Category Archives: Animals

Wildlife and pets.

Follow LatestSightings.com and see it all

My nephew Nadav Ossendryver started an amazing website called Latestsightings.com. Yes it is amazing, but even more so, it is brilliant.  For animal lovers and those in search to see a wild exotic animal crusing around naturally in its own habitat, this site is a must. Or even for those in search of a rare bird!

I have been to several animal parks with Nadav. Once, when he was about 8 years old, it was something special being with him!!!  His knowledge of animals at that point was incredible. But what was simply astonding was the relentless drive to keep looking and searching for any animal, or bird he could find. While I was sleeping, as well as the rest of the family on the trip at 3 am, Nadav was at the look out post, seeing if any animal was coming to the water hole.

Folks upload thier latest sightings, telling you the exact location, what the animal, bird,  insects and reptiles is doing and the name of the spotter. Sometimes folks even upload an awesome photo of what they are sighting. Check out Latestsightings.com

 

The Great Kalahari Desert – Kgalagadi

I just got back from my South African trip. While in South Africa, my brother’s family and I took a long trek way into the Kalahari Desert , to the great new Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This park has become one of the largest in the world, spreading into Nambia, South Africa and Botswana.

The Kalahari is pulsating, totally wild and yes, there is no internet or cell phone reception. Needless to say, I did go through major Net withdrawal symptoms for a few days.

The wildlife is amazing, the night skies are so sharp and the stars seem so close that it feels like you can touch the Milky Way. You’ll find two shots below, but if you click on the link to the next page, I’ll show you even more photos.

My brother and family, Corrinne, Talya and Nadav at the camp site

SCENIC PICTURES OF THE KALAHARI

Continue reading

I’m Nuts Over Babalooski

Babalooski

Yes, I made the mistake! I have a compulsion for feeding animals and birds but was warned – don’t feed the raccoons. Why? Because they will end up bringing their buddies and babies along for the food train ride. I did not listen and every night I fed Mama handfuls and handfuls of peanuts.

Babalooski!Then the ritual stopped. Mama did not come around for a few weeks. But, one morning about about 1:30 am I heard an animal screaming repeatedly. I ran to the back yard to see what the commotion was all about. It was Mama, making all kinds of noises with four little babies in tow, the sweetest baby raccoons who waddled along behind her.

Now I had a whole family to feed every night, five raccoons that would rush to the door to call me out. One night I noticed two of the babies limping, one extremely bad. It was actually dragging its body with just its front legs.

Continue reading

Small Birds in Peril – Populations Declining in U.S.

The U.S. bird population has been cut in half within the past ten years. Something has to be done to remedy this situation. One quick way to help a bit is to implement a law requiring domestic cats (the most prolific hunters on the planet) that are allowed to wonder outside to wear small bells to give the the sweet little birds an early warning about their approach. A few notes to show the decline in populations:

Field Sparrow Population Change 1967-2007: -68%

Field Sparrow

Boreal Chickadee Population Change 1967-2007: -73%

Boreal Chickadee

Evening Grosbeak Population Change 1967-2007: -78%

 

Evening Grosbeak