Riding The Stripes
A red-billed oxpecker peers over a plains zebra in the Okavango Delta. I photographed this bird early in the day, just after it landed on the far side of this zebra and walked to the top for a view. These birds feed by plucking ectoparasites, mainly ticks, from the hair and skin of large mammals.
About Artist
Thomas DeLiberto
My name is Tom DeLiberto and I have been a wildlife ecologist and veterinarian for over 30 years. I’ve studied the nutritional ecology of wildlife, their interactions with people, and the health of wild species and their environments. I hold a B.S. in Wildlife Biology, a M.S in Wildlife Management, a Ph.D. in Rangeland Ecology and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to study wild animals in their natural ecosystems and in rural, suburban, and urban environments around the world. This has given me the opportunity to photograph wildlife and their habitats, while also learning about their biologies and behaviors. I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the natural world and its importance for human well-being. My desire is to help others see and appreciate the wonders of our natural ecosystems, our role in preserving them, and how we can coexist with native wildlife and plants.
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