Bataleur and Tawny... err Steppe Eagle

If you see an eagle like this in Northern Tanzania and call it a Tawny Eagle you'll be right most of the time. They do have a cousin from the north called a Steppe Eagle which has an amazing gape. The mouth extends nearly level with the back of the eye. So now that I take a closer look at this image I think it is a Steppe... but I'm open to advice on the matter.

They certainly are impressive. This one was keeping company with a juvenile bird of another species...

a young Bataleur, a strangely shaped yet supremely talented thermal rider.

They have hardly a tail to speak of but don't seem hampered in the least. Great birds.

River Crossing

When crossing rivers in the Serengeti use caution. That tiny ripple in the distance is actually a drop off and we sunk hood-deep in the current as we crossed. We were the last to attempt it that particular day. You can use that little mirror on the left to get a sense of the depth.

New Post at 10,000 Birds

Spend a little time with Marabou Storks over at 10,000 Birds.

Pale Chanting Goshawk

Not far from Oldupai Gorge, the cradle of mankind, you'll find a few Pale Chanting Goshawks making their living in the arid scrubland. The rains have come and the Thompson's Gazelles have arrived along with the Wildebeest and Zebra. This Tommy's Gazelle doesn't phase the Goshawk in the slightest.

Nothing can distract it from the lizard sunning itself on a rock out of the frame. Yes, moments later it got its meal.

Time to cool off.

California Condor #251 a.k.a "Crush"

Hatchday: May 10, 2001 Release Date: December 12, 2002 Hatch location San Diego Wild Animal Park Sex: Male Current Status: Unpaired Offspring: Foster father of #603 (2011) Current location: Big Sur, CA

This photo taken August 24th, 2009.

Condor #251 is called "crush" because he had his eye on a female that was already taken by an older male. He was seen lurking around their nest and trying to get the female's attention, and therefore was pulled into captivity during their initial breeding season. "Threesome" pairs are not uncommon in condors, however they will disrupt breeding when jealously becomes a factor.

After his stint in the pre-release pen, Crush returned the following fall with no problems. He did not attempt to hurt the chick and seemed to get along fine with the pair. However, his tendency to frequently visit the nest of female Cosmo requires that we watch him closely. Crush is in the middle of the dominance hierarchy, and feeds with ease amongst the flock.

Information from mycondor.org