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Post by onlyMark on Feb 17, 2021 16:28:00 GMT
Tod, between us we must have seen a gazillion termite mounds, with an without trees, but I've not been aware the termites will kill a tree even though they appear to eat trees - but termites can't process the wood, it's the protozoa in their gut that processes the wood to something that can be digested by the termite - I think it's something like that.
But, a termite mound and a tree help each other as far as I remember because the termites aerate and improve the soil, plus with the holes, water can trickle down better to the roots through the hard packed soil we know when it is dry - and the tree roots provide a degree of protection for the termites from the animals that will eat them.
It's along those lines but I'll look it up properly when I have time.
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Post by lugg on Feb 17, 2021 20:12:51 GMT
I have only seen a few termite mounds when I was in SA but remember the guide showing us a termite and telling us a little of their life cycle which was fascinating and echoed what mark is saying above.
For me; the highlights of today were much closer up footage of the baboons and their babies at Olifants but equally I was appalled with the footage of the elephant playing with plastic garbage at the same place.
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Post by onlyMark on Feb 18, 2021 6:22:02 GMT
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Post by htmb on Feb 18, 2021 14:46:06 GMT
I’ve seen the elephants slinging mud onto their backs plenty of times, but it also looks like they sometime drink water out of those mud holes scattered around the pond. Makes me wonder if they have a way to filter through their snouts so they’re drinking mostly water, rather than mud.
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Post by lugg on Feb 23, 2021 19:32:10 GMT
Great viewing this am again at Olifants - water buffalo and a croc , the first time I have seen a croc on the cameras.
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Post by tod2 on Feb 24, 2021 7:46:50 GMT
This morning we joined the early Phinda Game drive just towards the end and the camera was concentrated on some Francolins - birds size of a chicken but with beautiful markings. They are known for their alarm calls to warn other animals of danger or predators approaching. Once we were sitting in a bird hide at Kruger Park having a spot of lunch and one of these Francolins flew up to the opening and wanted a peck of our sandwiches. Not only did it enjoy some crumbs but let Mr.Tod gently stroke it! He was over the moon at being able to touch this wild creature.
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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 24, 2021 16:40:39 GMT
They look like they could be delicious.  |
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Post by tod2 on Feb 24, 2021 16:45:55 GMT
Ha! That's what I think when I look at a Guinea Fowl.' My parents being peasant farmers were always on the look - out for a free meal and encouraging Guinea Fowl to wander inside a large net and never to escape was a brilliant idea. We ate them with relish BUT we know they were ours. Feeding and watering them after capture.
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Post by lugg on Feb 24, 2021 20:56:39 GMT
Or even partridge ??
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Post by lugg on Feb 24, 2021 21:16:08 GMT
Great viewing again today . With the hint from you Tod I joined in with some of the live / ranger viewings for the first time and really enjoyed them.
Highlight for me today was seeing an ostrich in the wild. But looking back at the photos from various cams - wow that moon is just outstanding .
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Post by bjd on Feb 25, 2021 6:42:55 GMT
A bit disappointing lately but just now I had a look and there is a giraffe snacking on the top of a tree. The person running the camera actually zoomed in on the giraffe's face for a bit.
When I see animals like that, I get so angry with people like that South African trophy-hunter who killed a giraffe and showed off its heart as a Valentine's present from her husband. It gives her a thrill to kill animals!
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Post by tod2 on Feb 25, 2021 8:09:51 GMT
When I see animals like that, I get so angry with people like that South African trophy-hunter who killed a giraffe and showed off its heart as a Valentine's present from her husband. It gives her a thrill to kill animals! W H A T?? I have never heard anything so bizarre! Sick people. |
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Post by bjd on Feb 25, 2021 8:38:05 GMT
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Post by lugg on Feb 25, 2021 8:59:29 GMT
That is sickening
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Post by htmb on Feb 25, 2021 18:14:56 GMT
Truly revolting.
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Post by lugg on Feb 25, 2021 21:02:00 GMT
On a happier note I enjoyed greatly my viewing today. Tod - ? re bird ID -a largish bird with really beautiful blues and violets , long curved beak with a red streak down it , quite large I think ? Any ideas ?
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Post by tod2 on Feb 26, 2021 11:52:32 GMT
Lugg , I have a strong suspicion you saw either the Green Redbilled Wood-Hoopoe, which also has blue hues on its feathers, OR it was the Violet Wood-Hoopoe Both have a cackling call usually uttered by a group of them.
Here we call them "The cackling Housewives" which is the English translation directly from their Zulu name.
Was it like this?
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Post by lugg on Feb 26, 2021 19:58:12 GMT
Thanks Tod but no , not that ( or the green one anyway) will have a look at the violet
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Post by lugg on Feb 26, 2021 19:59:46 GMT
No not that either - I think it was a wading bird
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Post by lugg on Feb 27, 2021 9:00:25 GMT
Well I went back through the photo highlights and found some photos of it . One person named it as a Hadada Ibis which I think is correct.
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Post by tod2 on Feb 27, 2021 9:43:28 GMT
Oh my goodness - Yes indeed it is the Hadeda Ibis! Never thought of it as their outer wing feathers are mostly pink and silvery green on their otherwise uninteresting brown/beige body. The red stripe on the beak can be hard to see if the bird has been in soil that covers it up from poking it quite deep down a cricket nest.
Have a look at this video and you will see all different ones calling - the one that is pestering another is a baby demanding food from the parent.
We have dozens visiting our garden and sometimes think the same ones are here everyday! The spotty gent in the video said he eats them.....That is highly illegal and they must taste horrible as their diet is insects, worms, but they do eat the bread crumbs we throw out to the garden birds. I have even seen them on my birdfeeder eating banana!
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Post by lugg on Feb 27, 2021 18:58:24 GMT
Have a look at this video and you will see all different ones calling - the one that is pestering another is a baby demanding food from the parent. We have dozens visiting our garden and sometimes think the same ones are here everyday! The spotty gent in the video said he eats them.....That is highly illegal and they must taste horrible as their diet is insects, worms, but they do eat the bread crumbs we throw out to the garden birds. I have even seen them on my birdfeeder eating banana! Thanks for the video Tod ... Lots of things make me thing it is indeed this bird that I saw , but, the one I saw was so colourful - blues / violets - maybe it was just the reflected light ? I am undecided . Also the streak down the beak was just so red and clear. |
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Post by lugg on Mar 4, 2021 19:08:09 GMT
I was working today but did pop in for a quick look at lunch time - so lucky to see two elephants, a mother and her baby really enjoying swimming and splashing around at Olifants. They were there for quite some time and I loved seeing how they used their trunks as snorkels
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Post by lugg on Mar 9, 2021 19:59:29 GMT
Today I visited early and was amazed by a really huge stork at Tau - I think it was a Marabou Stork - really very big, very ugly but truly magnificent. justbirding.com/marabou-stork-facts/Tau is my favourite of all the live streams at the moment ; it just has so much variety re wildlife. I guess this will change though as the seasons progress. |
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Post by bjd on Mar 10, 2021 7:52:44 GMT
I hadn't looked for a few days, but just now I see elephants, some antelopes and a giraffe just walked past. It must be hot -- they are all standing under trees.
I like Tembe because of the sound of birds and wind.
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Post by tod2 on Mar 10, 2021 8:06:12 GMT
Yes bjd, it is another sweltering day in Paradise! I will be inside the house until sunset.
Lugg, those Marabou storks are so ugly! Poor things. Only a face a mother could love...
Just this past week we have had new storks arrive. In all the 40 years living here we have never had WHITE STORKS, although my bird guide shows they are extremely common across South Africa.
We get many Woollynecked Storks which are only common on our East coast and up past Kruger Park,into Mozambique, then vearing left across to Namibia and Zimbabwe.
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Post by lugg on Mar 10, 2021 13:38:51 GMT
Really ugly Tod but so huge
just in case anyone sees this now there is a lion fast asleep right now at Naleedi Dam live stream - great views of it
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Post by kerouac2 on May 1, 2021 17:38:11 GMT
I hadn't been back to this link for at least a month, and I must admit that I did not see anything just now due to nightfall and the infrared camera, but I was as delighted as ever to listen to the night insects.
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Post by lugg on May 1, 2021 17:57:34 GMT
It is my secret addiction so still visit the various cams often. But yes the night sounds are great . Olifants at night is also good as the camera is focussed on the baboons trying to sleep, .....usually.
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Post by tod2 on May 2, 2021 14:45:19 GMT
I must admit I have not looked in for several days now. Will make amends at breakfast in the morning when watching a herd of elephants mud bathing while I munch through a delicious cheese scone seems appealing....
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