I lead a tour group from the the US Audubon Naturalist Society in April to southern Spain. We had a great time apart from the awful windy weather. The famous Levante wind just would not stop for almost the whole eight days. We did however have a great time, saw lots of birds and other […]
Month: August 2017
Little bittern
Ixobrychus minutus – Ardeidae – It is the smallest ardeidae weighing between 60 and 150g. Lives in bedreeds and highly vegetated shores. If it is still listed LC (minor concern) in the status of UICN preservation, it is in severe decline in Europe due to the reduction of the swampy areas: the national population in […]
POLL: Should hunting with hounds be banned?
All hunting with hounds on National Trust land could be banned in an unprecedented vote this autumn. Trail hunting – in which hounds and riders follow a scent that was laid earlier – is still allowed on trust estates but has long been regarded by animal rights campaigners as a means of circumventing the hunting […]
Small guests at the Giant’s Castle table
The vulture’s hide at Giant’s Castle is a raptor hide first and foremost. The setting on the edge of a middleberg ridge is spectacular. Placing the bones for the raptors, mainly for the Bearded Vultures, supplements their natural food sources which is diminishing due to loss of habitat and is the main purpose of the […]
South Africa’s First Legal Rhino Horn Auction Threatens Conservation Efforts
South Africa, home to the largest population of rhinos left on earth, could step up as a conservation leader in protecting these unique creatures. Instead, the country is hosting the first-ever online auction of rhino horns, which will take place this week. Thousands of rhinos have been ruthlessly killed by poachers to meet the demand […]
Eye Contact…
A silverback gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) acknowledges my presence by taking a long look at me…. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. With Wilderness Safaris and Bisate Lodge.
POLL: Should SeaWorld be closed down?
The death toll at SeaWorld continues to grow with the loss of another orca who battled chronic health issues. But it isn’t the whale’s death that’s the real tragedy — it’s the life she was forced to live. SeaWorld made the announcement that Kasatka, the park’s matriarch, was euthanized in San Diego this week. According […]
Pink-backed Pelican in Amboseli National Park
While we titled this post after the beautiful Pink-backed Pelican that we spotted in Amboseli National Park, I could not take my eyes of the majestic Tusker that we saw non-chalantly grazing by the roadside in knee-deep swamp. Hence we made it the feature image (first image) of this post. The Pink-backed Pelican (below) of […]
