Mole-snake killed

This dead Mole-snake was seen on the corner of Chaffinch street and Canary crescent in Tableview.

Measurement: 2,3 Meters


The mole snake can be "quite ferocious".
Though not venomous, they can cause severe bite wounds. Despite this, they are said to make good pets when sufficiently settled.

The primary food source of P. cana comprises golden moles (hence the name), rodents, and other small mammals. For this reason, it is considered useful for the natural control of problem rodents.


Read more

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_snake

Apologies

I have been neglecting my blogging terribly but shall get back to regular blogging when we relocate to Cape L'Agulhas.

I have been saddened by the indiscriminate removal of large trees at Rietvlei and is no longer involved with the conservation side there.

Mac 24 hour race

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View more photographs here

Chameleon

This is a beaut from my garden. I just missed a photograph of him drinking water from the bird-bath.

Recreation on the water

Helmeted Guinaefowl

Guinaefowl caught in fishing line

Two Helmeted Guineafowl was found on one day with their feet entangled in fishing line

Mongoose released at Rietvlei, Cape

One female Water Mongoose, caught at Intaka Island , was released in the bird-hide block on 31-7-2009

A male Water Mongoose was trapped and released to join the female on 5 August 2009

Bird Activity Rietvlei, Cape -- bird-hide block

Tue 28 Jul 2009

35 Glossy Ibis
1 African Fish-Eagle
2 Black-shouldered Kites
4 Great Crested Grebes
10 Mousebirds

African Pygmy Mouse

Found on the Island

Otters at Rietvlei

I noticed some movement on the waters edge near the new hide - South lake.
It turned out to be a family of otters

Rietvlei reserve 7-7-2009

Rietvlei 7-7-2009 - Mole

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We spotted this mole sunbathing -- just his head sticking out.

Rietvlei 7-7-2009

25-Jun-2009 Rietvlei, Cape - Bird Activity

25 Jun 2009

• The pan is full of water

Bird Activity:

• About 60 Egyptian geese in the area halfway to the bird-hide.

• Two Cape Longclaws (Orange-throated Longclaws)

• One juvenile Black Sparrowhawk

• A pair of Black-shouldered Kites

• One Rock Kestrel

• And pair of Great Crested Grebe in the mating dance. Necks twisting and head-crests fanning.

See photos

Juvenile Swift Tern

Rietvlei Walk 11-Jun-07

11-Jun-009

Rietvlei Walk

Birds spotted:

• * 8 Black-headed Herons - one has just caught a frog. There seems to be a great number of frogs in the area (photograph below)

• * A pair of Black-shouldered Kites in the area between North and South-vlei

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Birds breeding in mid winter

Horse Trails 17-June-2009