BIRD WATCHING
By Kwelio Largo
I'm waiting...
The sun beat down with a heavy intensity on my head and face.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsl50ibgqr
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.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OT7UMyVZf
Mother Nature with all her intricacies is not someone you want to mess with. She is unforgiving. A harsh taskmaster. Never one to underestimate. 1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqhJlKqfuB
I know the bundu.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0cSj9WKAO
I grew up in it. Learnt from my father and then from some of the best while in the military. 1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuup9WHYmjK
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.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAm6gI6g9V
I love every moment of it.
So why on earth would I notify anybody about my plans? This was a private sojourn.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrvfiZLsAS
So I planned. Brought the necessary equipment with just enough food and water for 24 hours.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQoCpnqeBQ
Nature would supply what I needed from there on. 1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfodwu7Fys
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. 1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjqz2TZ3IB
Something that would catch and hold my attention. Yes. Like hiking. Or bird watching.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRA976gnR3
Now Bird Watching I always believed was for poofs and wusses. Not a manly occupation at best.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDTujNYQkx
Until now that is.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj9wp4BCWt
Now, I'm caught up in the moment of it all.
Im waiting...
There are four largish vultures circling above.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QyX9bjMqf
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.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh7Zs8hIgr
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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.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG54D2uWEXE
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.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLwPU2n1vS
One brave bird hops closer to the feast that's laid out for it.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7uDwvcSeJ
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My eyes following it closely.
Their wingspan can reach 2.5 meters and more.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMB8h3r4XE
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.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwMpvIy853
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.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDvwTHI00G
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.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOUFPeiBM1
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. 1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlJ8A6QaAr
A mere 9 foot fall.1241Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnatIJS018L
A broken neck.
My waiting is over...
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