23-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN SAVANNA ELEPHANT (Loxodonta Africana)

Mana Pools is a national park in Zimbabwe famous for its large elephant population, and it is one of the few places where you can observe elephants on foot. A unique behavior exhibited by some bull elephants here is standing on their hind legs to reach food in trees, a skill learned during past droughts. Some of these elephants, such as the famous bull Boswell, are well-known and have become iconic figures.  

This video shows the behavior of elephants in Mana Pools, including standing on their hind legs to reach food:

Iconic behavior: Bull elephants at Mana Pools have developed the habit of standing on their hind legs to eat from trees, a behavior that allows them to access food high up on branches, especially during the dry season. 

Famous elephants: Elephants like Boswell and Tusker are well-known for this behavior and have become something of celebrities, with Boswell even being tracked by rangers. 

Unique experience: Mana Pools is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a remote safari experience where you can walk among the wildlife, providing very close and intimate encounters with elephants and other animals. 

Elephant population: The park is home to one of the largest concentrations of elephants in the country, with more than 12,000 elephants inhabiting the area. 

Ecological impact: The presence of these large elephant herds has significantly altered the landscape, with their feeding habits shaping the environment. 

The sanctuary, one of the only two pockets of nyala in the country, is also home to 16 000 buffalo and more than 12 000 elephant - Zimbabwe's largest concentration after Hwange. Many female elephants in the region do not have tusks and are much more aggressive than those with tusks.

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant, is a species of elephant native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of three extant elephant species and, along with the African forest elephant, one of two extant species of African elephant. It is the largest living terrestrial animal, with fully grown bulls reaching an average shoulder height of 3.04–3.36 metres (10.0–11.0 ft) and a body mass of 5.2–6.9 tonnes (5.7–7.6 short tons); the largest recorded specimen had a shoulder height of 3.96 metres (13.0 ft) and an estimated body mass of 10.4 tonnes (11.5 short tons). The African bush elephant is characterised by its long prehensile trunk with two finger-like processes; a convex back; large ears which help reduce body heat; and sturdy tusks that are noticeably curved. The skin is grey with scanty hairs, and bending cracks which support thermoregulation by retaining water.

The African bush elephant inhabits a variety of habitats such as forests, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands and agricultural land. It is a mixed herbivore feeding mostly on grasses, creepers, herbs, leaves, and bark. The average adult consumes about 150 kg (330 lb) of vegetation and 230 L (51 imp gal; 61 US gal) of water each day. A social animal, the African bush elephant often travels in herds composed of cows and their offspring. Adult bulls usually live alone or in small bachelor groups. During the mating season, males go through a process called musth, a period of high testosterone levels and heightened aggression. For females, the menstrual cycle lasts three to four months, and gestation around 22 months, the longest of any mammal.

Since 2021, the African bush elephant has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is threatened foremost by habitat destruction, and in parts of its range also by poaching for meat and ivory. Between 2003 and 2015, the illegal killing of 14,606 African bush elephants was reported by rangers across 29 range countries. Chad is a major transit country for smuggling of ivory in West Africa. This trend was curtailed by raising penalties for poaching and improving law enforcement. Poaching of the elephant has dated back to the 1970s and 80s, which were considered the largest killings in history. In human culture, elephants have been extensively featured in literature, folklore and media, and are most valued for their large tusks in many places.

The African bush elephant is the largest and heaviest living land animal. Under optimal conditions where individuals are capable of reaching full growth potential, fully grown mature males are about 3.20 m (10.5 ft) tall at the shoulder and weigh 6.0 t (6.6 short tons) on average (with 90% of fully grown males under optimal conditions being between 3.04–3.36 m (10.0–11.0 ft) and 5.2–6.9 t (5.7–7.6 short tons)). Mature fully grown females are smaller at about 2.60 m (8 ft 6 in) tall at the shoulder and 3.0 t (3.3 short tons) in weight on average under optimal growth conditions (with 90% of fully grown females ranging between 2.47–2.73 m (8 ft 1 in – 8 ft 11 in) and 2.6–3.5 t (2.9–3.9 short tons) in optimal conditions).[17][18][19][20] The maximum recorded shoulder height of an adult bull is 3.96 m (13.0 ft), with this individual having an estimated weight of 10.4 t (11.5 short tons). Another individual with a similar weight of more than 10 t (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons) was found in Kenya in 2025, making it one of the largest elephants ever recorded. Elephants attain their maximum stature when they complete the fusion of long-bone epiphyses, occurring in males around the age of 40 and females around 25 years of age.

Both sexes have large, curved, maxillary incisors known as tusks that continue growing throughout their lives. In the wild, a large percentage of elephants experience a tusk fracture, although this is more prevalent in captivity. A tusk fracture of any sort usually results in serious infections, as the pulp is exposed to the elements. The tusks erupt when they are 1–3 years old. Tusks grow from deciduous teeth known as tushes that develop in the upper jaw and consist of a crown, root and pulpal cavity, which are completely formed soon after birth. Tushes reach a length of 5 cm (2.0 in). They are composed of dentin and coated with a thin layer of cementum. Their tips bear a conical layer of enamel that is usually worn off when the elephant is five years old. Tusks of bulls grow faster than tusks of cows. Mean weight of tusks at the age of 60 years is 109 kg (240 lb) in bulls and 17.7 kg (39 lb) in cows. The longest known tusk of an African bush elephant measured 3.51 m (11.5 ft) and weighed 117 kg (258 lb).

The African bush elephant occurs in sub-Saharan Africa which includes Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Angola, Malawi, Mali, Rwanda, Mozambique and South Africa. It moves between a variety of habitats, including subtropical and temperate forests, dry and seasonally flooded grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, and agricultural land from sea level to mountain slopes. In Mali and Namibia, it also inhabits desert and semi-desert areas.

Populations of African bush elephants are increasing in some areas such as the Kruger National Park, where an annual growth of 4.2% was recorded between 2003 and 2015. There are estimated to be at least 17,000 elephants in the park's vicinity, as of 2015–the most of any area in South Africa. The increase in population occurred after the discontinuation of culling in the mid-1990s. This large elephant population is considered a problem to both the environment and its creatures. As such, with the use of natural processes, conservationists aim to control the ever-growing population. In other places in southern Africa, the elephant population continues to increase. Botswana in particular hosts more African bush elephants than any other country, at 130,000. In a 2019 study, populations were found to be steady, though the authors also noted an unusual increase in carcasses, possibly due to a new wave of poaching which was uncommon at the time.

18-7-2019 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE (Lythrum salicaria)

Lythrum salicaria or purple-loosestrife is a flowering plant belonging to the family Lythraceae. It should not be confused with other plants sharing the name loosestrife that are members of the genus Lysimachia in the family Primulaceae. This herbaceous perennial plant is native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and eastern Australia.

Lythrum salicaria can grow 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) tall, forming extensive clonal colonies, with numerous erect stems growing from a single woody root mass. The stems are reddish-purple and square in cross-section. The leaves are lanceolate, 3–10 centimetres (1–4 in) long and 5–15 millimetres (3⁄16–9⁄16 in) broad, downy and sessile, and arranged opposite or in whorls of three.

The flowers are reddish purple, 10–20 millimetres (1⁄2–3⁄4 in) in diameter, with six petals (occasionally five) and 12 stamens, and are clustered tightly in verticillasters in the axils of bracts or leaves. There are three different flower types, with the stamens and style of different lengths, short, medium or long; each flower type can only be pollinated by one of the other types, not the same type, thus ensuring cross-pollination between different plants. For instance, if the pistil is medium length, then the stamens will be long and short, but not medium. The flowers are visited by many types of insects, and can be characterised by a generalised pollination syndrome.

The fruit is a small 3–4 millimetres (1⁄8–5⁄32 in) capsule containing numerous minute seeds. Flowering lasts throughout the summer. When the seeds are mature, the leaves often turn bright red through dehydration in early autumn; the red autumn colour may last for almost two weeks. The dead stalks from previous growing seasons are brown.

18-7-2019 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)

18-7-2019 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - RED EARED SLIDER TERRAPIN (Trachemys scripta ssp. elegans)

The red-eared slider or red-eared terrapin (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a subspecies of the pond slider (Trachemys scripta), a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States, is also popular as a pet across the rest of the world, and is the most invasive turtle. It is the most commonly traded turtle in the world.

The red-eared slider is native from the Midwestern United States to northern Mexico, but has become established in other places because of pet releases, and has become invasive in many areas where it outcompetes native species. The red-eared slider is included in the list of the world's 100 most invasive species.

18-7-2019 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria)

19-7-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CRICKET BAT ORBWEAVER (Mangora acalypha)

Mangora acalypha, also known by its common name cricket-bat orbweaver,is a species of spider in the family Araneidae, found throughout the Palearctic realm. This species was originally described by Charles Athanase Walckenaer in 1802 as Aranea acalypha.

Habitat

Mangora acalypha is common in meadows, forests and gardens.

The Cricket-bat Orbweaver is a species of spider, scientifically known as Mangora acalypha, named for the black, cricket-bat-shaped markings on its abdomen. It is a common spider in the Palearctic region, inhabiting meadows, forests, and gardens, where it constructs typical orb-shaped webs to catch flying insects. This spider is not considered medically significant to humans, as it directs its venom toward its prey. 

Key characteristics

Scientific Name: Mangora acalypha

Common Names: Cricket-bat Orbweaver, Cricket-bat Spider, Streifenkreuzspinne (in German)

Family: Araneidae (orb-weavers)

Appearance: Known for a black marking on its abdomen that resembles a cricket bat.

Habitat: Meadows, forests, and gardens, and is becoming more common in gardens.

Behavior: Builds typical orb webs to catch flying insects like flies, mosquitos, and moths.

Venom: Not considered dangerous to humans, as its venom is primarily used to subdue prey.

23-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN RED BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus rufirostris)

16-7-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GREAT TIT (Parus major)

The great tit (Parus major) is a small passerine bird, easily recognized by its black head and neck, striking white cheeks, olive upperparts, and vibrant yellow underparts. This bird is the most widespread species in the genus Parus, found across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of North Africa.

Males are characterized by their bright plumage, with a black bib that extends down the belly, bordered by a lemon-yellow breast. Females and juveniles are similar but have duller coloration. The black line down the belly is also narrower and sometimes broken in these birds.

Great tits favor a variety of woodland habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, forest edges, and even urban parks and gardens. They are also found in riverine woodlands and, in some regions, boreal taiga.

17-7-2019 BONAIRE, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster)

17-7-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - WHISKERED TERN (JUVENILE) (Chlidonias niger)

The Whiskered Tern, Chlidonias hybrida, is a member of the tern family Laridae, exhibiting a swallow-like appearance, as suggested by its genus name derived from the Ancient Greek khelidonios. This species is the largest of the marsh terns, showcasing a blend of features from both the white Sterna terns and the black tern.

Adult Whiskered Terns in summer plumage are characterized by their robust bill, measuring 29–34 mm in males and 25–27 mm in females, with a pronounced gonys. They possess a black cap and a short, forked-looking tail. The cheeks are white, and the legs and bill are a vibrant red. Juveniles display a white-flecked crown and a more uniformly blackish hindcrown, while the winter adult has a similar pattern with additional white flecking. The black ear-coverts create a C-shaped band when viewed from above. Throughout the year, the rump maintains a pale grey hue. The call of the Whiskered Tern is a distinctive "krekk."

Whiskered Terns breed in colonies on inland marshes, often in the company of black-headed gulls, which offer a degree of protection.

The Whiskered Tern has several geographical races, varying mainly in size and minor plumage details. The Eurasian Whiskered Tern (C. h. hybrida) is found in warmer parts of Europe and the Palearctic, while the African Whiskered Tern (C. h. delalandii) resides in east and south Africa, and the Australasian Whiskered Tern (C. h. javanicus) ranges from Java to Australia. The tropical forms are resident, but European and Asian birds migrate south to Africa and the Indian Subcontinent for wintering.

European and Asian Whiskered Terns are migratory, traveling south during the winter months. A tagged individual was observed in April 2021 at the Manakudi Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, India.

The Whiskered Tern is known for its characteristic "krekk" call.

This species breeds in colonies on inland marshes, sometimes amongst black-headed gulls.

The diet of the Whiskered Tern includes small fish, amphibians, insects, and crustaceans.

The Whiskered Tern is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.

17-7-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias niger)

17-7-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE (Sternula albifrons)

It is a bird of open rather than dense woodlands, and frequently feeds on the ground. It will occasionally nest in large gardens, but is usually extremely timid, probably due to the heavy hunting pressure it faces during migration. The flight is often described as arrowy, but is not remarkably swift.

The nuptial flight, high and circling, is like that of the common wood pigeon, but the undulations are less decided; it is accompanied by the whip-crack of the downward flicked wings. The arrival in spring is heralded by its cooing or purring song, a rather deep, vibrating "turrr, turrr".

17-7-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - RED VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY (FEMALE) (Sympetrum fonscolombii)

17-7-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)

17-7-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - GULL BILLED TERN (JUVENILE) (Gelochelidon nilotica)

The Gull-billed Tern, Gelochelidon nilotica, is a robust bird, akin in stature to the Sandwich Tern. It boasts a stout, gull-like bill, broad wings, and lengthy legs. In its summer plumage, the adult displays grey upperparts, stark white underparts, a jet-black cap, and matching black bill and legs. The species measures 33–42 cm in length with a wingspan of 76–91 cm, and weighs between 150–292 g.

In its non-breeding attire, the Gull-billed Tern loses its black cap, revealing a dark eye patch reminiscent of a Forster's Tern or a Mediterranean Gull. Juveniles bear a paler mask and resemble winter adults. The juvenile Sandwich Tern, with its shorter bill, is often mistaken for the Gull-billed Tern in regions where the latter is scarce.

The Gull-billed Tern is found in a variety of habitats, including lakes, marshes, and coastal regions such as bays and earthen levees. In Eurasia, it is commonly seen in freshwater areas, whereas in North America, it is almost exclusively associated with saltwater coastal environments.

This species enjoys a wide distribution, breeding in southern Europe, temperate and eastern Asia, North America's coasts, and eastern South America. It exhibits post-breeding dispersal, with northern populations migrating to winter in Africa, the Caribbean, northern South America, southern Asia, and New Zealand.

17-7-2019 ALBUFERA, VALENCIA - STRETCH SPIDER (Genus Tetragnatha)

Tetragnatha is a genus of long-jawed orb-weavers found all over the world. It was first described by Pierre André Latreille in 1804, and contains hundreds of species. Most occur in the tropics and subtropics, and many can run over water. They are commonly called stretch spiders in reference to their elongated body form and their ability to hide on blades of grass or similar elongated substrates by stretching their front legs forward and the others behind them.

Species in this genus are found worldwide, including Greenland.

Tetragnatha species occupy the tall herb and tree layer. They construct orb webs, usually in vegetation near or above streams and ponds. Several studies have reported that they build their webs near slow-flowing streams in sunlit areas. Without access to a humid habitat, these spiders suffer from dehydration. The webs are short-lived, being taken down and digested daily or even more frequently. Webs are usually horizontally inclined and consist of an open hub with 30 to 40 viscid spirals. The spider hangs underneath the central hub of the web with its long front legs directed forward.

These spiders are capable of walking over water surfaces at a very fast pace, with legs I and II moving alternately in a diagonal rhythm while legs III and IV are dragged behind. When at rest on vegetation, the body is pressed against the substrate with the long front legs stretched forward.

One of the biggest and most common species is T. extensa, which has a holarctic distribution. It can be found near lakes, river banks or swamps. Large numbers of individuals can often be found in reeds, tall grass, and around minor trees and shrubs.

23-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - CAPE WILD DOG (Lycaon pictus ssp. pictus)

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

23-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - BUSHVELD HELMETED GUINEA FOWL (Numida meleagris ssp. mitratus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/467857-Numida-meleagris-mitratus

23-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - EMERALD SPOTTED WOOD DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos)

22-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - WIRE TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii)

The wire-tailed swallow is a small bird with a glossy blue back, white underparts, and a chestnut-colored cap, named for its two long, thin tail feathers. It is a fast, aerial insectivore, often seen flying low over water and building its mud nest on vertical surfaces, including human-made structures like bridges and buildings. This species is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia and has a "least concern" conservation status globally. 

Physical characteristics

Size: Measures approximately 18 cm (7.1 in) long.

Plumage: Features glossy blue upperparts, a chestnut forehead and crown, and clean white underparts.

Tail: Distinguished by two very long, thin, wire-like filaments on its outer tail feathers. Females and juveniles have shorter or no "wires" and a duller cap.

Habitat and behavior

Habitat: Prefers open country, such as grasslands, wetlands, and cultivated areas, particularly near water.

Diet: An aerial insectivore that feeds on flying insects like flies, wasps, and termites.

Flight: A very fast flyer that often swoops low over water. 

Nesting and reproduction

Nest: Builds a neat, half-bowl-shaped nest from mud, which is placed on vertical surfaces. Nests are often found under cliff ledges or on man-made structures like bridges, buildings, and culverts.

Territorial: Nests are typically solitary and territorial, unlike some colonial swallow species.

Eggs and incubation: Lays a clutch of 2-4 eggs in Africa and up to 5 in Asia. The female primarily incubates the eggs.

Parental care: Both parents feed the chicks, with the female providing more food. 

Distribution and conservation

Distribution: Found in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. Some populations are resident, while others migrate seasonally.

Conservation status: Globally listed as "least concern" by the IUCN, although some regional statuses may vary.

Threats: The introduction of man-made nest sites has, in fact, benefited this species. 

23-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - COMMON DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale parvula)

The common dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula) is a mongoose species native to Angola, northern Botswana, northern Namibia, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, Zambia and East Africa. It is part of the genus Helogale, along with the Ethiopian dwarf mongoose.

The common dwarf mongoose has soft fur ranging from yellowish red to very dark brown. It has a large pointed head, small ears, a long tail, short limbs and long claws. With a body length of 16–23 cm (6.3–9.1 in) and a weight of 213–341 g (7.5–12.0 oz), it is Africa's smallest member of the order Carnivora.

Common dwarf mongoose in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

The common dwarf mongoose ranges from East to southern Central Africa, from Eritrea and Ethiopia to the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in the Republic of South Africa. It inhabits primarily dry grassland, open forests and bushland up to an elevation of 2,000 m (6,600 ft). It is especially common in areas with many termite mounds, its favorite sleeping place. It avoids dense forests and deserts.

The main predators of dwarf mongoose are predatory birds such as raptors and marabou storks, reptiles such as snakes and monitor lizards, and other carnivorous mammals such as jackals and larger mongooses.

A mutualistic relationship has evolved between the dwarf mongoose and hornbills, in which hornbills seek out the mongooses in order for the two species to forage together, and to warn each other of nearby birds of prey and other predators.

It is a social animal, with an average group size of twelve individuals,but larger packs can exceed thirty members. Packs are organized around a strict hierarchy, with females holding higher positions than males within each age class. Each pack is structured around a single breeding pair, the breeding female of which holds the highest social position while her mate holds the second highest. Younger members and immigrant individuals do not typically reproduce, but instead care for and feed juveniles. Other females may reproduce during good conditions, but their litters rarely survive to adulthood. The breeding pair of a dwarf mongoose colony is given priority access to food and protection from subordinate members, and rarely has to defend against predators. The breeding male is most often responsible for suppressing reproduction among other colony members by confronting them directly when this is attempted, typically with a low-intensity threat posture, which causes the pair to cease their attempted reproduction and retreat. The female of the pair often grooms the alpha male afterwards as an appeasement behavior.

Dispersal and the funding of new packs are relatively rare, and group splits occur most often when the dominant female dies. Non-breeders occasionally transfer between different packs, typically at their second or third year of age and during the rain season, which can result in their obtaining a shorter "queue" for becoming part of the breeding pair of the new pack.

Dwarf mongooses tend to breed during the wet season, between November and May, where the breeding female may produce up to three litters, containing an average of four pups each after a gestation period of 49 to 53 days. The pups nurse for a period of 45 days, during which they may be nursed by subordinate females. Juveniles begin foraging alongside adults at around six weeks of age, and reach sexual maturity at three years of life. Their maximum lifespan is around 18 years.

The primary diet of the common dwarf mongoose consists of invertebrates, chiefly insects such as beetle larvae, termites, grasshoppers and crickets, alongside spiders and scorpions. Secondary food sources include small vertebrates, eggs, and fruit.