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It was a beautiful calm day on the Chobe river, a day we will never forget.
We set out early in the morning as guests, together with an accomplished bird guide and skipper, on the well equipped photographic boat from the Ichingo Chobe River Lodge. The lodge is situated on the banks of the secluded Impalila Island on the tip of the Caprivi strip in Namibia.
Black-winged Stilts
We came across some Black-winged Stilts on the banks of the Chobe river and our guide slowly approached a pair of these Stilts that he had spotted from a distance.
We were lucky enough to witness the entire courting and mating sequence of this pair of Black-winged Stilts from start to finish.
Victor, our skipper and guide and a local resident, having lived in the area for his whole life, said that he had never before seen Black-winged Stilts mating. This was indeed a rare moment for all of us. We were blessed to not only watch the event but also to be able to capture this rare sight 'in camera'.
Encouraging copulation
The female encourages copulation by standing in one spot with her head down,almost parallel to the water, in a solicitation posture.
Splashing water and preening
As the male approaches her, he repeatedly circles around her dipping down several times and splashing in the water and preening.
The sexual preening continues for a few moments.
Notice how the female keeps her head down throughout the entire process.
Almost done with the preening...
.... and a few last minute preparations...
He seems to whisper to her 'Are you ready for this my dear?'
The copulationA
The male mounts the female and gets into position.
Finally the copulation commences. Interestingly this only lasts for only a few seconds and then its all over.
What a beautiful moment of affection
Following the copulation, the pair stand briefly with their bills crossed. The male's bill is always placed on top of the female's bill.
Finally the male drapes his wing over the back and dips it into the water.
The pair then walk off slowly together to continue with their foraging.
With our hearts still racing and our heads filled with excitement at what we had just witnessed, Victor our guide opened the well stocked coolbox on the photographic boat and handed us each an ice cold beverage of our choice to round off this most incredible experience.
Thank you Victor and Ichingo Chobe River Lodge for this amazing opportunity.
