25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - COFFEE SENNA (Senna occidentalis)

Senna occidentalis, commonly known as coffee senna, styptic weed, or septicweed, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is native to the southern United States of America, Mexico and South America. It is a shrub with pinnate leaves, with three to seven pairs of broadly elliptic to egg-shaped leaflets, and yellow flowers arranged in groups of two to four, with six fertile stamens in each flower. It is an aggressive, pantropical weed.

Senna occidentalis is a foetid shrub that typically grows to a height of 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) and has softly-hairy branches and stems. Its leaves are pinnate, 150–170 mm (5.9–6.7 in) long on a petiole 20–40 mm (0.79–1.57 in) long, with three to seven pairs of broadly elliptic to egg-shaped leaflets 50–70 mm (2.0–2.8 in) long and 30–40 mm (1.2–1.6 in) wide, spaced 15–30 mm (0.59–1.18 in) apart. There is a sessile glands near the base of the petiole.

The flowers are yellow and arranged on the ends of branchlets and in upper leaf axils in groups of two to four on a peduncle 2–5 mm (0.079–0.197 in) long, each flower on a pedicel 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) long. The petals are up to 10 mm (0.39 in) long and there are six fertile stamens, the anthers varying in length from 4 to 6 mm (0.16 to 0.24 in) long, and four staminodes. Flowering occurs all year, and the fruit is a cylindrical pod 120–180 mm (4.7–7.1 in) long, about 3 mm (0.12 in) wide and slightly curved.

25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - VERVET MONKEY (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)

The Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) is an Old World monkey native to Africa. The term "vervet" is also used to refer to all the members of the genus Chlorocebus. These adorable monkeys live in social groups and involve their communication and alarm calls, specifically in regard to kin and group recognition, and particular predator sightings.

The Vervet monkey is of medium to large size and has a black-tipped tail which is often longer than its body. Its fur is olive or gray, lighter on the underside. Its hands and feet are black, as are its ears and face. Its face has a white band above it, framed with white cheek tufts. Its arms and legs are long, about the same length as each other, to enable the monkey to walk with ease on all fours while on the ground, and this actually makes it quite speedy when running. The males tend to be bigger than the females.

25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - SWAINSON'S SPURFOWL (Pternistis swainsonii)

Swainson's spurfowl, also known as Swainson's francolin, is a bird that belongs to the family Phasianidae. It is a native species to the southern regions of Africa. The bird is named in honor of William Swainson, a notable English ornithologist.

The Swainson's spurfowl is found in a variety of habitats, ranging from grasslands to woodlands. These environments provide the necessary cover and food sources for the species.

This bird has a wide range across southern Africa, with sightings confirmed in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Information on the breeding habits of Swainson's spurfowl includes observations of hatchlings and juveniles in locations such as Kruger National Park and Zambia, indicating active reproduction in these areas.

As with many birds in the Phasianidae family, Swainson's spurfowl have a diet that includes a variety of seeds, insects, and possibly other small invertebrates.

The IUCN Red List has classified Swainson's spurfowl as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, the species does not face any immediate threat of extinction.

5-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - SMITH'S BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraderus Cepapi)

Smith's bush squirrels are diurnal, arboreal animals from southern Central and East Africa that weigh about \(200\) grams and are about \(35\) cm long, with a tail that is half their body length. They have a varied diet of seeds, fruits, and insects, and live in territorial family groups in tree holes. Their fur color varies regionally, and they are known for their social behavior, such as mutual grooming, which strengthens group cohesion.

Appearance 

Size: About \(35\) cm in total length, with a tail that is half of that length.

Weight: Approximately \(200\) grams.

Color: Fur color varies by region; it can be pale grey in the west or more brown in the east. They have a reddish-brown head and legs, with a white or buff/yellowish chest and a white belly.Features: They are alert, have a long tail they carry straight behind them, and their belly is always white. 

Habitat and behavior Habitat: They live in woodland savannas in parts of Southern, Central, and East Africa.Activity: They are diurnal (active during the day) and arboreal (tree-dwelling), but also spend a lot of time foraging on the ground.

Social structure: They live in territorial family groups of 2 to 12 individuals that nest in tree holes.Grooming: They practice mutual grooming to promote group cohesion.

Reproduction: The young are sexually mature between six and nine months and are then expelled by the parents. A litter typically consists of two offspring.

Diet Primary food: Mostly vegetarian, including seeds, fruits, nuts, flowers, and leaves.

Insects: They also eat insects and arthropods, particularly during breeding season.

Specific preferences: They show a preference for seeds and gums from acacias and seeds and flowers from aloes. 

Smith's bush squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi), also known as the yellow-footed squirrel or tree squirrel, is an African bush squirrel which is native to woodlands of the southern Afrotropics.

It is found in Angola, Botswana, the DRCongo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is a common rodent which is diurnal by nature.

21-7-2019 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - GREY CROSS SPIDER (Larinioides sclopetarius)

Larinioides sclopetarius, commonly called bridge-spider or gray cross-spider, is a relatively large orb-weaver spider with Holarctic distribution. These spiders originated in Europe, have been observed as south as the Mediterranean Coast and as north as Finland, and have been introduced to North America. They are often found on bridges, especially near light and over water. The species tends to live on steel objects and is seldom seen on vegetation. Females reach a body length of 10–14 mm, and males 8–9 mm. Their orb webs can have diameters of up to 70 cm.

L. sclopetarius is attracted to light. Spiders found near light sources may be in better condition and have greater reproductive success than spiders living in unlit areas.[5] Most of these lighted areas are found in cities or other metropolitan areas. As a result, many urban areas have become saturated with these spiders. As many as 100 of these spiders can be found in a square meter in optimal feeding locations.

L. sclopetarius often hide during the day, and wait for prey in the center of their web at night. In high-density populations, spiders may remain sedentary to protect their territories. Mature females and juvenile spiders will often build webs. However, adult males generally inhabit adult female webs. Males can be found mostly during summer, while females are active until November in Central Europe.

The common name "bridge-spider" is attributed to its preferential habitat of building webs on bridges.

Lariniodes sclopetarius was first recorded by Carl Clerck in 1757. The genus Lariniodes indicates that they create large noticeable orb webs.

There has been some dispute in how the spider should be classified. The spider has been proposed as a synonym for L. cornutus due to their similar male pedipalps. However, their habitats vary greatly. This finding has been used as evidence that these two species are distinct.

21-7-2019 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, is a dainty heron adorned in pure white plumage. It is characterized by a slender black beak, long black legs, and, notably in the western race, yellow feet. This elegant bird is a sight to behold with its graceful neck and poised stance.

Adult Little Egrets measure between 55–65 cm in length with a wingspan of 88–106 cm, and weigh 350–550 g. Their plumage is predominantly white, though some may exhibit bluish-grey coloration. Breeding adults boast ornate nape plumes reaching about 150 mm, along with distinctive feathers on the breast and elongated scapulars. The bill and lores are black, with greenish-grey skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye, which houses a yellow iris. Legs are black with contrasting yellow feet, though juveniles may have greenish-black legs and duller feet. The subspecies E. g. nigripes is distinguished by yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet. 

21-7-2019 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - COPPER DEMOISELLE DAMSELFLY (FEMALE) (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis)

Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis is a species of damselfly in the family Calopterygidae known by the common names copper demoiselle and Mediterranean demoiselle.

This species is native to the western Mediterranean Basin in Europe (Iberia, southern France, Italy, Monaco) and North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia). It is common in much of its range.[3][4]

It lives along rivers and streams, but also in sunny larger waters. Though it may be affected by habitat changes such as water pollution.

Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis can reach a body length of about 45–48 millimetres (1.8–1.9 in). The abdomen length is of about 34–43 millimetres (1.3–1.7 in) in males, of 31–43 millimetres (1.2–1.7 in) in females. The length of the wings is of 23–32 millimetres (0.91–1.26 in) in males, of 25–37 millimetres (0.98–1.46 in) in the females.

The males have a dark, metallic shining body, the color of which can be red-violet, golden or copper-colored. On the underside of the last three abdominal segments there red area, the so-called "red lantern" (hence the Latin species name haemorrhoidalis, meaning "blood flow"). The wings of males show a large dark area, while the females have a brown band to the wing tip and a metallic-green to bronze-colored body, with a brown belt on the back.

The flight time of this species ranges from May to September. The males have a characteristic mating dance, showing the abdomen end and spreading their wings wide. The male of this species is territorial, defending sites where females may choose to lay eggs.

This species can hybridize with Calopteryx splendens.

21-7-2019 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - CATALONIA WALL LIZARD (Podarcis liolepis)

Podarcis liolepis, the Columbretes wall lizard or Catalan wall lizard, is very similar to the other lizards in the genus Podarcis. This species was formerly described as a subspecies of the Iberian wall lizard, but has now been elevated to species status. These are slender lizards with long tails, narrow tapered heads and long thin toes, and stout legs. Colours are variable, although generally grey-brown. Often very subtle spots and stripes along the back and flanks can be seen and these can be more distinguished in the female. The underside is a much lighter cream or beige with sometimes a reddish tint.

Adults grow 15–20 cm in length from the nose to tip of the tail. Body length can be a little as one third of the total body length, the tail making up the other two thirds.

21-7-2019 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - HYBRID MALLARD (MALE)

21-7-2019 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (FEMALE & JUVENILE) (Gallinula chloropus)

The common moorhen, known scientifically as Gallinula chloropus, is a bird of the rail family, Rallidae. It is a bird of striking appearance, with a mix of black and brown plumage, a white under-tail, and white streaks along its flanks. Its legs are a vibrant yellow, and it sports a distinctive red frontal shield. The bill is a matching red with a yellow tip. Juveniles are a duller brown and do not have the red shield.

Adult moorhens can be identified by their red frontal shield, which has a rounded top and fairly parallel sides. The tailward margin of the red unfeathered area is smoothly curved. Their yellow legs and the combination of their black and brown plumage with white markings make them quite distinctive. The young are browner and lack the red shield, making them less conspicuous.

The common moorhen is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, canals, and lakes that are rich in vegetation. It is also known to inhabit city parks with suitable water bodies.

25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - SIDE STRIPED JACKAL (Canis adustus)

The side-striped jackal is a medium-sized, omnivorous canid in sub-Saharan Africa, known for the faint white stripe running along its flanks and a white-tipped tail. These adaptable animals are mainly nocturnal, live in monogamous pairs, and their diet varies seasonally to include small animals, insects, fruits, and carrion. They inhabit diverse environments, including savanna woodlands, marshes, and even human settlements, and are classified as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN due to stable populations. 

Appearance and physical traits

Stripes: The most distinctive feature is a faint white stripe running from the elbow to the hip on each side, with black lower margins.

Tail: Their tail is black with a white tip.

Color: They are typically buff-grey, with a darker back and lighter undersides.

Size: They are slightly larger than black-backed jackals, with males being somewhat larger than females.

Mass: Males can weigh 7.3 to 12 kg, while females rarely exceed 10 kg.

Length: Head and body length is around 650-800 mm.

Shoulder height: Around 400-500 mm. 

Habitat and behavior

Habitat: They are adaptable and can be found in savanna woodlands, bushveld, marshes, and even towns and farmlands.

Activity: They are primarily nocturnal but can also be active during the day.

Social structure: They are monogamous and form pairs that can last for life. They live in family groups that help raise the young.

Dens: Dens are often found in termite mounds or disused aardvark burrows. 

Diet and feeding

Omnivorous: Their diet is opportunistic and flexible, consisting of both plants and animals.

Food sources: They eat insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, fruits, and carrion.

Scavenging: They will scavenge from rubbish dumps in urban and peri-urban areas. 

Reproduction and lifespan

Breeding: Breeding seasons vary by location, occurring from June to November in southern Africa.

Gestation: The gestation period is about 63 days.

Litter size: Females typically give birth to a litter of 1 to 6 pups.

Lifespan: They can live up to 14 years in the wild. 

Conservation status

IUCN Classification: 'Least Concern' (LC) due to stable populations.

Threats: They face threats from persecution by farmers protecting livestock and from being killed or poisoned due to their perceived role in rabies transmission. 

24-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - GENUS CROSSANDRA

Crossandra is a genus of plants in the family Acanthaceae, comprising 54 species that occur in Africa, Madagascar, Arabia and the Indian subcontinent. Some species, especially Crossandra infundibuliformis, are cultivated for their brightly colored flowers.

24-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - ELEGANT DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis werneri)

Trithemis werneri is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Angola, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Burundi. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, and rivers.

The Elegant Dropwing (Trithemis werneri) is a species of dragonfly native to sub-Saharan Africa, known for the male's distinct orange/red coloring and its habit of perching away from the water on tree branches. 

Named after Dr. Franz Werner, an Austrian zoologist who collected the first specimens in Uganda in 1905. 

Key Facts

Scientific Name: Trithemis werneri.

Appearance: Mature males have a red abdomen and brownish thorax with orange/mustard-yellow coloring and large amber patches on the hind wings. Females are less vibrant with a yellow to yellowish-brown abdomen and face.

Size: They are a small to medium-sized dragonfly, up to 40mm long with a wingspan up to 66mm.

Habitat: They inhabit large tropical and subtropical rivers and streams in savanna regions, often in well-wooded areas.

Behavior: This species typically perches on trees and large bushes, often far from the water. They "drop" their wings when resting, a trait of the Trithemis genus.

Distribution: Found in numerous African countries, including Angola, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

Conservation Status: Globally listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The South African population is Near Threatened due to its need for undisturbed habitats.

24-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (FEMALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trithemis_annulata

24-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - CAPE ELAND (FEMALE) (Tragelaphus oryx ssp. oryx)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/698862-Tragelaphus-oryx-oryx

25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - RED HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps)

The red-headed weaver (Anaplectes rubriceps) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It is placed in the monotypic genus Anaplectes and is found throughout the Afrotropics.

The red-headed weaver (Anaplectes rubriceps) is a bird commonly found in eastern and southern Africa in countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe and most of Mozambique and Botswana. They frequent savanna biomes as well as bushland and other wooded areas. At this time the species trend is stable and the population is concentrated and not fragmented into different regions.

The species can be found in a wide range of areas, from Senegambia to Ethiopia and northwest Somalia, and southwards to Mozambique, northern and northeast Namibia, northern and eastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, northeast South Africa, eastern Eswatini, and northeast KwaZulu-Natal.

The red-headed weaver is typically found with a white belly and brown wings. The northern male red-headed weavers commonly have a distinct red head that sticks out to the females of the species. The northern females have a more brown head that doesn't stick out as much, while the southern females are found with yellow heads and yellow accents on their wings. All red-headed weavers are found with a moderately long and pointed beak and short strong claws. A typical red-headed weaver flock tends to usually have one male who stays with a pack of eight or nine females. Their nest is usually made of dry sticks that they have collected, it is usually suspended from a tree and shaped like a raindrop, but in some cases the Red-headed Weavers put their nest in a man made structure. A distinct feature of the nest is the long entrance tunnel that is more commonly used with the Malimbus genus.

The oldest documented red-headed Weaver was recorded to live for 9 years and 1 month, however studies estimate that the maximum lifespan is around 11 years.

25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - MEVES'S STARLING (Lamprotornis mevesii)

Meves's starling (Lamprotornis mevesii) or Meves's glossy-starling, is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Its common name and Latin binomial commemorate the German ornithologist Friedrich Wilhelm Meves. A medium-large, iridescent glossy starling with a very long and graduated tail. The color of the iridescence is blue and purple in most of the range, but the southwestern Angola population shows yellowish bronzy gloss. Pairs, groups, and flocks are resident in open savanna, preferring broadleaf woodland like Brachystegia (miombo) and areas with baobabs.

The species feeds on the ground, walking with long strides, and sits low in trees, searching mostly for insects to eat. The similar Burchell’s Starling differs from Meves’s Starling by being greener and larger, with a less graduated tail that is proportionately shorter. This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence under 20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). 

The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (under 10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be over 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend is not known, but the population is not believed to be decreasing sufficiently rapidly to approach the thresholds under the population trend criterion (over 30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - KALAHARI FORK TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis ssp. apivorus)

The fork-tailed drongo, also known as the common drongo or African drongo, is a member of the Dicruridae family. It is a small bird with a distinctive fork-shaped tail, red-brownish eyes, and an entirely black plumage that exhibits a blue-green iridescence in certain lights. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with the underside of the bird being uniformly black, contrasting with the glossy black-blue upper body.

When identifying the fork-tailed drongo, look for its robust black beak, red eyes, and the deeply forked black tail. Juveniles can be distinguished by their dark brown tone, less pronounced tail fork, and lack of glossy shine on the lower body. During flight, the darker remiges of the D. a. adsimilis subspecies are particularly noticeable.

The fork-tailed drongo inhabits wooded habitats, including woodlands and savannas, and is tolerant of arid climates. It can be found at elevations up to 2200 meters.

This species is widespread across Africa south of the Sahara, with four recognized subspecies varying in range and physical characteristics. It was once thought to range into Asia, but the Asian species is now classified as the black drongo (D. macrocercus).

The fork-tailed drongo is known for its aggressive and fearless nature, often attacking larger animals to protect its nest. It is also a skilled kleptoparasite, using deceptive mimicry of other birds' alarm calls to steal food. These birds are solitary hunters and spend a significant portion of their day feeding.

The vocalizations of the fork-tailed drongo are diverse, including sharp calls, whistles, and squeaks. They are known to mimic the calls of other bird species and even the sounds of other animals, such as cats and meerkats.

Breeding seasons vary by region, with the bird nesting close to wetlands, forests, and farms. The female lays one to four eggs, which hatch in 15 to 18 days. The species is monogamous and aggressively defends its nest from various predators.

The diet of the fork-tailed drongo is primarily insectivorous, including butterflies, termites, and grasshoppers. They also consume small fish, other birds, nectar, and plants when available. They are known to follow large mammals to catch insects disturbed by their movement.

25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius)

25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - CHACMA BABOON (Papio ursinus)

Chacma baboons are found throughout southern Africa, ranging from South Africa north to Angola, Zambia, and Mozambique. They live in diverse habitats from woodlands to savannas, steppes, and sub-deserts. Chacma baboons are found in the Kalahari Desert as well as on the alpine slopes of the Drakensberg. They usually sleep on hills, cliffs, or large trees and during the day, avoid arid areas with a lack of water.

The Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) is a member of the Old World monkey family. It is one of the largest of all monkeys. Located primarily in southern Africa, the chacma baboon has a wide variety of social behaviors, including a dominance hierarchy, collective foraging, adoption of young by females, and friendship pairings. In general, the species is not threatened, but hunting, trapping, and accidents kill or remove many baboons from the wild, thereby reducing their numbers and disrupting their social structure.