http://www.earth-touch.com/ en Earth-Touch Copyright 2008 2008-03-04T09:17:01+02:00 Earth-Touch - Real life. Now. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Spiky-sea-urchins-line-rock-pools Short-spined urchins use old shells, bright seaweed, coral and pebbles to disguise themselves in the shallow pools of Chaka's Rock. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Confusion-as-lion-prides-clash Large, dominant male shows his mettle as his Xakanaxa lions clash with a smaller neighbouring pride on an expanse of salt pans. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Elephants-wallow-in-white-mud- Zebra, oryx and ostrich keep their distance while elephants dominate a waterhole in Namibia. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Rock-lobsters-forage-under-ledge The rocky surrounds of Dassen Island teem with lobsters, while the island itself provides a refuge for penguins. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Cubs-negotiate-water-crossing- The lion pride makes a water crossing to Dead Tree Island, following the trail of their three lionesses. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Elephant-and-giraffe-in-timeless-Etosha For generations, animals have followed in the footsteps of their ancestors across this barren landscape. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Glassy-ocean-surface-belies-strong-surge Bright soft coral, urchins and anemones, and a kaleidoscope of sponges contrast with the gloom of the deep. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Elephants-savour-tree-bark Change of season in the Okavango Delta brings a bounty of berries, which are enjoyed by a variety of animals, including two bull elephants. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Scavengers-clean-oryx-carcass Jackals, crows and a hyena pick remaining carrion scraps off a dead antelope, thereby fulfilling their role in the ecosystem. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Small-sharks-stay-on-the-seabed Seals play in the kelp forests, while catsharks and shysharks remain on the ocean floor. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=New-behaviour-on-rocky-reef- A male blue stingray tries to mate with a female, but it is not to be. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Ants-clear-soil-from-nest This busy scene makes one wonder about what goes on underground. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Buffalo-return-to-lion-territory The return of buffalo herds to the Xakanaxa region of Moremi heralds a time of plenty for the resident lion pride. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Layers-of-small-fish-inhabit-wreck The species that colonise sunken ships differ in shallow and deep water. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Blushing-fish-found-near-shipwreck Cape salmon, tropical seacatfish and a strange seabed organism surround an old wreck dating back to 1884. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Fungus-shines-in-the-forest A rainy hike through a bamboo forest reveals insects, fungi and flowering ground plants. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Shyshark-lurks-in-kelp-beds Clean green conditions reveal a school of Romans and some brightly coloured sponges and anemones. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hartebeest-lock-horns-to-tussle Testing their strength, males engage their close-set horns and drag each other over the rocky ground on their knees. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sharks-hide-out-in-reef-cave Surging sea causes reef fish to take refuge in confined spaces. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Baboons-dig-up-grass-roots The alpha male asserts his authority while the females take care of their boisterous youngsters. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Braying-gives-away-penguins'-location Seaforth Beach is home to South Africa's second-largest penguin colony. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Vultures-feed-on-elephant-carcass Larger scavengers appear to have eaten their fill, leaving the carrion-eaters to finish the remains. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Birds-buffeted-by-wind- A bustard patrols its territory while other birds cling to their perches. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Green-cat-snake-escapes-floodwaters- Heavy rain causes river to burst its banks and sends many small creatures in search of high ground - one of them a very unusual spider. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Seals-play-in-cold-Cape-waters As their breeding season approaches, a small colony of South African fur seals spend time basking in the hot sun. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=A-closer-look-at-Moremi-island-biomes- Many of the large islands in the Okavango Delta were originally formed by termite mounds. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Leopard-announces-her-readiness-to-mate The loss of her third cub and coming into oestrus causes a female leopard to adopt scent-marking behaviour. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Shipwreck-creates-a-marine-wonderland Vessel's rusting shell provides a shelter for hundreds of tiny fish, while deep in the hull some larger species lurk. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Old-turtle-swims-through-sharks'-den Ragged-tooth sharks appear unconcerned about divers' presence on Aliwal Shoal. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Close-up-view-of-Etosha Zebra and springbok colour, pattern and texture are highlighted, along with the sounds of the wild. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Monkey-uses-a-rock-to-open-shells Long-tailed macaque demonstrates an acquired skill by smashing molluscs with a stone to get to the tasty contents. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sandgrouse-preen-and-feed A lone jackal passes the birds and continues on a long walk, marking his territory along the way. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lion-cubs-observe-their-first-hunting-lesson Abandoning the zebra hunt, the lions head to the water to drink, while keeping close watch on two cruising crocodiles. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Mudskippers-make-their-own-little-pools- Agile estuarine fish drag themselves over the mud using their fins and tails. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Dead-elephant-attracts-scavengers Vultures and jackals are the first to feed on a giant carcass lying on the plain. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Fish-graze-in-rock-pool Blennies and rockskippers are small but voracious scavengers of the intertidal zone. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Kudu-males-make-a-rare-appearance Impressive horns and heavy mane growth stand them in good stead when disputes are settled by virtue of size. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Macaques-and-langurs-feed-in-a-forest Mother monkeys have trouble restraining their many boisterous youngsters, while the two dominant males rest at a distance. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Blenny-dominates-rock-pool The receding tide leaves small fish to battle it out over territory, just like larger species. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Fiddler-crabs-feed- Minute organisms living in the wet sand become tiny morsels of food which take many hours for the crabs to consume. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Leopard-waits-for-impala- The spotted feline spends hours in a tree, watching the herd approach, but the antelope remain just out of her strike range. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Squirrels-forage-in-soft-sand Animated rodent family scratches for food in among a herd of springbok. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Oryx-family-heads-to-waterhole A well-camouflaged lion lies waiting for animals to approach. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Antelope-slake-their-thirst-in-a-barren-landscape Wildebeest, zebra and springbok mingle at a small spring in an Etosha salt pan. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Leopard-fails-to-make-a-lechwe-kill Lechwe ewes use this incident to educate their young about the danger posed by such predators. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Cormorants-feed-noisy-chicks- Below their nests, water monitors patrol the ground looking for fallen chicks and eggs on which to feed. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Leopard-strips-impala-carcass Young cat displays impressive agility as it feeds on an old kill in a lofty raintree. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Golden-weaver-pair-builds-nest Both the male and the female bird gather and weave in strips of grass, breaking off at times to mate. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Goldies,-eels-and-scorpionfish-under-reef-overhang Tiny spot on Two Mile Reef bursts with an amazing variety of marine life. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Young-python-ventures-out-in-the-daytime The world's longest snake, held in high regard in Thailand, is generally nocturnal. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Monkey-peers-out-curiously-from-among-the-leaves- Vervets' forest habitat is shrinking as humans encroach with urban development. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Coral-provides-camouflage-for-scorpionfish The venomous spines on some of these fish are best avoided - if you can see them. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Cleaner-shrimps-tend-to-a-ray A lone bass waits for its turn with the shrimps, while shoals of young fish use a reef cave as refuge. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Xakanaxa-lions-spend-time-bonding Feeding many litters of cubs has left the lions with little energy for social interaction - until now. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Cloud-of-slinger-in-deep-sea-surge Excellent visibility exposes snapper and anemonefish on Seven Mile Reef. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Satisfied-lions-relax-in-the-shade A recent hippopotamus kill has provided the growing Xakanaxa pride with plenty of food. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lion-steals-leopard's-kill A vigilant lion is quick to respond to a leopard kill, rushing in and stealing the impala as the spotted cat watches from above. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Octopus-hunts-with-skill,-speed-and-savvy A clever, complex and comical creature shows off its unique predation skills and amazing camouflage technique. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Kingfish-hunt-juvenile-baitfish A deep dive in clean water in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park off the KwaZulu-Natal coast of South Africa reveals predators and their prey. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Pit-viper-soaks-up-the-sun-on-a-fallen-branch Yellow frogs blend into their habitat in a Thai forest, and a water dragon leaves the river to hide in a tree. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Rockcod-and-starfish-on-reef-ledge A variety of patterned moray eels and four different species of anemonefish occupy the same reef as a large cod and tiny starfish. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Jackals-chase-leopard-from-floodplain A leopard moves with flowing grace across its territory in the Moremi Game Reserve. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Ragged-tooth-sharks'-mating-ritual-continues Battered female sharks take refuge in the shadows as immature male sharks prowl the reef. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Mudhoppers-hunt-flies-on-estuary-bank Adapted fins and gills allow these unusual-looking fish to live out of water for long periods. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lions-roar-as-dawn-breaks Two gentle male lions often take care of the cubs on their own while the females go hunting - a most unusual behaviour. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Flying-foxes-festoon-temple-trees Protected by the sanctity of the temple surrounds, thousands of bats choose Bang Khla as a safe haven for roosting and rearing their young. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Baboons-forage-in-a-forest Communal grooming by individual baboons reinforces the social hierarchy of the troop. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Asian-golden-weaver-birds-feed-their-young Birds nest together in the long grass bordering a fish-filled wetland pond. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Moray-eel-hides-as-sharks-gather Ragged-tooth sharks abound in murky Aliwal Shoal conditions. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lions-eat,-drink-and-rest Potbellied lions finish their feast with a long drink at a pan before settling down to sleep. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Underwater-view-of-the-Okavango-Delta The visibility is receding fast, giving us shadowy glimpses of aquatic life, including resident crocodiles. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Golden-tree-snake-flees A flying snake in Thailand stays up in a tree and allows us to get really close. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Night-dive-uncovers-spotted-squeakers- A variety of fish species is revealed in the deeper waters of the Okavango Delta. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Dominant-lechwe-male-asserts-himself-- Red lechwe graze on short grass and sedge flowers in the marshy environment of the Okavango Delta. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Macaque-evening-ritual Macaques groom each other before retiring to bed. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Tranquil-sharks-in-the-Cathedral Raggies are as numerous on the southern side of Aliwal as they are on the northern side. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=A-fungus-among-us A speckle-bellied keelback, kicks back amongst Thailand's fungi. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Okavango-opportunist-crocs-congregate- A heronry appears a draw card for Nxamaseri crocodiles. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Storks-and-pelicans-display-fishing-expertise Diminishing pans leave no room for fish to escape piscivorous birds. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Ragged-Raggies-show-scarring Cave is teeming with Ragged-tooth sharks beginning to show the scars of procreation. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=New-additions-to-the-Moremi-lion-population The first glimpse of brand new cubs. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Grooming-strengthens-pride-bonds A slow start to the day for the lions as they take time to groom each other. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Frolicking-felines Lion cubs play in the morning light, trying the patience of their mothers. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Green-lagoon A previously unknown lagoon provides glorious colour and light displays. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Gannets-steal-the-shoal Red-eye sardines have a rough time bombarded from all sides. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Blooming-orchids-and-shield-bugs Searching for elusive Asian elephants yields botanical delights. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=On-the-prowl The lions are hungry but a herd of elephants prove too much of a mouthful. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Night-swimming-in-the-delta-with-nocturnal-fish Squeakers emerge en masse in the darkness. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Leopard-in-high-places A leopard eats his kill in a tree, safe from other predators. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=A-hive-of-activity-in-Thailand Finding a bees nest takes the sting out of missing out on elephants. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Joining-cold-fish-in-the-clear-Okavango The Nxamaseri channel is chillier but still clear and offering fishy treasures. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sardine-predators-fattening-up Predators are fattening themselves up as the sardines keep coming. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=A-grey-day-at-the-waterhole Slight squabble at the local watering hole, but these elephants are pretty thick-skinned. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Something-fishy Investigating Nxamaseri's tilapia http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Predator-action-before-first-light A slightly quieter day on the sardine run. Could it be winding down? http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Nothing-common-about-these-dolphins Back at Port St. Johns, the visibility is great and predators abound. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Crocodiles-in-Nxamaseri Diving in the Okavango delta close and personal with a crocodile. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Go-away,-go-away Pausing to watch those birds which are usually ignored is remarkably satisfying. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Not-for-the-faint-hearted The visibility clears revealing sharks in great numbers. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Butterflies-and-orchids-in-a-Thai-paradise The beauty of the plants and butterflies form a stark contrast to reminders of war. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hippos-in-harmony On a still day in Blyde Canyon, even the hippos are relaxed. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=An-Able-Sable A sable bull shows his dominance while protecting his herd. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=A-moving-mass-of-ragged-tooth-sharks A nice surprise as our marine crew ascends. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Moremi-magic A final, special day in Moremi saves the best for last. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Thai-scorpion-and-tarantula-stand-guard Tale of the riverbank, starring tarantula and scorpion. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Openbill-stork-stalks-snail Asian openbill storks enjoy a day in a rice padi. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Elephant-taking-it-easy-in-the-Moremi A lone elephant carefully picks leaves off the thorny acacia tree with its trunk. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Elusive-roan-get-frisky Roan antelope interact in the winter sunshine. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sharks-in-the-dark Numerous ragged-tooth sharks emerge from the gloom. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Closely-observed-parakeets Thailand temple reveals a flock of parakeets. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Calm-before-mating-season-begins A very calm herd of Impala are spotted in the Okavango Delta, but as breeding season begins violent challenges for dominance are expected. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Python-triggers-avian-alarm Bulbuls sound the alarm as a python emerges in the winter sun. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Greater-coucal-chicks-are-getting-bigger The chicks are nearly full grown now, and are feeding on large green crickets. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sable-fable Five beautiful sable antelope move through the Blyde Canyon. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Little-bee-eaters-and-baboons-in-Botswana Beautifully coloured little bee-eaters watch as chacma baboons gather food. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bizarre-amphibious-creature A little mudskipper uses its arm-like pectoral fins to move around the shallow banks of a mangrove swamp. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Wildebeest-and-buffalo-feed-in-Botswana Golden morning light shines on wildebeest and buffalo herds http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Raggies-follow-sardines Elusive sardines, but plenty of sharks emerge from the gloom. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Dragon-tongue-orchid-in-Thailand A special flower nestled in the steep limestone cliffs of the Kanchanburi province. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hippo-family-outing Lazy days for hippo family. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Buffalo-share-sunrise-drink-with-birds Oxpeckers and starlings jostle for position as buffalo slake their thirst. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Tall,-dark-and-handsome Beautiful, dark giraffe steals the show in Blyde Canyon. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=March-of-the-ants Ant warriors feast on their prey. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lions-continue-to-stalk-buffalos-in-the-Moremi-- The elder cubs in the pride are learning to hunt by mimicking the actions of the lionesses. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bats-flutter-around-dark-cave Bats show off their flying skills in a small cave found in the Thong Pha Phoom National Park. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Let-sleeping-leopards-lie What does a Leopard do when spending the whole day in a tree? It sleeps. Well most of the time anyway. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hippo-wrestling-match Unsuspecting hippos play in the Blyde Canyon. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Shark-and-gannets-follow-sardines In the murky waters off Umkomaas a lone ragged tooth shark moves north with the sardines as Cape gannets continue their feeding frenzy. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Buffalo-herd-defend-their-own Face off between buffalo and lions in the Delta. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Creature-in-the-cave In the Blyde Canyon, a freshwater eel glides gracefully through copper water. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Whales-and-stormy-seas Humpback whales maneuver beautifully off the coast of KwaZulu Natal. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bad-visibility,-big-predators- A fascinating but unnerving experience for our marine crew, as they move through the murky water of the Eastern Cape. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Mongooses-monkeying-around- A troop of baboons in the early morning sunshine are joined by a band of mongooses. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Tall-stories-from-Moremi Giraffe and oxpeckers feed together in Botswana. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Reciprocal-feeding-between-baboons-and-impala- Floodwater in the Delta has given new life to the flora and fauna. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Greater-coucal-brings-food-to-its-nest A follow up visit to the greater coucal nest shows that all four eggs have successfully hatched. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hippos,-red-lechwe-and-leopard-in-Botswana A display of might as hippos show their strength, and leopards begin a hunt. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sea-turns-pale-as-thousands-of-Cape-gannets-dive The marine crew move to Port Edward to try and intercept the shoal of sardines that they have been tracking. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Common-dolphins-join-the-sardine-run Dolphin communication is highlighted in amazing sardine run footage. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Two-cheetahs-make-a-late-appearance-in-Botswana Late in the day, Pierre Minnie discovers two magnificent cheetahs. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Dawn-chorus-on-Dead-Tree-Island Dead Tree Island's birdlife awakes at sunrise. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Under-watchful-eyes-of-a-leopard In the Moremi Game Reserve, a beautiful female leopard observes its prey and our crew. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Into-the-heart-of-the-sardine-run The underwater crew strike sardine gold when they move their position to Waterfall Bluff. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Cubs-put-strain-on-tired-lionesses As the new cubs join the Xakanaka pride, the lionesses find their patience running out. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Flocks-of-Cape-gannets-congregate-in-the-air North east of Port St Johns, clouds of Cape gannets drive mercilessly into shoals of sardines. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sardines-attract-dolphins-and-sharks Gannets dive, dolphins chase and sharks scavenge as a shoal of sardines passes along the Transkei coast. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Mating-season-begins-in-the-Imfolozi The change in season brings about interesting behaviour in an impala herd. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Beetle-blends-in-with-tree-bark A large insect spends time cleaning its very long antennae. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Storks-feed-in-shallow-pond The birds use different techniques to catch fish and other prey - including an interesting way of spreading a wing over the water. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Seals-in-a-playful-mood Predators abound in the ocean off East London, but they all appear to have had their fill of sardines - for the time being. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Dive-reveals-sleeping-turtle-and-moray-eel Overhangs and gullies provide a shelter for myriad marine species in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bright-yellow-fish-found-on-deep-reef Deeper dive in an unexplored spot yields delicate and ornate species on the edge of an abyss. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Yellow-fish-give-a-reef-its-name- A variety of brightly coloured fish congregate on a reef, waiting for their turn with the cleaner wrasse. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Seahorse-sighted-again Soon after arriving at Rooney’s Reef, the crew finds the little creature that has been so elusive. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bull-elephant-browses Gentle eyes belie the immense strength of an African elephant, which uses its trunk to delicately pick up tiny leaves from the ground or to rip large branches off trees. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Gannets-plunge-into-sea-for-sardines Under the water, these birds compete with dolphins, seals and sharks for the feast of fish. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Beautiful-black-coral-hosts-shoal-of-goldies The larger pelagic fish haven't arrived to take advantage of the current, but there are plenty of small fish at the Hotspot in Sodwana Bay. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Penguins-hunt-for-fish Leaving the Eastern Cape shoreline, a group of penguins swims far out to sea in search of food. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Wildebeest-roll-in-the-mud The herd follows the dominant male's silent signals. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=In-among-the-sardines Birds, dolphins, whales, seals and sharks all start to feast on bunched-up shoals of fish. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Guineafowl-feed-in-early-morning-light Birds use a fallen log as a vantage point to view the floodplain. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Alert-lions-look-intently-across-floodplain The thin lionesses have yet to make a substantial kill and now there are new mouths to feed in the Xakanaxa pride. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Warthog-sow-chases-off-cheetahs After feeding among some guineafowl, the warthogs approach a group of cheetahs and refuse to give way. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Under-the-waves-in-calm-sea-- A big pod of bottlenose dolphins arrives and moves with the rhythm of the ocean. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Baboons-feast-on-berries Primates find a carpet of ripe guarri berries and gobble them down, pips and all. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Strange-bull-elephants-call-on-herd Female in oestrus attracts a large male from another herd, upsetting the matriarch, who rushes her animals across the floodplain. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Water-birds-bath,-squabble-and-doze Dead mopane trees provide a scenic backdrop for a wide variety of aquatic birds. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Nine-Mile-Reef-survey-begins Coral pinnacles are covered with amazing detail. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Dolphins-and-false-killer-whales-head-after-sardines Larger marine species head south in search of early sardine shoals, but none of the migrating fish have been sighted as yet. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lapwings-draw-attention-away-from-nest The three speckled eggs are well camouflaged on a patch of earth, and the parent birds stay away as long as they can. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hornbill-feeds-imprisoned-family Clever nesting technique saves hornbill chicks from a related predator. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Mist-from-Thailand-waterfall-bejewels-plants Today the Earth-Touch crew visited the exquisite Thaw Thip Waterfall, consisting of a series of nine falls. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Tadpoles,-snake-and-spider-in-Thailand-forest Our crew observes a keelback snake on the hunt, tadpoles that swim upside down and a wagtail amongst other species around clear forest pools in Kaeng Krachan National Park. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bikini-Reef-yields-another-variety-of-paperfish These well-camouflaged, leaf-like creatures come in several colours and shed their skin regularly. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Asian-elephant-enjoys-a-dust-bath Although they hide in forests during the day, Asian elephants emerge at night in a national park in Thailand. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Weird-and-wonderful-predators Bottom-dwelling Scorpaenidae species use camouflage and guile to trap unsuspecting prey. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Seahorse-wafts-in-the-surge Meanwhile, two hawkfish species feud amid the delicate branches of a black coral near the ocean floor. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=In-search-of-a-seahorse If the seahorse is on Rooney's Reef, it's well camouflaged, but there is always something else to see. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Rhino-calves-suckle-from-their-mothers A family of white rhinos take it easy in the Imfolozi, until they pick up a scent and run off in a cloud of dust. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sardines-fail-to-show Waves of dolphins and other predators ruffle the glassy waters off East London, but there's no sign of the elusive silver fish. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lionesses-weaken-without-food Lionesses continue to hunt, even though hunger has sapped their strength and energy. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Dolphins-put-on-a-swimming-display Offshore wind keeps reef species at bay, but dolphins play in the protected shallows. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Forest-tree-shrouded-in-a-web Thousands of caterpillars cover a red milkwood tree, eating its leaves. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Early-days-tracking-the-sardine-run The sighting of hundreds of common dolphins just off East London could signal the start of the annual migration of sardines up South Africa's coast. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lionesses-and-cubs-go-hungry Lions fail to make a buffalo kill during the night, so they're under pressure to feed the pride, especially their cubs. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Foul-smelling-fungus-wears-delicate-skirt- The Thai forest is full of flowering plants, ferns and parasitic organisms. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sun-feeds-reef-life Nine Mile's structures create hiding places for all sorts of creatures. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hippo-mating-ritual-comes-to-naught Male hippo puts on an impressive display, but female rebuffs him and passing birds show no interest in the pair. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Seals-bask-on-warm-rocks Others cool off in the Atlantic, while some young seals call for their mothers in the crowded colony. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Second-meeting-with-the-manta- At a particularly beautiful little reef, decorated with sponges, corals and silvery fish, a manta sweeps overhead as it did on the last dive. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lionesses-agitated-by-male's-presence Young female shows an interest in mating for the first time. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Feather-star-and-whale-shark-highlights-of-dive The Earth-Touch crew headed up to Nine Mile Reef in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park today, on a dark and cloudy morning. They came across a green coral tree, a potato bass and a moving feather star, and then, on their return, bumped into a small whale shark. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lizards-and-locusts-in-Imfolozi It's interesting to look at the details of small creatures, so finely adapted for survival. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=White-rhino-comes-closer-for-a-look A young bull interrupts his grazing to investigate the scent of humans. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Large-ray-'flies'-over-tiny-reef Small, unexplored area turns out to be a nursery for many fish species. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Wasps-fight-viciously-over-prey Before laying eggs, a tenacious insect stocks up on live food for its progeny. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lions-trail-buffalo-in-thick-scrub- Formidable hunters fail to flush their prey from dense bush into open ground. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bees-prepare-for-winter- Most of the activity has slowed in the coastal forest, but some creatures are still busy making provision for the approaching colder weather. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bigger-and-better-butterflies Plethora of winged beauties gather in a profusion of colour. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Cubs-left-alone-on-an-island- After they are reunited with the lionesses, the pride trails a buffalo herd and traps the animals near a swamp, yet fails to attack. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lionesses-rest-before-a-hunt Without their cubs in tow, the female hunters of the Xakanaxa pride set out to find a meal. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Giant-clam-bathed-in-shaft-of-light Bright yellow fish contrast with deep, dark cave housing interesting creatures. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Wildebeest-and-other-animals-graze-in-magical-light A wildebeest, a giraffe, impala and birds feed in the soft light of a rainy afternoon in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Batfish,-eagleray-and-porcupinefish-at-Sodwana-Bay Although there was a strong surge today, we came across an interesting variety of species at Hotspot, one of the dive sites in Sodwana Bay, South Africa. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i='Six-legged'-tortoise-appears-at-last What appear to be extra limbs are only protuberances which may help stabilise the reptile as it moves in its steep terrain. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Agitated-elephant-charges Male in musth acts aggressively, uprooting a tree. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Long-tailed-macaques-take-a-break Even while these primates are at rest, their faces constantly change expression. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Delicate-coral-on-tiny-reef The ocean surge keeps larger fish at bay, so smaller species are easier to spot in Sodwana Bay - although we did see a specimen of the world's biggest fish on the return journey. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lion-cubs-at-play Our crew catches up with the Xakanaxa pride's delightful cubs. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Elephant-digs-up-roots The bull elephant uses his feet and tusks to get at roots and bark, while nearby a family of warthogs lie in the sun. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Clean,-green-swamp-drains-coastal-strip Frangipani trees tower above dense growth of bright-green ferns in a finely tuned micro-environment. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Impala,-giraffe-and-zebra-in-sunset-meeting Plains animals' paths cross in the savannah grassland of northern Botswana. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Butterflies-gather-next-to-river Exquisite insects create a riot of colour as they feed on nutrients in a national park in Thailand. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Giraffes-court-at-sunset The male nudges and sniffs the female, which leans her long neck back to him. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Coral-in-the-spotlight Our crew follows the growth of coral on a reef in Sodwana Bay, South Africa, from deeper water up towards the surface. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Stump-tailed-macaques-strip-buds-from-tree The Earth-Touch crew is in south-western Thailand at the moment, close to the border with Burma, and today came across a family group of the monkeys known as stump-tailed macaques. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Small-cave-provides-a-marine-haven A variety of reef fish gather outside a cave while eels and rockcod remain inside. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Warthogs-lounge-at-a-pool A lazy warthog family epitomises the lethargy of a late afternoon in the famous Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Vultures-pinpoint-site-of-recent-lion-kill Lionesses gain much-needed sustenance from a zebra kill, but cubs do not join the meal. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Dusky-langurs-browse-on-bamboo The first animals Earth-Touch encounters on a new Thailand expedition are a group of primates, including orange-coloured babies suckling and being groomed. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lioness-suckles-two-litters-of-cubs The pride rests in the shade after a buffalo kill, but there's always interaction going on between the members - one of which seems to be missing. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Waterbirds-feed-at-river-mouth Coots forage and collect weed, while a pelican settles for the evening, a gull wades and a cormorant dries its wings. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Birds-feast-at-fish-trap Dwindling pool provides a banquet of barbel for fish-eagles and storks. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Offshore-reef-attracts-different-fish Predators patrol above, while smaller fish take cover on the deeper reef. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Tawny-eagle-perches-after-good-meal A hyena resting in the grass below is unsettled by something, but a giraffe feeds calmly nearby. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Every-track-tells-a-story-in-the-Namib Desert creatures leave clues which can be difficult to spot. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Birds-and-beasts-out-in-the-rain- The last of the summer rain is no deterrent to a grazing impala herd. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Potato-bass-dominates-reef The upwelling at this reef stirs up nutrients which attract a variety of smaller fish and predators. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Chameleon-melts-into-desert-landscape This small, insect-eating reptile is perfectly adapted to its environment. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lionesses-hunt-buffalo After positioning themselves carefully and lying in wait for the herd, the hungry lions launch two successful attacks. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Reptiles-take-refuge-from-the-heat Geckos hunt for prey on a rocky outcrop, but fail to catch any insects. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Dolphins-appear-out-of-the-blue Out in the bay where the waves break, a pod of these marine mammals emerges from deeper water. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Flamingos-trawl-lagoon-for-food These and other birds are protected at this breeding ground on their migratory route. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Fish-form-shifting-shapes- Healthy colonies of coral provide a colourful environment for many different species. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lionesses-set-off-to-hunt Unusually, the male is left to look after the cubs on his own - raising the question of how members of the pride communicate. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Delicate-butterfly-visits-desert-plant In this harsh environment, the diversity of life is remarkable as birds and insects gather around a miniature dune. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Muddy-movement-turns-out-to-be-terrapins The soft-shelled reptiles slip into the water at any sign of potential danger. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Black-coral-supports-a-variety-of-life A rare longnose hawkfish is one of the creatures found on a deep dive to a scene set for nature's drama. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Young-giraffe-feeds-on-acacia-leaves The tree releases bitter tannin after a lengthy browsing session, sending the giraffe in search of a new food source. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Ancient-but-ever-changing-landscape The simplicity and grandeur of a Namibian landscape unfolds along a riverbed route. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Exploring-Sodwana A swim along the spit of sandstone protecting the bay shows how different environmental niches are formed. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lion-cubs-make-rapid-progress- The lionesses need to kill and eat soon to keep up the milk supply for their collection of thirsty offspring. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lions-show-signs-of-a-fight After a bout of sparring between male giraffes, the herd notices a pair of mature male lions which may have had a more serious encounter. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Puff-adders-mate As the intertwined snakes writhe, it is difficult to tell which is which. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Camouflage-and-colour-on-Ribbon-Reef Individually or as a group, some sea creatures can dazzle with quick changes of colour or shape - or simply disappear into the background. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Unusual-reef-is-full-of-surprises It's a special day at Sodwana, as the Indian Ocean offers up everything from coral and shrimps to dolphins and the world's largest fish. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Rare-species-on-Ribbon-Reef Just one dive reveals several creatures that are not often seen - as well as some interaction between fish species. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Scorpion-eats-moth This large, highly venomous arachnid has changed little over millennia. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Female-leopard-in-distress- Possibly anxious about the safety of nearby cubs, she tries to entice a large male away from the area. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Black-rhino-charges- Huge beast shows why it's one of the most feared and respected creatures in the African bushveld. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lichen-carpets-the-desert Tiny but tough, these combinations of algae and fungus can live for long periods in a wide range of harsh environments. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Seabirds-feed-at-sunset Oystercatchers and kelp gulls were some of the birds feeding on a West Coast beach in the rays of the setting sun. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lion-cubs-play- Stalking, pouncing and wrestling are all skills which these young animals will need as they grow up - and the adult males tolerate their antics. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lionesses-hunt-in-windy-conditions Tactics and strategy come into play as the big cats scent the air, impala being their most likely prey. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Ray-shelters-in-cave The interaction of different kinds of fish gives a hint of how the reef works as a complex system. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Cubs-flourish-in-the-Okavango Not only are the lion cubs growing fast, vultures point out a fresh kill which ultimately leads to another exciting find: a den of leopard cubs. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hot-day-drives-animals-to-shade-and-mud Impalas and warthogs cool off in their own ways, but blue wildebeest don't seem to mind the blazing sun. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Rock-lobsters-and-urchins-in-cold-waters The cold western side of the southern Cape coast is dotted with enormous boulders, which create an interesting underwater landscape. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lions-plot-their-hunt An old African buffalo bull on the sandbank seems to be the focus of their attention, though a giraffe and some zebra also come to the river to drink. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Shrimps-busy-at-cleaning-stations Further along the reef, damselfish try to defend their eggs from predators. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=CMR-bean-beetle-eats-flowers Watching the insect reminds us of the importance of smaller creatures in the environment. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Kelp-gulls-smash-mussels-on-rocks These seabirds use a variety of techniques to get a meal - and it pays to be the fastest operator. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Zebra-stallion-scents-mare-in-oestrus When the herd bunches together, it's easy to see how their stripes confuse predators and make it difficult to target an individual. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Herd-of-African-buffalo-passes Black rhino remain elusive, and a giraffe behaves oddly. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lionesses-hunt-impala,-then-follow-scent-to-den After the excitement of a sudden chase, the discovery of more new cubs is a bonus. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Birds-feast-on-figs A variety of hornbills and a gibbon eat the fruit of a banyan, while bulbuls splash in a stream. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Beetle-and-adder-on-Namib-sands These creatures have adapted to the heat and open spaces of the desert. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Ants-and-spider-work-at-sunrise The spider has accumulated a store of insects, while the ants seem to be tending tiny aphids. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Gibbons-swing-through-the-trees Gibbons move arm over arm from branch to branch, sometimes leaping from one tree to another high up in the forest canopy. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Wattled-cranes-forage-at-Okavango-Delta-pan Moving in symmetry, these large, visually striking and endangered birds spend the afternoon feeding on tubers and snails. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Curious-warthogs-venture-close These iconic African mammals are fun to watch. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Elephants-roll-in-forest-mudbath Huge, mature trees dwarf even these animals as they cool off on their seasonal journey. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Baboons-socialise-on-river-floodplain Though always vigilant, this troop of intelligent primates decided to relax in the company of the film crew. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Ancient-plant-grows-slowly-in-Namibian-desert This specimen of a welwitschia, its two leaves rolled up around its base, could be more than 1 000 years old. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Elephants-move-through-forest-to-floodplain When they reach water, the young calves dip their trunks in, but they have not yet learned to drink this way. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Spiky-sea-urchins-feed-on-kelp A super klipfish disguises itself among the seaweed. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lion-cubs-wait-for-mother-to-return The three fluffy youngsters are well hidden by the thick undergrowth around their mopane forest den. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Animals-gather-on-Imfolozi-flood-plains The sights, sounds and smells make up a typical scene as warthogs, wildebeest and zebras feed on new grass after the rain. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Pink-paperfish-waft-in-the-surge Also on Bikini Reef, a loggerhead turtle feeds and two tomato rockcod seem to be battling over territory. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=African-wild-dogs-cross-Imfolozi-flood-plain The pack moves rapidly, ignoring a vigilant wildebeest and a zebra herd. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Zebra-foal-sleeps-deeply-among-giraffes The giraffes move on to feed on low-growing flowering shrubs, and later a lone bull arrives to test the females' receptiveness. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Buffalo-herd-stirs-at-dawn The early morning light picks out details of individual animals as they reaffirm their bonds - and there is some unusual bird feeding activity nearby. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bright-colours-on-Bikini-Reef- Tiny reef provides a home to a kaleidoscope of species - coral, sponges, eels, rays and other fish. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Colourful-growth-covers-deep-reef Sabre squirrelfish and two kinds of moray make an appearance. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Impalas-graze-at-ease The days of huge herds of these antelope, numbering millions, are gone, but there is much to be learnt from watching just a few. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Cormorants-roost-in-shipwreck We watch cormorants jostling for position on an offshore wreck, which provides a night-time sanctuary from predators. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Male-lions-defend-territory-by-roaring-in-the-night We believe that Gochathebe, the island in the Okavango Delta in Botswana where we are currently based, is an overlapping territory for different lion prides. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Penguins-follow-each-other-to-the-water Pairs nesting under the dune foliage come out together and preen each other on the beach. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Layers-of-coral-give-small-fish-refuge Light paints the unspoilt Uniform Reef in wonderful colours, adding visual impact to its lettuce-leaf pattern. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Egrets-and-lechwe-pattern-the-floodplain A herd of these abundant Okavango antelopes shows some typical male tussling, but it's not the season for serious fighting. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sharks-agitated-in-big-swell The ocean churns up sand and tosses kelp around - but also yields two shark species and some seals. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Birds-and-nyalas-at-a-river-pool A mixed herd of these antelope, showing their varied markings, provides plenty of interest. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hippos-submit-to-dominant-bull These animals are obviously powerful, but are intelligent and inquisitive rather than inherently aggressive. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Safety-in-numbers Waterbuck, baboons, vervet monkeys and birds are at ease in each other's company in a riverine forest in the Okavango Delta. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Red-duikers-emerge-after-rain These small, rare antelopes are shy and seldom seen, but here they feed unhurriedly after a rain shower. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sea-life-active-in-ocean-surge A moray eel and bluebanded snappers are some of the fish active in an ocean surge in the warm waters of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, probably caused by a tropical cyclone to the north http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Peaceful-encounter-with-a-buffalo-bull-- On a late afternoon in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, a nyala drinks at a pool while a wagtail busies itself, and nearby, a huge buffalo bull feeds quietly. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Warthogs-and-rhino-wallow-in-mud-pan Welcome rain fills a mud wallow for a warthog family and lone rhino bull. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Blacktip-sharks-excitable-in-presence-of-tuna The visibility was poor today, but there was plenty of action in the water. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Impala-and-zebra-graze-peacefully Good rains bring plentiful grazing to impala and zebra herds in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, one of Africa's great parks. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Cow-shark,-puffadder-shyshark-and-hagfish-swim-in-icy-waters The icy dive conditions today were offset by two unusual finds. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Dove-and-bushbuck-forage-in-a-forest A red-eyed dove feeds quietly on the forest floor, while a vigilant bushbuck browses on a variety of vegetation. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Wasps-build-a-nest In a vibrant forest environment, these industrious insects create a nest using paper bark mixed with saliva. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Wild-dogs-follow-buffalo-herd-to-the-river A seemingly playful encounter takes place while vultures bathe and bask downstream. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Striped-cat-shark-sighted-in-soupy-conditions Although the Earth-Touch crew needed to dive deep and in murky, cold conditions today, they were rewarded with sightings of some special shark species. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Colourful-fusiliers-feed-near-ocean-surface Shafts of sunlight shining on tiny reef fish create a kaleidoscope of colour. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sunlight-dapples-forest-glade Small creatures inhabit the world created by a huge thorn tree. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sea-slugs-graze-at-low-tide These inter-tidal invertebrates have lungs and feed on algae on the rocks. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Stingrays-fight-for-food A duo of short-tail stingrays test their mettle over a morsel. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Tiger-sharks-circle Individuals swim in positions based on dominance, but a potato bass is not intimidated. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sharks-abound-at-Skip-Skop The reef lacks the colour that coral lends, but has other attractions. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Spider-ventures-onto-golden-web There's always maintenance to be done to the large, sticky, silken trap. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bats-fly-out-past-waiting-birds-of-prey Being among the first to leave the cave is a risk but may allow more time for the night's foraging. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Giraffes-browse-on-acacias Giraffes enjoy their favourite meal while ox-peckers keep them free of parasites. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Elephants-call-at-sunset- The animals of Khao Yai Park seem to avoid being out in the open when the moon is bright. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Great-white-shark-keeps-watch As the sea water becomes greener and sediment swirls, a confident predator patrols the reef. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=In-the-water-with-great-white-sharks These perfectly designed predators are wary of observers at first. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Snake-explores-rocky-stream- There are plenty of frogs in the vicinity for the keelback to eat, but it goes to ground under a tree trunk. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hornbill-feeds-figs-to-his-mate Sealed up inside a tree trunk, the nesting female and her chicks depend on the male to deliver food. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Mossy-old-tree-hosts-tiny-creatures Forest fever-berry has many functions, providing shade, shelter and medicinal benefits. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Rockcods-wait-at-cleaning-station Nearby, morays watch and a goatfish hunts in the sand. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Tiger-sharks-return-to-Aliwal Two new individuals can be added to the identification database. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Lizard-bares-its-teeth When breeding season starts, these reptiles will take on bright colours and take up positions on neighbouring tree trunks. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Rhinos-graze-with-oxpeckers-on-board The huge mammals tear at the grass with their square lips while birds pick at ticks on their bodies. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Injured-shark-functioning-well Curious Zambezi shark joins blacktips but tigers stay away. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Shoals-of-fish-float-above-delicate-corals On the reef, brightly coloured sea slugs warn off predators, while scorpionfish lie in wait on the sea floor. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Kites-take-to-the-sky The young birds venture further and further from the nest as their confidence increases. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bengal-monitor-basks-in-the-sun When the reptile does move off, it's hard to follow as the patterns on its body provide camouflage on the river bank. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Stingrays-patrol-shallow-waters These large, gliding fish look gentle but have a dangerous barb. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Fish-flit-about-in-coral-tree The coral's position in the path of the current gives it plenty of nutrients to keep growing slowly to a great old age. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Blacktip-shark-gang-investigates In a column of warm blue water, these lithe and shining creatures swim in formations. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Ray-sucks-up-food-in-sand-flurry Elsewhere on the reef, seaweed-like scorpionfish lie camouflaged and a turtle seems to be sleeping in a cave. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bees-busy-at-tree-trunk-hive The insects go inside laden with pollen and bring decayed wood out, while some work on the construction of the wax entrance. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Asian-elephant-feeds-and-scratches-in-the-bush In the wild, these large animals cover a lot of ground to meet their daily food requirements. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hippos-tussle-for-territory Gaping mouths show off the teeth they use in battles for control of the pod. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Weavers-build-their-nest The pair strip greenery and make it pliable before the intricate business of weaving the strips can begin. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Spectacular-summer-storm-in-the-Okavango-Delta Strong wind and a dark sky were precursors of a particularly powerful - and beautiful - storm in the Okavango Delta today. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Gentle-whale-shark-swims-swiftly The world’s largest fish moves deceptively quickly. We follow an individual whale shark heading south, down the eastern coast of Southern Africa. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Pair-of-little-bee-eaters-on-the-hunt These colourful little birds display a delightful, zippy energy as they groom and hunt. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Blacktip-sharks-remain-despite-thermocline A thermocline affects underwater life on Aliwal Shoal, but blacktip sharks remain. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Blacktip-sharks-and-tiger-sharks-off-Aliwal-Shoal It's exciting to recognise individual animals we've filmed before, as we did today. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Kite-chicks-fly-to-nearby-branches One young bird picks at soft, rain-soaked wood. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Ray-causes-a-stir-among-shrimps Calm ocean conditions allow for an exploration of a shallower reef. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=A-variety-of-morays The sheltered recesses of Bass City reef contain all kinds of eels. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Elephants-cool-off-in-lagoon Two herds have a refreshing soak and drink on a hot afternoon - and some kudu get a warning. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Okavango-skies-ablaze The dull backdrop of mist and rain momentarily transforms into a brilliant orange canvas as the sun breaks through the thick cloud. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=African-pygmy-geese-feed-in-delta-channel A small flock of shy birds cruises up and down, feeding busily on fruits and seeds in the water. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Showdown-of-the-gibbons Two male pileated gibbons posture to one another from trees on either side of the road, calling and singing as they dispute each other's territory. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Wildflowers-bloom-in-the-delta Brightly coloured mistletoe and flame lilies adorn the trees and grasses and play host to numerous insects. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Shark-season-begins-at-Aliwal-Shoal Numerous tiger and blacktip sharks mill around Aliwal Shoal, a submerged fossilised sand dune which forms a reef teeming with life off the eastern coast of South Africa. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Terrapin-on-the-forest-floor Noises in the leaf litter often give away the presence of creatures like this battled-scarred reptile. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hyena-pups-on-a-termite-mound One pup and the mother are limping but still appear to be in good health. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Impala-skittish-with-lambs-in-herd Two unlikely bird companions share a branch as the antelopes move past and take cover. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Cleaning-up-on-the-reef Bluestreak cleaner wrasse pick clean the larger fish, feeding on dead skin and parasites. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Underwater-splendour-at-Ribbon-Reef The vivid colours and beautiful vistas are enriched by abundant fish, crustaceans and corals. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Birds-huddle-on-the-rain-soaked-floodplain A flock of collared pratincoles congregate on the sodden ground, fluffing up and shaking their feathers to ward off the rain. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Chameleon-in-the-forest The slow, deliberate movements of a flap-neck chameleon mimic the movements of the plants around it, making it even harder to spot. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Delta-birds-in-feeding-frenzy Hundreds of insect-eaters of different species dart and swoop above the grass in clouds of dazzling colour. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Rare-view-of-a-pipefish Careful inspection of the reef reveals a species seldom seen because of its camouflage. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Raggies-ride-the-surge Female ragged-tooth sharks coast around the reef while the surge buffets sand over the jumbled rocks. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=New-grass-sways-and-ripples-in-the-wind A herd of zebra wades belly-deep through the tall grasses, sending waves through an ocean of inflorescence. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Tadpoles-graze-in-forest-stream Pond skaters whizz about on the surface as hundreds of tadpoles feed in the water below. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Reef-teems-with-life In crystal clear waters, shoals of fish swim around the corals, anemones and sponges. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Abundant-fish-in-clear-delta-waters Numerous species can be seen against the sandy bottom, moving about in layers according to size and speed. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Impala-lambs-left-to-their-fate There is no sign of impala parents or predators, but a herd of wildebeest with young calves is nervous too. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sharks-follow-a-path The mood is calm as pregnant females swim around the reef. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Small-creatures-at-Ribbon-Reef In clear water we get a close look at fish and other species inhabiting this habitat. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Wattled-cranes-forage-on-floodplain After good rains, a pair of these striking-looking birds find plenty of bulbs and snails to eat. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Snake-hunts-in-coastal-forest Imitating the movement of plants is part of the Natal green snake’s camouflage. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sharks-lounge-at-the-reef The ragged-tooth sharks gathering in this area for the gestation period of their life cycle show quiet, timid behaviour. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Dolphins-mate The pod heads downwards, where a couple of males take turns with one female. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Zebras-and-buffalos-gather As temperatures soar, hundreds of zebras and buffalos mill about, raising clouds of dust which cloak them in the golden light of the setting sun. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Elephant-bulls-feed-on-fruit An older bull allows a younger ‘askari’ to feed with him and assists the process with a vigorous shake of a branch, bringing fruit raining down to the ground. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sharks-in-a-surging-sea The population of gestating ragged-tooth sharks on this reef appears to be growing. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Deer-search-for-fresh-shoots It’s the end of the rutting season and pregnant females need to find the best food. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Anemones-and-clownfish-work-together The little cleaner fish’s skin is adapted to protect it from stinging tentacles. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Moray-hunts-octopus A cloud of black ink allows the eight-armed prey to make its escape while the eel searches the reef. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sharks-relax-around-boulders In turn, raggies act as mobile shelter for small golden kingfish. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Pregnant-sharks-hug-the-reef Preferring a rocky outcrop to open water, the raggies keep their distance from observers. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Big-bass-patrols-his-territory The reef’s dominant fish keeps a close watch on intruders. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Carpet-of-devil-firefish Reef dwellers wait their turn to get into a sheltered spot where they can be cleaned. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Fish-take-refuge-from-ocean-surge Anemone tentacles wave in the motion of the water and some fish shelter on the reef. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Tortoise-tenacity A leopard tortoise toils through the undergrowth, going around large obstacles that it cannot climb over. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Starlings-build-nest Beakful by beakful, the pair bring animal dung to use as construction material. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Kites-negotiate-slippery-forest-branches The young yellow-billed kites make progress in learning to fly, despite the wet weather. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Sleeping-devil-firefish It’s strange to find devil firefish sleeping, as these colourful fish are usually active. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Beetles-roll-dung-balls Dung beetles scrabble around in fresh zebra droppings, some fiercely protecting their newly formed dung balls while others pair off and co-operate in rolling their balls away. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Young-yellow-billed-kites-grow-bolder Two yellow-billed kite chicks begin to explore life beyond the nest. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bull-hippos-tussle As evening settles into night, the Blyde River male hippos put on a show of strength. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Twin-dangers-of-Yellowstone Bison and hot springs constitute two very real dangers for careless humans in Yellowstone National Park, and both need to be treated with extreme caution. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hippo-in-full-cry Whether below or above water, the hippo pod can hear and respond to grunts and bellows. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Kite-parents-raise-fledglings Two yellow-billed kites teach their chicks basic survival skills. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Giraffes-chew-their-cud The difference in appearance between male and female heads is clear. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Learning-to-fly A parent kite returns with a snake, but there’s only one chick in the nest. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Injured-bison-struggles-for-survival An injured bison eventually gives up the struggle to stay on his feet, but survives the night and the next morning is nowhere to be seen. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Wind-ruffles-kite-and-chicks A yellow-billed kite parent watches, while its two chicks, still in the nest, get ready for a windy night. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Dazzle-of-black-and-white A small herd of zebra grazes in the canyon. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Pronghorn-bucks-battle-for-dominance A territorial battle between two pronghorns breaks out and they lock horns to test each other’s strength. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Calm-before-the-battle The dominant hippo bull may soon be challenged by a younger male.  http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Kite-babysits-fledglings An adult kite keeps an eye on its chicks http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Great-grey-owl-spotted-in-daytime A great grey owl, on the lookout for food from its lofty perch, has no success and flies off into the forest. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Fledgling-prepares-for-flight As the time approaches to leave the nest for the first time, a kite chick tests its wings. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hippos-at-sunset The pod emerges at dusk to graze, after spending the day wallowing in the river. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Elk-on-the-lookout-for-danger A bull elk and his herd of cows move off as the alpha cow snorts and stamps her hoof in warning. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Rain-entices-terrapin-out Patient observation reveals that this terrapin species is a male. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=American-coots-swim-on-lake A lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming USA, plays host to American coots and a few mallard ducks. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Wet-birds-huddle Yellow-billed kites sit it out in a coastal forest soaked by rain. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Down-on-the-forest-floor Littered with decomposing plant matter, this is an ideal environment for insects, spiders and millipedes. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bees-break-away The swarm has to find a new hive site and protect the new queen. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Cliff-creatures On a walk from the caves to the stream and trees a variety of creatures, from snakes to fish, monkeys and wasps are captured. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Black-bears-in-a-meadow A black bear sow grazes, with her two cubs nearby. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Cave-alive-with-spiders-and-insects All manner of arthropods thrive in a cave where the bats are fruit eaters and therefore pose no danger. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Valley-of-contrasts Time has carved a landscape rich in wildlife. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Anteater-takes-cover-in-tree-roots Backed up into the safety of a large exposed root system, a small tamandua cocks its ears and tests the air for the scent of danger. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Hippo-aggression The small pod of hippo display the first signs of adulthood – aggression and sexual assertion http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Brilliant-blue-birds Hyacinth macaws perch in a dead tree, nibbling on the dry branches, the breeze ruffling their bright feathers. http://www.earth-touch.com/result.php?i=Bighorn-sheep-stop-traffic Bighorn sheep are at ease on all sorts of surfaces – including roads.