Africa Wild

In January 2015, while on holiday in Ballito, we took a day trip to Umlalazi Nature Reserve (also know as Mtunzini) which is about 150kms north of Durban. The Umlalazi lagoon is popular with anglers and water sport enthusiasts. It is said to be a birder's paradise and is one of the few places in South Africa where the very rare Palm-nut Vulture can be seen nesting in the rafia palms found in this area - sadly, I didn't see any. I only had a point and shoot camera with me, so the pics aren't great.

The lagoon



This reserve supposedly has one of the best examples of Mangrove Forest to be seen in South Africa.





The forest is home to thousands of Fiddler Crabs. The males have one enlarged claw which they use to attract females and to fight other males.





Time for some fishing



The Brat's cousin is mad about fishing and will spend the whole day with a rod in his hand.



The Brat is less keen but occasionally gives it a go.



SO with a slippery eel...you can tell how pleased he is with his catch!



The cousin with a small rockcod...he's happy with anything he catches!



To be continued...

Seeing that you have started a new TT, I thought that you had deceived us and hadn't been where you said you would go.

But January 2015 explained it quickly

Okay, I'm not into fishing but I like the fiddler crab and the lagoon would look quite nice if it wasn't for that strange looking bordering.

like too the Crab

Difficult species to catch in a lagoon...I'm only used to the South Coast...

Mel wrote:Seeing that you have started a new TT, I thought that you had deceived us and hadn't been where you said you would go.

But January 2015 explained it quickly

Okay, I'm not into fishing but I like the fiddler crab and the lagoon would look quite nice if it wasn't for that strange looking bordering.

Sorry to confuse you Mel, but I've been meaning to do this for ages.
All the fishies that they caught were released again. I'm not sure what the point of that strange border is, but agree that it's quite ugly.

nan wrote:like too the Crab

Their colours are very pretty.

Richprins wrote:Difficult species to catch in a lagoon...I'm only used to the South Coast...

Which species is that RP - the eel or rockcod? We are also used to the South Coast, and SO has caught plenty of eels in the lagoons, but only ever caught rockcod in the surf.

we visited Umlalazi in March

lovely pictures - I hope you did not only go fishing

Waiting for the birds

Umlalazi actually sounds quite relaxing with a hint of lazy in it.