Distinguished

The Undertaker Bird Marabou Storks are defiantly ugly birds. However the service they provide is invaluable to the ecosystem. These distinguished garbage disposal operataives clean the bush of the sick , dead and rotting. If lockdowns happened in the animal kingdom these birds would be deemed essential workers. I think they have the air of a taxman, just waiting to collect in his suit.

Sir

A knight by the name of Agama lionotus appears from the shadows ready to do battle with any that dare lay claim to his fief. More commonly known as a Kenyan Rock Agama this male exhibits his bright colouration to entice the ladies ana ward of rivals. Just like knights of old with their suits of Armor.

Focused

A juvenile Gold dust Day Gecko (Phelsuma laticauda), slowly makes its way along this branch. It had been caught in a torrential storm outside in the patio. The cold rain water causing it to slow down and lose some of its normally vibrant green coloration. Slowly however it started to regain its colour and its strength, once out the rain and dry. Its perseverance was something that inspires me. That no matter how tough the situation is there is always hope if you fight for it.

King of the Hill

Royally yellow as the King of the hill addresses the masses. I am yet to Identify this species of butterfly. It was photographed on the island of Anjouan, a magical place with a huge variety of endemic butterflies.

Lamprophis fuliginosus

The African House Snake This individual has a unique colour morph which is found in specimens from Samburu, Kenya. Normally the lines on the head and body fade with age. However the snakes from Samburu keep this amazing pattern even as adults. Small constrictors, these common snakes squeeze their prey to death. They prefer to lurk out of sight during the day, but hunt at night and will eat almost any tiny animal they can catch, especially rats and mice, making them very effective vermin control. A medium-sized house snake is capable of catching, killing, and swallowing an animal the size of a fully-grown sewer rat.   The bite is small and does not require medical attention because they do not contain venom. They're useful creatures to have around if they're not disturbed.

Hidden in Plain Sight

Here in the tropics we are blessed to have the aid of Geckos to control the number of insects that equally enjoy the warmer climates. They are often overlooked in the house hold as they hide away during the day only emerging as night falls. With this portrait of a Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) I hope to highlight their subtle beauty.

Killer Smile

A puff adders (Bitis arietans) head pops up out of the dark. These snakes are masters of camouflage and ambush their prey. However they are possibly responsible for many snake bites throughout their range. Especially for rural subsistence farming communities there is a spike in bites around the times they prepare their fields before the rains and then again at harvest. this is because these fields are home to mice and rats which are the puff adders prey.

Front Stage

Trachylepis comorensis also known as the Comoro Island Skink posed beautifully as it caught a few dappled rays of sunshine. As if trying to say look at me human I am a dragon in my own right. This very tame individual continued fearlessly crawling its way toward me until it past my minimum focus distance. I really like that I managed to capture the iridescence of the scales in this image as well as its defiant stance.

The White Lipped Herald Snake (Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia) is a widespread harmless species of snake. Although its defensive posturing and attitude would make you think its deadly. This snake is a joy to photograph as it kept me on my toes with its lunging strikes. Sadly because of this defensive nature many of these snakes are killed even though they are harmless.

Parenting Duty

Cobra Awakens

A sight not many people would like to encounter. This large Red Spitting cobra (Naja pallida) was found asleep inside a log. Now imagine a villager unawares collecting firewood pick this up an transports it to her home.