This Blog contains Wildlife and Bird Photos from Walks, Safaris, Birding Trips and Vacations. Most of the pictures have been taken with my Nikon P900 and P950X cameras. If you click on the label underneath the picture it will link to all of the photos taken for that species. Just click on any image for a large picture.
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Friday, 31 May 2019
Thursday, 30 May 2019
Monday, 27 May 2019
28-5-2022 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN BLACK TIT (Melaniparus niger)
Sunday, 26 May 2019
Saturday, 25 May 2019
25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - EASTERN NICATOR (Nicator gularis)
The Eastern Nicator, scientifically known as Nicator gularis, is a captivating species of songbird belonging to the family Nicatoridae. This avian wonder was once referred to as the "yellow-spotted nicator," though this moniker has since been reassigned to its relative, the Western Nicator.
While observing these birds, one may note their absence of distinctive yellow spots, a feature now attributed to their Western counterparts.
The Eastern Nicator thrives in a variety of environments, including subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savannas, and moist shrublands. These habitats offer the perfect blend of cover and foraging opportunities for this species.
This bird graces the landscapes of several African countries, including Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Birdwatchers in South Africa may find it as far south as Mtunzini in northern KwaZulu-Natal, while those in East Africa can spot it in lowland areas and along the Zambezi River's inland stretches.
Diet and Feeding
The Eastern Nicator is an insectivore, skillfully hunting insects to sustain itself.
Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Thursday, 16 May 2019
Wednesday, 15 May 2019
15-5-2019 BOTANICAL GARDENS, BARCELONA - MARSH FRITILLARY (Euphydryas aurinia)
The marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. Commonly distributed in the Palearctic region, the marsh fritillary's common name derives from one of its several habitats, marshland. The prolonged larval stage lasts for approximately seven to eight months and includes a period of hibernation over the winter. The larvae are dependent on the host food plant Succisa pratensis not only for feeding but also for hibernation, because silken webs are formed on the host plant as the gregarious larvae enter hibernation. Females lay eggs in batches on the host plant and are, like other batch-layers, selective about the location of oviposition because offspring survivorship levels for batch-layers are more tied to location selection than they are for single-egg layers.
As of 2019 the butterfly's global conservation status is considered of least concern, but it has faced rapid decline and is considered regionally vulnerable or endangered over much of its range.