Stories from Tar Roads and From Spots

[Pumbaa]

Only at Shibotwana we noticed life again in form of a family of black backed jackals



who were frolicking around first on a branch but later on also in the grass.



It was still a bit dark as it was cloudy that early morning



but we had fun in watching and photographing them whilst sipping our coffee



at least we noticed thee of them but there could have been much more but as already said the grass was extreme high there.





The rest of our drive along the S100 was then disappointingly quiet but as always lots of general game was around too and meanwhile the sun decided to come up and chase the clouds away.



We paid Gudzani dam a short visit but due to the fullness of the dam not much could be seen although the peace there was more than lovely. We continued our way along the S41 meanwhile and spotted a lark



as well as a family of dwarf mongoose who were simply so curious





and always checked out what was going on when again peeping out of the grass.

[Pumbaa]

It was lovely that they stopped that long for us and presented



themselves and were always more than willing to pose





after they finally all disappeared we also discovered a waterbuck.



A lovely break we then spent at N’wanetsi picnic spot and a bit later at Sweni bird hide which was also extreme full but quiet but at least the obligatory hippos were willing to pose.





Along the H6 we then strolled slowly back to camp and discovered there a burchell’s coucal in a bush



and another one also on the ground.



Birdingwise we noted a lot magpie shrikes,



white backed vultures



to be continued………

[Lisbeth]

The dwarf mongooses are simply adorable
And as always on quiet days not "Thank you for the music" but "Thank you for the birds"

[Mel]

Oh, I love that tiny croc from the previous episode. Way cuter than the adult version
Also, the hornbill taking a dust bath - a real nice sighting!

And the mongeese - totally adorable

[Pumbaa]

The dwarf mongooses are simply adorable
And as always on quiet days not "Thank you for the music" but "Thank you for the birds"

Totally right but as we are great bird lovers we do not have any problem in only spotting birds at least for one or two days

[Pumbaa]

Oh, I love that tiny croc from the previous episode. Way cuter than the adult version
Also, the hornbill taking a dust bath - a real nice sighting!

And the mongeese - totally adorable

Indeed a cute croc that tiny one and lucky for us that no other car approached whilst watching the mongeese

[Pumbaa]

as well as a brown hooded kingfisher



and on top a more than impressive kudu bull was more than willing to pose for us.





Although we so often had the advantage of photographing these animals they do always impress me with each new sighting.



It was also on this road quiet but we stopped for giraffes



and another kudu bull who was chewing on something obviously very yummy



as soon the next bite followed



and luckily also this magnificent specimen



posed long enough for lot of shots.



After a short break in camp we felt it was far too early to stay for the rest of the morning in camp and so we decided to give the S90 at try and still on the tar road as always lots of general game was around



and lots of zebras could be seen relatively close to the road.



Meanwhile along the S90 we spotted a falcon in flight,



lots of Carmine bee eaters,

[Pumbaa]

a kori bustard



and another secretary bird who walked quite a long while in front of our car and was not willing to leave same.



Always when we came too close same took off only to land a couple of meters further down the road and this repeated at least two or three times until finally the secretary bird decided we went too far and landed finally in the veld but at least now we could get a shot from the front.



We met a lot of larks,



beautiful butterflies,



woodland kingfishers



and a green dragonfly at one of the causeways we had to cross along that road.



Now we made again a longer break at Gudzani dam which was more than brimful and now we had luck as something could be seen in form of a couple of cattle egrets on a branch,



a spotted flycatcher a bit farer away in a tree



and a lovely flower along the roadside.



After a while even a group of kudus arrived and most of the members



were thirsty and enjoyed a drink from the dam after they then started to walk away.





to be continued……

[Mel]

Looking at that secretary ambling along the road, I immediately started humming "I'm walking... by myself... I hope you'll understand..." in my head

That heron tree is gorgeous

[Lisbeth]

The first kudu bull is magnificent

Birds, flowers and the butterfly are beautiful.

Extraordinary photos