The air seems cooler this morning. I stand outside the tent and greet the dawn. I look at the sky, but all the dark clouds have vanished. The wind has died down. I was disappointed it had not rained during the night, but I was not disappointed for long. We drive thirty kilometres down the Auob river, and then we suddenly see small puddles of water. "Rain," I shout excitedly, " it rained here during the night !" Noel brings the Land Rover to a halt, and lifts up his camera, with the 300 - 800 F5.6 Sigma lens attached, and grins as he snaps away. He photographs a Tawny Eagle in a rain puddle in the road.
A Tawny Eagle bathes in a rain puddle
For about twenty minutes, the Tawny Eagle bathes, splashes around and drinks the water. A line of cars back up behind us. The eagle derives much pleasure from the puddle, and Noel derives much pleasure from his photography. The cars cannot pass, and become impatient. There is an exchange of words between Noel and the driver behind us. I get embarrassed, and sink lower in my seat. This altercation causes the eagle to look up. The eagle ruffles its feathers, and they are not the only the only feathers being ruffled at the moment. Suddenly, the eagle takes off. The car behind us pulls alongside, the driver is looking angry and glares at us. Noel politely smiles and thanks the driver for his patience, as they pull off.
The Tawny Eagle takes to the air.
Tawny Eagles are common in the Kalahari. They range in colour from light blonde to dark chocolate brown. The younger birds are usually light in colour and darken as they get older. The eagles feed on on small mammals, like squirrels and mongooses, reptiles, other birds and insects. They will also feed on carrion, and as a result of this, they are often killed when poisoned carcasses are placed in the open. They build large stick nests, and they favour the stout trees which grow in the riverbeds.
After photographing the Tawny Eagle, we head back to Mata Mata. We have to break up camp and then travel down to Twee Rivieren.
Hi Gail,
ReplyDeleteI think you have made the right decision to become a writer. Your comments on the holiday were a pleasure to read.
The photographs are awesome!
I will add you to my blog roll and pop in e very now and then to keep up with your news.
Tell Noel it didn’t take too long to read all your blogs
Paul de Villiers
Hi Gail and Noel
ReplyDeleteMy husband is an artist. His web site is www.artpromotions.co.za
He saw some pictures on you site of the tawney eagle and was blown away. He would like permission to use the photos as reference for paintings. Would this be possible and what would your requirements be? He can be emailed on ron@artpromotions.co.za
Regards
Lilian Waldeck