10-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - COMMON WARTHOG (Phacochoerus Africus)

The Common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) is a wild member of the pig family (Suidae) found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only pig species that has adapted to grazing and savanna habitats.

Common warthogs are found in sub-Saharan Africa. They live in grasslands, savanna, open bushlands, and woodlands. These animals prefer open areas and avoid rainforests, thickets, cool montane grasslands, and severe deserts.

A warthog has two pairs of tusks protruding from the mouth and curving upwards. The lower pair, which is far shorter than the upper pair, becomes razor-sharp by rubbing against the upper pair every time the mouth is opened and closed. The upper canine teeth can grow to 25.5 cm (10.0 in) long and have a wide elliptical cross-section, being about 4.5 cm (1.8 in) deep and 2.5 cm (0.98 in) wide. A tusk will curve 90° or more from the root, and will not lie flat on a table, as it curves somewhat backward as it grows. The tusks are not used for digging, but are used for combat with other hogs and in defense against predators - the lower set can inflict severe wounds. Common warthog ivory is taken from the constantly growing canine teeth. The tusks, particularly the upper set, work in much the same way as elephant tusks with all designs scaled down. Tusks are carved predominantly for the tourist trade in eastern and southern Africa. The head of the Common warthog is large, with a mane down the spine to the middle of the back. Sparse hair covers the body. Its color is usually black or brown. Tails are long and end with a tuft of hair. Common warthogs do not have subcutaneous fat and the coat is sparse, making them susceptible to extreme environmental temperatures.

Common warthogs are social animals and live in groups called sounders. Females live in sounders with their young and with other females. Females tend to stay in their natal groups, while males leave, but stay within the home range. Subadult males associate in bachelor groups but live alone when they become adults. Adult males only join sounders during the breeding season. Common warthogs are not territorial but instead occupy a home range. They have two facial glands: the tusk gland and the sebaceous gland. They mark sleeping and feeding areas and waterholes. Common warthogs use tusk marking for courtship, antagonistic behaviors, and to establish status. They are powerful diggers and use both their snouts and feet. Whilst feeding, they often bend their front feet backward and move around on the wrists. Although they can dig their own burrows, they usually occupy abandoned burrows of other animals. When temperatures are high Common warthogs enjoy wallowing in the mud in order to cool themselves and will huddle together to get warm when the temperatures get low. Although capable of fighting, the Common warthog's primary defense is to flee by means of fast sprinting. However, if a female has any piglets, she will defend them very aggressively.

7-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/72729-Cisticola-chiniana

6-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - CAPE BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer caffer)

The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a large sub-Saharan African bovine. There are five subspecies that are recognized as valid by most authorities:

Syncerus caffer caffer, the Cape buffalo, is the nominotypical subspecies, as well as the largest, found in Southern and East Africa.

S. c. nanus, the forest buffalo, is the smallest subspecies, common in forest areas of Central and West Africa

S. c. brachyceros, the Sudan buffalo, a smaller version of the Cape buffalo, found in the drier, northern areas of Central and West Africa.

S. c. aequinoctialis, the Nile Buffalo, sometimes considered identical to the Sudan buffalo, found in the drier, northern areas of East and Central Africa.

S. c. mathewsi, the mountain buffalo, a disputed subspecies from the Virunga Mountains in Central Africa.

The adult African buffalo's horns are its characteristic feature: they have fused bases, forming a continuous bone shield across the top of the head, referred to as a "boss".

The African buffalo is more closely related to other buffalo species than it is to other bovids such as American bison or domestic cattle, with its closest living relative being the Asian water buffalo. Its unpredictable temperament may be part of the reason that the African buffalo has never been domesticated, which would also explain why the African buffalo has no domesticated descendants, unlike the wild yak and wild water buffalo which are the ancestors of the domestic yak and water buffalo. Natural predators of adult African buffaloes include lions, African wild dogs, spotted hyenas, and Nile crocodiles. As one of the Big Five game animals, the Cape buffalo is a sought-after trophy in hunting.

The African buffalo is a very robust species. Its shoulder height can range from 1.0 to 1.7 m (3.3 to 5.6 ft) and its head-and-body length can range from 1.7 to 3.4 m (5.6 to 11.2 ft). The tail can range from 70 to 110 cm (28 to 43 in) long.[4] Compared with other large bovids, it has a long but stocky body (the body length can exceed the wild water buffalo, which is heavier and taller) and short but thickset legs, resulting in a relatively short standing height. Cape buffaloes weigh 425 to 870 kg (937 to 1,918 lb) (males weigh about 100 kg (220 lb) more than females).[5] In comparison, African forest buffaloes, at 250 to 450 kg (600 to 1,000 lb), are only half that size.[6] Its head is carried low; its top is located below the backline. The front hooves of the buffalo are wider than the rear, which is associated with the need to support the weight of the front part of the body, which is heavier and more powerful than the back.

Savannah-type buffaloes have black or dark brown coats with age. Old bulls often have whitish circles around their eyes and on their face. Females tend to have more reddish coats. Forest-type buffaloes are 30–40% smaller, reddish brown in colour, with much more hair growth around the ears and with horns that curve back and slightly up. Calves of both types have red coats.

A characteristic feature of the horns of adult male African buffalo (southern and eastern populations) is that the bases come very close together, forming a shield referred to as a "boss". From the base, the horns diverge downwards, then smoothly curve upwards and outwards and in some cases inwards and or backwards. In large bulls, the distance between the ends of the horns can reach upwards of one metre (the record being 64.5 inches 164 cm). The horns form fully when the animal reaches the age of 5 or 6 years old, but the bosses do not become "hard" until it reaches the age of 8 to 9 years old. In cows, the horns are, on average, 10–20% smaller, and they do not have a boss. Forest-type buffalo horns are smaller than those of the savanna-type buffaloes from Southern and East Africa, usually measuring less than 40 cm (16 in), and are almost never fused.

Unlike other large bovines, African buffalo have 52 chromosomes (for comparison, American bison and domestic cattle have 60). This means domestic cattle and bison are unable to create hybrid offspring with cape buffalo.

The African buffalo is one of the most successful grazers in Africa. It lives in savannas, swamps and floodplains, as well as mopane grasslands, and the forests of the major mountains of Africa. This buffalo prefers a habitat with dense cover, such as reeds and thickets, but can also be found in open woodland. While not particularly demanding in regard to habitat, they require water daily, and so they depend on perennial sources of water. Like the plains zebra, the buffalo can live on tall, coarse grasses. Herds of buffalo mow down grasses and make way for more selective grazers. When feeding, the buffalo makes use of its tongue and wide incisor row to eat grass more quickly than most other African herbivores. Buffaloes do not stay on trampled or depleted areas for long.

7-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - SPOTTED BUSH SNAKE (Philothamnus semivariegatus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/29073-Philothamnus-semivariegatus

7-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/14931-Lamprotornis-australis

7-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - GREY FOAM NEST TREEFROG (Chiromantis xerampelina)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/26656-Chiromantis-xerampelina

7-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Dendroperdix sephaena)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/154493-Dendroperdix-sephaena

7-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - DARK CHANTING GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates)

10-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN TULIP TREE (Spathodea Campania lata)

Spathodea is a genus in the plant family Bignoniaceae. The single species it contains, Spathodea campanulata, is commonly known as the African tulip tree. The tree grows between 7–25 m (23–82 ft) tall and is native to tropical dry forests of Africa. It has been nominated as among 100 of the "World's Worst" invaders.

This tree is planted extensively as an ornamental tree throughout the tropics and is much appreciated for its very showy reddish-orange or crimson (rarely yellow), campanulate flowers. The generic name comes from the Ancient Greek words σπαθη (spathe) and οιδα (oida), referring to the spathe-like calyx. It was identified by Europeans in 1787 on the Gold Coast of Africa.

10-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN WARTHOG (Phacochoerus africanus ssp. sundevallii)

10-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - COMMON LEOPARD BUTTERFLY (Phalanta phalantha)

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

10-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - MEXICAN SUNFLOWER (Tithonia rotundifolia)

Tithonia rotundifolia, the red sunflower or Mexican sunflower, is a plant in the family Asteraceae, which is native to the warmer and moister parts of North America.

Plants are perennial in the native habitat, up to 4 m tall with orange or red flowers (in cultivation only 0.8 to 1.5 meters). In USDA zones cooler than Zone 10 it is an annual. Leaves, despite the epithet, are deltoid to lanceolate, occasionally lobed (or broadly heart-shaped) up to 38 cm long and 30 cm wide, with subentire, crenate or serrated margin. The lower ones are usually three-lobed. The petiole is up to 40 centimeters long. The upper side of the leaves is gray, the underside is hairy.

The flower heads have a diameter of 5 to 8 (rarely up to 10) centimeters. The ray flowers are vermilion red and broadly egg-shaped. The disc flowers are golden yellow and are generally solitary, long-pedunculated head, with a campanulate to hemispherical involucrum. There are 12 to 16 bracts, the outer ones being pointed. The flowers are used by many insects as a nectar source including migrating monarch butterflies. The fruit is a turbinado-quadrangular cypsel less than 1 cm long, brown or black, with two unequal deciduous wings.

It occurs in Florida, Louisiana, Mexico, Central America and the West Indies on fields, in woody plants and ruderally at altitudes below 1000 meters on the edges of roads and highways, as well as in other disturbed areas. Outside its native region it is sometimes grown as an ornamental and has become naturalized in some of these locales. In Africa it has been recorded up to an altitude of 1,580 m above sea level.

Due to its characteristics, it is usually used in hedges to form a background for other smaller plants. It requires poor to average, well-drained soil in an area protected from the wind to prevent its brittle stems from bending or breaking. It is propagated from seeds. Seedlings are planted 30–50 centimeters apart. It requires a sunny plant site and fresh, nutrient-rich soil with plenty of humus. It tolerates drought well, but it still needs water during long periods of drought. Titonia usually blooms from summer until the first frosts.

10-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - BOLD SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (Corthetrum stemmale)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/107978-Orthetrum-stemmale

10-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - COMMON BULBUL (Pycnonotus barbatus)

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

10-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - PANAFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp ssp. vidua)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/516781-Motacilla-aguimp-vidua

10-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - GARDEN COMMODORE BUTTERFLY (Precis archesia)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/123826-Precis-archesia

10-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - CLOUDED FAT BUTTERFLY (Tagiades flesus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/87401027

10-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - BLACK COLLARED BARBET ( Lybius corquatus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/116950-Lybius-torquatus

The black-collared barbet (Lybius torquatus) is a species of bird in the family Lybiidae which is native to sub-Saharan Africa. Indigenous names include Rooikophoutkapper in Afrikaans, isiKhulukhulu and isiQonQotho in Zulu, and Isinagogo in Xhosa.

8-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus ssp. taurinus)

9-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN GREY HEADED SPARROW (passer diffusus)

The Southern grey-headed sparrow (Passer diffusus) is a charming member of the sparrow family Passeridae. This bird is recognized by its distinctive grey head, which contrasts with its brown back and wings, and a pale underbelly.

When trying to identify this species, look for the grey head without a pattern, which is a key distinguishing feature. The bird's upperparts are brown, and the underparts are a lighter shade, providing a subtle contrast that can be quite helpful for identification.

This sparrow favors savanna and woodland areas, where it can be seen flitting about in search of sustenance or engaging in social activities with its kin.

The Southern grey-headed sparrow is found across a swath of the African continent, from Angola and Zambia, stretching southwards into South Africa. Here, it has been expanding its range, becoming a more familiar sight in suitable habitats.

In its natural environment, the Southern grey-headed sparrow exhibits typical sparrow behaviors such as social flocking and active foraging. It is also known to be kept as a caged bird, much like its relative, the white-rumped seedeater.

BirdLife International has assessed the Southern grey-headed sparrow as being of Least Concern. This status indicates that, currently, there are no immediate threats to the population levels of this species, allowing bird enthusiasts to breathe a sigh of relief for the time being.

The Southern grey-headed sparrow, with its unassuming appearance and adaptable nature, continues to thrive in the African wilderness, much to the delight of birdwatchers and ornithologists alike.

9-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

The white-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali) is a predominantly brown, sparrow-sized bird found throughout central and north-central southern Africa. It is found in groups of two to eleven individuals consisting of one breeding pair and other non-reproductive individuals.

During his expedition to the interior of southern Africa in 1834–35, Andrew Smith collected specimens of the white-browed sparrow weaver at the Modder River, which he described in 1836, giving it the scientific name Plocepasser mahali.

Smith did not provide an explanation for the species epithet mahali, but is clear it is not a Latin name. Probably it is derived from the vernacular name for the bird in Setswana mogale or from the Sesotho word mohale, a brave or fierce person, which suggests the bird's name may refer to its angry scolding.

The white-browed sparrow-weaver is found in greatest numbers in north-central southern Africa. While this species most densely populates dry regions with woodland or wooded grassland at northern South Africa, its range includes Botswana, northern and central Namibia, and western Zimbabwe. It is seen very often in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia and southern Malawi. Populations may be found as far north as Ethiopia. Populations are sedentary.

Breeding has been observed year round, but occurs mainly in warmer months. Year round, groups of the white-browed sparrow-weaver are active and nest-building. Groups of ten to sixty inverted-U-shaped nests of dry grass appear in the outside limbs of trees, although only several are used for breeding or roosting. While breeding nests have only one entrance, roosting nests have an entrance located at each of the two nest extremities. The construction of these nests shows cultural variations. Research has shown that, throughout a region, nests are located at the leeward side of a tree. This behavior preserves a greater number of intact nests for breeding and roosting. White-browed sparrow-weaver nests are sometimes used by other birds, such as the red-headed finch and ashy tit.