Steenbok… a small antelope.. common in South Africa…

Two posts in one day… sorry, but I had forgotten about these that I capture recently on a visit to the Kruger National Park and am so happy with them I just wanted to share….

The steenbok, (Raphicerus campestris), is a common small antelope of southern and eastern Africa. It is sometimes known as the steinbuck or steinbok.

Steenbok resemble small Oribi, standing 45–60 cm at the shoulder. Their coat is any shade from fawn to rufous, typically rather orange. The underside, including chin and throat, is white, as is the ring around the eye. Ears are large with "finger-marks" on the inside. Males carry straight, smooth, parallel horns 7–19 cm long. There is a black crescent-shape between the ears, a long black bridge to the glossy black nose, and a black circular scent-gland in front of the eye. The tail is not usually visible, being only 4–6 cm long.

Here are pictures of both sexes, taken in the Kruger National Park…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) is a large bird of prey.

This Eagle is in a rehab centre after having been brought in from an accident.. it will hopefully be fully rehabilitated and released..

This is a large eagle although it is one of the smaller species in the Aquila genus. It is 60–75 cm (24–30 in) in length and has a wingspan of 159–190 cm (63–75 in). Weight can range from 1.6 to 3 kg (3.5 to 6.6 lb.). It has tawny upper parts and blackish flight feathers and tail.

The Tawny Eagle’s diet is largely fresh carrion of all kinds, but it will kill small mammals up to the size of a rabbit, reptiles and birds up to the size of guinea fowl. It will also steal food from other raptors.

The call of the Tawny Eagle is a crow-like barking, but it is rather a silent bird except in display.