Uchakide
Sony A 1, FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS, FL: 506mm, S: 1/1,250, F6.3, ISO: 8,000.
The mongoose silently emerged from the reeds, her black eyes watching me with some caution.
Uchakide means “Mongoose” in Zulu.
She was so silent and so stealthy that it was almost impossible to realise she had emerged. Frozen still I was watching for birds when my eyes caught only the slightest movement far to my left. It was a quiet section of reeds, and the light breeze had been gently blowing in and around the marsh, leaving hardly any activity around. Perhaps it was an opportune moment that this mongoose had taken. The inadvertent lack of activity allowed her to feel the safety of silence and move from her place deeper in the swamp into this small open section. Whatever it was, she had emerged and was now eyeing me cautiously as she examined with some interest the water and split stumps that remained at this location.
Moments later, she slipped ahead over the sticky algae webs, her eyes firmly fixed on me, but somehow I comforted her that I was not a risk to her well-being. Nuzzling curiously into a potholed section, her head all but disappeared for a few seconds, emerging suddenly with some tasty morsel she had dug out. Swiftly, she dispatched the find, chewing and swallowing it as fast as possible. Looking at me once again, she moved on closer, her head now raised, her eyes curious. Then, just as quickly, she turned back to the marsh and slunk away, back into her protection, where she disappeared as silently as she had appeared.
Discovering the Cape Grey Mongoose!
The Cape Grey Mongoose (Herpestes pulverulentus), also known as the small grey mongoose, is a fascinating small mammal native to South Africa, Lesotho, and southern Namibia.
This agile creature primarily feeds on insects and small rodents but has a varied diet that includes birds, small reptiles, amphibians, other invertebrates, and fruit. Interestingly, they have also been known to scavenge carrion and even rummage through garbage.
Diurnal by nature, the Cape Grey Mongoose is most active during daylight hours. In the summer, their day starts early at sunrise and extends past sunset, although they take a break during the hottest part of the day. Their activity reduces in the winter months.
When not breeding, these mongooses are typically solitary, but a litter will stay together until late adolescence. They inhabit overlapping home ranges of 5–68 hectares, with males occupying larger territories than females. Despite being poor diggers, they find shelter in rock piles, crevices, deserted burrows, and tree hollows when there isn't enough bush cover.
Though mainly terrestrial, the Cape Grey Mongoose is capable of climbing shrubs and trees to catch prey or rest. During the mating season, they can be seen in pairs and occasionally in small groups of up to five, usually an adult female with her young and sometimes another adult.
Raw Africa Collection
Welcome to Africa - the wise, the restless, the life giving.
This soulful land of dreamers gives rise to the underbelly of a beautiful gentle beat that is only heard by those who listen for it. This photographic journey explores, profiles and captures what I hope is the heart and soul of Africa's true wilderness kingdom. From its deep bush to its dry savannah and desert, Africa remains a place where life is represented by timeless vistas that are distilled into moments to treasure.
