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KARL ANDRE TERBLANCHE
Bulletin 8 06 March 2006 |
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Well here I am again, 2 600 km and a climate with an identity crises later. During the first part of the trip it absolutely poured down with rain, both my boots and trainers where soaked for 3 days. Then it all changed and the weather switched to blistering heat. Enough about the weather lets get to the important things...the vultures.
Ever since having stumbled upon REST's (Rare and Endangered Species Trust) web site I have longed to photograph these wonderful birds. A year and a half later I have done just that. It has truly been one of the highlights of this trip. Seeing these big birds up close and hearing the beat of their wings as they come in to the feeding sight, can't be described. It needs to be experienced. As uplifting as the experience was the status of these birds is a sad one and in the case of the Cape Griffin Vulture extremely disturbing. Perils faced range from poisoned carcasses, collisions and electrocutions on power lines, drowning in reservoirs and direct persecution. On top of that they also face all the natural dangers too. Not an easy life to live by any means. Please take the time to look at the images and consider the accompanying information...and then go and visit the REST website!! A big thank you goes to Maria and Joerg Diekmann for all their kindness, ample support and accommodating nature. Thank you for making these images possible and for all your encouragement. You are the best. |
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WHITE BACKED VULTURE, Gyps africanus
STATUS --- VULNERABLE |
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WHITE BACKED VULTURES, Gyps africanus
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MARABOU STORK, Leptoptilos crumeniferus
The rain was coming down hard and heavy as this guy came flying in. |
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WHITE BACKED VULTURE, Gyps africanus
Despite the rain this vulture definitely had its fair share of the feast. |
LAPPET FACED VULTURE, Torgos tracheliotus
STATUS --- VULNERABLE |
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This sums it all up for me. A Jackal licking its lips surrounded by vultures. Jackal and vulture complement each other. The picture just would not look right if one or the other was missing.
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WHITE BACKED VULTURE, Gyps africanus
How does it work again....have a wash before or after dinner??? |
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CAPE GRIFFON VULTURE, Gyps coprotheres
STATUS --- CRITICALLY ENDANGERED One of the wild birds. It definitely stands out. |
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SHORT TOED ROCK THRUSH, Monticola brevipes
I was not the only spectator that day. The resident rock thrush probably had the best seat in the house. |
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I really wanted to photograph the Cape Griffon Vulture in flight. There were however only two vultures at the feeding site on the second day. I only saw them on the ground.
Currently there are only 22* Cape Griffon Vultures wild and free in Namibia. 22* individuals in a big country. Not a a good sign! Just look at the honey coloured eyes and tell me they are not captivating. *This is a total of the historic population and 11 reintroduced birds. |
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CAPE GRIFFON VULTURE, Gyps coprotheres
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CAPE GRIFFON VULTURE, Gyps coprotheres
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Isn't this a beautiful eagle? The time spent with this Bateleur was special to say the least.
STATUS --- ENDANGERED |
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BATELEUR, Terathopius ecaudatus
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BATELEUR, Terathopius ecaudatus
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I am certain that I do not just speak for myself when I say that I was happy to see the sun. My situation was nowhere near as wet as it was for the vultures. Despite all the rain, they had fed well and to top it off they could dry out in the afternoon sun. What more could you want from life. Maybe just life itself...
Please use this link and visit the REST site
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WHITE BACKED VULTURE, Gyps africanus
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