Local_Guide photos on Flickr

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Collared Aracari by George Stubbs

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Yucatan, MX May 2021

I recently returned from a brief trip to Mexico. I took a one day birding tour with a local guide and managed to get 46 new species on my life list, which now totals 1,202. I carried my camera but photography was difficult and most shots were from a great distance and kept for documentation. I will post a few each day. Just great to be traveling again!!

Sunrise At Wilropark, Johannesburg by Paul Saad

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Zion National Park by Melanie Sousa

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I have just returned from a family reunion in Utah and Zion National Park. I was amazed by the landscape and natural beauty of this desert location. I took a photography tour with a local guide which was amazing.

Mighty Fraser River by Warren Schmidt

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British Columbia’s Fraser River softly meanders toward the Pacific Ocean through the tranquil Fraser Valley. This is one incredible river and, in this case, looks are deceiving.

Running nearly the entire width of the province, the Fraser River is 1,375 km long, and with no dams to hinder its flow, transportation, industry, and fish migration flourish. Salmon use the Fraser to reach deep into BC from the Pacific Ocean navigating the seemingly impassable Hells Gate rapids.

Visitors encounter the Fraser River too. As soon as one arrives at the Abbotsford Airport one sees sturgeon fishing advertised in local media. This is a big business for local guides and a great opportunity for visitors. These Fraser River sturgeon are frequently caught in this same section of the river seen in this photo, and sometimes these ancient monsters reach up to 11 feet in length. During the recent catastrophic flood that hit the Fraser Valley sturgeon swam into the valley and needed to be relocated back to the Fraser River once the flood waters drained.

This river has global impact on commerce, as well. International trade depends upon reaching the mouth of the Fraser River with virtually all cars and goods from Asia destined for Canada reaching its banks. Some amazing tugboat operators keep ships moving along its banks.

The river helps to form the structure and relations between First Nations in south western British Columbia. Many First Nations maintain traditional territories along its banks, along with language groups, and cultural ties. Several First Nations have oral stories about encounters with Europeans. One such story belongs to the Musqueam First Nation who live at the mouth of the Fraser River where it enters the Pacific Ocean, about 60 kilometers downstream from where this image was taken. The Musqueam First Nation chased the first European explorer, Simon Fraser, back up the Fraser River in 1808. Ironically, a Kwantlen First Nations chief about 15 kilometers upstream along the Fraser River reportedly saved Simon Fraser’s life by providing intel on the impending attack of the Musqueam. Simon Fraser himself made the observation that one of the Musqueam’s longhouses on the banks of the Fraser River was a massive 1,500 x 90-feet in size. Another explorer, David Thompson, named this river to honor Simon Fraser.

The more I learn about this amazing river the greater my respect for what it accomplishes for people and for nature.

Mt. Marapi, the volcano, Sumatra 1983 # 59 by Helga's 3rd_Eye

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View from our accommodation overlooking the city of Bukittinggi (920 meters above sea level). Straight ahead we are looking to the mountain peak, covered by clouds.

Gunung Marapi (also known as Merapi) is a complex volcano in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Its name means Mountain of Fire, and it is the most active volcano in Sumatra. Its elevation is 2,891.3 metres (9,485.9 ft)..

Our plan was to climb the volcano together with the Australian geologist (unfortunately I forgot his name), whom we met at Mak’s, his two locals guides, and a couple from Denmark.

.. to be continued... :)

Who likes to learn more about the volcano:www.volcanodiscovery.com/sumatra/marapi.html

The photo was taken in December 1983 with my analogue Nikon FE camera and 35mm slide film, and now scanned with Nikon Coolscan film scanner.

'This is my place, get away!' by Gergely Kiss

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A common tern ( Sterna hirundo, küszvágó csér) shows dominance to the rival birds.

@Tiszafüred, Tisza-tó, Hungary.

If you like this photo, your faves, comments and observations are more than welcome!

But NO AWARDS, NO BANNERS, NO IMAGES, NO GROUP REFERENCES where you saw it, please.

Enlarge image to see more details and visit my 'Birds' album for more images! :)

The story behind the image:

On vacation today! Decided to travel to the Great Plains of Hungary (less than 1.5h to drive) for birding. Spent 3 hours on a boat ride with a local guide in a protected area of the lake. A real paradise for birds, different heron species, seagulls, terns everywhere. I was very happy that we could approach birds within 10 metres...and unlike whole July, thunderstorms did not evolve, either.

Johannesburg From M2 Highway, {Explore 16-10-2016} by Paul Saad

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[In Explore 16 October 2016]

Flock of adult Pelicans rest and survey their feeding options at a public beach. Uncropped image by Viv.....

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Pelicans are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae. They are characterised by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before swallowing. They have predominantly pale plumage, the exceptions being the brown and Peruvian pelicans. The bills, pouches, and bare facial skin of all species become brightly coloured before the breeding season. The eight living pelican species have a patchy global distribution, ranging latitudinally from the tropics to the temperate zone, though they are absent from interior South America and from polar regions and the open ocean. Pelicans frequent inland and coastal waters, where they feed principally on fish, catching them at or near the water surface. They are gregarious birds, travelling in flocks, hunting cooperatively, and breeding colonially. Four white-plumaged species tend to nest on the ground, and four brown or grey-plumaged species nest mainly in trees. The relationship between pelicans and people has often been contentious. The birds have been persecuted because of their perceived competition with commercial and recreational fishing. Their populations have fallen through habitat destruction, disturbance, and environmental pollution, and three species are of conservation concern. They also have a long history of cultural significance in mythology, and in Christian and heraldic iconography. R_11908

Avenue Ramle El Baida Beirut, Lebanon by Paul Saad

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On a sunny winter evening, lovely Daisy colours at our garden. There are about 50 species, native to Africa, by Viv.....

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Osteospermum is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Calenduleae, one of the smaller tribes of the sunflower/daisy family Asteraceae. They are known as the daisybushes or African daisies. It has been given several common names: African daisy, South African daisy, Cape daisy and blue-eyed daisy. Osteospermum used to belong to the genus Dimorphotheca, but only the annual species remain in that genus; the perennials belong to Osteospermum. It has been given several common names: African daisy, South African daisy, Cape daisy and blue-eyed daisy. There are about 50 species, native to Africa, 35 species in southern Africa, and the southwestern Arabian Peninsula. They are half-hardy perennials or sub-shrubs. 10802

Alice Lane Bowman, Sandton by Paul Saad

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Sandton Square, Johannesburg by Paul Saad

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Beirut At Night by Paul Saad

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Qartaba River by Paul Saad

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Jounieh Bay With Blue Sky, Lebanon by Paul Saad

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Jounieh Lebanon by Paul Saad

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Sunrise HDR Panormic, Randfontein by Paul Saad

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Out of the Jungle, Into the Open by David & Shiela Glatz

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Female Jaguar (Panthera onca) emerges from the dense jungle of the Pantanal wetland in Brazil, and walks into the open. This cat, nicknamed "Patricia" by local guides, patrolled the river bank for a few moments before melting back into the forest.

The Jaguar is the largest cat in the Western Hemisphere (only the Tiger and Lion are larger). Big males are approximately the size of an African Lioness. Jaguars are listed as "Near Threatened" and their future is clouded by habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and poaching. This imposing cat is known for killing its prey with a single bite that pierces the skull, delivering a fatal blow to its victim's brain. The Jaguar has been revered by many indigenous cultures, including the Maya and Aztec, whose mythologies featured the cat as a prominent figure.

Durban Bridge by Paul Saad

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The Marc Mall, Sandton {in Explore 27-02-2022} by Paul Saad

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[In Explore 27 February 2022]

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Raouche (Pigeons Rock) Beirut, Lebanon by Paul Saad

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October morning at the pier by Paul Quellin

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Early morning over Ramsey's Victorian pier. The structure is slowly being restored, section at a time, with the first few 10 of metres already open to the public. Queen Victoria's yacht once docked at the end of the pier on her visit. Prince Albert climbed a nearby hill with local guides and a stone tower was erected to commemorate the occasion. This is still known as 'The Albert Tower'. Ramsey was a big tourist destination in the 19th century and there is still plenty of evidence in the architecture.

Kartaba View by Paul Saad

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My Kenya safari - At dusk, large adult twin horned white Rhinoceros grazes on grass. Two oxpecker birds attend to bugs. Uncropped image. by Viv.....

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A rhinoceros, from Greek rhinokerōs, meaning 'nose-horned', from rhis, meaning 'nose', and keras, meaning 'horn'), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is one of any five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae, as well as any of the numerous extinct species therein. Two of the extant species are native to Africa, and three to Southern Asia. The term rhinoceros is often more broadly applied to now extinct species of the superfamily Rhinocerotoidea. Members of the rhinoceros family are some of the largest remaining megafauna, with all species able to reach or exceed one tonne in weight. They have a herbivorous diet, small brains (400–600 g) for mammals of their size, one or two horns, and a thick (1.5–5 cm) protective skin formed from layers of collagen positioned in a lattice structure. They generally eat leafy material, although their ability to ferment food in their hindgut allows them to subsist on more fibrous plant matter when necessary. Unlike other perissodactyls, the two African species of rhinoceros lack teeth at the front of their mouths, relying instead on their lips to pluck food.

The oxpeckers are two species of bird which make up the genus Buphagus. Oxpeckers graze exclusively on the bodies of large mammals. Certain species are seemingly preferred, whereas others, like the Lichtenstein's hartebeest or topi are generally avoided. Smaller antelope such as lechwe, duikers and reedbuck are also avoided; the smallest regularly used species is the impala, probably because of the heavy tick load and social nature of that species. In many parts of their range they now feed on cattle, but avoid camels. They feed on ectoparasites, particularly ticks, as well as insects infesting wounds and the flesh and blood of some wounds as well. They are sometimes classified as parasites, because they open wounds on the animals' backs. R_48213

The Bowman Building, Sandton by Paul Saad

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Rafting on the Bow River by "Adventure before dementia"

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Rocky Mountain Raft Tours offers environmentally friendly, scenic, guided float trips on the Bow River within the Banff townsite. A fun way to spend an afternoon and learn from a local guide. We were lucky enough to hear and see an avalanche on the slopes of Mount Rundle; a genuine first time experience for me.

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Morning Light by Max Angelsburger

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Lautern Rd. surrounded by mist, seen from Scheuelberg (Mt. Scheuel, 717 m) on the Swabian Alps, Albtrauf. Great thanks to my close friend, photographer-buddy and local guide Nicky: It was a great tour, which I enjoyed very much!! :-)

Nicky's flickr stream: sg08nh

#Just60MinutesAwayFromHome

#Hiking

#Wanderlust

#Adventure

#Outdoor

Tabarja From Harisa, Lebanon by Paul Saad

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Panoramic UNISA, Pretoria by Paul Saad

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Dark-backed Wood-quail-14 by David Gardiner

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Ecuador

This species lives in thickly wooded areas with dense undergrowth and is normally difficult to see. It is also uncommon and is designated as Vulnerable Status. In this case a family group has learned to trust a local guide who tempts them out with a daily feed of Bananas. They were, at times, so close I couldn't focus on them but they were still very wary and slight movements or noises made by the assembled photographers would send them scuttling off into the bushes.

Middelburg Landscape by Paul Saad

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Krugersdorp Pond, Johannesburg by Paul Saad

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Johannesburg CBD From M2 Highway, South Africa by Paul Saad

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An Old British Engraving by Adriansyah Putera

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The old British gravestone dated 1704 at the Fort Marlborough entrance make poignant reading. Read more about Fort Marlborough at my blog virtualadrian.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-impressive-fort-ma...

Location: Bengkulu, Indonesia

#engraving #inscription #gravestone

Bee on Pink Flower by Paul Saad

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Tawny Frogmouth, Launceston by Ross Cunningham

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We were lucky to see and photograph three tawny frogmouth. A pair and this one that was sitting by itself. Thank you very much to our local guide.

Sts. Peter and Paul Melkite Catholic cathedral, Harissa Lebanon. by Paul Saad

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My Kenya Safari - Adult bull Elephant uses tusk and trunk to dig for salt at water hole at Ol Pejeta, Kenya. Uncropped image. On Explore 1 Sep 2025 by Viv.....

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Please view more of my 9,800+ images and videos at the following websites. Totally, I have 28+ million views; 4,300+ followers/subscribers and 18,000+ views daily.

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Usually, a mineral lick (also known as a salt lick) is a place where animals can go to lick essential mineral nutrients from a deposit of salts and other minerals. Mineral licks can be naturally occurring or artificial (such as blocks of salt that farmers place in pastures for livestock to lick).

Natural salt licks are common, and they provide essential elements such as phosphorus and the biometals (sodium, calcium, iron, zinc, and trace elements) required for bone, muscle and other growth in herbivorous mammals such as deer, moose, elephants, hippos, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, tapirs, woodchucks, fox squirrels, mountain goats, porcupines, and frugivorous bats.

Elephants are also known to dig known sources of salt below ground with their trunks and tusks and to feed on the blocks unearthed.

African elephants are members of the genus Loxodonta comprising two living elephant species, the African bush elephant (L. africana) and the smaller African forest elephant (L. cyclotis). Both are social herbivores with grey skin. However, they differ in the size and colour of their tusks as well as the shape and size of their ears and skulls.

Both species are at a pertinent risk of extinction according to the IUCN Red List; as of 2021, the bush elephant is considered endangered while the forest elephant is considered critically endangered. They are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, along with poaching for the illegal ivory trade in several range countries.

Loxodonta is one of two extant genera in the family Elephantidae. The name refers to the lozenge-shaped enamel of their molar teeth. Fossil remains of Loxodonta species have been found in Africa, spanning from the Late Miocene (from around 7-6 million years ago) onwards.

C318 -Still 2025-08-18 085620 elephant salt dig1_1.1.1-Enhanced-SR-nwm -s

Red Squirrel choosing 0888 by Michael Thornton

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One of the images from my first visit to The Dingle Nature Reserve at Llangefni, Anglesey. Many thanks to local guide Dawn Hughes for her invaluable assistance on my trip.

Kartaba at Sunset by Paul Saad

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Gautrain Station, Sandton by Paul Saad

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Jounieh, Lebanon by Paul Saad

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Saint Charbel Church Annaya, Lebanon by Paul Saad

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Nan Hua Temple Entrance, Bronkhorstspruit by Paul Saad

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Blue-naped Chlorophonia by Daniel Parent

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Small, plump bird with stout bill. Male mostly lime green with contrasting yellow belly and thin blue collar on nape and blue rump; some populations entirely blue above. Female similar but duller, with greener belly. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, often in association with a fruiting tree. Forages at all levels, most frequently in the canopy.

This one was photographed in Northern Peru led by Neotropic Photo Tours and our Peruvian local guide for this portion of the trip; Fisher Chávez of Perú Nature Photography.

ear of the wind by Kev Fidler

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One of a number of natural arches carved by the weather into the Navajo sandstone.

Rather more secluded area south of the main trails and only accessible with a local guide. The peace and quiet in these secluded canyons and lower mesas are wonderful as are the rich colours in the sand, rock and vegetation.

"Ear of the Wind" arch, Monument Valley, Arizona, USA

Ramle EL Baida Beach, Beirut Lebanon by Paul Saad

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The Storm at Manara, Beirut {In explore 05-04-2021} by Paul Saad

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[In Explore 05 April 2021]