Duraisamy Karuppiah Nature Photography

Duraisamy Karuppiah Nature Photography Wildlife and Nature Photographer / Videographer (Since 2024)

The leopard tortoise is part of the SMALL 5 (along with the rhinoceros beetle, red-billed buffalo weaver, elephant shrew...
19/07/2026

The leopard tortoise is part of the SMALL 5 (along with the rhinoceros beetle, red-billed buffalo weaver, elephant shrew and antlion).

Captured in Kruger National Park, South Africa – 24th April 2026 - Afternoon Hours
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 ED

Blue Waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis)Hidden among the thorny branches, this tiny Blue Waxbill seemed almost invisible—un...
09/07/2026

Blue Waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis)
Hidden among the thorny branches, this tiny Blue Waxbill seemed almost invisible—until a flash of turquoise caught the sunlight. Calmly feeding on tiny seeds, it reminded me that nature often hides its finest jewels in the quietest corners.

In a landscape famous for lions, elephants, and eagles, it was this little finch that quietly stole my attention.

Did You Know?

Despite their delicate appearance, Blue Waxbills are highly social birds. They usually live in small flocks and communicate constantly with soft, musical calls while foraging together. Their bright blue facial colour isn't produced by blue pigment—instead, microscopic structures within the feathers scatter light to create that brilliant turquoise glow.

Another fascinating behaviour is that they often collect grass seeds by clinging sideways or even upside down on stems, showing remarkable agility for such a tiny bird.

eBird Description:
A small gray-brown and powder-blue waxbill with a blue-gray bill. The male is bright with extensively blue underparts, while the female is paler, often with a grayish belly. Pairs and small flocks are resident in dry savanna, cultivation, and rural villages close to permanent water for drinking. The species may disperse during drought. It frequently gives a loud and distinctive high-pitched “tsee-tsee-tsee” call, especially when flushed. The similar male Red-cheeked Cordonbleu has a diagnostic red cheek patch and pinkish bill, but hybrids have been recorded.

Captured in Kruger National Park, South Africa – 24th April 2026 - Afternoon Hours
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 ED

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Egyptian GooseEvery family has its own rhythm. While some little ones rush ahead with curiosity, others stay close to th...
09/07/2026

Egyptian Goose
Every family has its own rhythm. While some little ones rush ahead with curiosity, others stay close to the safety of a watchful parent. In the wild, every step is a lesson, and every journey begins by following someone who knows the way.

Did You Know?

Egyptian Goose parents are extremely protective of their young. Both the male and female actively guard the goslings from predators, and the chicks can swim almost immediately after hatching. Despite their independence, they remain under parental care for several weeks while learning where to feed and how to stay safe.

Captured in Kruger National Park, South Africa – 24th April 2026 - Evening Hours before exit the park
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 ED

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White-fronted bee-eater (Merops bullockoides)Despite their name, White-fronted Bee-eaters don't feed exclusively on bees...
09/07/2026

White-fronted bee-eater (Merops bullockoides)
Despite their name, White-fronted Bee-eaters don't feed exclusively on bees. They also catch wasps, dragonflies, butterflies, beetles, termites, and many other flying insects.

Even more fascinating—they often remove the stinger from bees and wasps by repeatedly striking the insect against a branch before swallowing it. This clever behaviour allows them to enjoy a potentially dangerous meal safely.

eBird Description:
bright and colorful bee-eater; the red throat and white line under the black face mask render it unmistakable. Pairs and groups inhabit woodland adjacent to watercourses, hillsides, and scrub, especially near earthen banks, where nesting colonies are formed by up to 450 individuals burrowing into the dirt. They have one of the most complex of all avian societies, featuring families, clans, and pirates! A nasal rolling “ngyaaau” is the main vocalization.

Captured in Kruger National Park, South Africa – 24th April 2026 - Afternoon Hours
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 ED

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Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) - The strongest hunters aren't always the fastest—they're often the most patient.The Silent G...
09/07/2026

Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) - The strongest hunters aren't always the fastest—they're often the most patient.
The Silent Guardian of the Savannah - Perched high above the African landscape, the Tawny Eagle waits with remarkable patience. Every breeze ruffles its feathers, every movement below is noticed, and every decision is measured. Unlike the dramatic hunts we often imagine, much of an eagle's life is spent observing—calm, alert, and conserving energy until the perfect opportunity arrives.

Did You Know?

One of the most fascinating traits of the Tawny Eagle is its adaptability. Unlike many eagles that specialize in hunting, the Tawny Eagle is both a predator and a scavenger. It has even been observed following grass fires, waiting for small animals fleeing the flames, and opportunistically taking advantage of whatever food becomes available. This versatility is one of the reasons it has thrived across much of Africa despite living in challenging environments.

eBird Description:

Captured in Kruger National Park, South Africa – 24th April 2026 - Afternoon Hours
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 ED

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Cape Starling (Lamprotornis nitens)the Cape Starling appears deep blue. But linger a little longer, and the sunlight rev...
09/07/2026

Cape Starling (Lamprotornis nitens)
the Cape Starling appears deep blue. But linger a little longer, and the sunlight reveals a mesmerizing palette of emerald green, sapphire blue, and hints of violet shimmering across its feathers.

Its dazzling plumage isn't created by pigments alone. Instead, microscopic structures within the feathers bend and reflect light, producing the brilliant metallic colours that seem to change with every movement.

Did You Know?

Cape Starlings are highly intelligent and social birds. They often follow large mammals such as buffalo, giraffes, and antelope, catching insects disturbed by their movement. They also play an important ecological role by helping remove ticks and parasites from these animals—a relationship that benefits both the birds and their hosts.

eBird Description:
A medium-sized iridescent blue-green glossy starling that lacks dark ear-patches and has greenish flanks and belly, giving it a more uniform appearance than the “blue-eared” starlings. Pairs and small groups occupy high-altitude grassland, Karoo, and savanna, including drier habitats than other glossy starlings. The species feeds on the ground and in trees on fruit and insects; often it scavenges from people. It gives a rolling “turrreaau” flight call and harsh “karrr” alarm notes. Similar “blue-eared” starlings differ from Cape Starling by being smaller and having blue-magenta flanks and belly that give them a less uniform appearance.

Captured in Kruger National Park, South Africa – 24th April 2026 - Afternoon Hours
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 ED

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Magpie Shrike (Urolestes melanoleucus)Unlike many solitary birds, Magpie Shrikes often live in small family groups. They...
09/07/2026

Magpie Shrike (Urolestes melanoleucus)
Unlike many solitary birds, Magpie Shrikes often live in small family groups. They cooperate to defend their territory and may even help raise the young of the dominant breeding pair. Their long tail isn't just elegant—it's also believed to aid balance and agility as they move through branches while hunting.

eBird Description:
A bulky black shrike with scattered white patches on the shoulders and wings and a very long, floppy tail. The sexes have differently colored flanks: females white, males black. Small groups of 3 to 10 sit upright on perches 1 to 5 meters high in grassy open savanna and sparse broadleaf woodland. Perch-and-wait predators, they drop onto insect and small vertebrate prey, and often move locally into recently burned areas to forage. The species gives a shrill starling- or parrot-like “pleeee-eouuu,” often produced by more than one bird at once, and also gives harsh grating cries.

Captured in Kruger National Park, South Africa – 24th April 2026 - Afternoon Hours
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 ED

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Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus)Still dressed in its rich chocolate-brown juvenile This elegant Crowned Lapwing move...
08/07/2026

Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus)
Still dressed in its rich chocolate-brown juvenile This elegant Crowned Lapwing moved with quiet confidence through the grasslands of Kruger National Park, constantly scanning the ground for insects while keeping a watchful eye on its surroundings. Its bold black-and-white crown, glowing yellow eye, and vibrant red legs make it one of Africa's most distinctive grassland birds.

Interesting Fact

The Crowned Lapwing is famous for its fearless parenting. During the breeding season, it aggressively defends its nest against much larger animals—including antelope and even humans—using loud alarm calls and distraction displays to protect its chicks.

eBird Description:
A large, alert-looking, white-bellied, brown lapwing with a distinct white “halo” around the dark crown. The immature is duller, but it retains the distinctive crown pattern. Small groups occupy open dry country, preferring cropped and recently burnt grasslands, where they forage for termites, ants, and other invertebrates. Commonly resident, but it also disperses when conditions become unfavorable. It gives a series of noisy, scratchy “kirre” calls that are distinctive.

Captured in Kruger National Park, South Africa – 18th April 2026 - Afternoon Hours
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 ED

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Red-faced Mousebird (Urocolius indicus)Berry Feast in the African Bush. Hidden among a tangle of branches, this Red-face...
07/07/2026

Red-faced Mousebird (Urocolius indicus)
Berry Feast in the African Bush. Hidden among a tangle of branches, this Red-faced Mousebird paused just long enough to enjoy a fresh berry. While its striking crimson face catches the eye instantly, it's the quiet moments like this that reveal the true beauty of life in the African bush.

Unlike many birds that spend most of their time on the wing, mousebirds move gracefully through dense vegetation, feeding on berries, fruits, buds, and leaves. Watching this individual carefully select each berry was a reminder that every meal in the wild is part of a delicate ecological balance.

Did you know?

Despite looking like a typical bird, the Red-faced Mousebird belongs to an ancient bird lineage found only in Africa. It climbs through branches more like a squirrel than a songbird, using flexible toes and its exceptionally long tail to reach hidden berries.

eBird Description:
A slaty-gray mousebird with naked red facial skin and a buffy forehead. In flight, the streamlined tail is sleek and long, and a pale patch can be seen on the rump. Pairs and small groups occur in a wide range of wooded habitats, where they are resident and nomadic. In flight it gives a distinctive high-pitched melodious “ti-wii-wii” call.

Captured in Kruger National Park, South Africa – 24th April 2026 - Afternoon Hours
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 ED

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Juvenile Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus)Still dressed in its rich chocolate-brown juvenile plumage, this young Bateleur...
07/07/2026

Juvenile Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus)
Still dressed in its rich chocolate-brown juvenile plumage, this young Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) is already learning the art of effortless flight over the African bush.

Unlike the striking adults with their vivid red face and black-and-chestnut plumage, juvenile Bateleurs spend several years maturing before acquiring their iconic colors. Every soaring glide and every landing is part of that journey.

Interesting Fact: The name "Bateleur" comes from the French word for "street performer" or "tightrope walker," referring to its distinctive rocking flight. Adults have an exceptionally short tail and constantly adjust their wings while soaring, giving them a balancing-act appearance.

eBird Description:
A very distinctive, short-tailed eagle. Young birds are uniformly dark brown, and adults are mostly black with a bright red face and legs. Sexes differ, especially in flight, and can be told by the width of the black band on the back edge of the white underwing: narrow in females, broad in males. It flies low when foraging, with wings lifted above the body and rocking from left to right in an unstable-looking fashion. Bateleurs hunt small animals and eat carrion, and they are often among the first raptors to arrive at a carcass.

Captured in Kruger National Park, South Africa – 24th April 2026 - Afternoon Hours
Nikon D850 + Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 ED

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