Observaciones de iawmacdonald

This was a long (approx 2m) grey slender snake with a lighter belly. Tail was notably long and slender. People to whom I have sent these pictures have suggested it is a femal Boomslang or an Olive Grass Snake.I welcome any tips on how to confirm the ID.

This green snake was found dead just outside the lodge. No obvious bite marks and not eaten at all. Seemed to have internal bleeding which showed through between the scales. Possibly bitten by a poisonous snake but escaped to die later? Would love an ID and expert opinions as to why it might have died. We do have Vine (aka Twig) Snakes common and I have seen them eating Spotted Bush Snakes here previously.

This individual (which I presume is a female) was incredibly well camouflaged as it lay face down on the trunk of a small Acacia nilotica tree at about 1,8m above ground level. When it turned around to face upwards it became much easier to see.

This male was sunning itself on an Aloe marlothii while a Dark-backed Weaver fed from an inflorescence about 30cm from it. No interaction. I have watched the female Agama jumping around an Aloe inflorescence catching insects visiting the flowers.

This is what I have thought was a rarer species in the genus of the common Golden Orb Spider. It is the first of its species I have seen on the reserve since our three-year drought broke this last summer. True Golden Orb Spiders have virtually disappeared following this severe drought,

This was a bright green snake with a stubby nose and a big round eye. Unfortunately I did not manage to photograph the head before it made its way off into the bush. I found it by listening to the birds alarming at it.

This little thin snake (I estimate only 30cm long) was trapped by me as I put down some small rocks to stop rhinos rubbing against my tree exclosure's poles. It could not move so I was able to photograph it. As soon as I removed the stone it shot off into the grass nearby. I think it was a Juv Spotted Bush Snake but I am no snake expert!

This Giant Stapelia was in full flower and the smell of rotting meat was easily detected at a distance of about 5m by myself. I was interested in the "Bluebottle Fly" that was apparently visiting as a possible pollinator.