I went down to my swimming spot with the aim ofremoving some branches from a tree which had fallen across the river. As I arrived I disturbed a young Fish Eagle who was sitting on this tree. Rustling in the undergrowth on the opposite bank alerted Dog and me that we were not alone and soon an otter popped up its head, sending the dog into a fit (she probably thought it was a swimming honey badger). Another otter also started popping up and down and doing a sort of long moan-growl. To my surprise the closer otter started making a bee-line for us and was probably only 3m away from the dog when I called her back. After a while they settled down so I entered the water to commence my pruning task, keeping a close eye on the nearest otter. Dog was sensibly sticking to the bank. After a few minutes I noticed the otter had moved closer, was staring at me intently and again moan-growling. Being waist-deep in water with nothing for protection but a swimming costume and a folding saw, I decided to calmly retreat and the otter immediately snaked over and claimed the territory I had just vacated. Video here:
Dragonfly caught by Spider in web
Spotted from our research vessel, escaping a white shark (Carcharodon carcharias).
Links to https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42737857 - taken a split second before this photo.
rooivlerkspreeu/red-winged starling/onychognathus morio on Klipspringer [Oreotragus oreotragus]
First two recovered long dead in very wet holes. Rest recovered alive from lower section of felled tree.Thanks to Shauns for the professional demonstration of the use of a chiansaw!
Photos by Bugert Jordaan, cel camera, under UV light, following up on a remark made by Sally Adams.