Stories from Tar Roads and From Spots

[Pumbaa]

Driving in the water when you cannot see the road, is not for feeble nerves

You were lucky to be able to get such great shots of the woodhoopoes, as they normally are fluttering around always half hidden.

I wonder how the luxury train is doing. It must have had a very bad start with so few overseas visitors.

We still could not understand why that road was open We saw the day after tomorrow a group of visitors on their morning drive at least they had visitors

[Pumbaa]

@Pumbaa

Don't think that it's a Booted Eagle.
Looks far too robust.
My guess would be dark form of Tawny Eagle (am at work and don't have my books with me)

@Pumbaa

Don't think that it's a Booted Eagle.
Looks far too robust.
My guess would be dark form of Tawny Eagle (am at work and don't have my books with me)

Looking in my Roberts, I think is more likely a Steppe Eagle

Could be Dzombo Iam not that good when it comes to brown eagles but for a tawny same was far too small Thanks for your correction

[Pumbaa]

Hey Pumbaa, just caught up here! So glad, you were able to get to Kruger during a very hard time!

Lovely to see the park so green and wet. You had some amazing leopard sightings and great photos all round!

Although it was different to travel in nearly empty planes and airports we would do it again and welcome back here Totally right the leopards were good to us this year although the bush was so dense

[Pumbaa]

Originally we wanted to drive the S65 but same was closed and so we decided to pay a visit to Transport dam where we soon spotted a grey heron on a rock



and lots of wildebeests as well as waterbucks a bit farer away





who were about to arrive with lots of little ones in between after a while we continued.



Via the back entrance or better to say hidden path the S65 was from that side yet open and so we decided to give same a try although must say that same was extreme quiet. Nevertheless we noticed some very hidden kudu bulls



as well as vervet monkeys and lots of impalas and also did no come across any other cars so we supposed that from the other side that road must be closed as well and so it finally was but luckily we could drive between the branches on the ground





although must say the road was easily drivable especially compared to the S30 and the adventurous crossing of the Nwatindlopfu. At least we were happy that we were back on “official” roads and that we could drive same at least once and as the rest was quiet and it was still too early to check in we paid a visit to Lake Panic and luckily we noticed that there were only a couple of cars parking and so we squeezed in as well and were surprised as I was under the impression that same was not carrying water as I saw earlier pictures of a nearly empty Lake Panic but the water level was as high as also during the previous years but there was grass popping out of the water so it looked as if same was indeed only a grass area previously.

Today we again enjoyed the pied kingfishers who could be seen



and the many weavers busy in collecting grass from the reeds there.



As all the other places in the hide were occupied we in the beginning had only the possibility to sat at the right side of the hide but as same is nevertheless our favourite place there we had no problem with that



on the contrary we had the best view on to the many weavers





and as they were located that close we again took lots of pictures.

[Pumbaa]

After a while lots of people walked away and so we also changed our position



in the hide and could now observe one of the many green backed herons instead



followed by the stationary African fish eagle.



Somehow more pied kingfishers appeared a bit closer and one had a dirty bill from catching fish in the water



which same did again



and now returned with the mini fish back in the bill



obviously it was a successful fishing that day already





and also the green-backed heron was in hunting mode.



As nothing else paid a visit at the hide and we already spent one hour there and as it was also time to check in now we left same but got stuck again on the bridge across the N’waswitshaka as there the reeds were extreme high with a couple of red fluff balls between them and so we simply needed to stop to again capture some of the red bishops who occurred there plentiful.



They gave everything and posed so nicely – I am sure later that day a couple of females took the bait.





to be continued………

[Lisbeth]

On the right-hand side in the hide is where you see the smaller birds, which move around

[nan]

Pumbaa, love, love your TT, the diversity of your sightings and so magnificent pictures
for sharing

It seems to me that the Grey Heron is a Black-headed Heron... what do you think

encore svp

[Richprins]

What a birding extravaganza, Pumbaa!

Interesting your adventures with all the tricky roads, plus your imaginary road working out!

Nice to see you getting to your favourite spots!

Good monkey shots too, and of course the kingfisher. I wonder what fish that is?

[Pumbaa]

On the right-hand side in the hide is where you see the smaller birds, which move around

Our favourite spot there but for sure we always take extensive looks into each direction

[Pumbaa]

Pumbaa, love, love your TT, the diversity of your sightings and so magnificent pictures
for sharing

It seems to me that the Grey Heron is a Black-headed Heron... what do you think

encore svp

It could most likely be a black headed heron but same was a bit far away More to come soon