A suitably sinister collective noun for that oh so evil harbinger of death and doom. The stuff of nightmares and horror stories…
Ah. That’s another myth exploded then. Up a bit, right a bit – aaah, that’s it!
This is the Pied, or white chested, crow found – you guessed it – in South Africa. Well that’s where John found it anyway or, to be more precise, that’s where the boys found it. You’ve had a glimpse of this one before, on the West Coast farm, where John is once again visiting; this time helping his youngest to shift his belongings, in readiness for the move to Amakhala where he will join his brother.
It’s an intelligent creature that makes phone calls and sends texts…
I think this one is female…
As has a taste for trying on shoes.
And likes a drink…
Actually turning the tap on when thirsty but, sadly, hasn’t mastered the art of turning the tap off afterwards. Maybe it’s a male after all.
And for my next trick…
You dropped this John, here it is…
Now put it somewhere safe. Please.
Speaking of the Rand, when I was last in SA I was getting around 10-12 of these to the pound. Now it’s more like 18-20. That’s just not fair. Usual bad timing on my part.
Of course, there’s plenty of less tame creatures around these parts, as this pile of poo indicates…
Leopard droppings.
Snakes too…
See it? A Puff Adder.
Quite deadly and, because of its highly effective camouflage, is prone to being stepped on. Despite being a slow mover, the puffie strikes extremely quickly, its highly toxic venom inducing massive tissue necrosis. Prompt and proper treatment can prevent death but this snake is thought to kill and maim more than any other African snake each year.
A sobering thought.
Skin of the Black Spitting Cobra on the left and Puff Adder on the right…
Do I detect a shudder?
Fortunately, the only casualty is Tikkie the Terrier…
That’s what you get for pissing off a Pit-bull and taking on a Rotweiller. Poor little wounded soldier.
I promise the next post will contain fabulous flowers, panoramic landscapes – including my latest stitched masterpiece.
Coming soon..
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