Tweet  

Leopards earned their place in the famed 'Big Five' by being one of the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot. This is not only because of the fearsome teeth seen in this photograph but also because of their incredible mobility and the eighteen sharp claws with which they capture and lacerate their prey. They are mostly peaceful creatures but can be somewhat unpredictable if cornered, injured or old and hungry.

 

    Tweet  

The aching blue of the Wolwedans skies are not often disrupted by clouds, but occasional periods of high rainfall are enough to sustain these hardy camelthorn acacias. The inselbergs seen here are one of four habitats typically found in the arid NamibRand Nature Reserve - along with sand dunes and sand and gravel plains. Despite the harsh conditions there are many creatures that thrive here. This image shows one of these - the Sociable Weaver - and there are also fluctuating populations of oryx, springbok, kudu, Hartman's and Burchell's zebra, giraffe, klipspringer, steenbok, hartebeest and baboon.

 

    Tweet  

A zebra grazing in long grass takes a break to peer curiously at the photographer. When one has been travelling in African national parks for many years, it is easy to become accustomed to the striking looks of the zebra. Occasionally though, it occurs even to the most avid bushwhackers that these animals are right out of the psychedelic 1960s. Of course, the zebra's stripes are a vital survival tactic and play an important role in 'psyching out' predators, who seemingly cannot easily discern one zebra from another when they herd together.

 

    Tweet  

A herd of very healthy-looking oryx trundles across brittle scrubland. These antelope are at home in arid areas and don't need drinking water, surviving on the moisture they find in roots and tubers. Their Latin name is 'oryx gazella' and it is the large dark-chocolate patch on their rumps that makes them very distinct from 'oryx beisa' - the east African species. 'Oryx gazella' are more commonly known in southern Africa as gemsbok. Male gemsbok are huge and may weigh up to 240kg.

 

    Tweet  

Sheep graze in mown wheat fields in the Overberg. This region is named for its location: to get from Cape Town to these fertile farming lands, one has to go 'over' the Hottentots Holland mountains ('berge' in Afrikaans) via Sir Lowry's Pass. These rolling wheat fields are typical of the area which is known for its wheat production and fruit crops. The Elgin Valley in the Overberg produces 60% of South Africa's apple crops. The major towns in the Overberg area are Hermanus, Caledon, Bredasdorp and Swellendam.

 

    Tweet  

A Spotted Eagle Owl demonstrates its brilliant camouflage: its mottled brown and white feathers closely resemble the bark of the tree next to it. This owl is also demonstrating the famed ability of its kin to rotate their heads up to 270 degrees. Spotted Eagle Owls are found throughout southern Africa and are very adaptable. While they are seldom seen during the day because of their nocturnal habits, they are found urban, rural and wild areas. They mate for life.

 

    Tweet  

A leopard relaxes in a tree in the morning sun. The ability to climb and rest in trees is hugely beneficial to leopards. Just like other cats, leopards like to sharpen their claws on the bark of tree trunks. These sharp claws and their incredible strength and agility enables them to drag their prey into treetops, giving them an advantage over opportunistic lions and hyenas that may try to steal it from them. Leopards can haul into trees animals that are twice or three times their body weight - even gangly young giraffes.