Charlotte Williams is a
highly respected and increasingly celebrated British fine artist with a
particular interest in wildlife. She is entirely self-taught and was
drawing her first animal portraits as young as nine years old.
Despite being afforded a scholarship to Farnham Art College
in her late teens, she headed instead for South Africa and the ‘bush’, where
she spent several years living and working on a game reserve in the Eastern
Transvaal. Immersed in the raw environment of the veldt, it was here
that Charlotte’s life-long passion for animals and the wild was born, and
where she passed many hundreds of hours wandering, observing and sketching all
that she saw.
On her return to the
UK in the mid-1990s, Charlotte continued to dedicate herself to art,
this time in Brighton. She went on to exhibit her work in numerous shows -
locally, and in London. She has since been in great demand and
the majority of her work today is by commission, both at home and
abroad.
Charlotte’s consuming affection for wildlife
conservation has remained paramount, and her depiction of Cecil The Lion,
who lived primarily in the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, has become one of
her iconic portraits. She later auctioned the portrait to
raise funds and awareness of the battle against poaching, and she today
continues to support myriad conservation enterprises and wildlife foundations
across the globe.
Each of Charlotte’s meticulous artworks aims to capture the
soul and spirit of her subjects, from behind the eyes, so that you might know
them and feel them, as if they were living and breathing before you. Her
appreciation of wild animals, coupled with her unapologetic perfectionism -
enable her to create paintings and drawings that are unique and wholly
authentic.
Though now based in her studio in rural East Sussex since
2010 she has an ever growing global following on social media and has
recently been made a signature member of Artists For Conservation. She is
represented by numerous people, including the prestigious London and Sussex
based gallery Rountree Tryon and has exhibited at, amongst others, Masterpiece
Art and Gallery Different in London
.
The Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill is distributed to evergreen forests and savanna across equatorial Africa, in central and western Africa.
Females have a smaller casque and a black bill. The purpose of the casque is unknown for males, although suggested to be for sexual characterization.
The black-and-white-casqued hornbill has very mobile eyes which is not a common trait in birds.
This means that its eyes themselves can move in their socket, while other birds tend to have to move their heads to see.
It is capable of displaying emotions through the feathers at the top of the head, which allows it to communicate its emotional state.
Black-and-white-casqued hornbills are quite vocal, with a large repertoire of calls, one of which can be heard from a distance of 2km.
A monogamous species. Pairs commonly nest in naturally formed cavities 9 to 30 m high in large (>3 m circumference) rainforest trees.
Due to the rarity of these nesting cavities, there is a high degree of intraspecific competition for nesting sites. In order to protect their nest, pairs seal the cavity with mud pellets collected by the male. Inside, the female lays a clutch of 2 eggs, which are white in color with pitted shells. The eggs are incubated for 42 days while the male delivers food to the female hourly through a small slit, regurgitating numerous fruits, mammals, and insects. The male can bring up to 200 fruits per visit.
Usually, only one offspring is reared, with the chick from the second-laid egg dying of starvation. Newly hatched chicks have pink skin and open their eyes at 20 days of age. The offspring fledge in 70 to 79 days and can feed themselves by 40 to 72 days after fledging.
The diet consists mainly of figs, fruits, insects, and small animals found in the trees. Black-and-white-casqued hornbills are mainly frugivorous, with fruit comprising 90% of their diet, 56% belonging to Ficus species. They forage by hopping from branch to branch in the rainforest canopy and reaching for fruit with the tip of the bill, which they then swallow whole. This species is known to consume over 41 plant genera. The black-and-white-casqued hornbill does not consume water directly and seems to instead hydrate itself from the water contained in the fruits that represent most of its diet.
Black-and-white-casqued hornbills mediate seed dispersal of rainforest trees, by defecating or regurgitating seeds.
Carnivores, apes, monkeys, snakes, raptors, and humans all prey on these hornbills.
#Birdsofeastafrica
#visituganadarwandatanzania
Uganda earned its status as a bucket list destination thanks
to the country’s most famous residents, the majestic mountain gorilla. The
thrill of trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and spending time
in the presence of these extraordinary animals draws travelers from around the
world, but there’s so much more to Uganda than awe-inspiring apes.
This astonishingly diverse country which Winston Churchill
famously dubbed the ‘Pearl of Africa’ is also home to tree-climbing lions, some
of the rarest bird species on the planet like the African-Green Broadbill
and the spectacular natural scenery that will leave you in awe.
Are you an animal activists or you are a conservationist, or you are just a nature lover or both, If you’re ready to start planning the ultimate Uganda
itinerary, read on for a list of remarkable experiences from wildlife viewing
to cultural attractions that can’t be missed.
Elephant surrounded by grass and trees in Uganda
Spot four of the Big Five on safari in Uganda- © Godfrey
Elasmus.
1. Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest Reserve
Chimpanzee trekking offers a completely different experience
to a traditional gorilla trekking tour. Rather than observing gentle giants in
a quiet, intimate setting, you’ll follow a boisterous group of chimps as they
leap and scamper through Budongo Forest Reserve, heading in whatever direction
the agile animals lead you.
The reserve is home to nearly 700 of these playful primates
including six groups habituated for trekking. Knowledgeable guides follow the
chimps’ daily movements and lead groups of up to six people into their habitat.
Much like on a gorilla trek, it can take anywhere from 30
minutes to a full day to locate a group of chimpanzees, which provides ample
time for participants to learn about the forest’s ecology before spending an
hour watching a chimp family play and go about their daily lives in the wild.
Chimpanzee swinging from tree branches in Uganda
Add chimpanzee trekking to your Uganda itinerary-© Godfrey
Elasmus.
2. Look up for the tree-climbing lions in Queen
Elizabeth National Park
Not only is Queen Elizabeth National Park home to four of
the Big Five safari animals (lion, leopard, elephant, and Cape buffalo), it’s
also one of the few places on the continent where you can see a wonderfully
rare wildlife sighting: tree-climbing lions.
the wide branches of acacia and sycamore fig trees to catch a cool breeze and
avoid insect bites on the ground-a unique behavior that’s rarely exhibited in
other lion populations. If your safari guide shouts “lions!” in this region,
remember to look up rather than out at the grasslands.
equator. Monuments on both sides of the road mark the exact spot of latitude
00, a perfect photo opportunity.
Lion in the grass in Uganda
Look for lions on the ground and up in trees in Queen
Elizabeth National Park-©Godfrey Elasmus
3. Spot rare bird species in Uganda’s parks
If you’re a birding enthusiast, prepare to be wowed: Uganda
is home to more than half of Africa’s bird species, and it’s one of the richest
birding destinations on the continent. Visitors from across the globe flock to
Uganda hoping to get a glimpse of more than 1,000 species, including several
found nowhere else on Earth.
as 200 species in a single day. Keep an eye out for the prehistoric-looking
shoebill stork, considered one of the most desirable bird sightings in Africa;
the colorful African green broadbill found in Bwindi Impenetrable National
Park; and one of the world’s rarest birds: the elusive Shelley’s crimson wing
(which can be found in Bwindi and Kibale National Park).
Uganda is an excellent destination for birding enthusiasts.
4. Ride the Nile to Murchison Falls
Majestic waterfalls draw visitors to Murchison Falls
National Park, and a boat trip along the Nile River to their base is one of
Uganda’s signature wildlife activities.
personal with an abundance of wildlife, including hippos, Nile crocodiles,
elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and plenty of birds.
safari, along with incredible photo opportunities. An early boat trip in the
cooler morning hours is often followed by an afternoon game drive and
sundowners, while a morning game drive and bush breakfast set the stage for an
afternoon boat trip.
Murchison Falls, Uganda -©Godfrey Elasmus
5. Whitewater rafting on the Nile
When it comes to adrenaline-fueled activities in Uganda,
look no further than Jinja, the undisputed adventure capital of East Africa.
kayaking and bungee jumping-nothing is more thrilling than whitewater rafting
on the Nile. This mighty river boasts class 1-6 rapids, making it an ideal
activity for first-time rafters, families, and adrenaline junkies looking for
an unforgettable adventure.
float, swimming in the river’s warm pools along the way, while those opting for
higher class rapids can set off on a heart-pounding adventure filled with
plenty of thrills and spills.
The Nile River, Uganda
6. Get buzzed on a coffee safari
Uganda is quickly becoming the next up-and-coming
destination for specialty coffee in East Africa thanks to its high-quality
Arabica coffee plants.
A coffee safari in the Sipi Falls region or the Buhoma
sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a fantastic way to learn about
the country’s burgeoning coffee industry (and get your caffeine fix at the same
time).
give visitors the chance to explore coffee farms, meet local farmers, and learn
about the stages of production from field to cup. Of course, a sample of the
plantation’s finest brew is included as well.
Experience the beauty of Uganda’s rural regions-©Godfrey Elasmus.
7. Experience the culture of rural communities
Uganda’s culture is defined by its colorful communities and
more than 50 distinct ethnic groups. Each area of the country offers
opportunities for visitors to interact with locals and learn about their unique
customs and livelihoods.
National Park offer a glimpse into the living history of this tribe that once
called Uganda’s forests home. The Batwa are one of the oldest surviving
communities in Africa and have preserved many of their traditions.
The Ik reside on Mount Morungole
near Kidepo Valley National Park and welcome visitors who partake
in a challenging day-long hike to their isolated home.
Ik have been able to maintain their ancestral customs dating back
thousands of years and willingly share these with visitors keen to make the
trek.
Head to www.interiorsafarisea.com now to explore a range of Uganda tours, and
get ready to cross these bucket list-worthy adventures off your list-©Godfrey Elasmus
MojoStreaming’s Volunteer Wildlife News Broadcaster contest:
Are you a wildlife lover who either dream of becoming a social media influencer or
wants to report on important wildlife issues from around the Globe?
(Must be 21 or older to enter)
MojoStreaming, the new Wildlife channel is holding a contest to find a Volunteer Broadcaster (Newsreader) to report on Wildlife issues on our News channel. Become the first of our eventual
team of newsreaders from time zones around the world.
The
Contest
Phase
One
How to enter:
Submit
a video of yourself reporting on two current wildlife issues, one in North America, the other in Africa. Collectively, the two reports must be no less
than 3 minutes (180 seconds), and no more than 4 minutes twenty seconds long (260 seconds). How you choose to present is up to you.
Beginning at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time (“EST”) on March 22, 2021, until 11:00 p.m. EST on April 5, 2021 (The “Submission Period”),
you may upload your submission Video on MojoStreaming in the following way:
Visit the MojoStreaming website (www.mojostreaming.com) and open a free account by clicking on the Sign-up Tab on the top of the home page.·
When you have signed up, click on the Upload Tab.
Click on the Video Icon
Under the heading Title, enter your full legal name, followed by “News Broadcaster Submission”.
Under the heading Description, enter a brief description of your video.
Under the heading Category, Select the “Broadcaster Contest” option
Under the heading Privacy, choose Public
Click Upload.
Although it has been loaded, your video will not go live until April 6 on or around about 8.00 p.m. EST, when it will become visible on our channel for the first time.
Beginning April 6 through April 18, 2021, 11:00 P.M. EST, entrants should promote their video by asking friends & family to” like” their video by clicking the
thumbs-up icon.
To vote a person must open up an account and login to be able to vote for the video of their choice.
Only one (1) vote per account/per video will be recorded.
On April 19, 2021, all the videos EXCEPT the 6 videos with the most likes will be deleted from the Broadcasting Contest channel.
These six videos will move forward to the second round of the Contest (Phase Two)
On April 20-25, 2021, the six Finalists will be contacted by email associated with their mojostreaming.com account
Phase 2
For In the final round (Phase Two) of the Contest, the top six (6) contestants will be required to conduct an interview with a Wildlife Conservation Personality of
MojoStreaming’s choice, on a subject matter of MojoStreaming’s choice. The interview will be up to 30 minutes in duration. The first Finalist conducted
interview will take place on May 5, 2021, at 8:00 P.M. EST, and the last on June 9, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. EST
The announcement of the winner chosen by MojoStreaming Ltd. Executives will be at a live-streamed virtual event on MojoStreaming.com
on June 16, 2021, at 8:00 P.M. EST
The First Phase of the Contest begins on March 22, 2021, at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time and ends on April 5, 2021
at 11:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time (the "Contest Period"). Entries that are submitted before or after the Contest Period will be disqualified.
Submissions will be accepted for the duration of the Contest using the following method:
Online
Online:
This method of entry will be available by visiting our website (www.mojostreaming.com) BLOG and/or NOTICES at the footer of the site and
following the directions provided.
Limit one (1) entry per person, per email address, and per household for the duration of the Contest Period, regardless of method
of entry. Entries received from any person, e-mail address, or household more than the stated limitation will
be void. All entries become the property of the Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.
7. Contest finalists
On or about April 19, 2021, the Sponsor will select the six potential finalists of Phase one of the Contest from the
six most voted for of all eligible entries received. The Sponsor will attempt to notify the potential finalists via email on or about April 20, 2021. If a
potential finalist cannot be contacted within five (5) days after the date of the first attempt to contact him/her, the Sponsor may select an alternate
potential finalist in his/her place at from the seventh most voted of the eligible entries.
8. Finalist Notifications
The potential finalists will be notified by email. Each potential Finalist will be required to complete,
electronically sign and submit a Declaration of Compliance within five (5) days of the date notice or attempted notice is sent, in order to be considered a
finalist. If a potential finalist cannot be contacted or fails to submit the Declaration of Compliance within the required time period potential
finalist forfeits the prize. Potential finalists must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules and winning is contingent
upon fulfilling all requirements. In the event that a potential finalist is disqualified for any reason, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential
finalist in his/her place from the seventh most voted of the eligible entries. In the event of further disqualifications, the Sponsor may continue
to choose finalists from the next most voted-for entries until the six required finalist positions have been fulfilled.
9. Winners
The six contestants whose video submissions receive the most votes (the Finalists) will move forward to Phase two of
the Contest.
Phase Two
10. Contest Period
The Second Phase of the Contest begins on April 25, 2021, at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time and ends on June 9, 2021, at 8:30
P.M. Eastern Standard Time (the "Contest Period").
11. How to Enter.
Each Finalist will be given half an hour to conduct a Livestream interview with a Wildlife Personality chosen by the Sponsor, on a
date and time prescribed by the sponsor. You will have April 26, 2021 – May 4, 2021, to prepare. The first Finalist
conducted interview will take place on May 5, 2021, at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, and the last on June 9, 2021
at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. The Livestream interview will be made available to be watched by MojoStreaming subscribers.
12. Winner Notifications
The overall winner will be chosen by the Sponsors, and the winner will be announced at a live-streamed virtual event on MojoStreaming.com on June 16 at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.
All the Finalists will attend virtually. The virtual live event will be made available to be watched by MojoStreaming subscribers.
13. General Conditions
In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including,
but not limited to fraud, virus, bug, worm, unauthorized human intervention or another technical problem, or in the event the Contest is unable to run as
planned for any other reason, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either (a) suspend the Contest to
address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules or (b) terminate the Contest and, in the
event of termination, award the Prize at random from among the eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor
reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be
acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to damage the website or undermine
the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right
to seek damages (including attorney's fees) and any other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Failure by the Sponsor to
enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
14. Release and Limitations of Liability
By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor, and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates,
advertising and promotion agencies, other companies associated with The contest, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees,
shareholders, representatives, and agents (the Released Parties) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the
Contest or receipt or use of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto), including, but not limited to: (a) any technical errors
associated with the Contest, including lost, interrupted, or unavailable Internet Service Provider (ISP), network, server, wireless service provider, or
other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone, cellular tower or cable transmissions, lines,
or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties;
(b) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (c) mechanical, network, electronic, computer, human, printing or typographical errors; (d) application
downloads, (e) any other errors or problems in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors that may occur in the administration of
the Contest, the announcement of the winner, the cancellation or postponement of the event and/or the flyover, if applicable, the incorrect downloading of
the application, the processing of entries application downloads, or in any Contest-related materials; or (f) injury, death, losses or damages of any kind,
to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrants participation in the Contest or acceptance, receipt or
misuse of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto). Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties liability will
be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the entrant be entitled to receive attorney's fees. Released
Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or
programming associated with or utilized in the Contest. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive,
consequential, direct, or indirect damages.
15. Disputes
Except where prohibited, each entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of, or
connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by
the appropriate court located in Ontario, Canada. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of
these Official Rules, entrants rights, and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Contest shall be governed
by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Ontario, Canada, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law
rules, which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Ontario, Canada.
12. Privacy
Information collected from entrants is subject to the sponsor's privacy policy.
Hippopotamus is also commonly known as Water-Horse. Hippos are the third-largest land mammal after the elephant and the rhinoceros. Weighing in at 1,500–1,800 kg (3,300–4,000 lb.), an adult male stands up to 1.5m (4.5 feet) at the shoulder, and, oddly enough, their closest living relatives are whales and dolphins. Hippos spend most of their days submerged in water to keep cool, as they have no sweat glands.
Though they have webbed feet, their huge bulk prevents them from floating and they cannot swim. Their size does not, however, prevent them from outrunning a human - hippos have been estimated to reach terrifying speeds of up to 30 or even 40km per hour on land.
An adult hippo can spend as long as six minutes underwater, and their raised eyes, ears and nostrils allow them to remain almost entirely submerged for long periods of time. After spending the day bathing, hippos venture out at dusk and spend the night grazing, travelling up to 8km (5 miles) and consuming up to 68kg (150lbs) of grass each night to maintain their enormous size.
When hippos sleep in the water during the day they generally prefer to sleep in areas of shallower water. They are not standing or floating when you see them sleeping but rather laying flat on their bellies. Despite being semiaquatic and having webbed feet, an adult hippo is not a particularly good swimmer nor can it float. It is rarely found in deep water; when it is, the animal moves by porpoise-like leaps from the bottom.
#AfricantripswithGodie
#visitUgandarwandatanzania #Mammalsofeastafrica
