GALLERY – Tembele

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The humble Dark-capped Bulbul. The fact that the "

The humble Dark-capped Bulbul. The fact that the "Toppie" is one of the most widespread species in the eastern parts of southern Africa is testimony to its adaptability, thriving in most habitats through a wide attitudinal range.

Most birders have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this abundant bird as it always seems to pop up in the midst of a search for a much more sought-after secies .... usually resulting in a huge anticlimax!

One of the many quirky behavioural trates of this species is the noisy, evening gatherings when several birds alarm-call and chatter away nervously near their roost sites just before nightfall even when there is seemingly 'nothing to worry about'. Something that is not yet fully understood.

#bird #bulbul #birds #gardenbirds #southafrica #birding #nature #beautifulbirds #birdphotography #birdsofinstagram #instabird #outdoorphotography #birdlifesa #birdlove #birdsofafeather #earthpix #birding_lounge #birdingdaily #birds_nature #wings #birdnerd #earlybirds #wildafrica #Limpopo #thornybushgamereserve

Jumping Spiders make up the largest spider family

Jumping Spiders make up the largest spider family on earth namely Salticidae. In South Africa there are about 350 species of these rather "cute-lookng" spiders with there abnormally large, round anterior median eyes and their comical, engaging behaviour. Jumping spiders are diurnal wanderers that hunt their prey rather like the big cats do using ambushing, stalking, chasing and lunging techniques. Good thing they are as small as they are! The Salticids are harmless to humans and great to have around the home.

This specimen was photographed in the #Thornybush game reserve a few weeks ago.

Thanks to Mark Dutton #dutton4626 for allowing me to muck around with his impressive macro photography setup.

#spider #spiders #arachnid #jumpingspider #macro #nature #macrophotography #salticidae
#spidersofinstagram #arthropod #outdoorphotography #eyes
#naturephotography #wildlife #southafrica #closeup #limpopo #wildanimals #close_encounters #smallcreatures #bigeyes #jump #cute #cutecreatures

From my garden, the most frequently seen large, so

From my garden, the most frequently seen large, soaring raptor (apart from vultures) is the Black-chested Snake Eagle. More often than not the eagles are harassed by the local thugs (the resident Pied Crows) and despite this distraction they are still able to hunt quite successfully. During cold winter spells when snakes and other reptiles are hard to come by, these raptors hunt a range of alternative prey items including rodents, young hyraxes and small game birds. During winter they are also attracted to grass fires snatching up prey disturbed by the smoke and flames. I once watched a BB Snake Eagle catch a hedgehog which was flushed out by an approaching bush fire. #raptor #eagle #snake #crow #bird #birdsofprey #eagle #flight #snakeeagle #birds #wildlife #birdphotography #nature #aerial #flightshots #soaring #aegles #limpopoprovince #southafrica #birdsofinstagram #wild #birdpics #wildlifephotos #overafrica #eaglesofinstagram #birds_private #beautifulbirds #magestic_wildlife #animals #corvid #wildafrica

So amazing to be back at one of my favourite place

So amazing to be back at one of my favourite places on the planet. Evening thunderstorms in a huge sky, over big water always creates phenomenal landscapes and breathtaking sunsets. This is #Sekoma #Island #lodge . #sunset #sky #storm #river #love #water #zambia🇿🇲 #africa #vista #africanlandscape #landscape #africansunset #zambeziriver #rainclouds #rain #nature #photo #phototravel #photooftheday #naturephotography #earthpix #landscapephoto #earthcapture #wildafrica #overafrica #outdoor #phototravel #travelphotography

A rather handsome male Cape Weaver (Ploceus capens

A rather handsome male Cape Weaver (Ploceus capensis) drying out at the top of a Leucosidea shrub after a heavy thunder shower in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. This is the only endemic Ploceus weaver in the region found only in South Africa and parts of Eswatini and Lesotho. #weaver #weaverbird #bird #birds #freestate #southafricanbirds #endemic #voëls #goldengatehighlandsnationalpark #nature #beautifulbirds #feathers #plumage #yellow #orange #birdlove #instabirds #thundershower #animal #allmightybirds #bns_birds #birdlife #best_birds_of_ig #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #nature_perfection #birdlovers #southafrica #africanbirds

I had the privilege of meeting up with an old frie

I had the privilege of meeting up with an old friend this weekend. Nowadays, he wears a tracking collar and goes by a variety of names (Mondzweni, Inzamani and Kilimanjaro) depending on which conservation area he happens to be traversing through within his vast home range. On this particular rainy afternoon he spent an hour or so hoovering up fallen Marula fruit in front of the camp I was staying in. #elephant #elephants #africanelephant #greaterkruger #tusker #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography #animals #elephantlove #animal #africa #safari #phototravel #conservation #southafrica #bush #elephantsofinstagram #love #naturephotography #olifant #elephantsalive #kerala #beautifulanimals #tembo #ndlopfu #loxodonta #wildlifeplanet #animalvideos

Leopard individuals can be identified by the uniqu

Leopard individuals can be identified by the unique spot pattern situated above the upper line of whiskers. The spot pattern refers to the number and shape of these spots. As part of leopard monitoring programs, known individuals are often referred to by their spot pattern combination. This is depicted by the number of spots on the right cheek followed by the number on the left cheek.
I have seen and photographed this particular 'elfin-like' female on several occasions in the north-eastern region of the Thornybush Game Reserve. Her spot pattern is 2:2 with one of the spots on the left cheek being significantly smaller than the others. #leopard #leopards #bigcat #cat #bigcats #bigfive #cats #eyes #thornybushgamereserve #africa #wildlife #whiskers #beautiful #wildlifemonitoring #southafrica #wildlifephotography #nature #luiperd #africanwildlife #outdoorphotography #outdoorafrica #animals #Lowveld #wildanimals #bigcatphotography #greaterkruger #conservation #cheek #africansafari #mammalsofinstagram

The boldly marked Lesser-striped Swallow (Hirundo

The boldly marked Lesser-striped Swallow (Hirundo abyssinica) is the most widespread breeding swallow species found in the #krugernationalpark, #southafrica. Being partial migrants, many of them overwinter in the warmer climes of the #Lowveld and the Kruger. This amorous pair was photographed at the Letaba Rest Camp in the central region of the park over the past weekend #bird #birds #swallow #beautifulbirds #hirundo #photooftheday #photosafari #nature #naturephotography #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #birding #animals #nature_perfection #naturepics #swael #africanbirds #birdsofsouthernafrica #outdoorphotography #birdwatching #swallows #breeding #migrant #voëls #beautiful #handsome #migratorybirds

After spending many months underground Giant Bullf

After spending many months underground Giant Bullfrogs (Pyxicephalus adspersus) have emerged in large numbers after heavy rains over the #Polokwane Plateau, #Limpopo Province, #southafrica
Weighing in at around 1.5kg adult males are "formidable frogs", defending their calling sites in shallow pans by lunging at, and biting rivals.
Females approach the leks cautiously and if spotted are immediately 'clenched' by the closest male before spawning takes place. The males then often stick around to protect the eggs and tadpoles.

#frog # frogs #herping #herps #amphibians #frogsofinstagram #amphibiansofinstagram #giant #bullfrog #wildlifephotography #africanwildlife #animal #animals #nature #naturepics #frogging #outdoorphotography #photosafari #outdoorafrica #wildlife #macro #naturephotography #paddas #planetofanimals #tadpoles #thisissouthafrica #coolanimals

I've just spent a few days at the Mabula Game Rese

I've just spent a few days at the Mabula Game Reserve in the Waterberg region of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The area received some excellent rains, soaking the soil and bringing out millions of alates (winged termites) ..... and the birds. Species like this stunning male Violet-backed Starling and their chicks benefitted richly from these insects which are loaded with proteins, fats and key vitamins
#starling #iridescent #birds #voëls #violet #beautifulbirds #birdphotography #birding #africa #birdbehavior #birdingsafari #birdingtours #Limpopo #waterberg #southafrica #mabulagamereserve #nature #birds_nature #stunning #protein #vitamins #southafrica #colours #birdsofinstagram #southafricanbirds #alates #insect #birds_captures #fieldguidesbirdingtours #birdsofsouthernafrica #termites

Not the sharpest image but a nice composition neve

Not the sharpest image but a nice composition nevertheless. White-crested Helmetshrikes are gregarious, restless and vocal residents of bushveld habitats within the Limpopo Province, South Africa.
In certain parts of Africa these birds are referred to as the 'Seven Sisters', however family groups range from 4 to 12 individuals. Mind you the group that I photographed here happened to contain seven birds 😁
#shrike #bird #birds #bushveld #limpopoprovince #southafrica #sevensisters #helmet #nature #outdoor #outdoorphotography #outdoorphoto #wildlife #birding #wildlifephotography #sabirds #birdphotography #africanbirds #birdsofsouthafrica #africa #life #voëls #birder #greaterkruger #thornybushgamereserve #birdwatching #blackandwhite #birdsofsouthernafrica #gregarious #tembele_ecoservices #birds.nature

Possibly the most northerly located breeding pair

Possibly the most northerly located breeding pair of the range restricted Southern Bald Ibis was recently seen and photographed at a nest near the village of Mankweng, northeast of Polokwane, Limpopo Province. Once considered to be a fairly common breeding resident on the Polokwane Plateau it is now a rare and very erratic breeder in this region #bird #birds #ibis #bald #rare #Limpopo #breed #nature #outdoorphotography #Polokwane #birdphotography #birdsofsa #wildlife #vulnerable #birds_nature #wild #earth #birding #wierdbird #sabirds #iridescent #plumage #africanbirds #birdsofinstagram #birdsonearth #birder #africanbirds #birdsofinstagram

A rather 'stylish' Squacco Heron photographed agai

A rather 'stylish' Squacco Heron photographed against the aquatic backdrop of the Wakkerstroom Wetland, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, one of the country's top birding spots.
Squacco Herons are fairly widespread throughout Southern Africa occurring at altitudes from 2000 masl down to sea level.
The name is thought to have been borrowed from the Italian 'sguacco' and could be imitative of the bird's call.
#heron #squacco #bird #birds #nature #wetland #outdoor #birding #wakkerstroom #birding #southafrica #birdingsouthafrica #birdlifesa #birdphotography #Mpumalanga #birdsandbirding #topbirdingspots #feather_perfection #ardeolaralloides #wildlife #animals #bestbirdshots #aquatic #canon #birdlife #naturelovers #aves #birdstagram #perfection #stylish #shades

Birdy sunset! The perfect way to end off our 'What

Birdy sunset! The perfect way to end off our 'What makes birds tick' workshop held at the Letaba Camp in the Kruger National Park last weekend, by enjoying sundowners on the banks of the Engelhard Dam on the Letaba River. The course was presented by Joe Grosel of Tembele Ecological Services on behalf of the Limpopo Region SANParks Honorary Rangers. #sunset #sunsets #river #birds #silhouette #krugernationalpark #krugerbirds #krugerpark #letaba #letabarestcamp #ornithology #sanparks #honoraryrangers #birding #birdphotography #nature #birdpics #birds_nature #limpopo #birdingtours #southafrica #outdoor #outdoorphotography #birdsafaris #outdoorafrica #shotsofafrica #birdlifesa #shotsofafrica #earthpix #birdsofsouthernafrica #birdsofsa

I've just spent a few days on the West Coast of So

I've just spent a few days on the West Coast of South Africa where I was hosted at the aptly-named Red Bishop self catering establishment in the town of Langebaan. The rooms overlook a small wetland which attracts a nice variety of birds while the bird-feeders in the grounds provide an endless flow of vividly coloured Southern Red Bishop males in full breeding plumage along with their more cryptically-coloured mates. #redbishop #bishopbird #bird #birds #coloursofnature #colour #colorfulbirds #red #nature #langebaan #westerncape #tourism #southafrica #outdoor #wild #birdphotography #birdsofafrica #feather_perfection #instabird #birdwatching #wildlife #wings #beautiful #vivid #feathers #shotsofafrica #beautifulbirds #birds_private #birding #birdsofsa

Lurking in the shadows! African Civets are known t

Lurking in the shadows! African Civets are known to explore human settlements in the dead of night in search of insects attracted by lights, as well as rodents, reptiles, frogs and fruiting plants and are sometimes found scavenging around kitchen refuse sites. This individual was seen 'cruising the streets' of an estate in the town of Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province. #africancivet #civet #africa #civetta #viverridae #night #animals #nocturnal #wildlife #nature #noflash #mammal #southafrica #viverrid #wildlifephotography #backlight #Hoedspruit #outdoorphotography #animalia

Every afternoon during late winter well over 100 H

Every afternoon during late winter well over 100 Helmeted Guineafowl gather in the fields below our homestead to do some last minute foraging and to have a quick drink at a water trough before retiring to the safety of the tallest thorn trees to roost for the night. At the onset of spring these evening gatherings become quite frenzied as males chase each other around with arched backs in an attempt to establish dominance hierarchy. All this action stirs up a lot of dust creating great photographic opportunities in the evening glow. #guineafowl #guineas #gamebird #sunset #farmstead #bushveld #bird #birds #birdphotography #countryliving #countrylife #dust #africanbirds #evening #nature #outdoor #outdoorphotography #garden #gardenbirds #farmstyle #birding #silhouette #sunsets #naturephotography #sun #naturelovers #instagood #photooftheday #southafricabirds #limpopo

Despite being very common in certain areas of the

Despite being very common in certain areas of the South African Lowveld Greater blue-eared starlings remain brilliantly photogenic, particularly when their iridescent plumage literally 'pops' in certain light conditions #starling #glossy #outdoorafrica #starlingsofinstagram #shine #southafrica #africanbirds #birds #southafricabirds #birding #nature #iridescent #birdphotography #bird #nature_perfection #birdbrilliance #birdingtours #krugerbirds #beautiful #krugernationalpark #beautifulbirds #feathers #blue #limpopo #earthpix

Misty conditions at dawn are a familiar feature al

Misty conditions at dawn are a familiar feature along the eastern escarpment of the Limpopo Province, particularly during late winter. Here two sub-adult Greater Kudu greet the day in the #Munnik Concervancy, #Limpopo Province. #kudu #greaterkudu #antelope #sun #dawn #mist #sunrisephotography #silhouette #wildlife #africanwildlife #nature #naturephotography #bush #africanwildlife #animals #safari #southafrica #bushveld #biggame #buck #phototravel #photooftheday #spring #fog #morning #natgeowild #escarpment #africageo #goodmorning

Warm evening light always enhances the facial feat

Warm evening light always enhances the facial features and expressions of the big cats, especially lions. I captured these portrait images of a beautiful lioness during this past week's Tracks and Signs course run by myself and senior tracker Renias Mhlongo in the #Thornybush Game Reserve, #Hoedspruit, #Limpopo Province, #southafrica. #lion #lions #expression #portrait #bigcats #wild #panthera #bigcatsofinstagram #cat #wildlifephotography #wildlife #nature #naturephotography #bigfive #beautiful #travelphotography #tracks #animals #africanwildlife #outdoorafrica #b&w #outdoorphotography #leo #greatcat #wildlifeofafrica #africanimages

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