TSWALU KALAHARI RESERVE, South Africa — From high on a promontory in the Korannaberg Mountains, a mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) peers down to the west across the green-dappled plain below, the sun rising behind. In the distance, wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) hunt in the veld, verdant after early rains. And nearby, white rhinos (Ceratotherium […]
Tag: Bat-eared Fox
Fascinating Animals of the Serengeti
The Serengeti is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, cinematic backdrops, unique ecosystem, the awe inspiring Great Migration and its expansive plains but most of all for its incredible variety of wild animals. The Serengeti is recognized globally for its diverse mixture of species all of which thrive within its wild lands as well as all […]
In the drylands of northern Kenya, a ‘summer school’ for young researchers
ISIOLO, Kenya — A hot wind sweeps across the rocky brush of Camp Simpirre in northern Kenya’s Isiolo county. Baboons cross the pathway to the dinner hall; vervet monkeys patter across the tin roof that shades an assembled group of 47 researchers and academics from the beating midday sun. The night before, some were jolted […]
Serengeti’s bone crushers
This is another post from my trip to the Serengeti in September. The abundance of prey and predators is a perfect environment for Spotted Hyaenas, which are also known as ‘laughing hyaenas’. The hideous ‘laugh’ is really a signal of submission. Hyaena can also be spelt hyena, but I prefer the former because these are […]
Serengeti birdlife in spring
It was mid-September in the western Corridor of the Serengeti. A bit early for most of the migrants, but there were a few early arrivals. The resident avian population in the Serengeti at this time of the year is diverse and would gladden any bird lover’s heart. There was also a wide variety of habitats […]
Batty about Serengeti’s foxes
At the Grumeti Tented Camp in the Serengeti, we usually gathered at the open air lounge before first light for a cup of coffee and a rusk or muffin. This was a traditional meeting to work out where to go for the morning and discuss what we hoped to see. There were very few vehicles […]
Foxy Face
Southern Africa has a couple of interesting canids to see when you are on safari. Besides plenty of Black-backed Jackals, the rare Side-striped Jackal and the funky-looking Bat-Eared Fox…there’s also the Cape Fox (Vulpes Chama). This is our only true fox species, and they are beautiful and great fun to photograph. Later this year I […]