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The lowland nyala or simply nyala, is a spiral-horned antelope native to southern Africa. It is a species of the family Bovidae and genus Tragelaphus, previously placed in the genus Nyala. It was first described in 1849 by George French Angas. The body length is 135–195 cm, and it weighs 55–140 kg.
The long-tailed widowbird is a medium-sized bird and one of the most common in the territories it inhabits. Adult breeding males are almost entirely black with orange and white shoulders (epaulettes), long, wide tails, and a bluish-white bill. Females are rather inconspicuous, their feathers streaked tawny and black with pale patches on the chest, breast and back, narrow tail feathers, and horn-coloured bills.
Info sourced from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-tailed_widowbird
Photo capture date & Location: 2017-11 Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Rhinoceroses are some of the largest remaining megafaunas: all weigh at least one tonne in adulthood. They have a herbivorous diet, small brains (400–600 g) for mammals of their size, one or two horns, and 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.
Info sourced from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinoceros
Red-collared Widowbird. The breeding male is jet black and develops a 20-centimeter floppy graduated tail and, in some areas, a crimson collar and/or crown. The female and non-breeding male has dark-streaked upperparts, pale unstreaked underparts, and a yellowish eyebrow and face, and lack the long tail. Pairs breed in open grassland, savanna, scrub, and cultivated areas. The species may flock, often with other seedeaters, and move locally when breeding is over.
Info source URL: ebird.org/species/recwid1
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Photo capture date & Location: 2017-11 Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Segaia - a name you're not likely to forget once you've visited this charming lodge. One of the jewels of Northern Gauteng, it offers an escape to the magic of the bush that reminds us of areas far more remote. Our Conservancy is well stocked with game, blessed with prolific bird life, and infused with that unique African magic found only in the bush. Segaia Bush Retreat has a watering hole right in front of the lodge where wild game come to drink. Enjoy, therefore, stunning African sunsets on the deck whilst watching zebra, kudu, impala and warthog wandering the grounds of the Lodge. A lucky few may even spot the reclusive leopard.
Chapman’s Peak Drive on the Atlantic Coast between Hout Bay and Noordhoek in the Cape Peninsula is one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world. Chapman’s Peak Drive is affectionately known as “Chappies” and is a must for anyone who is passionate about the majestic scenery of Cape Town. Initially constructed during the First World War, this 9km route with its 114 curves, skirts Chapman's Peak, the 593m high southerly extension of Constantia Berg, and follows the rocky coastline to unfold breathtaking views in both directions.
The name rolls gently and easily off the tongue - Segaia - a name you’re not likely to forget once you’ve visited this charming lodge which is a mere 20km from Pretoria and less than an hour from Johannesburg and O.R. Tambo International Airport. One of the jewels of northern Gauteng, Segaia Bush Retreat offers an escape to the magic of the bush that reminds of areas far more remote. It is the perfect getaway for weary, ‘traffic-jammed’ city dwellers who do not want to spend hours on the road to get to a weekend destination but require an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity combined with fresh air.
Info source URL: www.sa-venues.com/visit/segaiabushretreat/
Communal Area at KwaThabisile Bush Retreat. Swimming pool, deck chairs, and umbrellas', fabulous views overlooking the valley, and into the bush with great sunset views.
Info sourced from www.wheretostay.co.za/kwathabisile-self-catering-cullinan...
Photo capture date & Location: 2019-02 KwaThabisile Bush Retreat
One of nature's great mysteries is why the Zebra has stripes. One theory is that the stripes help the zebra cool down. On hot days the black stripes get a lot hotter than the white area of the zebra and under the black stripes there are special layers of fat for protection. Hot air then rises off the black stripes forcing colder air down around the white areas thus cooling the zebra down. The stripes are also used as camouflage to confuse predators when zebras huddle in great numbers or mingle with herds of antelopes.
The King Cheetah, also known as Cooper's Cheetah, was once thought to be a separate sub-species. But it is actually an African Cheetah exhibiting a rare fur pattern mutation. A recessive gene must be inherited from both parents in order for this "blotchy" pattern to appear. First discovered in Zimbabwe in 1926, this very rare animal has been seen in the wild only 6 times. It has been known to exist in Zimbabwe, Botswana and in the northern part of South Africa's Transvaal province. The De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre in South Africa specializes in breeding this cat in captivity.
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The photo was taken during October 2017 at Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, De Wildt, Pretoria, South Africa.
Info source URL: www.cheetahspot.com/king.php
The hippopotamus or hippo, further qualified as the common hippopotamus, Nile hippopotamus, or river hippopotamus, is a large semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae, the other being the pygmy hippopotamus.
The cheetah is superficially similar to the leopard, but the leopard has rosettes instead of spots and lacks tear streaks. Moreover, the cheetah is slightly taller than the leopard. The serval resembles the cheetah in physical build, but is significantly smaller, has a shorter tail and its spots fuse to form stripes on the back. The cheetah appears to have evolved convergently with canids in morphology as well as behavior; it has canine-like features such as a relatively long snout, long legs, a deep chest, tough paw pads, and blunt, semi-retractable claws. The cheetah has often been likened to the greyhound, as both have similar morphology and the ability to reach tremendous speeds in a shorter time than other mammals, but the cheetah can attain higher maximum speeds.
Info source URL: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheetah
Photo capture date & Location: 2017-10 Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre
Karoo thrush - A typical mostly olive-brown thrush, with rufous coloration restricted to the center of the belly. It is most easily identified by range. Pairs occupy dense scrub and thickets in arid savanna and Karoo, grassland, and urban gardens on the South African highveld. The species gives a varied song and typical thrush “chk-chk” or thin “tseeep” calls. It is an understory specialist that sometimes skulks, but at other times can be quite bold. The similar Olive Thrush differs from Karoo Thrush in its rufous (not olive) flanks, its brown (not yellow-orange) eye-ring, its dark brown (not yellow) base to the upper mandible of the bill, and its streakier throat.
The Drakensberg (Afrikaans: Drakensberg, Zulu: uKhahlamba, Sotho: Maluti) is the name given to the eastern portion of the Great Escarpment, which encloses the central Southern African plateau. The Great Escarpment reaches its greatest elevation – 2,000 to 3,482 meters (6,562 to 11,424 feet) within the border region of South Africa and Lesotho.
Info sourced from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakensberg
Photo capture date & Location: 2018-10 Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort
The Dark-capped, or Black-eyed, Bulbul, occurs in savanna and woodland habitats with a reliable supply of fruiting trees and bushes and is especially common in the gardens and parks of our towns and cities. They feed primarily on fruit, berries, and seeds, but will also eat nectar, flower petals and small invertebrates (especially termites). Dark-capped Bulbuls are mostly seen singly, in pairs, or in loosely associated small groups, and adults weigh between 30 and 48g.
Info source URL: dewetswild.com/2017/08/24/dark-capped-bulbul/
Photo capture date & Location: 2018-08 Segaia Bush Retreat
Lowveld Viewpoint is located in Blyde River Canyon and affords stunning views up the canyon, to the glistening Blydepoort Dam at the far end surrounded by forested slopes. The rocky cones of the Three Rondavels formations are just visible, and you can see over the ridge to the hazy plains on the far side.
The Cullinan Diamond Mine is renowned as a source of large, high-quality gem diamonds, including Type II stones, as well as being the world’s most important source of very rare blue diamonds. Cullinan earned its place in history with the discovery of the Cullinan diamond in 1905, the largest rough gem diamond ever found at 3,106 carats, which was cut to form the two most important diamonds in the British Crown Jewels.
The uMhlanga lighthouse was completed in 1954. Construction was completed in four days and 19 hours. The circular concrete tower, painted white with a red band at the top, stands 21 metres above the beach and has a focal plane height of 25 metres. The fixed red light enables ships waiting to anchor in the outer anchorage, to monitor their position. If the red light is undetectable, the ship's anchors have probably dragged and are too close to shore. The lighthouse has never had an official ‘keeper’. The Oyster Box Hotel, which was built in 1869, has been the tower’s custodian. The construction of the lighthouse cost R23 838. There are 95 steps to the top of the uMhlanga Lighthouse.
Experience Nature's Canvas at Segaia Bush Retreat
As the sun dips below the horizon at Segaia Bush Retreat, the sky transforms into a breathtaking tapestry of colors. This serene escape offers the perfect backdrop for those seeking tranquility and connection with nature. Guests can unwind on their private deck, sipping a drink while watching the vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple dance across the sky. The sounds of the bush come alive, creating a soothing symphony that enhances the experience. Whether you're stargazing after sunset or enjoying a cozy bonfire, Segaia Bush Retreat provides an unforgettable ambiance. Embrace the beauty of nature and let the stunning sunsets rejuvenate your spirit, making every evening a cherished memory. Come discover your slice of paradise in the heart of the bush.
The blue crane, also known as the Stanley crane and the paradise crane, is the national bird of South Africa. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. This crane is pale blue-gray in color becoming darker on the upper head, neck, and nape. From the crown to the lores, the plumage is distinctly lighter, sometimes whitish. The bill is ochre to greyish, with a pink tinge. The long wingtip feathers which trail to the ground.
Info source URL: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_crane
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Photo capture date & Location: 2017-10 Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre
Mother hippos are very protective of their young and may keep others at a distance. However, calves are occasionally left in nurseries which are guarded by one or a few adults. Calves in nurseries engage in playfights. Weaning starts between six and eight months after birth, and most calves are fully weaned after a year. Like many other large mammals, hippos are described as K-strategists, in this case typically producing just one large, well-developed infant every couple of years (rather than many small, poorly developed young several times per year as is common among small mammals such as rodents).
Info source URL: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippopotamus
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Photo capture date & Location: 2019-10 Sabi River
Quenching Thirst, One Sip at a Time
Zebras, with their striking black and white stripes, are not just a marvel of nature but also fascinating creatures with unique habits. In the wild, staying hydrated is crucial for their survival. Zebras often travel long distances in search of water sources, showcasing their resilience and adaptability. They typically drink early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. Observing a zebra drinking is a reminder of the delicate balance of nature and the importance of water for all living beings. Protecting their habitats ensures that these majestic animals can continue to thrive in the wild, reminding us of the interconnectedness of life on our planet.