09.10.2015
Arrived at Bakubang gate at 12:00 and what an amazing 6 hours we had.
At Lengau Dam these zebra soon made tracks when this ellie gave them " The Look."
And had a lovely mud bath as the temperature was touching 38 degrees.
The rest of the herd soon followed.
About 17:00 we saw a group of cars stooped near the junction of Nkakane and Tshepe Drives. This guy made his way between the cars in crossing the road. Luckily we were only one car behind the cars he crossed in front of.
Then he decided to lie down in some shade and turned his back on us.
After watching his back for about twenty minutes we were rewarded when he got up and walked through a clearing and disappeared into the river bed.
Ten minutes later two ellies came walking into our view finder. This is one of them.
A short while later Joan managed to catch this rhino at Tilodi Dam in some amazing late afternoon sunlight.
And lastly Joan got this grey heron catching his dinner.
Lets see what tomorrow brings.
Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.*
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Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.*
Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.
Thank you everyone for the lovely comments.
10.10.2015
Monkey mischief at Malatse dam.
My favourite bird.
An unidentified bird.
At Rathlogo hide all was quiet until in a split second these guys appeared.
More from 10.10.2015 to follow.
10.10.2015
Monkey mischief at Malatse dam.
My favourite bird.
An unidentified bird.
At Rathlogo hide all was quiet until in a split second these guys appeared.
More from 10.10.2015 to follow.
Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.
10.10.2015 - Some more photos.
Spurwing Goose at Mankwe Dam.
This big ellie bull came up right next to the walkway to Mankwe hide. A very special moment.
What made it so special was that this ellie was so calm and unperturbed by all the people and noise.
He then walked across to a bank where a crocodile was basking in the late afternoon. The ellie stopped as if to say "Move out my way please."
When nthe croc did not move the ellie started walking forwards again resulting in the croc making an accelerated take off into the water. Note the crocs right rear foot in the full speed ahead mode.
Our first lion sighting of the trip.
End of 10.10.2015 - Day 2.
Spurwing Goose at Mankwe Dam.
This big ellie bull came up right next to the walkway to Mankwe hide. A very special moment.
What made it so special was that this ellie was so calm and unperturbed by all the people and noise.
He then walked across to a bank where a crocodile was basking in the late afternoon. The ellie stopped as if to say "Move out my way please."
When nthe croc did not move the ellie started walking forwards again resulting in the croc making an accelerated take off into the water. Note the crocs right rear foot in the full speed ahead mode.
Our first lion sighting of the trip.
End of 10.10.2015 - Day 2.
Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.
Thank you so much fellow Wildies for your patience and understanding.
After witnessing a most traumatic sighting on our way out of the reserve on Friday morning we are back home and ready to continue our journey.
11 October 2015 - Day 3 - Part 1/2
Early morning at Tilodi Dam by Joan.
Red Breasted Swallow by Joan.
Joan managed to get this shot of a Verreaux's eagle flying high above Noga viewpoint. By Joan.
Hippo at Mankwe dam. By Joan.
Having a bit of a disagreement at Makorowane Dam. By Joan.
Elephant on the rocks. By Joan.
This unidentified bird was singing such a beautiful song. By Joan.
A young bull ellie successfully negotiated this bank at Makorowane Dam.
After witnessing a most traumatic sighting on our way out of the reserve on Friday morning we are back home and ready to continue our journey.
11 October 2015 - Day 3 - Part 1/2
Early morning at Tilodi Dam by Joan.
Red Breasted Swallow by Joan.
Joan managed to get this shot of a Verreaux's eagle flying high above Noga viewpoint. By Joan.
Hippo at Mankwe dam. By Joan.
Having a bit of a disagreement at Makorowane Dam. By Joan.
Elephant on the rocks. By Joan.
This unidentified bird was singing such a beautiful song. By Joan.
A young bull ellie successfully negotiated this bank at Makorowane Dam.
Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.
I hope I can get this video to download of this same young ellie as above negotiating to get up an embankment.
He really deserves 10/10 for perseverance.
Part two to follow.
He really deserves 10/10 for perseverance.
Part two to follow.
Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.
Thanks very much Lisbeth. I think you are right about the Sobota Lark.
11 October 2015 - Day 3 - Part 2
A lifer for us. When we arrived at Pilanesberg Centre the staff were waiting at the entrance calling us in saying " Lion and elephant" and sure enough both were there.
The elephant was busy at the salt lick while the lion waited in the shade of a tree panting like crazy. The rest of his pride were at a kill just a few metres away but unseen from the hide. He then finished at the salt lick and went to the waterhole to quench his thirst.
The elephant eventually wandered off and after waiting to make sure it was well away the lion made his way to the water and had a very long drink.
His tummy was now so full of meat and water he actually struggled to stand up.
He then wandered off back to his pride.
By now 6 jeep jockeys had arrived and a huge crowd had gathered on the deck.
A young guide from Bakubung Lodge suddenly shouted " Here come the lions" and the crowd all started shouting and jabbering so the lions did an about turn and disappeared.
We had earlier heard that there was a leopard in a tree about 1 kilometre toward Bakgatla camp so we decided to go look for it.
He was in a lone tree far in from the road so I had to put my camera on full digital zoom and got these poor quality photos.
As we watched he stood up and moved to a more comfortable position.
Finally for today - sunset at Tilodi Dam.
Cheers until next 12.10.2015.
11 October 2015 - Day 3 - Part 2
A lifer for us. When we arrived at Pilanesberg Centre the staff were waiting at the entrance calling us in saying " Lion and elephant" and sure enough both were there.
The elephant was busy at the salt lick while the lion waited in the shade of a tree panting like crazy. The rest of his pride were at a kill just a few metres away but unseen from the hide. He then finished at the salt lick and went to the waterhole to quench his thirst.
The elephant eventually wandered off and after waiting to make sure it was well away the lion made his way to the water and had a very long drink.
His tummy was now so full of meat and water he actually struggled to stand up.
He then wandered off back to his pride.
By now 6 jeep jockeys had arrived and a huge crowd had gathered on the deck.
A young guide from Bakubung Lodge suddenly shouted " Here come the lions" and the crowd all started shouting and jabbering so the lions did an about turn and disappeared.
We had earlier heard that there was a leopard in a tree about 1 kilometre toward Bakgatla camp so we decided to go look for it.
He was in a lone tree far in from the road so I had to put my camera on full digital zoom and got these poor quality photos.
As we watched he stood up and moved to a more comfortable position.
Finally for today - sunset at Tilodi Dam.
Cheers until next 12.10.2015.
Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.
Thank you very much everybody for staying on board and your lovely comments.
I am still unable to load the video of the perseverance of an elephant.
12 October 2015 - Day 4 - Part 1.
Sunrise at Manyane. By Joan.
Seen at Rathlogo Hide. By Joan.
This little male steenbok was so transfixed at looking at something down the road he did not notice us parked next to him. By Joan.
He suddenly realised we were there, allowed us to got a photo before dashing off into the bush. By Joan.
A little further down the road we found the object of his attention. By Joan.
Back at Rathlogo hide we found this pair of black backed jackal having a drink. By Joan.
A lifer for us - an African Olive Pigeon at Rathlogo hide.
Black Shouldered Kite.
Not sure what this Dark Capped Bulbul was up to????????????
End of Part 1.
I am still unable to load the video of the perseverance of an elephant.
12 October 2015 - Day 4 - Part 1.
Sunrise at Manyane. By Joan.
Seen at Rathlogo Hide. By Joan.
This little male steenbok was so transfixed at looking at something down the road he did not notice us parked next to him. By Joan.
He suddenly realised we were there, allowed us to got a photo before dashing off into the bush. By Joan.
A little further down the road we found the object of his attention. By Joan.
Back at Rathlogo hide we found this pair of black backed jackal having a drink. By Joan.
A lifer for us - an African Olive Pigeon at Rathlogo hide.
Black Shouldered Kite.
Not sure what this Dark Capped Bulbul was up to????????????
End of Part 1.
Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.
12 October 2015 - Day 4 - Part 2.
A black backed jackal at a very old giraffe carcass on Hippo Loop.
Kori Bustard crossing Hippo Loop.
Also on Hippo Loop we saw this B.B.J. with three pups.
Yellow Billed Stork on Hippo Loop.
A nice big hippo on Hippo Loop.
Three rhino at Mankwe Dam.
Pied Kingfisher on the hunt at Mankwe Hide.
Spurwing Goose at Mankwe Dam.
An empty dragonfly cocoon(???????) at Mankwe hide.
End of day 4.
A black backed jackal at a very old giraffe carcass on Hippo Loop.
Kori Bustard crossing Hippo Loop.
Also on Hippo Loop we saw this B.B.J. with three pups.
Yellow Billed Stork on Hippo Loop.
A nice big hippo on Hippo Loop.
Three rhino at Mankwe Dam.
Pied Kingfisher on the hunt at Mankwe Hide.
Spurwing Goose at Mankwe Dam.
An empty dragonfly cocoon(???????) at Mankwe hide.
End of day 4.
Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.
I hope this video works now.
Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.
Lisbeth, I think it was sunlight reflection as this photo was taken late in the afternoon as he for sure was not yellow underneath.Lisbeth wrote:How come that the pied kingfisher is yellow underneath Must be the camera
13 October 2015 - Day 5 - part 1.
Seen at Rathlogo Hide.
I have placed these photos on Bird Identification as we think it might be a melanistic Gabor Goshawk, in which case it could be quite a rare sighting.
There were a whole gang of squirrels were playing in this tree. This one stopped long enough for Joan to get a photo.
Could this be a Gabor Goshawk? Please correct if I am wrong.
I am sure we have photographed this little fellow and been given its name many times but we still cannot remember its name.
Are those eggs this dragon fly is watching over??????
A beautiful kudu at the waterhole in front of Pilanesberg Centre.
And an ostrich at the same waterhole. He kept his wings folded down - could it be because it was so hot?
Part 2 to follow.
Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.