10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 11, 2012

They are not necessarily the biggest African animals, but represented those that were considered a real hunter’s worthy prey or “game” – the African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Black Rhinoceros, Leopard and king of the jungle, the Lion (which of course doesn’t inhabit jungle but savanna!).

Buffalo 201

Buffalo Rhinoceros Elephants Leopards 201

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Photos courtesy of Mosetlha Bush Camp A dusty-red road leads me through Marico bushveld deeper into the 750 square kilometers large wilderness of the Madikwe Game Reserve – the 4th largest reserve in South Africa, home to 350 bird and 66 mammal species, some 4 hours’ drive from Johannesburg. And on the road, an elephant rules it.

South Africa 217

South Africa Africa Game Elephants 217

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2020

Knowing that there are reserves with long lists of 600 or more species, I set my threshold at more than 600 birds… and found only a few such hotspots. In early November 2020, there were 15 countries with more than 1000 species eBirded so far. Other than that, there are barely a few hotspots with over 500 species.

Asia 271

Asia Malaysia Papua New Guinea Thailand 271

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 1, 2016

We –participants of the ABA South Africa Safari—were on a small plane when one Lori Conrad looked out the window and screamed, “There are elephants down there!” Species that belong to the famous “Big Five” get special badges. I’ll never forget my introduction to the mammals of Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Rhinos 239

Rhinos Mammals Animal White Rhinos 239

10,000 Birds

JULY 11, 2013

A dusty-red road leads me through Marico bushveld deeper into the 750 square kilometers large wilderness of the Madikwe Game Reserve – the 4th largest reserve in South Africa, home to 350 bird and 66 mammal species, some 4 hours’ drive from Johannesburg. Two young bull elephants slowly walk along the road in front of us.

Africa 190

Africa South Africa Elephants Rhinos 190

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2016

I was planning a trip to South Africa, I had about five days to fill, I wanted to get a bunch of desert species (particularly the Springbok – not a bird) in a way that wasn’t too hard to reach from Johannesburg. Madikwe has perhaps too many elephants. And lo, it was good. I stumbled on Madikwe completely by accident.

South Africa 147

South Africa Leopards Giraffes Africa 147

10,000 Birds

JUNE 28, 2018

Even with today’s environmental laws, we are losing species at an alarming rate, and with Ryan Zinke as Interior Secretary it’s no wonder. Asian Elephants and Indian Elephants ( Elephas maximus indicus ) are both listed as Endangered (EN) on the ICUN red list. A newly created U.S. A newly created U.S.

Hunting 111

Hunting Hunters Gorillas Wolves 111