When a crocodile eats the sun

Even the cold blooded killers need a little warmth from time to time. I came across these killing machines lying on the sand banks of the river catching some rays in the morning. For optimum warmth they open their mouths wide so the heat can go directly where its needed. Crocodiles mostly absorb heat through their thick scales by a network of small capillaries that push blood through the scales and capture the absorbed heat. The nile crocodile has a unique ability to hunt both in and out of water with notable altercations with female lions, leopards and even cheaters. From one of the local languages in Zambia, crocodile translates to "Flat dog" which is quite appropriate when you observe crocs floating just above the surface of the water like a ..well a flat dog.



Crocodylus niloticus

Feeding Frenzy

The lagoons are quickly drying up causing the birds to become anxious and desperate, their feeding patterns changing they are now engaging in feeding frenzies as the fish get more and more concentrated in the tiny patches of water. It's nature's unique way of removing all forms of water dependent life before it dries up completely. This way nothing goes to waste, eggs have already been burrowed deep into the mud for the next rainy season, their life cycle almost complete the amphibians now serve as a feast for the birds; their last feast before the sun unleashes its unforgiving rays, scortching the earth and making life impossible for those left behind. These feeding frenzies will get the birds through the hard times, provide much needed fuel for migration and the circle continues..



Marabou stork, yellow billed stork and even the saddlebills came to work together to take advantage of this last good meal. After that its back to lion droppings and rotting carcasses for the Marabous and for the rest; whatever they can find, be it small mammals, rodents and frogs which are less tantalizing but as carivores they can adapt.

What was disheartening though was watching the Great African Fish Eagle, a mascot for Zimbabwe and Zambia reduce itself to a scavenging thief; an opportunistic feeder. There they were cawing and fighting each other for the best vantage point where they could watch the other birds at work at swoop in at the right moment for a free (stolen) meal. Abandoning the use of their magnificent art of fishing for their meals. I know they are just trying to make the best of a presented opportunity but I still expected more from them.