BIRD WATCHING
By Kwelio Largo
I'm waiting...
The sun beat down with a heavy intensity on my head and face.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fWvZsAfNi
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.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRNgS1LA6C
Mother Nature with all her intricacies is not someone you want to mess with. She is unforgiving. A harsh taskmaster. Never one to underestimate. 1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzJMMclQpe
I know the bundu.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6UCDEXG7N
I grew up in it. Learnt from my father and then from some of the best while in the military. 1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx12UikeVcL
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.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX4r7eaGkb
I love every moment of it.
So why on earth would I notify anybody about my plans? This was a private sojourn.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0BpnmjYZL
So I planned. Brought the necessary equipment with just enough food and water for 24 hours.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnbbf3w1ss
Nature would supply what I needed from there on. 1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT86uyeJeq
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. 1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF6ortLZeP
Something that would catch and hold my attention. Yes. Like hiking. Or bird watching.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTWu9teGNc
Now Bird Watching I always believed was for poofs and wusses. Not a manly occupation at best.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcjbDhzORe
Until now that is.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIkkmAfZg7
Now, I'm caught up in the moment of it all.
Im waiting...
There are four largish vultures circling above.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9SKV8P4uc
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.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc0bDng75H
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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.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHizujlQWg
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.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHg5Ivv0mp
One brave bird hops closer to the feast that's laid out for it.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg1KcXJ5PE
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My eyes following it closely.
Their wingspan can reach 2.5 meters and more.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKZOg0uaEV
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.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BVEQVqFDs
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.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJnxN7ez0D
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.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg13jcUFgA
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. 1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTmTbGTfN8
A mere 9 foot fall.1140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQBY5qat54
A broken neck.
My waiting is over...
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