Cape Sparrow (Passer melanurus) bathing & drinking in a puddle in the Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa.

Cape Sparrow

(Passer melanurus)

When the rains come, it’s time to party.

This Cape Sparrow lives in the Kalahari, a huge semi-desert in Southern Africa. Water is a precious resource there. When one of the rare but spectacular lightning storms rolls through, temporary puddles form on top of the thirsty sand. In those few hours birds of all sizes have crazy bath parties. This male Cape Sparrow is doing just that.

Here is a photo of the amazing lightning storm that brought the rain on the previous night!

Lightning storm in the Kalahari Desert and temporary pond forming in dry river bed. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park South Africa.
Lightning storm in the Kalahari Desert and temporary pond forming in dry river bed. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park South Africa.