Stories from Tar Roads and From Spots

[Pumbaa]

We also heard a burchell’s coucal but same stayed hidden in a bush. Another must stop was then again at the Olifants look out point where you are allowed to leave your vehicle



and again whenever at this spot we are in no hurry and take our time there



and also the rest of our morning coffee always had to be drunk there.



Then it got extreme quiet and only on the S46 many zebras busy in crossing the road forced us to stop



as well as giraffes either small



or large in the best morning light had to be captured.



Now we already drove along the Letaba and also the views from here are very special



and also this smaller elephant herd had right the way



not to forget a stop at this beautiful baobab tree. We so far often drove this road already during our many trips but must say this tree is always so impressive.



A car full of rangers overtook us whilst we were turning into one longer loop leading closer to the Letaba and here we were once again busy in watching and photographing masses of European bee eaters

[Pumbaa]

and sporadically also red billed queleas needed a break in this bush



and we had such a wonderful time at this lovely spot



with all our feathered friends.



Unfortunately the further stretch of the S46 along the river was still closed which was a bit disappointing as the best views into the Letaba were still to come but so we had no other choice than to drive into the direction of the tar road where we soon met another hyena in a hurry.



Another nice sighting was then two buffalo boys feeding in a meadow with high grass which they had all to themselves



and for sure both of them were busy in feeding but from time to time at least one of them was lifting his head.



Where buffaloes are normally yellow billed oxpeckers are not far and so it was here





also with these two boys we spent a lovely time and watched them quite long



but after we got our shots we carried on.



to be continued……………

[Lisbeth]

Welcome back, Pumbaa!

Lovely views on the river.

Bee-eater tree

Buffalos enjoying old age peacefully eating their way

[Richprins]

Pumbaa!

Lovely sightings again, I like the oxpecker on the oxen!

So many bee-eaters!

[Pumbaa]

Welcome back, Pumbaa!

Lovely views on the river.

Bee-eater tree

Buffalos enjoying old age peacefully eating their way

Compared to this year the rivers were extreme full last year but the views are always spectacular

[Pumbaa]

Pumbaa!

Lovely sightings again, I like the oxpecker on the oxen!

So many bee-eaters!

Oxpecker without oxen are indeed a rare sighting

[Pumbaa]

Not far from the buffaloes a family of ground hornbills was about to cross the road



but then it got completely quiet until we reached for a short comfort break Letaba camp. We did not stay long and carried on and along the tar road we stopped at one tree full of carmine bee eater



and for sure we simply had to take a couple of close ups.



Luckily lots of them were extreme willing to pose



on the other side the views into the Letaba are always worth to stop and at one of such stops we noted a water monitor between lots of Egyptian goose.



A bit burther down the road on the left side then we discovered a more than little pond filled up nicely with water and for sure there lot of water birds could be seen, lots of pied kingfishers were around



and lots of green backed herons whereas this one was fishing on a really small branch and same caught again something which again looked like tadpoles.



We were lucky in capturing a pied in flight



and the more we looked around the more green backed herons we spotted



and also the pied kingfishers were successful in catching fish.



As always we could not drag ourselves away but we already decided that a longer stay there tomorrow is definitely a must.



The baboons were either too lazy or simply overslept

[Pumbaa]

needless to say that we again had fun in watching them.



Luckily the S95 was open and already graded so we turned into same and stopped for a couple of wildebeests and cattle egrets in the river. What a more than lovely spot they had chosen on a hot summer’s morning.



We also detected blue waxbills and Namaqua doves and then we reached already the high water bridge but the water was still flowing quite strongly so nothing could be seen there and



unfortunately also the S62 was closed so we again turned around and for sure turned again into the S95 and right at the beginning we noticed a lone ostrich lady.



Definitely a strange place for an ostrich but nevertheless we were happy to once again having spotted one quite close.



Although we looked around but we were unable to locate more ostriches in the high grass.



She continued to walk quite fast and straight behind a bush and was not longer to be seen



and back to our beloved pond we could admire the green back herons artistical skills





and now we were already back at Letaba camp where we now checked out the temporary shop after the old one burnt down. After another break now for sure with the obligatory icecream we drove back via the tar road but it was already extreme hot but we were lucky in spotting a couple of kudus



and close to the N’wamanzi lookout a couple of elephants.



to be continued……………….

[Lisbeth]

Also the green-backed heron has changed name, now it's called Striated Heron Only the juveniles, like yours, have stripes as far as I remember.

Snoozing baboons

Great pic of the pied kingfisher

[nan]

wow love the Boon, Ostrich and Heron

as per my book (Sasol fourth edition 2020) is Green-backed (Striated) Heron... striated in "-----" = old name
so I can't understand nothing now, old new, new old....