'kree-kree-kreeip-kreeip' ..... The Crowned Plover Vanellus coronatus sounds the alarm call to warn off intruders.  One of the bravest animals for its size, it will take on just about any intruder.  This dry grassland habitat is home to hundreds of these birds per square mile.  They lay their eggs in the short grass and then spend the rest of the incubation period and first 40 days thereafter frantically trying to distract potential predators from making their offspring into an omelette.  Walking through a stretch of grassland will trigger repeated alarm calls and blow any chance you have of traversing an area unnoticed.  I think this may also be called the Crowned Lapwing in the UK.



Mid-afternoon, and we arrive at the 3rd Bridge campsite.  What a great bridge!  Each pole rattles and jars as you ride over it, building the feeling that there is no way this will be able to hold the weight of your vehicle.  Somehow it does, but don't try two vehicles crossing at the same time!



The long afternoon shadows are already reaching across the campsite as we decide how best to position ourselves for the night.  We've been warned by south bound travellers that Baboons are an issue here, and one doesn't want to spend the night camped below a tree they choose to sleep in.  The nocturnal noise and the effluent have to be experienced only once to ensure you avoid it ever happening again.  The reeds you can see just beyond the vehicles are the edge of the river, with Hippo, Crocs and all manner of aquatic photo opportunities.  The Hippo path lead directly into our camp.  There really are no fences here, and the campsites are designated only to keep fire from spreading, not to keep animals out.



These three Grey Loeries were perched on the thorn tree adjacent to the camp and the air was soon filled by their 'Go away' cries.  Hence their common name, the 'Go Away Bird' rather than the jaw breaking Corythaixoides concolor.



Another gorgeous sunset.  The sunsets in Africa are special, and at this time of year, the prevailing winds whip up a lot of the Kalahari sand, adding another hue to the skies at dusk.



This Praying mantis Stagomantis carolina landed on my youngest's shoulder and became a chance to share the knowledge of his unique role within the mythology of the Bushmen or San-People of the Kalahari Desert.  Contrary to popular misbelief, Mantis is not their primary god, but rather they believe the praying mantis is a divine messenger and when one is seen, one should try to determine the current message.  Once she was relaxed enough to let it walk on her hand, we managed to get a hurried photo, before he left to carry his message further.



One of the stories of Mantis is that he appeared at the time of the beginning of the world, when the face of the earth was covered with water.  Mantis was carried over the tumult of the dark and turbulent waters by a wise bee that became wearier and colder as he searched for solid ground, while Mantis felt heavier and heavier. The bee flew slower and sank towards the water. At last, while floating on the water, the bee saw a great white flower, half-open, awaiting the sun's first rays. He placed Mantis gently in the heart of the flower and planted within him a seed. The bee then died, but as the sun rose and warmed the flower, Mantis awoke, and from the seed left by the bee, the first Bushman was born.



Story telling around the fire is at the heart of what the bush experience is about, but suddenly someone turned around and saw this apparition lurking just behind us!  A spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta.  As I snapped off a hurried photo (that is a camp chair on the left of the photo), she (I suspect) grabbed a 40Kg box by the corner, picked it up and charged off.  Two of us ran after her yelling, and after 50 yards she dropped the box and with only one half attempt to grab it again, she reluctantly sloped off into the inky blackness.  The strength of those jaws and neck to carry the box must have been incredible.  What was in the box?  All our tea, coffee, sugar and milk for the next 7 days.  I'd never have been so brave/foolhardy to chase her if she had chosen to steal ANYTHING else, but not my tea and coffee!



Actually the hyena is primarily a hunter, not a scavenger. They usually hunt alone, however clans will hunt together in order to catch larger prey. They are also good opportunistic hunters.  They are the most misunderstood and maligned of predators and this site does a great job of dispelling some of the myths.  

Tomorrow we will explore this area of the Moremi game reseverve, and maybe even get to the waters of the Delta.



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Permalink | Posted by: Ian at Friday, September 10th, 2004 22:00:00 | Location: Moremi, Botswana | Category:  Botswana Safari 

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