New Territory

[Flutterby]

Love the ostrich pics.

[Pumbaa]

Awesome jackal shots, PJL,

and then I do love the ostrich chicks and even so close

[PJL]

love young Ostriches
I know the Addo's Elephants... so kind

your first Hamerkop... in Addo

and love too the misty pic

Only our second Hamerkop in Addo nan - the first was when it was raining as well

Very nice, Peej!

The ostrich looks like a little dinosaur!

Agreed - someone should sort out a fancy dress dinosaur costume for ostrich chicks... would be hilarious!

A pity with the rain

Wasn't there a moment that the jackals in Addo were disappearing? I don't remember well but seem to remember something about poisoning

Lovely pics of the "survivor"

Thank you for the explanation on the bungalows

Yes Lis there was a stage where there was a poisoning incident, but at that point it really didn't affect the numbers much. Lately the jackal have been quite scarce - I wonder if perhaps they hit a threshold and 'action' had to be taken... same control as they certainly do with the warthog from time to time

Love the ostrich pics.

Thanks Flutts
Was nice having the little one wandering around so close for a change

Awesome jackal shots, PJL,

and then I do love the ostrich chicks and even so close

Thanks Pumbaa - yes that ostrich chick didn't seem bothered by us at all

[Lisbeth]

Thank you for confirming

[PJL]

After enjoying some morning views and coffee from Zuurkop we decided to head south a bit. Along the Zuurkop road we had a few elephant trundle down the road, one of which had a very floppy/broken ear





Slightly further along we stopped to watch some piglets but other than that it was quiet all the way down to Hapoor



It was probably a bit early for elephant to be congregating at Hapoor, but we did manage to spot the meerkat clan that hang out there in the distance



It looked as though a buffalo herd might head down to drink, but the morning coffee forced us to a quick pit-stop at Jacks picnic site. On the way back to Hapoor we spotted a bushbuck and after some patient waiting it popped into a clearing



We caught the tail end of the buffalo back at Hapoor - this chap didn't look to be fully awake yet



The park certainly felt rather quiet, and on the way back north there wasn't even any activity at the hyena den near Rooidam. Only back into the Nyathi section did we pick up on a nice jackal buzzard and some baboons looking pensive







As it was turning into such a nice day, we opted for a lunchtime braai and then a wander around the camp...

Panorama view from the deck of the chalet


The deck and pool


Splash-pool with a view!


On the opposite side of the camp there's a lookout deck over a small waterhole


Also on that side, the perimeter fence and gate out into the park


On the surrounding hillsides there were splashes of blue where this bush was in flower


We also had many types of swallow flying around the chalet and a nesting red-winged starling




Nyathi camp was so relaxing that for a change I really wasn't in a hurry for an afternoon drive, but I got a message from a friend who we had seen in the park that morning to say that there were a couple of lions near Wayne's Valley so we decided to try pop down and see if they were visible at all.

Travelling along the access road in Nyathi we again saw plenty of baboons, but I suppose they don't get to see many vehicles as they generally bolted the moment they saw or heard us coming



As we got closer to the Nyathi gate I couldn't quite believe my eyes!... there had been no sign of lions all morning yet now look who was sleeping right next to the road



TBC

[Richprins]

Really pro pics again, Peej!

Ja, the ellies mess up their ears like that sometimes, doesn't seem to bother them!

Love the bushbuck/flower shot.

Forgot there are baboons there...look like a rather rural bunch.

Great views!

[Flutterby]

The Jackal Buzzard has lovely markings.

Great that you saw lion.

[Lisbeth]

Beautiful scenery

You got a lion

[Pumbaa]

for so many brilliant shots, PJL,

love the jackal buzzard, the piglets, Mr. floppy ear, all the birdies, the landscape and for sure the lion - Great that you were able to see them

[PJL]

Really pro pics again, Peej!

Ja, the ellies mess up their ears like that sometimes, doesn't seem to bother them!

Love the bushbuck/flower shot.

Forgot there are baboons there...look like a rather rural bunch.

Great views!

Very rural baboons
But I think better manners than those found in the north

The Jackal Buzzard has lovely markings.

Great that you saw lion.

Thanks Flutts

Beautiful scenery

You got a lion

We were very pleased to find the lion Lis

for so many brilliant shots, PJL,

love the jackal buzzard, the piglets, Mr. floppy ear, all the birdies, the landscape and for sure the lion - Great that you were able to see them

Thanks Pumbaa - it was quite a good sightings list for what felt like such a quiet morning