[noelcmn]

Feeding friends, no chance for camouflage here

[savoche]

Hyenas and an unfortunate springbok in Etosha.

I have always thought of hyenas as dogs, but they are actually more closely related to cats. It's a strange world.

[WPRESTO]

Dogs? Cats? Hyenas? I've got no use for any of them.
Hyenas may have a common ancestor with cats more recently in time than either have a common ancestor with dogs, but that common ancestor is way, way deep back in time = multiple tens of millions of years, closer in time to dinosaurs than to us.

To be more precise, cats & hyenas have a common ancestor about 40~45 million years ago, the cat/hyena group and the dog group have a common ancestor about 55 million years ago. Both values are subject to debate and revision based on new discoveries or analysis.

[RobG]

No doubt referring to Tim Low's compelling and fascinating thesis in his book, "Where Song Began": Tim Low - Where Song Began A nice little teaser here: Where Song Began | The Saturday Paper

Yep, a great read. It's hard to argue with genetics! There's Lyrebirds near where I live - one of the oldest songbird lineages.

[savoche]

Hyenas may have a common ancestor with cats more recently in time than either have a common ancestor with dogs, but that common ancestor is way, way deep back in time = multiple tens of millions of years, closer in time to dinosaurs than to us..

Very true (although a modifier here doesn't make sense, does it - either it is true or it isn't). Hyaenidae is a family of its own. But I was still surprised when I learnt it was closer to Felidae than Canidae. The joys of convergent evolution.

Here's a specimen of the Felidae family who has just robbed its distant cousins of the springbok - or what little is left.

[WPRESTO]

Felid or hyenid, they're no fit company for a Tommy.

[noelcmn]

I'm so sad at all this killing going on around here

[WPRESTO]

Size and habitat matter. Come on in, kitty-lion, and bring your hyena cousins. I dare you.

---------- Post added 02-16-18 at 08:41 AM ----------

I'm so sad at all this killing going on around here

Really fine portrait.

[noelcmn]

Thank you sir!
Muddy beaked Kingfisher

[WPRESTO]

Nice big photo-subject.

[noelcmn]

Lilac Breasted Roller

[WPRESTO]

An African turtle. It would not turn to face me nor pause and lift its head.

[noelcmn]

Nesting time

[WPRESTO]

Crowned crane getting its feet wet.

[Des]

There's Lyrebirds near where I live - one of the oldest songbird lineages.

There are lyrebirds near us too. We had one singing on our property a couple of years ago, but unfortunately he didn't stay. They are surely one of the great treasures of the natural world. One of my goals is to get a decent shot of one this year. These mediocre images are about the best I have got so far. Fitzroy Falls, Morton NP, NSW southern highlands. Unfortunately jpg only. K100D Super + Tamron 18-250.