BIRD WATCHING
By Kwelio Largo
I'm waiting...
The sun beat down with a heavy intensity on my head and face.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYv4is2NIx
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.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguDYfmsAUW
Mother Nature with all her intricacies is not someone you want to mess with. She is unforgiving. A harsh taskmaster. Never one to underestimate. 1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJue5qv8TB6
I know the bundu.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkgcaF78hx
I grew up in it. Learnt from my father and then from some of the best while in the military. 1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVAckz83MV
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.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhav5IxtbzX
I love every moment of it.
So why on earth would I notify anybody about my plans? This was a private sojourn.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4avKwVnGa
So I planned. Brought the necessary equipment with just enough food and water for 24 hours.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKs9a11om5
Nature would supply what I needed from there on. 1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghgecrDESp
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. 1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GWptD4K7L
Something that would catch and hold my attention. Yes. Like hiking. Or bird watching.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3N8mfIrCE
Now Bird Watching I always believed was for poofs and wusses. Not a manly occupation at best.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx95pEblqD
Until now that is.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZxtuunt0I
Now, I'm caught up in the moment of it all.
Im waiting...
There are four largish vultures circling above.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHGaQqWS0E
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.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEG7RKNBO8
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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.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa49eZYzlc
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.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWaqzzD4tT
One brave bird hops closer to the feast that's laid out for it.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XveOqFDPR
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My eyes following it closely.
Their wingspan can reach 2.5 meters and more.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRxWKV1Ob5
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.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC5JtU9Q4r
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.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYnLIm8UB5
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.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y4jJVrKc5
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. 1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbNXuqYypC
A mere 9 foot fall.1005Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOW4SbWDNG
A broken neck.
My waiting is over...
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