And then the rain set in or at dusk the bush comes alive

[Lisbeth]

It's the position, it does have a black back:

[Richprins]

[Pumbaa]

The juvenile bateleurs have a repertoire of funny looks

Also the koorhan is not kidding

Totally right and luckily we saw that many of them this year

[Pumbaa]

I love the angle of the jackal photos!!

Yes, we were also happy to finally have found jackals

[Pumbaa]

Lovely episode again The muddy foal is my favourite

It must have rained heavily over night but we did not notice anything

[Pumbaa]

What an unusual view of the jackal without a black back, Pumbaa!

Interesting succulents - some kind of vygie?

The disorganised korhaan may have been doing mating stuff?

But there was no female around but I guess that is because he was so disorganized

[Pumbaa]

Happily we noticed in passing the S89 that same was open but same was not our target today we first drove over the highwater bridge across the Olifants and for sure stopped there and stretched our legs a bit and then we carried on via the tar road and simply had to stop for a gorgeous klipspringer family who just crossed the road in front of us and posed nicely on some rocks



along that road high above



with the Olifants river flowing below.





Far too soon they continued their way on the rocky area down to the river but were no longer visible for us.

Luckily again for us the S91 was also open and needless to say that this road was ours then we always do love to drive along the river and the sand looked as if it only rained here also heavily shortly but no puddles and mud left.

As always we tested all loops which looked drivable after the rain on that road which most of them were and in one we stood again in front of a bush and were entertained by a couple of melba finches



and to our delight she was also around and allowed us to take some shots together with her husband.



Another double banded sandgrouse male could also be captured after we already earlier that day photographed a female



and another must to photograph were again the views into the river which you do have from that road.



We already often drove along that road but for sure will never get tired in enjoying that view – sigh!

[Pumbaa]

Lots of impalas were also around and enjoyed the fresh green after the rain with their hitchhikers





and although the day started with a lot of road closures our favourite spot was open – the Balule causeway – and needless to say that this was our spot for a long time as normally at that time of the day not many cars are around so you normally do not have to give way to other cars often and so it was today. We parked in one of those parking bays and looked around and soon noted grey herons and yellow billed storks and a lot of pied kingfishers on a dry bush in the distance,



uncountable yellow billed storks were around either in the distance or close,



a green backed heron could be discovered as well but same was very well camouflaged



and more pied kingfisher also had to be photographed.



A sandpiper was around



and then I heard a splash extreme close to where we parked and noticed a large crocodile who just caught a fish



and was about to throw same always in its mouth in the air so that same fits best to be swallowed.



to be continued…….

[Flutterby]

Love the finches...never seen those before.

[Richprins]

Lovely light again for the pics. Love the klippies and the croc kill!

Lots of sandgrice around Olifants, I must say!

Pumbaa!