Advertisement
Published: November 14th 2012
Edit Blog Post
Bundi (Boon-dee)
This little guy was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. I think he has a bum leg, that is why we found him under the hedges. The last time that I posted a "
Bugs & Other Critters" blog entry, I got great feedback from many of you. Granted, most of your comments told me you were disgusted, repulsed, and generally, grossed out by the bugs, spiders, and whatever else I was able to find.
This one, to be honest, isn't as "good" as the last one. There aren't so many creepy, crawly things... Instead I have found other things to pique your curiosity about Tanzania and the critters that live here.
First up, is the "
Bundi" (boon-dee). When we were up in the
Karatu, scouting for
Ruka Juu, I noticed this white thing under a row of hedges. I asked my co-worker, Anna what it was as we approached for a closer look. There it was, looking like it was sleeping, a white owl a.k.a. bundi. To be honest, I wasn't sure what it was, so I didn't want to get too close... You can be too sure of the critters here.
Anna told me that the locals believe that when you see a
Bundi, it means that a death is coming to your family or circle of friends. Another co-worker told me that
it doesn't necessarily mean that a death is imminent, but rather a bad omen... anything could happen to you or someone close to you.
Have no fear, I saw this thing months ago and everything is fine.
Also on our trip to
Karatu, we saw many butterflies. The one I got a decent picture of was sitting in the dirt at the side of the road with its wings spread out. It was after the rains, so I assume it was drying out its wings, the way birds do. All I know is it sat still long enough for me to capture the shot.
In the village of
Kilosa, in the Morogoro Region, I found the next critter... While the TV Team was conducting an interview in Kiswahili, I wandered the farmer's land taking pictures and video of the crops. I found a stream and was getting some footage when this red thing flew over to me and rested on the log I was perched on. It resembled a dragonfly, but I truly have no idea of what it was.
On my most recent trip to
Bukoba, I was able to capture a couple of pictures
My Kilosa Dragonfly
I love this picture because I was able to capture its wings... they are so transparent and delicate. I truly was lucky to buy the camera I did before this trip. It continues to astound me with the details it captures. of birds. While walking along the shore of Lake Victoria, I noticed several varieties of birds that call the sandy dunes their home. The first one I caught was a
Pied Kingfisher. It's black and white feathers and its long beak made it quite attractive. The second one is called the
African Golden Weaver. Apparently, these yellow guys gather twigs, etc to make something better than a nest... they weave a home for themselves that resembles a lantern... From what I was told, the males make their homes. Once they are done, the females fly over the "lanterns" and decide which one is the nicest for them to set up a home... Who knew that there were gold diggers in the bird community as well?
Also in Bukoba, I found a
Walking Stick in the grass on the grounds of the hospital. Apparently, these can be found all over the world, even in tropic and sub-tropic regions. These things can change colour to camouflage themsleves in whatever surroundings they happen to be in. It reminded me of a Praying Mantis. It is kind of hard to see it in the photo. Double click the photo and try to find
Another Butterfly
Again, the details on the wings is what impresses me. it when the picture in full frame. They can grow to be 2 feet in length. The one I saw was 3 to 4 inches.
And last, but definitely not least, I have saved the most disgusting of the critters for your viewing pleasure....
When Jane and I were returning home from working on the video at the Ndolage Hospital in Bukoba, I noticed this thing on the door frame of the house where we were staying. On closer look, I realized it was a slug... Not just any slug, but rather
the biggest slug I have ever seen!
It was the length of my index finger and it was somewhere between one inch and one and a half inches in height. To see something like this up close and live was quite unnerving. Thank goodness it moved at a "snail's pace". If that thing moved fast, I would have had my bags packed and would have started walking back to Dar.
So there you have it, "
Bugs & Other Critters... Part 2". I will keep my eyes peeled for more so I can get another offering out to you before I leave here.
Enjoy!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.279s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 9; qc: 60; dbt: 0.0991s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 2;
; mem: 1.2mb
Cath Lawlor
non-member comment
Slugs
You must not have been in the forest on Vancouver Island in the rainy season. Some noteworthy ones there too.