora</i>, 3
(98), 123–
125. </span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[3]</span></span></span></a> For a discussion of the moths see: <span lang="EN-AU">Krüger, M. (1998).
Identification of the adults of Lepidoptera inhabiting <i>Ravenelia macowaniana</i>
Pazschke (Uredinales) galls on <i>Acacia karroo</i> Hayne (Fabaceae) in
southern Africa. <i>African Entomology</i> <b>6</b>, 55–74.</span></span> </div>
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ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-18496627353723341632013-07-16T13:13:00.001-07:002013-07-16T13:13:41.735-07:00Grass: a quiet accomplice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSSQaGFJJzGaoho_TdOVVvpG4Fv_8QzU1KWgYAWhQOSVU9oNZ4_tXE8jga8k3noJJ2RGu45Kn3VH6VEKqXi6TLKXACLiLysDgH98W1Z_GvamaBfgOkO_-JhaIf-Ay8fToRg8PNfmYC-c/s1600/IMG_0611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSSQaGFJJzGaoho_TdOVVvpG4Fv_8QzU1KWgYAWhQOSVU9oNZ4_tXE8jga8k3noJJ2RGu45Kn3VH6VEKqXi6TLKXACLiLysDgH98W1Z_GvamaBfgOkO_-JhaIf-Ay8fToRg8PNfmYC-c/s640/IMG_0611.jpg" width="640" /><i></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Various species of grass growing together in a grassland area.</i></td></tr>
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Grass has been around for 30 million years. There are 9 700
species of grass of which 967 occur in Southern Africa with 329 endemic
species. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
This makes grass the fourth largest plant family on earth. From a day-to-day
perspective the importance of grass to humans is often underestimated. One
needs only to think what they ate for breakfast this morning or dinner last night and you
will realise that grass is an important part of every meal. Rice, oats, maize,
wheat, barley, rye, sugar and more are all grasses and are an important
cornerstone of daily diets. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Even the
animals that we eat are dependent on grass, therefore we are indirectly getting
the energy they have converted from the grass. The role of grass in the energy
cycle and nutrient cycle is extremely important.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0dYKvVsmg0_eUgsqD5zZRGIDD1MmuxX5k37CnEAsyVctRchjLwSt4PjBXt9e7uzP89XzmJv2mHGLZZn9a4dqUD9EFD_2VlhUY5oxB_B0RhknUUZXiag0B7bnPLfDz9yOP8HIgeeB1DU/s1600/IMG_3450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0dYKvVsmg0_eUgsqD5zZRGIDD1MmuxX5k37CnEAsyVctRchjLwSt4PjBXt9e7uzP89XzmJv2mHGLZZn9a4dqUD9EFD_2VlhUY5oxB_B0RhknUUZXiag0B7bnPLfDz9yOP8HIgeeB1DU/s640/IMG_3450.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Due to the low growth parts of the plant, grass is able to withstand fire, drought and grazing. Using these destructive forces to gain advantage over other plants growing around it.</i></td></tr>
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Of the grasses the most important in terms of contemporary
human culture is the grass we know as wheat. Wheat, a prime agitator of the
Neolithic revolution, was first cultivated in the Fertile Crescent at least 10
500 years ago. This ultimately resulted in the success of humans over other
species. Wheat enabled humans to spread out and sustainably increase their
population densities into Europe and Asia and eventually the entire world. The
domestication of grass also led to the domestication of livestock and this
further contributed to the success of humans. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vyuqujUpRoyiqpjEcP_5VGnRLbuMolEOjKRhSXaWV1LfUidQhNjwDuHeyRua4lXVgG9vicaps6ymXGfbhE_WpcZr9LxAdurJHOr-g3JUxZBTWUPcTcQG7xo6lv0GNMe0vDfX3E1O9BA/s1600/IMG_0731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vyuqujUpRoyiqpjEcP_5VGnRLbuMolEOjKRhSXaWV1LfUidQhNjwDuHeyRua4lXVgG9vicaps6ymXGfbhE_WpcZr9LxAdurJHOr-g3JUxZBTWUPcTcQG7xo6lv0GNMe0vDfX3E1O9BA/s640/IMG_0731.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Grassland scene consisting of a few types of grass. There are grasses filling all the niches in the grassland ecosystem. Some are bushy, some grow low to the ground, while some form dense stands. </i></td></tr>
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Today grass is widely cultivated due to human activity.
Sugar, maize, rice and wheat are the most commonly cultivated grasses globally.
The amount of land that is under the cultivation of these grasses is enormous.
The environmental impact and socioeconomic implications of the widespread
cultivation of grasses is significant and very interesting to think about. From
an ecological perspective it is clear that globally biodiversity is
negatively affected because of these crops.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhu0_uC4UKirxDufLgfECrAuePDwow9JK9JDKy2cHK1P2c48HbV4DAQDv5rLCCNU9eipU3mtQ5JB9kqFcShHaA5UNlQqCM192teos4fXZ1iGeZYPsLHrzyZopB5F0ehSY7s8rOZlel_0k/s1600/IMG_0606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhu0_uC4UKirxDufLgfECrAuePDwow9JK9JDKy2cHK1P2c48HbV4DAQDv5rLCCNU9eipU3mtQ5JB9kqFcShHaA5UNlQqCM192teos4fXZ1iGeZYPsLHrzyZopB5F0ehSY7s8rOZlel_0k/s640/IMG_0606.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>These burnt out trees are testament to a past fire. These trees were over five years old. No longer saplings, yet they succumbed to the flames. </i></td></tr>
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From the perspective of the grasses however, their success
is really astounding. They have, in a sense, managed to use humans to spread
globally and colonize land that they would never naturally be able spread to.
They managed this trick by offering a high-energy sugar in exchange for
worldwide cultivation. The relationships of these grasses to humans can be seen
as one of obligate mutualism. Humans would not be able to continue the way they
currently live without these grasses and the grasses, such as wheat, rice, maize etc., as they currently exist
would not be able to survive without people. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL7HtYxRZ4rkVx03LO8FPfdi6LuKL96HC7vAll3t1vitMqDOs6DwVu1Q-LSfHXvEu_g69nIbFjmQmS_MJuew9Zz4-vL1tR-LsEpfAaAVWO-31nVp3Fgrpft-L6Jym_5xWqEEEEcmU0Ls/s1600/IMG_3505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL7HtYxRZ4rkVx03LO8FPfdi6LuKL96HC7vAll3t1vitMqDOs6DwVu1Q-LSfHXvEu_g69nIbFjmQmS_MJuew9Zz4-vL1tR-LsEpfAaAVWO-31nVp3Fgrpft-L6Jym_5xWqEEEEcmU0Ls/s640/IMG_3505.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This Aloe will survive the fire damage, its point of growth is well protected by its fleshy leaves and compressed growth form. The Acacia saplings that grow around this aloe have burnt and most will not survive. </i></td></tr>
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Despite getting some help from people, grasses have done
very well for themselves. They have been around for about 30 million years. The
origin of grass must have been humble: a small plant adapted for dry conditions
competing with other desert scrub plants. Over time more species appeared and
began to compete with and replace dry woodland areas. About four million years
ago grass had begun to produce savanna. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a> Today
approximately 40 percent of the earth’s terrestrial surface is covered by
grass. The success of grass has to do with the co-evolution of grazing animals,
the resistance to frost and the ability of grass to use fire to its advantage
as well as the ability of grass to be drought resistant. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUNAt6IFBUrOHpbk5IMgNfaB51ZItVq1ZM3MVTFQTAd_HnK2iQ3WN_WtZzBsm2JrkybYCVjZYlkIJiT5nCdafomEGW8HdDsSTGp6z-jVN1ZzKN9KfZItUcJZdZTQypa3xI-qwueYKCOQ/s1600/IMG_3515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUNAt6IFBUrOHpbk5IMgNfaB51ZItVq1ZM3MVTFQTAd_HnK2iQ3WN_WtZzBsm2JrkybYCVjZYlkIJiT5nCdafomEGW8HdDsSTGp6z-jVN1ZzKN9KfZItUcJZdZTQypa3xI-qwueYKCOQ/s640/IMG_3515.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Even on rocky hills like this, over time grass will replace the woody plants. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The growing points of grass are low on the plant and these
are often below the ground. With other plants, the growth points are above
ground and susceptible to fire damage as well as frost damage. Over time fires
and frost will eliminate the small trees and shrubs and favour the grasses as
dominant on the landscape. Within any grassland system there will be many other
plants that are not grasses that are adapted for the hostile conditions of
growth created by the grassy cover.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0N_h65P3A-chfL5pc80mwDKHdYe8bWVgjUUIAW1d1Hg-vCtaM8WiD14gomvEAeueBlCHMrp-EAVTAo_H4gWkL65KtoLBFi5LIiVId-bU9-TDEOK02hG1MoSVfRNFzIVfTb2j3G7AbiQ/s1600/IMG_3534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0N_h65P3A-chfL5pc80mwDKHdYe8bWVgjUUIAW1d1Hg-vCtaM8WiD14gomvEAeueBlCHMrp-EAVTAo_H4gWkL65KtoLBFi5LIiVId-bU9-TDEOK02hG1MoSVfRNFzIVfTb2j3G7AbiQ/s640/IMG_3534.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Euphorbia clavarioides is a herbaceous plant adapted to grassland areas. </i><br />
</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIbhqRBiRs-EdLTp7oHq6puBXHbTpOPMj3Z2rbbahu7O-dQIlLD_hPuXsc6BJ27OBaaLPzCjPOKVF44cFsjsu5wrfhHa0MhcfEMohdO3Sr7Mq6aZHjZGapDw7hoTTxVoyd7cnKGxsSRk/s1600/Xerophyta-retinervis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIbhqRBiRs-EdLTp7oHq6puBXHbTpOPMj3Z2rbbahu7O-dQIlLD_hPuXsc6BJ27OBaaLPzCjPOKVF44cFsjsu5wrfhHa0MhcfEMohdO3Sr7Mq6aZHjZGapDw7hoTTxVoyd7cnKGxsSRk/s640/Xerophyta-retinervis.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Xerophyta retinervis, this is another plant adapted to grassy areas. The stem is fire resistant and can survive sustained drought and spells of frost.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The ability of grass seeds to lay dormant in or on the
ground is the way in which grass overcomes the problem of drought. Most trees
and shrubs are not drought resistant and over time the grassland will grow and
these plants will be displaced. In well established grassland, trees and shrubs
often only grow in protected areas and drainage lines. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGDvfBfRWreb9El6WVx9vzmrKbA5jal-lsqEltRUJ7gqJw5OK4mbVQ9jx8rWA6K1Ab4267t8j-U4Afn6X-dKEa3UpbcxZpMFWXA_2olhd0ClYsT7gnZGg3DxJOjcjAxNTFuhsmTZNeZ0/s640/IMG_3524.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some trees are specifically adapted to grassland areas. This Cussonia paniculata has deeply fissured and corky bark. This offers it some resistance to fires and cold. The other trees in the photograph may have survived th</i>e <i>fire, but they too will eventually be replaced by grass. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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Africa, because of the large areas of grassland and associated
savanna is home to 75 different bovids and of these 72 are antelope. This is an
incredible diversity. These animals came into existence about 25 million years
ago which is well within the era of grass. Even though not all antelope are
grazers, they are just an example of the kind of diversity that a rich food
source can sustain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowfdTk-6IwzUnFSqfEnoF-6YC1tAGmCkxCRLNHLGCIDKdrjds7fzW7vvczrZkiLwztteQ6AKlFs9ATZnqnqfuWaziy4dhShECeiUJai-td3ayznNcIsyo8sqD1V6j5pUvvYT6y5Fuhec/s1600/IMG_3015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowfdTk-6IwzUnFSqfEnoF-6YC1tAGmCkxCRLNHLGCIDKdrjds7fzW7vvczrZkiLwztteQ6AKlFs9ATZnqnqfuWaziy4dhShECeiUJai-td3ayznNcIsyo8sqD1V6j5pUvvYT6y5Fuhec/s640/IMG_3015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Blue Duiker, Cephalophus monticola, one of the smallest antelope. This is a forest species which browses on fallen fruit and leaves. Even though it is not a grazer this species indicates the diversity which has been enhanced by grass. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bUevDjeRVbJrQJiEfRTeM4oZ_ZnYQiyDydXPvITCjekwWK-msPS9hibf2PFvu1GQLdBsExXX44IJpqwVdmPm844yvJejpyATMkqppQh7DR17dzvG-BEHzZwCl2pBDovAyzLrXSjFMfI/s1600/IMG_0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bUevDjeRVbJrQJiEfRTeM4oZ_ZnYQiyDydXPvITCjekwWK-msPS9hibf2PFvu1GQLdBsExXX44IJpqwVdmPm844yvJejpyATMkqppQh7DR17dzvG-BEHzZwCl2pBDovAyzLrXSjFMfI/s640/IMG_0266.jpg" width="640" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Eland, Tragelaphus oryx, is the largest antelope. This animal which can way up to 940kg is a major consumer of grass. Even though they do browse, grass makes up a substantial portion of their diet. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On a global level, grass plays a very important role. There
is a theory that the expansion of grassland globally has played a role in the
cooling of the earth over the last 30 million years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The theory is summed up as follows by
McCarthy and Rubidge (2005) in the following way:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 35.45pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Grasslands
store far less carbon than forests in actual plant material, but grassland
soils are usually far richer in carbon than forest soils, so grasses
effectively remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it in soils. This may
in part be due to frequent fires, which produce copious charcoal that is not
easily decomposed by bacteria and becomes incorporated into the soil. […]
Grasslands are much lighter in colour than woodland and they reflect a greater
proportion of solar radiation into space, contributing to cooling. The air over
grasslands is generally much drier than over woodland because trees tap
deep-water sources and pump the water into the atmosphere by transpiration.
Water vapour is a powerful greenhouse gas, so more grassland means drier, and
thus cooler air. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Story of Earth and
Life</i>. Struik: Cape Town. Page 261.)</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1m9MZdt-PRpBv74AsBSVDqSoQSRD2Hi-O4i-3UwzDTHB0frR2Ds8haBa7TZ55vm-YLphILzrXVB6BLZN1CQwCzbsZQap34Cn3o1UU4tMPJaKPdNH3oordT1KMfI6ZcnP3_01yoEzuRuE/s1600/IMG_3401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1m9MZdt-PRpBv74AsBSVDqSoQSRD2Hi-O4i-3UwzDTHB0frR2Ds8haBa7TZ55vm-YLphILzrXVB6BLZN1CQwCzbsZQap34Cn3o1UU4tMPJaKPdNH3oordT1KMfI6ZcnP3_01yoEzuRuE/s640/IMG_3401.jpg" width="640" /><i></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This grassland scene captured in the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve clearly shows how much lighter grassland is compared to woodland. Note how shrubs and trees are limited to protected areas.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The rise of grasslands led to a decline in forests and many
animals had to adapt to this change. Grazers emerged and colonized the
grasslands and carnivores followed. Human evolution was also significantly
affected by the domination of grass plants. Paleoanthropology generally accepts
that the ancestors of modern humans left the forests to become savanna
creatures, and that this move from forests to the grassy plains was what
resulted in bipedalism. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Grass has been an important factor for
the emergence of the human being. It played a role in the primordial past when
hominids were still finding their legs and it played a major role in the
development of modern culture through the early beginnings in the Neolithic
period. It has also produced partner animals on which we are reliant and which
have also helped humans rise to the point where we now find ourselves. On a
global scale, grass may be responsible for cooling our planet and keeping the
temperatures at an optimal level. Without grass, humans would not have
developed, as the forests would not have receded forcing our distant ancestors
to colonize the open areas. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our culture and biology is so closely
tied to grass that the global colonization of the human animal would not have
been possible without the domestication of specific species of grass. One thing
however is for certain, when humans are long gone, grass will continue to
quietly grow and be a powerful source of energy driving biological diversity
and sustaining a multitude of organisms.</span></div>
</div>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAWLsV8Igpq66LQo79VXcJBsNyY4-7AOiEEpElprH8wDX3pCXfh2XVhAwfRxGxJr9wuRXZ-h3eWGir16M5nNbh_-zaoLWBtI6ig-cGwWPiw1eqhr4OTOrJsIsZYuH9a4byHATU7lCLG4/s1600/IMG_0936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAWLsV8Igpq66LQo79VXcJBsNyY4-7AOiEEpElprH8wDX3pCXfh2XVhAwfRxGxJr9wuRXZ-h3eWGir16M5nNbh_-zaoLWBtI6ig-cGwWPiw1eqhr4OTOrJsIsZYuH9a4byHATU7lCLG4/s640/IMG_0936.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This harvester termite, Hodotermes, is a major grazer of grassland. Insect consumption of grass is greater than that of mammalian consumption in natural areas. These termites diets consist of 94% of grass and they can consume 1-3 metric tons of forage per hectare per year. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[1]</span></span></span></a>
van Oudtshoorn, F. 2012. Guide to
Grasses of southern Africa. Briza: Pretoria. Page 10.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[2]</span></span></span></a>
For a more detailed and very stimulating discussion of the role of wheat in
human culture see Jared Diamond’s book <i>Guns,
Germs and Steel</i>.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[3]</span></span></span></a>
McCarthy, T and Rubidge, B. 2005. The Story of Earth and Life. Struik: Cape
Town. Page 261.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[4]</span></span></span></a>
Anyone can try a simple experiment to see that advantages of bipedalism first
hand. Next time you are in a grassland environment, when surrounded by long
grass, go down on your hands and feet and see how different the environment is
from down there. The adaption of standing on ones rear feet provides security
as well as a vantage point from which one can see the surrounding environment,
thus contributing to the success of the species. </span></div>
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ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-20830934001003037352013-06-28T12:59:00.000-07:002013-06-30T04:12:09.980-07:00Spotted Eagle-Owls in Johannesburg<style>@font-face {
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Spotted Eagle-Owl, </i><i><span class="kno-fv"><span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=5wK&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=%22spotted+eagle-owl%22+%22scientific+name%22+%22bubo+africanus%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-QVJ2RXKlA2NZwfeLs3d8rF3xcd3XuhUKMyzNivoBqQ1RsywAAAA">Bubo africanus,</span></span> photographed in Johannesburg.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Spotted Eagle-Owl, <span class="kno-fv"><span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=5wK&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=%22spotted+eagle-owl%22+%22scientific+name%22+%22bubo+africanus%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-QVJ2RXKlA2NZwfeLs3d8rF3xcd3XuhUKMyzNivoBqQ1RsywAAAA">Bubo africanus,</span></span> is one of the few raptor species that
can be commonly seen in urban and suburban Johannesburg. Its <a href="http://www.xeno-canto.org/sounds/uploaded/FMQSRXIRTH/159SPEOW1007232017SADH2.mp3" target="_blank">mournful hooting</a>
is a delight to some suburbanites, though there are also those who believe the owl to be a bad omen. In 2012 </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">many owls
were released into a rat-infested area as part of a project aimed at descreasing the rodent population. The project was eventually scrapped due to these superstitious beliefs.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
People killed the owls because they were afraid of them.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a> Another
great killer of owls is their inadvertent poisoning through poisoned rodents. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a> Yet despite these challenges, the Spotted Eagle-Owl is still relatively
common in Johannesburg and can be classified as successful.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Spotted Eagle-Owl, </i><span class="kno-fv"><span class="kno-fv-vq fl" data-vq="/search?safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=5wK&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=%22spotted+eagle-owl%22+%22scientific+name%22+%22bubo+africanus%22&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDAz8HsxKnfq6-QVJ2RXKlA2NZwfeLs3d8rF3xcd3XuhUKMyzNivoBqQ1RsywAAAA"><i>Bubo africanus, photographed in Yoeville, Johannesburg. Note the Grey Go-away Bird mobbing the owl. Image courtesy of Francis Burger. </i></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The horned tufts on the owl have been suggested to be an
evolutionary adaption to aiding in the animals camouflage by breaking the owl’s
outline. Another theory on the functional purpose of the 'horns' is that they
aid in visual communication between owls.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a> There is also an interesting theory that was put forward by a Norwegian study of eagle-owls in
Europe, which identifies the “ear tufts” as a mimicry of mammalian carnivores. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a> This
theory ventures that the ear tufts mimic facial patterns of potential predators
in Europe such as the lynx, fox and marten. “In ‘face to face’ encounters they
suggest that a specialised aggressive facial expression on the part of the owl
may cause it’s potential ‘look-alike’ predator to withdraw”. In an African context
the same could apply for predators filling the niche of the owl's European predators: think about the Caracal, Jackal, Serval and any other mammalian predator
of that size. Then consider how cat-like the owl's silhouette is when seen on a roof or wall at night.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>The ear tufts on this Spotted Eagle-Owl may be a mimicry modeled on potential mammalian predators. </i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What I like about this theory is that it makes one think of owls as vulnerable to predation. Thus the theory also fits seamlessly with the theory that the ear tufts evolved for camouflage. Another thing that these theories force one to think about is the evolutionary path that owls took. Many people assume that owls are 'more or less' nocturnal eagles and that they share a common ancestry with eagles and other<i> </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Falconiformes. </i>Owls actually share an ancestry with the cryptic and nocturnal order of <i>Caprimulgiformes</i>,<i> </i>which includes nightjars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once one begins to think of owls in this way it becomes quite easy to imagine the journey taken by little, nocturnal, night-jar like birds, slowly changing into owls: the more upright stature to be camouflaged against tree trunks, the development of talons and a flesh tearing beak to consume larger and stronger prey, and then slowly the development of ear tufts and an increase in size to aid in camouflage and deter predators of the mammalian variety through an interesting tactic of mimicry that mirrors the potential predators. <i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[1]</span></span></a> http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&id=7846:owls-take-flight-in-alex&Itemid=192</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[2]</span></span></a> The
owls were kept in a feeding box at a local high school for 21 days and released
to hunt the rats. Bright idea, but the community killed the owls for superstitious
reasons (http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2013/04/18/all-they-need-in-alexandra-township-is-the-pied-piper-of-hamelin).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[3]</span></span></a> Owls may be
paralysed or killed after eating rodents poisoned by certain rodenticides.
Poisoned rats and mice, whether dead or moving slowly as a result of being
poisoned, are easier for owls to catch. Thus owls will eat more of these, and
accumulate a large dose of poison (http://deltaenviro.org.za/resources/envirofacts/raptors.html).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[4]</span></span></a>
Carnaby, T. 2008. <i>Beat about the Bush: Birds</i>.
Jacana Media: Johannesburg (pg 472-473).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[5]</span></span></a> I
was made aware of this theory in Peter Steyn’s book on owls. Steyn, P. 1984.<i> A Delight of Owls: African Owls Observed.</i>
David Philip: Cape Town (pg 90).</span></span></div>
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ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026803715699704529.post-80836015362225458672013-06-24T13:12:00.000-07:002013-06-26T05:21:31.543-07:00Insects: a fascinating life form.<style>@font-face {
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Caelifera Grasshopper that is exceptionally yellow. </i></td></tr>
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Insects make up about 90% of all known animals. One million
species have been described and this number is estimated to be between 10 and
20 percent of the total amount of insect species in existence (there are still
a lot to be discovered). A testament to the biological success of insects is
the time they have been around. The first insects are thought to have emerged
during the Devonian period about 420 million years ago.</div>
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Insects are great consumers of plant matter and play a far
more important role as primary consumers than mammalian herbivores. That means
that they introduce a large amount of carbohydrate energy into the nutrient
cycle that they acquire from plants.</div>
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Insects are not only important consumers, they are also
important decomposers and are responsible for breaking down large amounts of
dead organic matter and returning those nutrients back into the nutrient cycle.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Crematogaster ants consuming the soft insides of Beetle.<b><br /></b></i></td></tr>
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Insects are food for many animals. The insect eating
suborder of bats, <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Microchiroptera, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">has one of the highest species diversity amongst
mammals. There are about 830 species of <i>Microchiroptera</i> worldwide. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> This
species diversity would not be possible without insects.</span></div>
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Birds migrate in order to take advantage of insect
population explosions. The Amur Falcon can migrate over 14 000 kilometers from
Russia and Northern China to take advantage of termite alates and grasshoppers
in Southern Africa. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Spiders are great consumers of insects. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Araneomorphae, </i>which are spiders that build webs in which to catch
their prey are the primary insect eaters. Studies have estimated that spiders
can consume up to 200 kilograms of insects per hectare per year. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCGikp-eV0SL-T0IEeb7XDBWSRjqAEJI6VrfocWeKW5HZ28Ie_nBNXAKzl1HQ5eXkyGAR3Vw8aF8tsOUKAGwBG9EkKIP1bTz3_924hsbkxwMhcAVxVEcxCFXtD9diZ0Hg7yLpUVG77lE/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCGikp-eV0SL-T0IEeb7XDBWSRjqAEJI6VrfocWeKW5HZ28Ie_nBNXAKzl1HQ5eXkyGAR3Vw8aF8tsOUKAGwBG9EkKIP1bTz3_924hsbkxwMhcAVxVEcxCFXtD9diZ0Hg7yLpUVG77lE/s640/IMG_1765.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nephilia eating a Locust</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Besides just being food, insects also play a major role in
pollination and many plants have evolved with a specific insect and each is
reliant on the other for each other’s existence. The best example of this
relationship is that of the fig wasp and it’s specific tree of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ficus</i> genus. In general, every species
of fig tree has a unique species of wasp that pollinates the fruit and allows
the fig to reproduce. This mutualism is a good example of coevolution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The lifecycles of insects is another fascinating aspect of
insect biology. There are two basic types of insect lifecycles: the
hemimetabolic (incomplete metamorphosis) and holometabolic (complete
metamorphosis). Grasshoppers, dragonflies and termites are examples of the
first; moths and butterflies are examples of the second. In insects with a
holometabolic lifecycle, the larva can be viewed as the feeding stage and the
‘adult’ can be seen as the breeding stage. The term adult is in fact
misleading: and the more specific term imago is preferable. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgp52TiQXDr1gyjD1XM2-qk5STQRFP7Cb7POh89TjkytQ-J4MEn7jwPXClv8_XJ08VL9UQrd2srYpJ039vB0JR-kZFe54G0-QlgQfSXLiCN1f-bwFEYXpKq7cvGqMY7rC0Hc1rTbsGLo/s1600/IMG_1705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgp52TiQXDr1gyjD1XM2-qk5STQRFP7Cb7POh89TjkytQ-J4MEn7jwPXClv8_XJ08VL9UQrd2srYpJ039vB0JR-kZFe54G0-QlgQfSXLiCN1f-bwFEYXpKq7cvGqMY7rC0Hc1rTbsGLo/s640/IMG_1705.jpg" width="505" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Chrysomeloidea Leaf Beetles mating.</i></td></tr>
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In the same vein as seeing the larva as the feeding stage,
one can take the thought further and it doesn’t take much imagination to see
the larva as the mouth and the ‘adult’ the reproductive system of the insect
which is no longer a unitary organism; rather the species takes the place of an
individual. This way of looking at insects makes them bigger than the
traditional way of seeing the puny ant walking in the great wide world. It’s a
complicated idea and not very well expressed, but something to think about.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNrMj3xY2jAGIeM2hg6TtaPfTCxlOGiYhUwSwygTfrUvQaO92B63PvuWuEvlqesyvIO24B2qNQV7ttnyRPeQJKpCg897mJvUxKKCHT1i83fnczgstLoYgSl2RltJJOt4b24PokgOHjwM/s1600/IMG_2805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNrMj3xY2jAGIeM2hg6TtaPfTCxlOGiYhUwSwygTfrUvQaO92B63PvuWuEvlqesyvIO24B2qNQV7ttnyRPeQJKpCg897mJvUxKKCHT1i83fnczgstLoYgSl2RltJJOt4b24PokgOHjwM/s640/IMG_2805.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>These Pyrgomorphidae Grasshoppers have just hatched. The nymphs instinctively congregate and cluster together. They will stick together throughout the nymph stage although groups will disperse from this black mass. </i></td></tr>
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These facts may or may not be interesting to you, but what I
find the most interesting about insects is their ways of living. Their insect
drives to consume, congregate, swarm, stridulate, amongst other things, are the
most intriguing for me. What force pulls cicadas out of the ground in numbers
to climb up tree trunks and moult? What is the force that drives a katydid to perch
on a plant stalk in the dark and stridulate incessantly? What is the allure of
artificial light to nocturnal insects? </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyulp9n_u1FOyQnHiv35bTC1bwKVEaDM9hSJIkFuuwvOkOki_xbCatiUV__ZJ3A6DXOKA-R7rQIuZs_qpjeanH3Z1tIgB93IhSlmzYrQFWvqaFMNMWpZD0_xlGWA6JgLP1vZ9WA45rwaw/s1600/IMG_1851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyulp9n_u1FOyQnHiv35bTC1bwKVEaDM9hSJIkFuuwvOkOki_xbCatiUV__ZJ3A6DXOKA-R7rQIuZs_qpjeanH3Z1tIgB93IhSlmzYrQFWvqaFMNMWpZD0_xlGWA6JgLP1vZ9WA45rwaw/s640/IMG_1851.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Processionary Caterpillars, <i>Thaumetopoeinae</i>. These insects stick close together throughout the larval stage. </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcWCcHe26-fjLYSbVPuyRBmPt96NSt9H2_cLHqBEs9jB8G_fE8V3KVP49vi0EBh6GymcwphWOMcAO_DD3DZYC24rb8o1v67WlZLPosRBCZf4OoBbrdVUtO2ufPTMklRVIvXSQsBQRV2g/s1600/IMG_2888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcWCcHe26-fjLYSbVPuyRBmPt96NSt9H2_cLHqBEs9jB8G_fE8V3KVP49vi0EBh6GymcwphWOMcAO_DD3DZYC24rb8o1v67WlZLPosRBCZf4OoBbrdVUtO2ufPTMklRVIvXSQsBQRV2g/s640/IMG_2888.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>They then make a train of insects and move across the ground in search of other </i><i>Processionary Caterpillars.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqxvMuD7s-PUXPSY0HBpEUEg8fka3PJKHO1EtaGa6ngdCMUZzi8rFB2DUJiVHKnOTE-LQiLBRMQJg5i4-k4VyPuHLNiI3KVijnPac-cpyZmnapoCbrO4vUweuTRsXGo2druC57D7prIw/s1600/IMG_2889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqxvMuD7s-PUXPSY0HBpEUEg8fka3PJKHO1EtaGa6ngdCMUZzi8rFB2DUJiVHKnOTE-LQiLBRMQJg5i4-k4VyPuHLNiI3KVijnPac-cpyZmnapoCbrO4vUweuTRsXGo2druC57D7prIw/s640/IMG_2889.jpg" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Other </i><i>Processionary Caterpillars are located by the thread left by the last one in the line. The lines link up forming incredibly long lines of Caterpillars that eventually head up a tree to make their cocoons. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaf1O4di3Mfk1WkYoM0MhsW2LnR-UzeeJjmxMOfBgyoi4WoXR7uFcDGy9n0p52xkRbWFMlYdJZ4sGIrJ1wqQUk8C0UeUH9GvAvCIN8M1DSP8HJ91rGS6E4VOSQ8ZQf5mCw95WEV8tZGw/s1600/IMG_2213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaf1O4di3Mfk1WkYoM0MhsW2LnR-UzeeJjmxMOfBgyoi4WoXR7uFcDGy9n0p52xkRbWFMlYdJZ4sGIrJ1wqQUk8C0UeUH9GvAvCIN8M1DSP8HJ91rGS6E4VOSQ8ZQf5mCw95WEV8tZGw/s640/IMG_2213.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Matabele Ants, Pachycondyla analis on their way out on a raid. These ants are destroyers of termite colonies. These ants stridulate when provoked. </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7h8N-8qA1R9OHJjnKH9o_uZo6e5lLr2wYrw5KFfkQQXTGGRt7SdTkZllDMgX8NZH2a0P0wmRFBOldbs0sajLiJJiUeGbYjK9W8InvAVgZSIVUg8Yz_FqJfXBZhwvvkAOKrNfPmkcLTyY/s1600/IMG_2956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7h8N-8qA1R9OHJjnKH9o_uZo6e5lLr2wYrw5KFfkQQXTGGRt7SdTkZllDMgX8NZH2a0P0wmRFBOldbs0sajLiJJiUeGbYjK9W8InvAVgZSIVUg8Yz_FqJfXBZhwvvkAOKrNfPmkcLTyY/s640/IMG_2956.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Moribund Termite mound, the death of this colony could be attributed to Matebele Ants.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The easy answers to these questions of course are the usual
deterministic answers: ‘the need to find a mate’ or ‘the need to feel secure in
numbers’ or ‘the need to obtain food’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These answers may be correct but they are looking at the surface reasons
behind the behaviours. I find it far more stimulating to think about the
mysterious drives hidden in the chemical make-up of these little animals. The
answers to these can only be guessed at, as we will never know what it is that
drives insects. This is largely because insect life is so alien to us. One just
has to look at the physical appearance of insects that has come about due to their
lifestyles to appreciate just how strange they appear to be.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGkii-r317kQ0L38IP19QRYbs9DVpeujdy74xPkec07msrzHTj0crbMx4qUYTCjgWGkvxtdB1niWQnfEqopObqmopIvtsnvoRrgNF3hZdxh027DdlumV5AcF8VrkY_iq-i3_NA4-10Mk/s1600/IMG_2469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGkii-r317kQ0L38IP19QRYbs9DVpeujdy74xPkec07msrzHTj0crbMx4qUYTCjgWGkvxtdB1niWQnfEqopObqmopIvtsnvoRrgNF3hZdxh027DdlumV5AcF8VrkY_iq-i3_NA4-10Mk/s640/IMG_2469.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ants of the Polyrhachis schistacea species tending Membracid Tree Hoppers. The bugs secrete a goo that the ants relish. In this mutualistic relationship the ants gain food and the tree hoppers gain protection. The ants tend the tree hoppers in a way that is akin to agriculture. </i></td></tr>
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But it is this unknown and unfamiliar aspect of insect life
that drives my curiosity and interest in these small animals. The more I learn,
the more I see and the more enjoyment I get out of observing these creatures.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkyP3wBWDTZr4EKsyxb52jZY9LADD3kcPzwA1cZ8Opa9oq6K-slxdCKbKUbVaBQe7vUE7omr3oI1UBcdKt-YJez_l6uYRQNEpjekShGHtS47b2-55QeQnwIrPkcgYlqB0xs0FPLTk85Q/s1600/IMG_1297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkyP3wBWDTZr4EKsyxb52jZY9LADD3kcPzwA1cZ8Opa9oq6K-slxdCKbKUbVaBQe7vUE7omr3oI1UBcdKt-YJez_l6uYRQNEpjekShGHtS47b2-55QeQnwIrPkcgYlqB0xs0FPLTk85Q/s640/IMG_1297.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stone grasshopper <i>Trachypetrella </i>perfectly resembles the granite on which it lives</i><b>.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMin08yS3tgVKSH8py5bssuxpprR3gnQPFgcGnbiY6GolVcE3w4rQv9XTtFeu_wehLgpUWyJcgg5xXmD7SjY_fmcPLlb5jNeGXnCsLcolWP6xauJxkeS0WnnmBAnpoQSOgSzPERsZurCE/s1600/IMG_1210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMin08yS3tgVKSH8py5bssuxpprR3gnQPFgcGnbiY6GolVcE3w4rQv9XTtFeu_wehLgpUWyJcgg5xXmD7SjY_fmcPLlb5jNeGXnCsLcolWP6xauJxkeS0WnnmBAnpoQSOgSzPERsZurCE/s640/IMG_1210.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This Stinkbug, </i><i>Pseudatelus mimics fungus that grows in rotting wood</i>.</td></tr>
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Mimicry is another fascinating phenomenon that is prominent
in insects. For me the most arresting thing about mimicry is the time it takes
for natural selection to arrive at something so incredible and that is
compounded by the abundance of mimicry in nature. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheULa3IEjnwUXITA9LKqA6hCUTYMvOk3p0gAmz1e-X612Z-htAmD8sNh6y4eKtqNDxTIwG9egUuU5orNRMacTlqoWYfQdetiypoNRg2fMuQm7_MX5_h2XRtQHDBPjE8mZbjqo_GRPh1Cc/s1600/IMG_2502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheULa3IEjnwUXITA9LKqA6hCUTYMvOk3p0gAmz1e-X612Z-htAmD8sNh6y4eKtqNDxTIwG9egUuU5orNRMacTlqoWYfQdetiypoNRg2fMuQm7_MX5_h2XRtQHDBPjE8mZbjqo_GRPh1Cc/s640/IMG_2502.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Katydid <i>Zabalius aridus</i>, resembles a leaf.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuFNFHLcrQwXjb-LCGiR4HFo9110onCxDtZeeU0DiowetFioo-EwnDjaq1EZBIib3g_ShMWuu1AqbrrTy4ecJsi0X_IiJQr2dtgBhy61mBtoshdZaQxGJe5ktMPEKDHS66-MTEchWDDc/s1600/IMG_2510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuFNFHLcrQwXjb-LCGiR4HFo9110onCxDtZeeU0DiowetFioo-EwnDjaq1EZBIib3g_ShMWuu1AqbrrTy4ecJsi0X_IiJQr2dtgBhy61mBtoshdZaQxGJe5ktMPEKDHS66-MTEchWDDc/s640/IMG_2510.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The same Katydid taking evasive action with an example of flash colouration</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1l63HImXNh6qrYFwqfzjyc13NEIWNg4IMbF3ZPupMO8hXcjZrlEB-R4J0gLbIzNfmEaPYDD3SuW5wT71yb7UkUGagPURBh2cwaL7s9MVipuvIsWUXXSGygCGS4372oI4jFQ7sA6rnFX8/s640/DSC_0023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Net-winged beetle of the Lycus genus uses aposmatic colouration to deter predation. These warning colours suggest the beetle is poisonous or foul tasting. </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96bZUIalxlWPPCxj_cZXMI4LLDoxezz-ssY6G7ABxLy7hxl0Am-27b7SMQAegyOlYaZ6l_dXpc8ZO0UgGkVtqHwJ-56rxFBTGWT2KLqbcuMq3ibINjgy2SxU7RVNwUocv-bG98cXVsKw/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96bZUIalxlWPPCxj_cZXMI4LLDoxezz-ssY6G7ABxLy7hxl0Am-27b7SMQAegyOlYaZ6l_dXpc8ZO0UgGkVtqHwJ-56rxFBTGWT2KLqbcuMq3ibINjgy2SxU7RVNwUocv-bG98cXVsKw/s640/DSC_0060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b></b>Cabbage tree emperor moth caterpillars, <i>Bunaea alcinoe</i>, are big and conspicuous. This is another example of aposmatic colouration and the red on the face look like the development of eye spots. </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEnezWhTe8jDhKeday9MK6lJe1WNGtPpAjkLE5mjux2qry7KoPiDy5K5TDmhPwDmlqsUy9a017QoCX1mVZleiFVZk0agm4Vw-Q2p8cKeE4VDrVbGTOUVPRaJBDa4AXsJMyllOhuTY7E4/s1600/IMG_1722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEnezWhTe8jDhKeday9MK6lJe1WNGtPpAjkLE5mjux2qry7KoPiDy5K5TDmhPwDmlqsUy9a017QoCX1mVZleiFVZk0agm4Vw-Q2p8cKeE4VDrVbGTOUVPRaJBDa4AXsJMyllOhuTY7E4/s640/IMG_1722.jpg" width="640" /><i></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This incredible animal is a Monkey moth caterpillar<i>, Eupterotidae</i>. They are slow moving and move over the ground. Is this a possible scat mimic?</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KAGeUu4EPX16_PUs4w9Xo0xDyeHGKgoFSyiMfH2a-gtykhZws-6liWO1VSYY37uBpXuvicbYbxKjsGu236PVMR2nbjbEm0JN9cFqt30KM6zKov1tfmANbrReAWgBMqLDH1gBYpbJuHs/s1600/IMG_2165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KAGeUu4EPX16_PUs4w9Xo0xDyeHGKgoFSyiMfH2a-gtykhZws-6liWO1VSYY37uBpXuvicbYbxKjsGu236PVMR2nbjbEm0JN9cFqt30KM6zKov1tfmANbrReAWgBMqLDH1gBYpbJuHs/s640/IMG_2165.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rhanidophora cinctigutta is a caterpillar with strange club shaped protuberances on it's body, these move in rapid and urgent gestures, the aposmatic colouration and the movement all suggest that this insect is a wasp mimic. </i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[1]</span></span></span></a> http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/html/SSC-Microciropteranbats/Chapter%201.html</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[2]</span></span></span></a> http://www.africanraptors.org/amur-falcon-migration-route-finally-plotted/</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[3]</span></span></span></a> http://www.conservation.unibas.ch/team/nyffeler/pdf/nyffeler2000bas.pdf</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[4]</span></span></span></a>
For a more detailed and interesting overview of the nature of language and
interpretation of the insect lifecycle see the essay by Stephen Jay Gould, <i>Glow, Big Glowworm</i>. Gould. 1991. <i>Bully for Brontosaurus: Reflections in
Natural History.</i> W.W Norton & Company: New York.<i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3026803715699704529#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">[5]</span></span></span></a>
The pioneer of this way of thinking was Eugene Marais and these ideas were
expressed in his work <i>Soul of the White
Ant</i> which was published in 1937. This is a now outdated, yet beautiful text
on the lifecycle of termites. </span></div>
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ryan van huyssteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133822267949424951noreply@blogger.com0