14 June 2012

Familiar Faces

It is always good to see some familiar faces at new camera trapping locations.

A rather cute looking Porcupine (Ystervark - Hystrix africaeaustralis) walking past the camera trap, youngster in tow

These spiny rodents are commonly found throughout South Africa and the thickets of the Eastern Cape is no exception. Looking at the number of my posts that have contained photographs of Porcupines I must have a soft spot for these prickly punks.

The mongoose of the South also made his enigmatic appearance. The Small Grey Mongoose might be restricted to the Southern parts of South Africa, but it is pretty commonly encountered in it's range and can be found in a wide variety of habitats.

I'm not sure, but does this Small Grey Mongoose (Kleingrysmuishond - Galerella pulverulenta) have only half a tail?

And what would any camera trapping expedition be without the watchful eye of the Secret Police!

Officer-of-the-law aka Helmeted Guineafowl (Tarentaal - Numida meleagris) trying to avoid being seen

Based on all the photographs of dogs I've gotten thus far, I think the above officer might be part of an elite K-9 unit!

A domestic dog (Hond - Canis lupus familiaris) at the Woody Cape

The Woody Cape has been the location at which I've photograph, by far, the most domestic dogs. I believe that most of them are adventurous individuals that stay in the small holiday/retirement town of Cannon Rocks that borders the Woody Cape section of the Addo Elephant National Park. My theory is that, since it is a rather quiet and safe town, the adrenaline junkies offer their services to the local Camera Trapping Law Enforcement Cult. I've been shadowed by strange dogs on some of my camera trapping expeditions. One even jumped into our rental car's boot!

05 June 2012

The Black, Grey and White Now In Colour

Honey Badger (Ratel - Mellivora capensis) at the Woody Cape

"I love it when a plan comes together!" I'm pretty pleased with the above photograph of a Honey Badger from the Woody Cape section of the Addo Elephant National Park. It all started a month earlier when I got some repeat visits of a Ratel on one of the Bushnell Trophy Cams. However, the camera was to close to the trail to take a decent photograph of the visitor.

A Ratel swishing past the camera

Not sure what this fellow is doing...

The Bushnell cameras with their grey nighttime images are great for seeing what's out there, but once you know what is out there you want to get a decent colour photo of the culprit. So I decided to place my trusty Cuddeback Capture (the old model) a few meters down the trial where the thicket opened up a bit. I think it payed off well :)

Mr (yes, a mister) Honey Badger showing us his powerful claws

It's good to see some carnivores in the thicket. I've seen plenty of molehills in the area and I'd put my money on it that these guys dig them out. Honey Badgers feed on a wide variety of small animals (mammals, birds, reptiles and insects) and off coarse has a sweet tooth for honey.