And then the rain set in or at dusk the bush comes alive

[Pumbaa]

Cute little hippo.

We in fact noticed quite a nice number of mini hippos during that trip

[Pumbaa]

The youngster was simply so small and simply too cute for words



and followed mom constantly



whilst the giants were still sitting in the best evening light on the bridge.





We even had enough time today to drive via the S90 and S89 a short detour and same was worth as we met another very relaxed black backed jackal couple



who seemed to be very sleepy



but one of them had compassion for us and lifted its head



but the whole time we stayed with them they kept lying on the ground.



At least we were extreme happy that we saw another couple and carried on after we got our shots. Next stop was then on the highwater bridge across the Olifants and the weather indeed turned to the better during the evening and the sun was now even shining and we enjoyed once again and for the final time this year the views and noticed that resting yellow-billed stork on one of the sand islands in the river.



In one of the many trees along the riverbed I the noticed a strange raptor with a partly white head and same is a Wahlberg’s eagle



although must say that so far we never saw such modification

[Pumbaa]

of this raptor



and even a “normal” friend was sitting close by.



So with another nice braai at our bungalow this mostly quiet but nevertheless stunning day ended but as the evening before we enjoyed the evening a bit longer on our verandah with the sounds of the flowing river.

Friday, 23. February 2018 – Olifants – Shingwedzi

Driven roads: H8 – H1-5 – H1-6 – S62 – H1-6 - S50 – S142 – H1-6 – S50 – S143 – S50

Today was again and now even our final moving day and so with heavier getting hearts we packed everything together but whilst lifting our luggage to be brought into the car we discovered one of these guys who obviously found a cozy spot under Timon’s bag.



As it were a couple of kilometres to drive we today skipped the drive along the S44 and S93 and took instead the tar road to spend a bit more time around Mopani. Today no rain was in sight to the contrary the sun was shining the whole day and it was one of those storybook days and so started same with a more than beautiful sunrise,



a brown eagle along the way



and lots of lovely trees.



Apart from that the day started rather unspectacular but we stopped for a brown hooded kingfisher



and a couple of ground hornbills





before we paid a final visit to Letaba camp but we really did not stay long and carried on but unfortunately the S95 was still closed so we had to drive via the tar road but the sightings were indeed rare. The S47 also was still closed so we stopped once again relatively soon on the highwater bridge across the Letaba and discovered in the riverbed some saddle billed storks



and to our delight another giant kingfisher on the handrail.



We carried on but came not far as today the S62 had been opened and so we decided to pay Matambeni hide a visit as it still was quite early. For sure we enjoyed from this side of the river the views into same and at the hide itself could saw a spoonbill



to be continued…..

[Richprins]

Those eagles have the strangest colour variations, Pumbaa!

That whip scorpion is the most disgusting creature on the planet, IMO.

Great bird and jackal shots!

Can't wait for Mopane area!

[Flutterby]

That whip scorpion would freak me out!!

Lovely pics of all the birds.

[Lisbeth]

- Will you be travelling alone and only to Kruger?

Yes, Pumbaa! After what happened two years ago, I am not going to drive alone in SA and I'll fly to Phalaborwa and will stay outside the park, very close to the gate, and hope that someone will come and visit and maybe stay for a few days Tell me when you are around there and where

[Lisbeth]

I have never seen a whip scorpion or even heard about it

The Wahlberg's eagles have an array of colour schemes, even more than the tawny eagle

Nice birds

[Flutterby]

I first heard about, and saw, a whip scorpion in one of the Harry Potter movies!

[Lisbeth]

[Lisbeth]

I have added it in the AW insect book