Southern Africa - South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia
August 23 - September 15, 2016
Part One - Okavango Delta, Botswana
Page Three
Warthogs - sparsely haired pig with curved tusks and wart-like
swellings on face. Males are larger with longer tusks and 2 pairs
of "warts." The tail is held upright when on the run. They graze on
short grass or but also wil take leaves, roots, fruits, and tubers.
They often graze kneeling on their front legs.
Another family unit of zebras. Their main predators
are lions and spotted hyenas.
A herd of zebras is called a dazzle.
A very young zebra
These two look like they are having a serious conversation.
Ground hornbill - Has a large bill and black body; bare skin
around eyes and throat is red. Lives in family groups that
walk around in search of prey such as tortoises and snakes.
Reedbuck - a medium sized reddish-brown antelope. Only
males have horns. Largely nocturnal but when active during
the day, stays mostly in long grass.
On a mokoro ride, gliding through waterlilies. There
are both daytime and night time water lilies. Day time
lilies close at night; night time lilies open up.
Closeup of a water lily
Another painted reed frog with a different colored
body. These frogs have flattened discs on their toe tips
that allow it them to climb on slippery surfaces.
Malachite Kingfisher - has a bright blue back, chestnut
underparts and a scarlet bill. The crest is the color of
malachite stone, banded in black. Perches low among
reeds and sedges alongside water where small fish,
frogs, tadpoles and aquatic insects are caught.
A mokoro - a traditional canoe-like vessel commonly used
in the Okavango Delta as a popular means of transport, and
now utilized for game viewing safaris.Originally, the only form
of transport for fishing or transporting people and goods around
the channels, these canoe-like vessels, approximately 20 feet in
length, used to be crafted from tree trunks. The modern makoro
is constructed from molded fiberglass. The boat-man stands at
the stern using a long pole called a "ngashi," to pole or push
the mokoro forward.
This is Simon, 65 years old. He told me more than once
that there was no school when he was a kid, something
he clearly regretted. Now every child goes to school in
Botswana. He was happy that his children go to school.
go to school.
Long-toed plover - black and gray with a white face. The long
legs are coral pink. They walk on floating vegetation like
jacanas and feed on aquatic insects and small snails.
Sunset as seen from a mokoro while heading back
to the Kanakara Tented Camp
Early morning the next day on another mokoro ride.
Here is another painted reed frog.
Pied Kingfisher - a black and white kingfisher with white
underparts. Hunts for fish by hovering above water and
plunging in after them.
A pied kingfisher about to take flight
Another hippo seen on the mokoro ride.
African Darter - a large, dark brown waterbird with a long
neck, often held in an S-bend shape. Has a sharp, pointed
bill.
African Darter - The wings are held out-stretched to dry.
Dives for fish. Often swims with only the neck and head
above water, resulting in its alternate name of Snakebird.
Another African fish eagle perched high in a tree
White-faced duck - Long necked duck with an upright
stance. Has a white face, chestnut neck. Spends a lot of
time resting at water's edge and feeds on aquatic tuber
and seeds.
Yellow-billed stork - large white stork with black flight
feathers and red legs. Has a yellow bill, bare red face,
and black tail. Feeds in shallow water on frogs and insects.
Link to Page Four - Okavango Delta
Pat's Home Page