Africa Wild

Lovely photos everyone

My friends live 12km away, so we always pop over to Rietvlei whenever I'm in Pretoria. A really great place to get away from the city for a couple of hours and chill out.

Some photos taken there 23rd & 24th July and 8th August this year. (2011)





Hwyl,

Dewi.

Reading of all the sightings we have at our front or back door, I decided on a drive through Rietvlei.
I inivited a friend with who was very eager to escape the boredom of her old age room, and off we went.
Soon I could feel her hands were not like ice blocks and she was warm and comfortable.

Within the first 500meter, I was surprised to find an African Wattled Lapwing (lelkiewiet) right next to road and quiet undisturbed with our presence.
Sure it was not on a nest?
Note to self – need to google habits and habitats of Lapwings.

Nature has used a creative paintbrush on the Lapwing
– or was it’s beak originally dipped in chocolate. -O

Hi Amoli,

That's why I like visiting this reserve as well, you can get away from it all for a while whenever you have an hour or so to spare. I also saw the Wattled Lapwing pair close to the entrance and got a photo lifer as they were so confiding. The hides can be good as well if you don't mind watching the antics of the Coots, Darters and Cormorants.

Nice description of the Lapwing you give there.

I enjoyed the hides - here are some pics I took - yet please remember my equipment is very basic at this stage. Father Christmas will be round my place in a few months time. :P

And some land birds....

There are 3 of the big 5 to be found at Rietvlei Dam as well as Cheetah and Hippo. Unfortunately one of the Cheetahs died last week from old age. Three more Lions have been added to the Brother and sisters (2) already there.

Hi Lisbeth,
There are quite a number of them and they live in "harmony" with the people on their sail boats.



and Crocs

Few more pics





Reed Buck

Joan and I took our grandaughter to Ritvallei for 2 hours yesterday. Joan got some good shots although she only had her 75mm lens on so most of the photos have had to be cropped. We have so enjoyed looking at everybody elses pics and stories of Rietvallei. This reserve is only about 6km's from where we stay so we will be making this a more regular to visit in future.

All these shots were taken at Otter Bridge.

A little egret with breeding plumes.








Some shots while were driving around.



Not Sure what bird this is - we could not find it in Roberts.



We will post some more soon.

An egyptian goose coming in for a landing. My apologies for the quality but the camera was on the wrong setting.


And on the water.


Red Hartebeest.


Some lady waterbuck.


Long-Tailed Widow Bird.


Same guy fluffing himself. Not nearly as colourful as from the back or side.


A very shy black backed jackal.