A Zoologist's Album

Constantly running out of battery power

[meginthewild]

Rough Burrower (Opistophthalmus glabrifrons). These scorpions are mildly venomous, but not of medical importance. These species burrow (as the name suggests) under rocks and in open grasslands (ASI). I always get excited when I manage to spot a scorpion. This photo was taken on a warm summer evening whilst we were out on a drive. We basically flew out of the car when we saw it in the middle of the road. #scorpion #arachnid #naturephotography #nightphotography #gamedrive #southafrica #canonphotography (at Melkrivier, Limpopo, South Africa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CG2HmMEhVKN/?igshid=1o6rwokhgqw5x

[meginthewild]

White-fronted bee-eater (Merops bullockoides). Despite being known as bee-eaters, these birds also feed on wasps, beetles, flies, dragonflies, moths and butterflies. Once caught,  an insect is carried back to the perch and beaten. The tail ends of bees/wasps are rubbed against a perch until the stinger and venom are discharged (takes approx. 5-10 seconds). The prey is then tossed into the mouth and swallowed (Roberts Birds). (at Verlorenkloof) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGw9vOfBMPK/?igshid=1g3kjiz4f3ipm

[meginthewild]

These free-running and ground-living vagabonds (like their namesakes) lie in wait to run down their prey. I introduce to you, the wolf spider (Lycosidae). Intimidating or absolutely adorable? They are easily recognised by their characteristic eye pattern. Photo 1 - male. Photo 2- female. #wolfspider #lycosidae #spider #spidersofinstagram #arachnid #macrophotography #nature #canon #southafrica (at Melkrivier, Limpopo, South Africa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGuciVLBPiW/?igshid=1wwup9l3cv21v

[meginthewild]

Lady (beetle) of the night. #macrophotography #insect #insectsofinstagram #beetle #ladybeetle #naturephotography #canon (at Verlorenkloof) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGrgOfIhGvP/?igshid=g24poh8wfvde

[meginthewild]

Autumn #autumn (at Centurion, Gauteng) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAIVlSYBDH8/?igshid=3l53l5nhmr4g

[meginthewild]

Banded mongooses (Mungos mungo). I spot a third wheel... #mongoose #mongooses #mammal #animal #animalphotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nuts_about_wildlife #canonphotography #southafrica #wildlifeofinstagram #wildplanet (at Vaalwater) https://www.instagram.com/p/B78Us9hBlZq/?igshid=9pkcpf4xoit9

[meginthewild]

Just taking care of some dirty work. This dung beetle (Heliocopris atropos Boheman, 1860) was also visited by a fly friend. #beetle #dungbeetle #scarab #coleoptera #entomology #macrophotography #fly #nature #naturephotography #canonphotography #noedit #nofilter #southafrica (at Vaalwater) https://www.instagram.com/p/B73E06mhBB5/?igshid=pvlp5g0fm9pj

[meginthewild]

Feeling (hermit) crabby yet? Collab with @nicolas.prinsloo7 #crab #hermitcrab #beach #crustacean #oceanphotography #wildlifephotography #southafrica #canonphotography #cute (at Ramsgate, KwaZulu-Natal) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7njxJXB25T/?igshid=uef6cnzumdmt

[meginthewild]

A spider visits an African lily #spider #spiderphotography #arachnida #macrophotography #flower #africanlily #nature #naturephotography #southafrica #canonphotography #noedit #nofilter (at Centurion, Gauteng) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7k87a7hl73/?igshid=1o33oay9ha92j

[meginthewild]

This is a hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) or a hammerhead stork 🔨 They will sometimes stand on the backs of hippos and use them as platforms for hunting #bird #birds #birding #hamerkop #nutsaboutbirds #birdphotography #nature #southafrica #canonphotography #noedit #nofilter #hammertime (at Vaalwater) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7i4GaMhMKN/?igshid=qcqcj470bp00

[meginthewild]

We spotted this beautiful male lion (Panthera leo) at Mountain Zebra National Park on a day off from field work. Also, me realising I'll be scuba training in the rain and cold tomorrow #lion #malelion #bigcats #animal #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #nuts_about_wildlife #travel #canonphotography #southafrica #noedit #nofilter (at Mountain Zebra National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7derWxhYO0/?igshid=pnmfogln3xwg

[meginthewild]

Spot the lunate ladybird beetle (Cheilomenes lunata) #beetle #ladybird🐞 #ladybirdbeetle #coleoptera #insect #insectsofinstagram #naturephotography #tree #acacia #canonphotography #southafrica (at Vaalwater) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7aqDH7Jeb9/?igshid=pddfizqpiq5j

[meginthewild]

This photo might be a hit or miss, but here is a savage daddy longlegs spider (Pholcidae) prepping another spider for lunch. Come on people, spiders are awesome! #spider #daddylonglegs #pholcidae #arachnida #arachnidsofinstagram #nature #spiderphotography #canonphotography #southafrica #nofilters #noedit #lunch (at Vaalwater) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7YfA4mJO4V/?igshid=1v0nlr3gda6f3

[meginthewild]

Zazu! Or rather a southern yellow-billed hornbill (Tockus leucomelas).  These birds have some really interesting breeding behaviour. I would love to paraphrase, but I feel like this snippet from sabisabi.com sums it up perfectly. When they begin their courtship the male will feed the female for up to a month by bringing her small bits of food in his mouth. Talk about wining and dining.  Once they have mated, the pair will seek out a hole in a tree, usually facing north east, and will use an array of leaf litter and bark as their nesting material. When the nest is ready the female will enter the hole and close the opening with her faeces, leaving a small slit in the entrance for her devoted partner to feed her while she incubates her eggs. I mean... #bird #birdphotography #hornbill #southernyellowbilledhornbill #nature #naturephotography #southafrica #zazu #lionking (at Kruger National Park South Africa) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7V_Pq1BKyO/?igshid=v1tj513ueevt

[meginthewild]

Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris)  When you're nervously waiting to ask her to prom... They use their bushy tails as a parasol during feeding on hot days to shade their heads and backs (Bennett et al. 1984). Imagine having a built-in umbrella! We saw these guys whilst doing fieldwork at Mountain Zebra National Park. https://www.instagram.com/p/B7TBvetBC_A/?igshid=my1x06n3o34e

[meginthewild]

This female common rock agama (Agama atra) is looking for a partner that enjoys basking on rocks next to the beach. Must be scaly

[meginthewild]

I’m just a giraffe, standing in front of a girl, asking her to stop taking photos of me. Also, tell the others that conservation is important for our population growth. K, thanks.

Fabulous giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). Would love lashes like those!