Category: namibia

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Martial Eagle

On our second day in Damaraland in Namibia, our guide Chris was doing his best to locate the desert adapted elephants for us to view.  We were driving through a dry riverbed, going in a direction that seemed to be completely opposite to where the elephants tracks were headed.  Since I couldn’t make heads or tails of the ellie tracks that crossed back and forth, this way and that, I kept my eyes out for birds and other animals.

A short distance from the vehicle, I spotted a martial eagle perched in low branch above the sandy riverbed.  Chris quickly stopped the vehicle so I could get a quick shot, assuming as I did that the bird would be gone in a moment.  Lucky for me, the eagle was very interested in posing for photos that morning, and sat still while the vehicle moved ahead, and then moved past it, so I could get photos from all angles.  I do really seem to have great luck with bird photos when I least expect it (and we did carry on to locate the ellies too).

An incredibly regal looking bird. All photos 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO640
An incredibly beautiful bird.
All photos 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO640.  April, 2015, Wilderness Safari’s Damaraland Camp, Namibia
A piercing stare.
A piercing stare.
Checking out what's happening in the riverbed, besides us.
Checking out what’s happening in the riverbed, besides us.
Head rotated backwards, and if you look closely, you'll notice the eyes are half closed.
Head rotated backwards, and if you look closely, you’ll notice the eyes are half closed.
Searching the ground for prey? Or getting bored of all the attention?
Searching the ground for prey? Or getting bored of all the attention?

20150803_Martial Eagle-7

I thought he was getting ready to take off at this point, but he settled back into his branch.
I thought he was getting ready to take off at this point, but he settled back into his branch.

20150803_Martial Eagle-5

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Damaraland Highlights

Here is a glimpse of some of the beautiful scenery of Damaraland, and my transfer between Sossusvlei and Damaraland.

One of Damaraland's rocky hills. Taken early in the day when the winds are low and the sky is free from dust.
One of Damaraland’s rocky hills. Taken early in the day when the winds are low and the sky is free from dust.
An oryx runs through the desert at sunset. Such pretty light.
An oryx runs through the desert at sunset. Such pretty light.
A huge group of ostriches were spooked by our approaching vehicle, and ran as fast as they could to the top of the rise.
A huge group of ostriches were spooked by our approaching vehicle, and ran as fast as they could to the top of the rise.
One of the more recent shipwrecks along the Namibian coast. This one ran aground in the mid 2000's.
One of the more recent shipwrecks along the Namibian coast. This one ran aground in the mid 2000’s.
Some of the amazing rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. They estimate that the San bushman carved these images between 2000-6000 years ago. The sandstone has broken up, and the panels are no longer in the original positions.
Some of the amazing rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. They estimate that the San bushman carved these images between 2000-6000 years ago. The sandstone has broken up, and the panels are no longer in the original positions.
One of the desert adapted elephants of Damaraland. I was surprised how high they climbed in the mountains.
One of the desert adapted elephants of Damaraland. I was surprised how high they climbed in the mountains.

Huab river

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Birds at breakfast

These birds seemed to think that breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day, but an easy breakfast is!

Too many carbs??? A sociable weaver looks sleepy atop a bowl of museli.
Too many carbs???
A sociable weaver looks sleepy atop a bowl of museli.
A pair of mountain wheatears and a sociable weaver look for crumbs.
A pair of mountain wheatears and a sociable weaver look for crumbs.
A group of sociable weavers line up on the patio steps, waiting for me to leave the table so they could help themselves to leftovers.
A group of sociable weavers line up on the patio steps, waiting for me to leave the table so they could help themselves to leftovers.
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