Wilkinson's World

The Rock kestrel, the most common of the small falcons in southern Africa, is found throughout the region, although it is more common in the dry west and in the south.  It seems able to adapt to a wide variety of vegetation types and habitats, but is most often seen in rocky areas.  It is a conspicuous bird as it often perches on electricity poles along the roadside.

Males and females differ slightly in plumage colouration, and the females are a little larger than the males.  The males have heads and faces that are blue-grey, the back is rich russet barred with black; rump is grey; the throat is whitish and the rest of the underparts are russet streaked with black.  Females are similar but are browner overall and have more barring on the rump and tail.

They hunt mainly in open areas from elevated perches such as telephone poles, or may hover while in flight to inspect the ground below.  Prey is caught on the ground and they feed mainly on small mammals, birds, insects and reptiles.  The call is a metallic “kik’-kik’-kik’-kik” from one bird that provokes a “kree-kree” response from another.

Rock kestrels are monogamous, building a nest by creating a simple scrape on a cliff ledge.  They also sometimes use the nests of crows and may nest on the ledge of a building.  The female lays a clutch of one to six reddish-cream eggs that hatch after an incubation period of approximately 30 days.

The scientific binomial for the Rock kestrel is Falco rupicolis; Falco from the Greek for a “falcon” and rupicolis from the Latin for a “rock dweller”.  Thus a falcon that dwells amongst the rocks.  Can’t say fairer than that.

The hardy Camel Thorn (Kameeldoring as it is known in Afrikaans – and which actually translates to Giraffe Thorn) is an acacia, easily recognized by its amazingly gnarled bark, small leaves and the little grey velvety comma-shaped seed pods that it produces.  It also sports rather nasty thorns, typical of the acacia family.  When in bloom, small round yellow flowers adorn the trees.

Apparently I’m not the only one who loves them.  It must be the tree most favoured by animals and birds, not only for its food, but the deep shade that it offers in intensely hot areas like the game reserves.  Cattle, camels and small herbivores also enjoy eating the seed pods that drop onto the ground below.

The tree gets its name from giraffes that like to feed on the succulent leaves.  Their leathery tongues and lips pay no heed to the thorns as they feast on the foliage on the uppermost branches.

There’s no telling what you will see in a Camel Thorn tree.  We’ve been lucky enough to see it decorated by birds of every description, raptors with snakes, enormous communal socialable weavers nests, and even a leopard …

and a beautiful Caracul having a comfortable snooze!

The most famous Camel Thorn trees in Namibia have to be the ones found at Dead Vlei, the dry white pan surrounded by magnificent red dunes in the Sossusvlei area.  These dead trees, purported to be hundreds of years old, are a photographers delight and are featured in just about every book on Namibia.

In Namibia most campsites are situated under Camel Thorns trees and as an added bonus, their wood is excellent for braais (barbeques).  No wonder I love them so much.  Oh, and by the way, please don’t let on about my secret fetish!