Lycaon pictus, the African Wild dog.

Lycaon pictus

An endangered species, Lycaon pictus is a canid found only in Africa, especially in savannas and lightly wooded areas. It is variously called the African wild dog, African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog, African painted dog, painted wolf, painted hunting dog, spotted dog, or ornate wolf. I had an excellent opportunity to see these magnificent creatures for a long time when we were in Botswana. Spending almost 4 hours with the pack as they went about their business.

I got a whole lot of photos but this particular one of young adults galavanting around after a meal has a dynamic quality which i particularly loved. Unfortunately the species in under a threat due to various reasons. Continue reading Lycaon pictus, the African Wild dog.

The recycler…

The recycler by Tarique Sani (TariqueSani) on 500px.com
The recycler by Tarique Sani (TariqueSani) on 500px.com

The recycler by Tarique Sani

Not a very photogenic species today but a very important one ecologically. The African White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)

The white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is closely related to the European griffon vulture, G. fulvus. Sometimes it is called African white-backed vulture to distinguish it from the Oriental white-backed vulture—nowadays usually called white-rumped vulture—to which it was formerly believed to be closely related.

The white-backed vulture is a typical vulture, with only down feathers on the head and neck, very broad wings and short tail feathers. It has a white neck ruff. The adult’s whitish back contrasts with the otherwise dark plumage. Juveniles are largely dark. This is a medium-sized vulture; its body mass is 4.2 to 7.2 kilograms (9.3–15.9 lb), it is 78 to 98 cm (31 to 39 in) long and has a 1.96 to 2.25 m (6 to 7 ft) wingspan.

Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of animals which it finds by soaring over savannah. It also takes scraps from human habitations. It often moves in flocks. It breeds in trees on the savannah of west and east Africa, laying one egg. The population is mostly resident.

As it is rarer than previously believed, its conservation status was reassessed from Least Concern to Near Threatened in the 2007 IUCN Red List.[5] In 2012 it was further uplisted to Endangered. In 2013 it is further uplisted to Critically Endangered.

What are you looking at?

A male steenbok
A male steenbok

The steenbok, (Raphicerus campestris), is a common small antelope of southern and eastern Africa. It is sometimes known as the steinbuck or steinbok.

Peacock Pansy…

Peacock Pansy by Tarique Sani (TariqueSani) on 500px.com
Peacock Pansy by Tarique Sani (TariqueSani) on 500px.com

Peacock Pansy by Tarique Sani

Morning Parade

A gaggle of Egyptian Geese
A gaggle of Egyptian Geese

Just another day in…

Just another day in... by Tarique Sani (TariqueSani) on 500px.com
Just another day in... by Tarique Sani (TariqueSani) on 500px.com

Just another day in… by Tarique Sani

Danaid Eggfly – Hypolimnas misippus

Danaid Eggfly - Hypolimnas misippus
Danaid Eggfly - Hypolimnas misippus

Red-billed Oxpeckers

Red-billed Oxpeckers on a Giraffe
Red-billed Oxpeckers on a Giraffe

Rikki Tikki Tavi II

Indian Grey Mongoose
Indian Grey Mongoose