Picture the scene as day gently falls towards dusk and colours distill through the waters on the bay. Our community of dassies settle over the rocks and there on the highest is “Pavarotti’ singing arias.
What his songs signify I’m not sure, but the females gather up in groups and appear to listen intently. They’re a social community within a hierachy with the alpha male lording over the clan. These Rock Hyrax have 21 different vocalisations; we can certainly pick up on the nuance of their calls, from high pitched alarm to this slow repetitive “chunking”. Since there are no obvious threats or predators lurking I assume his evening songs are peaceful, although you’ll notice the dark fur around the dorsal gland is raised. It’s looking mellow out there, whether this has a sexual overtone, I wait to observe…. Meanwhile further along, the roosting cormorants are settling in for the night; their conversation of gutteral grunts and groans has us in stitches as we listen to their syncopated chorus.
All in all its a glorious evening as the sea laps quiety along the coast – short lazy waves, sighing. Such blissful serenity. Why not pop over to the WordPress blog post “Serenity” to see other portrayals of the theme and meet with the weekly community of photographers?
Nature on the Edge 
What a lovely pair of photos. Thanks for including the narrative.
janet
Thanks Janet, it’s always great to get your feedback.
I like the second photo. I think the dim light helps to create that sense of serenity.
Thanks Colline, I agree when the light dips towards evening there seems to be a lull, a quietening down of day. Thanks for your comments 🙂
I, too, love the second shot. What an interesting place! Would love to get there at some point, but until then, your post has helped me visualize at least one aspect.
Hope your wishes come true … It’s far more intense in reality, but really happy to portray it’s finer details 🙂
Humbling to think of all the species chatter out there that we are not privy to.
Yes, that’s a whole other language!
Nice post for the challenge, Liz. Sunset serenity.
Thanks Eliza. Yes, dusk certainly has a way of conspiring and stopping down in a glory with those sunset colours 🙂
Love the little critter. But then I love all warm and fuzzy things. Great post!
Thanks! Yes those warm and fuzzy critters get to the heart 🙂
Charming post and thanks for introducing the site Serenity.
Thanks for your comments, Mike. Why not have a go at the photo challenge? The subject for the week comes out on a Friday evening. The WordPress community is supportive and through this weekly challenge you’ll get to meet other bloggers and a wider audience for your own blog.
Well I just had to find out what they sound like so I googled and I love them even more now, what fascinating voices! Brilliant Liz, thanks for my early morning smile 🙂
Glad that made you smile. Their conversation often wafts in on the wind, love the little critters when they get really chatty. And when they bicker they can be quite nasty to each other!
Sjoe – nicely written. And interesting! Lovely place.
Thanks Spokie. We’ve got a little slice of heaven here 🙂
Beautiful photos. I love the rock hyrax, – we have them in Tanzania too, they seem curious rather than afraid of humans.
Thanks Sandy; aren’t they characterful little creautures! I guess when there is no threat they become confident.
Love the little singer. How cute he is. That second image is so peaceful. 🙂
I very much like the lighting of these shots. And cormorants do know how to grunt, that’s for sure!
Thanks, yes dusk is a lovely time to capture soft lighting. Would love to record the cormorants and their guttural grunts!
Fascinating, thank you!