#thakadu

South Africa - April 2017: The perched African White-backed Vulture. #africanimals #wildlifephotographer #africa #southafrica #thakadu #vulture #vultures #birdsofprey #predator #scavenger #africananimals #africanwildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #wildlife #animals #mothernature #photooftheday #picoftheday #safari #instagram #naturephotography #africawildlife #natgeo #photography #canon #canonphotography #canon1dxmarkii #morpheuslux @morpheuslux ©morpheusluxphotography (at Thakadu River Camp) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsg_dl5nymf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gqyhzkmgehrl

South Africa - April 2017: The perched African White-backed Vulture. #africanimals #wildlifephotographer #africa #southafrica #thakadu #vulture #vultures #birdsofprey #predator #scavenger #africananimals #africanwildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #wildlife #animals #mothernature #photooftheday #picoftheday #safari #instagram #naturephotography #africawildlife #natgeo #photography #canon #canonphotography #canon1dxmarkii #morpheuslux @morpheuslux ©morpheusluxphotography (at Thakadu River Camp) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsg_dl5nymf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gqyhzkmgehrl

South Africa - April 2017: Lift off at dusk. #africanimals #wildlifephotographer #africa #southafrica #thakadu #vulture #vultures #birdsofprey #predator #scavenger #africananimals #africanwildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #wildlife #animals #mothernature #photooftheday #picoftheday #safari #instagram #naturephotography #africawildlife #natgeo #photography #canon #canonphotography #canon1dxmarkii #morpheuslux @morpheuslux ©morpheusluxphotography (at Thakadu River Camp) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsg_YaOHkAh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=152j4w8hyq3wm

South Africa - April 2017: Lift off at dusk. #africanimals #wildlifephotographer #africa #southafrica #thakadu #vulture #vultures #birdsofprey #predator #scavenger #africananimals #africanwildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #wildlife #animals #mothernature #photooftheday #picoftheday #safari #instagram #naturephotography #africawildlife #natgeo #photography #canon #canonphotography #canon1dxmarkii #morpheuslux @morpheuslux ©morpheusluxphotography (at Thakadu River Camp) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsg_YaOHkAh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qpb1nk1naq6s

South Africa - April 2017: Sometimes the greatest beauty presents itself in the most unexpected forms. Generally viewed as a savage and foul scavenger, the vulture is notorious for being a member of nature’s clean-up crew. However, it was quite an experience to witness this majestic African White-backed Vulture in flight as it spread its massive wingspan at the golden hour. #africanimals #wildlifephotographer #africa #southafrica #thakadu #vulture #vultures #birdsofprey #predator #scavenger #africananimals #africanwildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #wildlife #animals #mothernature #photooftheday #picoftheday #safari #instagram #naturephotography #africawildlife #natgeo #photography #canon #canonphotography #canon1dxmarkii #morpheuslux @morpheuslux ©morpheusluxphotography (at Thakadu River Camp) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsg_UOvHML5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1psfvi4mmql9i

One of these is mine, they're aardvark or, in seTswana, thakadu - not to be confused with anteaters! My aunt bought mine for me when I was 23 and I kept it in my place before moving to China. When I hear Game of Thrones fans talking about how they wish they had family sigils (and the history/identity that goes with it), I feel bad, cos I know I'm a Thakadu, and I know the song of diThakadu. "Re mafifatswana a go rekwa ka kgomo, Mafetakgomo a Je motho, Magadimana ntweng a a ja, Ga a gadime, Ba ga Mmakana a mosima, Ba ga Musii Mmolaa moapei Moapeelwana a sale a lla, Ba ga Nkwenyana, a Nkwe, o apereng? Ke apere Tau!" seTswana is one poetic language! Basically... They focus on & defeat the enemy rather than other less important material objects; they face (gadima) the enemy directly, vanquish over them and source food thereafter (magadimana ntweng aa ja); though they prepare a lair (home, comfort) for others (as dithakadu, they may dig holes/homes which other animals may usurp and use as theirs), they are nevertheless still able to inflict pain on the enemy (ba sale ba lla). Ke ba ga Nkwenyana, ba apara nkwe (you need to have killed a crocodile and wear its skin as a prize to be a Thakadu) Tswana is very poetic, this is just my interpretation of the song. #culture #tswana #thakadu