Twitchers

I was never a bird watcher. I have friends who watch birds and I have even accompanied them on outings. They seem like nice people with a strange hobby. They keep lists and trade numbers reflecting their accomplishments. I wonder if they cheat like golfers. I take pictures. You know I saw something if I can show you the pictures. I saw this elephant. I saw this leopard. I tried this with birds, but that little smudge in that bush could be about anything. You can’t see that it has three red spots on the crest of its head and a downward curving bill. 

The representative from Smithsonian who travels with us called the birders "twitchers". I suppose this in reference to the way they look this way and that as they move about and communicate which each other. I trust these birders on their bird IDs. When they call out a sighting and they apply the same name, I think they must be right. They also must have better eyes and memories than me. Even with binoculars, I don’t see the details they see and then they remember the names - common and scientific. I can’t remember the names of some of the people I worked with a few years ago. Maybe I don’t practice enough.

I do try to weave in some tech content with my travels stories. In this case, the title of this content might be described as "there is an app for that". There are plenty of great apps for bird identification and related activities. As I have questioned my fellow travelers regarding their bird watching activities, they often are using an app on their phones not only to identify the birds, but also to keep a running list of their finds. The app makes these tasks fairly easy. See something, match what you see with a bird pic within the app, and click on the appropriate button to date, locate, and store the find to your list. I found what they were using and it cost $33. This would have probably been the most expensive app I had purchased had I made the purchase. I do sometimes spend more when one considers the cost of a subscription fee, but this was the cost for the African edition of the birding app.

My alternative was to take advantage of the "lens" feature of Google photos. Google will take a stab at identifying any bird I photograph. Actually, it will take a stab at attempting to identify anything. Google will offer me alternatives which is a great opportunity for me to consider whether I agree with the suggestion Google makes and it will find online content related to what it thinks the photo is. Often the suggestion is to a Wikipedia entry. I tried this with several birds and Google seems to have been accurate in all cases. At least what Google suggested was something I knew we had seen and was appropriate to the area in which I had been when photographing the bird.

Here are some examples using screen captures to show my photo (at the top) and the Google suggestion below.

Climate change

Getting close to nature can offer some insights into the changing climate. Aside from some very interesting discussions with Don Wilson a retired Smithsonian scientist regarding the Smithsonian’s efforts to combat the science deniers, two observations made an impression on me from our time in Zambia. Both involved first-time actions humans have taken to offset present challenges. In both cases, these were the first time such actions have been taken. 

This is the view of the river from the lodge. The original channel for launching the boats is the near channel. A new system had to be constructed when things became very dry and the boats could no longer navigate this channel. 

For the first time. the lodge is supporting feeding the animals. This cannot be done in the actual national park, but in the surrounding game preserve. Hay and salt blocks have been put out to support the animals until the rainy season.

Tiger Fish from the Zambezi

As would be appropriate for all good citizens of Minnesota (and Wisconsin and North Dakota) we had to participate in one of the fishing events offered by the lodge. We were after the Tiger Fish. I assume the name has something to do with its large teeth and aggressive nature. The fish is a great fighter including jumps in an effort to throw the hook and desperate dives when nearing the boat. Our boat did quite well with Evondra landing a 10 and 11 pounder. Mark caught a small one. Cindy helped in the collection of baitfish.

So, this is a two-step process. First, catch smaller fish that can be used for bait. Cut up the smaller  fish and drift waiting for a Tiger will strike. Wait for line to be taken, close the bail, and then set the hook.  Hold on

Bait Fish

Rig for Tiger Fish - wire leader, note strangely shaped hook

Mark's fish

One of Evondra's boat winners

The larger fish caught in the boats that went out seemed to be 9-11 pounds. Watching someone try to land a 10 pounder was impressive as it took some time to get the fish into the boat. These fish can be much larger. Our guide said he used heavier tackle to catch a 25 pounder and even this fish would be small in comparison to some that have been landed.

Bugs

The preparation for a trip to Africa requires that you visit a travel clinic, read some warnings from the CDC, and get some shots and medications. The information is enough to scare you. Don't drink the water and remember to use bottled water when brushing your teeth. Wear the highest concentration DEET you can find, long sleeve shirts, and don't venture out in the still of the morning or evening. Don't wear black or bright colors. I am guessing it is enough to scare some off and I admit I was a bit concerned, but had some comments to ease my fears from friend Stan.

So, here is the word on the bugs. If you are concerned about the number of bugs and say have experienced Alaska or northern Minnesota or Wisconsin, there is no comparison. It is torture in the evening to walk from the dock to our northern Wisconsin cabin in the summer because of the mosquitos. The ticks are also gross and have sent us to the clinic for shots a couple of times [I had one attach between my toes once when I was wearing sandals. Thinking I must have athletes foot because I am such an athlete, I did not seek medical attention until I started to notice red streaks up my ankle and calf. Not even a test for Lyme disease - immediate antibiotics.]

However, the consequences of exposure to mosquitos and tsetse flies in Africa can be damaging. The mosquitos are mainly known for malaria and the tsetse flies for sleeping sickness. We are taking medication for malaria. We did mostly invest in khaki-colored clothing to avoid tsetse flies.

In summary, the insect density at this time has been low. It still pays to take precautions.

This is a tsetse fly trap you see along the roads in Zambia. I think it works in a somewhat similar manner to the devices some are using to limit the damage to their gardens from Japanese beetles. The flies are attracted to the black and blue colors and then there is a vial of liquid (you can see the pocket) the lures the insect in to kill them.

In addition to the high concentrate DEET we brought along, we found two forms on bug repellant in our room. Imagine the line-up of complementary products, shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, insecticides, and you kind of get the picture. There was a lotion infused with DEET that was supposed to smell pretty good. I am guessing this second can was provided to assure reluctant tourists. It implies that what is contained within would kill pretty much anything. 

Royal Zambezi Lodge

We are now staying in the Royal Zambezi Lodge in Zambia. This is a fly-in only resort owned by a copper mining billionaire who now lives in Australia. The resort has its own airport and planes. The resort holds about 40 guests in individual "tents" (see below).

Riding back up the runway in a jeep after landing in the company plane.

The camp as viewed from the river.

Cindy entering the tent after removing the baboon lock from the door.

The main room is basically a giant bed with mosquito netting and spectacular views all around.

Sunrise this morning. We get up early (5:30) to take advantage of the cooler temps in the morning.