On Sunday morning Grant and I drove to the dam for a spot of birding. As usual we weren't disappointed. As we've seen many, if not most of the birds in the area, it's still exciting to seen well-known birds either doing unusual [to human] things or are in strange situations.
Black-headed Heron lifts its leg and claw as if in a greeting (or is it a warning) to the crazy lady photographer invading his space
Taking a couple more photos of this beautiful bird and other egrets sunning themselves, I turned towards a stream created by piped water from the top dam to the one where we were birding. There we spotted two Hamerkop birds (translated Hammer heads - due to the shape of their heads) fishing in the fast-flowing water. As we watched we noticed a likkewaan (a common lizard-like, but harmless reptile) wandering around in between the two birds. I took several photos but only when I downloaded them onto my computer, did I notice that there had been two likkewaans with the birds.
A Hamerkop waits patiently beside the stream
The first likkewaan makes its way across the stream
The first (and larger) likkewaan on the bank of the little stream
The other Hamerkop in the front of the photo with the second, smaller likkewaan, above it in the photo, wandering in the stream while the first likkewaan (top right) walks up the bank
Both Hamerkops in the photo now with the second likkewaan in the background
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Very interesting creatures, Jo. I'm glad you said they're harmless.
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the heron is great! "Hi, Jo, I see you're back again."
— K
Those are Big lizards.
ReplyDeleteNice pics - loved the first one and those lizards are scary. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThose lizards look like baby monitor nile lizards! Do you know what species they are? They birds are lovely! I would LOVE to see a Hamerkop one of these days!!!
ReplyDeleteTerrific captures for the day, Jo! Love the heron and that is a BIG lizard! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I am rather ignorant concerning birds, but I am sure I never saw these once ! I recognize a robin, sperling, magpie and a crow, and I think that's it. Owls too, lol !
ReplyDeleteLove the Heron and that's SOME lizard Girl!!!
ReplyDeletehughugs
Awesome captures!
ReplyDeleteHi Jo, great captures. The Hamerkop are cool looking birds and those likkewaan lizards look big. Do they bite? I hope all is well, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteLove these bird pictures too...and those lizards remind me of Komodo dragons, so I'm glad you said they are harmless!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Happy OWT.
ReplyDeleteOooohweeee... those likkewaans are something! Not anything like the cute geckos we have running around our house. Quite the array of critters you have in (Y)Our World! I enjoyed my browse in your blog. You live in a corner of the world I have yet to visit.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen either of those animals before--the likkewaan and the Hamerkop bird. These are great captures, Jo.
ReplyDeleteWoW and double WoW! Wonderful captures of the Hamer-kop and the likkewaan. (Is that the same as monitor lizard?) I would have been too excited to hold the camera still.
ReplyDelete