BIRD WATCHING
By Kwelio Largo
I'm waiting...
The sun beat down with a heavy intensity on my head and face.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYBm7ei8gX
Sweat ran in slow meandering paths down my dusty brow and I blinked at the harsh burning sensation as one entered the corner of my left eye.
I have been in the bushveld now for five days. I know the bundu - as I always call it.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdfJA6svmE
Mother Nature with all her intricacies is not someone you want to mess with. She is unforgiving. A harsh taskmaster. Never one to underestimate. 1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA6Z6On0sX
I know the bundu.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNtamKftB7
I grew up in it. Learnt from my father and then from some of the best while in the military. 1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5HExA8OTY
So yes. Im no stranger to the wild.
I always hankered to come back and spend a week or two alone here. Nobody with me. Just me, myself and I. Getting back to nature and it's foibles. To be one with it all over again.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Nknf9aa0R
I love every moment of it.
So why on earth would I notify anybody about my plans? This was a private sojourn.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJi3DR8LVY
So I planned. Brought the necessary equipment with just enough food and water for 24 hours.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcpCl6shhY
Nature would supply what I needed from there on. 1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRDvRyBL0T
For if you knew where to look. If you know what sort of traps to lay. Where to lay them. Where to look for water or what to do when looking for shelter...
I'm waiting...
Five days I've been on this hike now and moved over some pretty rough terrain after the second day out when I left the designated hiking trail.
Ive always wanted to start a hobby. 1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjdrHH8VrB
Something that would catch and hold my attention. Yes. Like hiking. Or bird watching.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS2qskkaEX
Now Bird Watching I always believed was for poofs and wusses. Not a manly occupation at best.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vc0CsugmS
Until now that is.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWYbihbpY6
Now, I'm caught up in the moment of it all.
Im waiting...
There are four largish vultures circling above.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5otIRl5W04
What type or even category they fell into I cannot say but a few general knowledge bits fell into place into my mind as one suddenly dips close to my position and lands with a few hops on thin legs ... the others quickly following.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfyV0FrTFQ
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There's a meal to be had and it's 1st come 1st served.
Your average Vulture uses thermal currents to soar up to 150km and more per day. They can eat a kilogram of flesh in one sitting.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEy9JCeq4Y
Different shaped bills or beaks allow each type to go for particular parts of the carcase. They eat carrion but prefere fresh meat though they certainly are not picky.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw5XXRrlPY
One brave bird hops closer to the feast that's laid out for it.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEZU4te9aL
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My eyes following it closely.
Their wingspan can reach 2.5 meters and more.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYGDY52Vgs
The four Vultures in front of me were spread out. Odd grunts and clicking came from their beaks. Wings were fluffed. A little preening going on.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuejUYDf8Ef
Their plumage was creamy colored with contrasting dark wings and tan feathers. Hopping closer to their intended banquet, one took to the air again. I saw its head and neck was nearly bare of feathers.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rjyO91SSy
It landed heavily on target and a sudden "woof" of explosive air was forced out of my lungs.
I'm waiting...
Vultures can weigh up to 11 kilos and with its weight fully on my chest, I can well imagine this to the be true.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQwLOaMSI3
A bald head cocked to the side as it eyed me with an unblinking yellow stare. Cocking it's head to the other side it takes a tentative step closer to my face and lowers that huge beak towards me while blunt claws gripped for purchase.
The last thing I see as this enormous beak blurs with speed, is the small cliff face I had fallen from three days previously after i lost my footing. 1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioeeo9IUV2
A mere 9 foot fall.1106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTJeCxI9am
A broken neck.
My waiting is over...
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