[aslyfox]

we saw oxpeckers, not only on hippos but also on Cape Buffalo and Giraffes while we were in Tanzania.

Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania certainly lived up to its reputation for birds. Its various environment, some open grass land, lake, forest and marsh makes it ideal for the birds but also for the observers. It is not a very large park and is between an western escarpment a couple of thousand feet above and the lake on the east

This cropped photo features some yellow billed storks Mycteria ibis and Great White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus sharing open water of a marshland

Yellow-billed stork videos, photos and facts - Mycteria ibis | ARKive

Great white pelican videos, photos and facts - Pelecanus onocrotalus | ARKive

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

File Date

 

---

Last edited by aslyfox; 02-11-2017 at 05:09 AM.

[noelcmn]

Magnificent Martial Eagle

[WPRESTO]

When they are perched high up, eagles always seem to be above it all (if you'll excuse the double entendre).
Years ago another photographer reprimanded me for "baiting" wildlife (I had set out some nuts for a red squirrel). It made me hesitant to use food to attract birds, until I got back home.

[aslyfox]

When they are perched high up, eagles always seem to be above it all (if you'll excuse the double entendre).
Years ago another photographer reprimanded me for "baiting" wildlife (I had set out some nuts for a red squirrel). It made me hesitant to use food to attract birds, until I got back home.

I recently started that discussion about attracting squirrels for photography vs. "catching them on the fly" in the squirrel thread.

I wasn't making judgments just stating the obvious that some photos reflected the former method as opposed to the latter method

I did mention the problem of providing food and then perhaps not providing food.

It wasn't well received by some.

I wonder what an expert, if there is one, might say about providing "natural" food, food the animal would find on its own in the locale vs. other food (processed peanut butter, peanuts and apples seem popular)

---------- Post added 02-11-17 at 06:49 ----------

Magnificent Martial Eagle

very nice, my image of that bird caught it on the ground molting

#5203

---

Last edited by aslyfox; 02-11-2017 at 05:51 AM.

[WPRESTO]

The "feed then starve" issue is significant, and there is the possibility of local creatures becoming dependent. But, the spot where the squirrel below is feeding got covered by 16 inches of snow in the space of 24 hours. It's not as if northern birds & all other wildlife do not normally experience feast to famine transitions, yet in general they survive.

[aslyfox]

The "feed then starve" issue is significant, and there is the possibility of local creatures becoming dependent. But, the spot where the squirrel below is feeding got covered by 16 inches of snow in the space of 24 hours. It's not as if northern birds & all other wildlife do not normally experience feast to famine transitions, yet in general they survive.

you are correct

as a kid I was told, not sure if it was true or not, that a fed wild animal could lose its ability or will to find food on its own and thus continued long term feeding was a problem. I was also told that if you fed a farm cat, you would ruin it as a mouser.

of course, in a similar vein, I never had a problem hunting white tail deer where the local farmer left some soy beans or corn standing in the area after harvest but I don't think it is right to use a mechanical feeding device timed to certain times of the day to attract the deer to a hunting blind.

"what time will the deer be here - 5:45 PM when the machine is scheduled to start spreading the grain"

please remember that my opinion and $ will buy coffee at the diner.

YMMV

[WPRESTO]

you are correct

as a kid I was told, not sure if it was true or not, that a fed wild animal could lose its ability or will to find food on its own and thus continued long term feeding was a problem. I was also told that if you fed a farm cat, you would ruin it as a mouser.

of course, in a similar vein, I never had a problem hunting white tail deer where the local farmer left some soy beans or corn standing in the area after harvest but I don't think it is right to use a mechanical feeding device timed to certain times of the day to attract the deer to a hunting blind.

"what time will the deer be here - 5:45 PM when the machine is scheduled to start spreading the grain"

please remember that my opinion and $ will buy coffee at the diner.

YMMV

Nothing will dissuade a young healthy cat from pouncing on a mouse or bird, just for the fun of it. The thing about auto-feeding deer attracting machines that manufacturers have not latched onto: remote firing rifles equipped with wireless TV monitors so that if the weather is bad, you can shoot the deer from the comfort of your living room.

[aslyfox]

Nothing will dissuade a young healthy cat from pouncing on a mouse or bird, just for the fun of it. The thing about auto-feeding deer attracting machines that manufacturers have not latched onto: remote firing rifles equipped with wireless TV monitors so that if the weather is bad, you can shoot the deer from the comfort of your living room.

yes, cats kill for enjoyment as well as for need and training of the young

your idea of automation lacks some items:

you forgot -

automated retrieval of the carcass if anything is left, field dressing and transport to the locker of your choice for processing and then delivery to your front door.

[Nicolas06]

Grumeti river, Tanzania.

DA55-300, K3

[aslyfox]

Magnificent Martial Eagle

upon further reflection, I really like the "mimicry" of the bird and the short branch on the limb to its right.

[noelcmn]

Generally, feeding wildlife is to be avoided, particularly from the dependency standpoint. My own philosophy is to feed only birds that occur naturally in my area, mostly sparrows/weavers/loeries and thrushes. Some birds naturally investigate urban areas, and even survive/thrive under the circumstances. Not 5 km from me are some Peregrine Falcons that reside in a building, and have been there for years- their food supply readily available in the form of doves and pigeons. So in some instances, creating "dependency" is minimal. In the Kruger Park, feeding of animals is forbidden, after a long history of incidents. Baboons and monkeys, for example, are prime examples of dependency and "know" there is a food source at picnic /rest camps, some even being daring enough to raid tents and chalets. Several birds display the same, with the Yellow billed Hornbill being quite adept at stealing food off your plate while you are not watching. The Honeybadger is notorious for raiding bins in several camps in Kruger. Partly all this is unavoidable, where humans congregate, but my view is that if we are careful not to leave any food laying around, that will go half way to solving the problem. On the other hand, many zoo animals thrive on food provided by humans, and some are so radically different from the natural diet, it makes me squirm. We do need to be careful and usually the best option is to avoid feeding wild animals, though I may well change that view should there be that much snow on my doorstep. Sometimes animals need "help".
This one needs no help

[WPRESTO]

Kittens are hopelessly cute. They seem perpetually to be having so much fun playing with anything and everything available. Looks as though the lioness has an injury on her knee.
I did not have time to switch to a longer lens for these chukkars. A deep crop from the original, just deep enough to keep two of them in the frame.

Oops. Forgot to post the original uncropped version for comparison.

[noelcmn]

Quenching a thirst

[WPRESTO]

Ibex with spectacular horns.

[aslyfox]

Quenching a thirst

I too noticed the dark area on the leg

____________________________________

regarding Noel's comments about animals coming to human "trash" areas.

when I was a Scout leader we were always after the kids not to leave food in their tents. Raccoons and other animals would raid. we also warned about "mini bears" meaning chipmunks, squirrels, mice and rats. when the kids didn't look too concerned about "mini bears" I would remind them that where there are "mini bears" there could be their predators - snakes. that usually got their attention because we were in areas where (rarely) poisonous snakes could be found.

I never told them that the risk of snakes was very very small