BIRD WATCHING
By Kwelio Largo
I'm waiting...
The sun beat down with a heavy intensity on my head and face.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QSb7tDuOJ
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.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyTq7FjJp5
Mother Nature with all her intricacies is not someone you want to mess with. She is unforgiving. A harsh taskmaster. Never one to underestimate. 1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTUtFeUgy1
I know the bundu.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78XhkscM8A
I grew up in it. Learnt from my father and then from some of the best while in the military. 1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc11o22r65D
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.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgVpnpxQY4
I love every moment of it.
So why on earth would I notify anybody about my plans? This was a private sojourn.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyFUCMBXoC
So I planned. Brought the necessary equipment with just enough food and water for 24 hours.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL69DZmUYr1
Nature would supply what I needed from there on. 1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUaC37E87W
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. 1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb6OxpJ5JO
Something that would catch and hold my attention. Yes. Like hiking. Or bird watching.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinXxLVLzF4
Now Bird Watching I always believed was for poofs and wusses. Not a manly occupation at best.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCNGL61Tbu
Until now that is.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdSgMRCbRB
Now, I'm caught up in the moment of it all.
Im waiting...
There are four largish vultures circling above.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkICyfBP8l7
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.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKzMBZnwgz
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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.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnSfQiH9jq
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.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7CX0LuFh6
One brave bird hops closer to the feast that's laid out for it.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GIwFz35r2
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My eyes following it closely.
Their wingspan can reach 2.5 meters and more.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgVX3oSIa8
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.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxuCyT4ZME
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.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWU76RMJmE
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.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5abXBqMlT
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. 1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI64x0s7mx3
A mere 9 foot fall.1071Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8GgEvgHAd
A broken neck.
My waiting is over...
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