May 11-12 - Tsimanampetsotsa Natural Reserve

An afternoon visit to the Tsimanampetsotsa Natural Reserve after lunch on the 11th and again in the morning of the 12th.

Lake Tsimanampesotse is a large shallow lake and part time home for Pink Flamingos which nest here and migrate to Ngoro Ngoro crater in Tanzania at other times.

The reserve advertises 112 species of birds, but the time to seen them is October, not now which is fall here. Also, probably better to get up really early in the morning rather than our somewhat more leisurely pace.

 

It is also home to a species of blind fish, found only here. Apparently they were left behind in this cavern when the seas receded some thousands of years ago and they subsequently evolved in the dark. It is maybe 10 cm long. Also some martins living in the cave.

When we got to the cave, there were maybe a dozen ring-tailed lemurs taking turns drinking the water. Our local guide said we were lucky as he usually sees them in the late afternoon, not in the morning.

...and skin from a Boa!

And Baobad trees - there are six species in Madagascar, but beyond my expertise to try to sort them out here.

Not far from the blind fish cave was a sink hole with a massive banyan tree at the side with roots going over the edge and down into the water. The hawk was on a tree in the sink hole.

 A few photos of other bird sightings with some partial identification - we're hoping my brother will do his usual scientific work to be more specific.

 

Hoopoe

Madagascar Kestrel

 

 

 

Harrier

Now back to Toliara....