ANTELOPES FEEDING AT THE RIVER BANK EARLY IN THE MORNING

SALT LICK (Natural salt lick)

Salt-licks are places where natural mineral salt from beneath the earth surface sips out to the outermost surface, where they can be utilized by animals. These salt forms an integral part of the animals diet, as these salts aids digestion and maintaining salt balance of the body. There are varied salt licks but mainly; Natural salt lick and the man made or artificial salt lick. The photos above are natural salt lick, these photos were taken at the North Eastern part of Nigeria; Gashaka-Gumti National Park at Taraba State- Mayo Jarandi. The hoof-print belongs to a duiker; this salt lick is shaded from the typical tropical sunshine, thus, the temperature is maintained at fairly cold compared to other areas within the same habitat. The salt lick harbors different animal species including herbivores like, bush bucks, water bucks, western hartebeests, yellow backed duikers, the red backed duikers, the roan antelopes, the savannah and water buffalos, elephants, red river hogs ...

SNOWY CROWN ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha niveicapilla)

Snowy crowned Robin-chat; Cossypha niveicapilla nestlings during their breeding season between October and November. This bird species was observed from egg until the time they were old enough to fly. At maturity both sexes are similar, has a short tail compared to one of its allied species, the white crowned robin-chat. Only the center of the crown is white while the sides being black like that of the cheeks as seen in the images above. This bird species mimics varied calls of other species thus, during identification it is can be quite difficult to tell from its calls although it has its peculiar call. This image was taken at the North Eastern Nigeria

Spur winged plover (Vanellus spinosus)

Spur winged plover ( Vanellus spinosus ) are similar in sex both male and female.crest, crown, black side of the neck; line encircling crown white;eye wattle red. upper part greyish-brown and brown vertical bars at the wing coverts at the position of the primary covert. white cheek and sides of the neck, black throat and breast. these birds are noisily aggressive at there nesting territory, flying and crying above intruders. this video was made at lake Gario at the North Eastern Nigeria, Adamawa State.

Nature for Us

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