Seen early morning outside my office front door, constricting a large gecko that, in turn, had a grip on the snake. Fortunately for the snake the gecko only had hold of a skin flap at the snake's throat, narrowly missing its trachea.
I placed an inverted basket over the pair so that the drama could play out undisturbed by foot traffic.
Later, when I removed the basket it was evident that the snake had prevailed. Only sign of the gecko was a lump in the snake.
Recorded by Justin Visagie - called to rescue the Caracal which had climbed the tree to escape neighbours dogs - the rescue was successful and Caracal returned to the bush
1273 these plant hoppers are far more numerous this year... like the loose bark of the heteromorpha arboresens (parsley trees)...find them in one specific grassveld area
On 29 June 2022 I submitted photos of the plant hopper nymphs and have waited for them to change. Well 3 months later these pale creamy white moth-like adults with some orange flecks, dots and colour around the face have emerged. The branches of the parsley trees are covered with them. When I have disturbed them they seem to hop before flying to a nearby branch where they immediately settle. It is impossible to capture them in flight they are so fast. Remains of the white planthopper nymphs remain caught on trunks and among the adults and are also scattered beneath the small parsley trees. The parsley trees appear the preferred tree to settle and breed on.
See plant https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/123558909
Guess who dung it https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/123558907
The beetle was carrying the seed away. See video https://youtu.be/zRBRN-kgFTE
The young BSK was sitting on the pole and the starlings started to surround him. So he set up a mighty racket to let his Dad know he was feeling threatened by the bunch of clowns.
Dad came in to protect him, which didn't worry the starlings at all! So Dad flew off and all the starlings went with him.
Third pic is a gif.
Observed this mating dance by the male. He dropped down once when getting close to the female but ended up climbing back up and the mating ensued.
Just for interest, added cycad seeds being sorted . Nobody seems to know who brought them in or where they came from, but many of the seeds have similar holes, similarly empty. None of our cycads have cones now, so thinking this beastie came in with the seeds.
This obs. is for the larger pugnacious ants which were harassing the smaller Tetramorium. The red fierce ants can be viewed at: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37296694
These two Geckos sheltering under this very old limpet on a midden of shells on a limestone plate. Placed the shell back once photos were taken!
The next meal...
See hunter https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/70749668
rooivlerkspreeu/red-winged starling/onychognathus morio on Klipspringer [Oreotragus oreotragus]
One moment a statue and the next moment it had a snake in the beak. After shaking the snake around a bit, it started to swallow.. only 3 gulps and the snake was gone.
Photo by Roger Hogg, uploaded with his permission to contribute to Palmiet Nature Reserve project.
Photo by Roger Hogg, uploaded with his permission to contribute to Palmiet Nature Reserve project.
Hard shell - has a yoke (like a chicken's egg). Found as shown.
We have counted 36 babies on our property this evening. ❤️
Probably this batch hatched: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39349826