insanebushie's Q & A

Tue, 29/03/2011 - 4:51am

#62

insanebushie (not verified)

Hi Barry

Thanks for the question you have managed to keep me quite busy today reading up and studying the wonders of algae. From what I can gather or understand and I know I may not be right this is what I have found. If anyone does not agree they are welcome to post their thoughts on things

Blue Green Algae top picture

The scientific name for Blue Green Algae is, Aphanizomenon Flos Aquae or AFA, which literally means "invisible living flower of the water" (a much more appealing image springs to mind doesn’t it?!) Also known as cyanobacteria, AFA is actually a type of dynamically photosynthesis-infused microscopic plant that is found in nearly every droplet of sunlit water on earth. Utilising energy from the sun, Blue Green Algae are able to create their own food from the surrounding gases and minerals of their environment (pretty impressive). Then, as a by-product of this biochemical reaction, pure oxygen is released into our planet’s atmosphere allowing us to breathe.

Now the waterholes have non moving or stagnant water in them and the animals which visit the waterholes will also often deficate and urinate in the water upsetting the balance of the different chemicals and protients in the water in which the blue green algae is growing this in turn causes a chemical reaction below the surface and changes the Blue Green algae to the red colour which we see in the bottom picture.

Parks within southern Africa have spent alot of time and money erradicating this as they are steadily finding that the two different types have a devastating affect on the types and species one would expect to find around these waterholes. Some types of Algae have also got high toxins which destroys the natural balance even more.

Let me know if there is anything else which I can add to this

Thanks

Bushie

Mon, 28/03/2011 - 2:50pm

#63

bonsoirgurl (not verified)

I think these may be bats flying around the Tau camera, but they may simply be moths or other flying insects. What do you think?

Mon, 28/03/2011 - 2:06pm

#64

krukab

Offline

Joined: Feb 18 2006

Posts:

hello- nice to have some one to answer questions

here is mine- can you explain the red ( alge ?)

and the green alge we see in the water holes

or pans -- thank you - barry

Sun, 27/03/2011 - 6:04am

#65

insanebushie (not verified)

Try this link as well this is of three of the most impressive of the Tembe tuckers and the photos are amazing

http://www.tuskersofafrica.com/tembe/tembe1.htm

Check out the whole website they have pictures and information and everything for different place this may be well what you are looking for pictures on the site are great for ID purposes and show generally what you need in order to ID them like ears and tail and tusks of course enjoy the site I did ....

Sun, 27/03/2011 - 5:58am

#66

insanebushie (not verified)

This is the link for the Kruger including up and coming tuskers and Magnificent Seven and Female tuskers as well

http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/elephants/tuskers/emerging_project.php

Bushie

Sun, 27/03/2011 - 5:54am

#67

insanebushie (not verified)

Hi Shushin

As far as I know there is not a list for the whole of SA generally parks which do the so called Tuskers do it for the park itself except for the SA National Parks website I know the Tuskers are mostly for the Kruger but there is the odd one for Addo and such. Let me look into it and see who has what I will come back to you as soon as I can and let you know. Most park like Tembe for example have a person who is responsible for ID of their own Tuskers but there is no one central database for them all

Will come back to you

Bushie

Sun, 27/03/2011 - 5:01am

#68

shushin

Offline

Joined: Jul 27 2010

Posts:

Welcome Bushie. This is going to be so cool this just what we needed. I thank you for taking the time to help use all. My only question is would you know of anyone with a up to date list of the Tuskers of SA? This would enable us with ID them and there names.

"The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.
-- Charles Darwin

Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and it's beauty.
-- Albert Einstein

Sun, 27/03/2011 - 3:31am

#69

insanebushie (not verified)

Hi Hanneke

Looking at the pattern on the tail and the colour what bit you can see on its face I would have to say this is a Gymnogene (African Harrier Hawk) Well done good ID .....

Hope this helps

Bushie

Sun, 27/03/2011 - 3:28am

#70

insanebushie (not verified)

HI Lee

Thank you for the warm welcome it is great to be back.....

Bushie {{{{}}}}

Sun, 27/03/2011 - 2:25am

#71

hanneke

Offline

Joined: Jun 30 2008

Posts:

Hallo Bushie, we saw this bird drinking for a very short time (at TE) and flew off. we thought is was an African harrier hawk , but not sure.Have only this pic. Can you ID it ?

Nice to have you here !!!!!!

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