African Jacana - Mating at Sedia

(Photo: Dr. Ernst Reitan)

Timing is everything - a time to mate and a time to be born and timing a great photo. Here we have 2 African Jacana mating just upstream from Sedia Riverside Hotel. Notice the 2 eggs resting on their floating nest. They lay up to 4 during the mating season - "They construct relatively flimsy nests on floating vegetation, and lay eggs with dark irregular lines on their shells, providing camouflage amongst water weeds^[1]."

Sedia now has a 9 metre boat for sundown cruises - a chance for you to see the bird life along the shores of the mighty Thamalakane River and look for animals by the Maun Game Reserve. What a wonderful way to end the day.

Pearl Spotted Owl In Residence At Sedia Hotel

Actually, it could well be a pair of Pearl Spotted Owls. These 7 or 8 inch wonders can sing up some beautiful sounds - described as a series of long lilting tu-tu-tu's. They tend to like starlite nights for their singing forays.

The Pearl Spotted Owl is described as earless. In discussions with Jon Dalsegg, a birder of note himself, he informs me they actually have assymetrical ears, it is just that they are pronounced.

Regardless, while visiting Sedia Riverside Hotel, listen for them late afternoon and on moonlite evening. The photo is from Flickr - I have yet to see one live, let alone get a phote like this.
Visit the source of the photo at http://www.flickr.com/photos/pattheplant/2658606094/ .