BIRD WATCHING
By Kwelio Largo
I'm waiting...
The sun beat down with a heavy intensity on my head and face.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG2MFQrMiI
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.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6jyCE9JTx
Mother Nature with all her intricacies is not someone you want to mess with. She is unforgiving. A harsh taskmaster. Never one to underestimate. 1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFvwIQb0sQ
I know the bundu.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUR8GCe3yg
I grew up in it. Learnt from my father and then from some of the best while in the military. 1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F2gnY7j8e
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.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZu4wZkMwk
I love every moment of it.
So why on earth would I notify anybody about my plans? This was a private sojourn.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6QHuXhuEP
So I planned. Brought the necessary equipment with just enough food and water for 24 hours.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFEDcfXYN7
Nature would supply what I needed from there on. 1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8WCHePfxO
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. 1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBnNI7w3KF
Something that would catch and hold my attention. Yes. Like hiking. Or bird watching.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yCzqXd91c
Now Bird Watching I always believed was for poofs and wusses. Not a manly occupation at best.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4PxEVK01z
Until now that is.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQP2Q7KjGC
Now, I'm caught up in the moment of it all.
Im waiting...
There are four largish vultures circling above.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjtTcCb9IC
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.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyCnsbR2Q0
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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.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9OVhHHwto
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.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W3XyUswZS
One brave bird hops closer to the feast that's laid out for it.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2HJl6rHhS
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My eyes following it closely.
Their wingspan can reach 2.5 meters and more.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TmZdunru3
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.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgVCiCXZQY
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.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwCnqGsWDH
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.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwtdEBqF2O
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. 1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhEJd2leZp
A mere 9 foot fall.1120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxNFz8sFay
A broken neck.
My waiting is over...
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