Rietvlei Nature Reserve through Greenies' Eyes

[Amoli]

Dewi - a Little Bittern would be a lifer - just need to check..

[Toko]

Great birding, Amoli

for the flowers A Gnidia caffra Gifbossie

My fav is the sunrise sky

[Flutterby]

Wow Amoli, you got some great birdies!!

[steamtrainfan]

Gee whizz Amoli - your photos are fantastic.

Wish I could capture some of the birdies you got.

[Peter Connan]

I missed the early start on Saturday morning, but this happened on Saturday evening


(please note that this photo was not taken at Rietvlei, and is included only to illustrate the cause of the ideal conditions I was privileged to encounter)

And it made Sunday morning magnificent. I was there at 05h00, the first guy through the gate.

My first sighting was a pair of Reedbuck at the first turnoff, just passed the first hide. It was still too dark to get a decent photo though. Normally I would rush to the island-view hide, but this time I decided to do things differently. I was moslty hoping to see cuckoos and bee-eaters, but decided to take the dirt road.

Next up, a couple of Rhino:


Shortly thereafter, sunup:




This brought the most beautiful light I have seen in a long time.


Found some more Rhino, with Egret in close attendance, at the crossroads leading to the restaurant





I took the Vlei road, and found another Reedbuck
, and some eland but too far away.

At the hide along the vlei, I got two different swallows:


an Arrow-marked Babbler (first time I see one here):

And a King-of-six


There were termite alates erupting all over the park, making for lots of excitement among the weavers, bishops and widowbrds.






I also saw the spur-wing Amoli mentioned, but too far away.
Coming back on the other side of the stream, there were several wet and upset Swainsons, still sitting in the trees.


At the otter bridge, a green-backed heron


This time I turned toward the island-view hide.


At the hide itself, a fish eagle was teasing us from the trees and a black-headed heron paid a visit


As well as a white-breasted swallow

And the usual Darter

Then my family joined me for brunch, and so did the rhinos.

And on the way out, the black-chested snake eagle came to say goodbye


So wonderful that one can have such an amazing morning just 20 minutes' drive from home, whic just begs the question: Why haven't I been here since April? Then again, I never did get any Cuckoos or Bee-eaters.

[steamtrainfan]

Whoowee Peter.

Thank you for sharing these most amazing photos.

Your lightning photo is a winner.

[Lisbeth]

Superb bird photos and I love the reedbuck

[Amoli]

Excellent sightings Peter..

I'm a bit green about the Green backed Heron....

Your sunrise was beautiful with all the clouds...

and the lightning... wow

[Flutterby]

Wow Peter, amazing photographs!!

[Richprins]

Good Gravy! Incredible pics all-round!

The theory about meerkat is that they are slowly moving East, as SA's Karoo vegetation biome expands due to various factors..a long story..but not very good!

Love the rhino pic, Peter, and Amoli's Tern!