Chobe River Floodplains – Part 1
Botswana – Chobe | Anno 2022
On the way to Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River
Weavers often breed in colonies. They build their nests close together in trees. The nests hang from branches with the entrance facing downwards to prevent birds of prey from entering
The lush floodplains of the Chobe River are teeming with waterfowl and provide a vital watering hole for a host of mammals – antelope, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, elephant
Chobe River floodplains
Spoonbills, darters, yellow-billed storks, white-faced whistling ducks… and a Nile crocodile
Nile crocodile, white-faced whistling ducks, African spoonbill
Scientific research has shown that horseflies and tsetse flies are reluctant to land on striped surfaces. Their stripes may therefore protect zebras from the diseases these insects transmit
This young chacma baboon feels at home in a tree. And the view over the Chobe floodplain is fantastic
Chacma baboons are opportunistic omnivores – from fruits to tubers, from eggs to lizards, even from mice to young impalas
The chacma baboon is the largest primate in southern Africa after humans
Chacma baboons forage not only in the trees, but also on the ground
Helmeted guinea fowl
Blacksmith plover
Even an elephant's droppings will do as a lookout post for this carmine bee-eater
Southern carmine bee-eaters
The greater kudu is generally holding up well in Africa. However, trophy hunters, cattle diseases, and the destruction of its habitat pose serious threats
A beautiful animal it is, this adult greater kudu, with its curled horns, the manes over its back, the fringed hairs on its neck, the white patches on its face, the large, round ears with the colourful markings
But closer we encounter another reality. The animal is plagued by an abundance of flies
African baobab
African baobab
Great egret, African spoonbill
The African spoonbill usually stays at the water's edge, preferably near hippos. They offer protection from crocodiles and bring food to the surface through their rummaging
Great egret
The osprey is found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica
A fish eagle weighs three to four times as much as an osprey. Aside from humans, the fish eagle has no real enemies. However, there are predators that prey on its eggs
Fishing is not permitted on the Botswana side of the Chobe River. However, on the other side, Namibian fishermen are free to fish
Great white pelicans always seek each other's company. They live relatively peacefully in large colonies, and conflicts are rare
Plains zebras
Buffalo herds can number hundreds of animals
The buffalos hesitate for a moment before continuing their journey to the water
It is an enormous herd, the procession of the buffalos seems to have no end
Yellow-billed storks
Following mother's good example, that's what this young yellow-billed stork does
This African spoonbill seems pleased with the prey it caught
Grey heron
It takes five years for a young fish eagle to develop the beautiful colours of an adult
Chacam baboons, impalas, plains zebras
Chacma baboons
Mother with young
A female grooms her young. Social grooming is done between all the animals in the group to strengthen social bonds
The pungent stench, the lions gathered here, the many vultures in the trees... Everything points to something special being going on
And that's true. A few days ago, an adult elephant died of natural causes. One of the lions stands guard over the carcass while his kin nap further away. That's going to be a treat later
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White-backed vultures |
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A hooded vulture (centre of the photo) is often the first to discover a carcass. Then it's the white-backed vultures that show up in large numbers
The hooded vulture (right) is characterised by the pink, bare skin around its beak and over its face. It is a typical scavenger and waste collector. However, its survival is seriously threatened
The white-backed vulture, once considered Africa's most common vulture species, is also seriously threatened
Lioness
Lion cub
Jaak Palmans
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