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!