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

[Richprins]

Pafuri!

[Pumbaa]

We could have stayed for the rest of the day at that look out point but wanted to pay Letaba a visit and so we carried on but as already expected it was another extreme quiet day. The red crested korhaan who came across could only be seen from behind and due to the deep mud we left many of the loop we normally do drive on the S93 behind but that couple we then met simply made it worth as right on the road a waterbuck mom and her youngster were having a dispute about clean oneself as the little one was not that happy about the way mom did same.





It was one of the most smallest and cutest waterbuck babies we ever saw in the park and indeed we saw them plentiful this year -



such a cute fluff ball.



Nearly at the end of that road close to Engelhard dam we tried some of the smaller loops which led directly to the river and same were indeed drivable and there we noticed a green backed heron and a sandpiper in the water a bit farer away



but to Timon’s delight a fish eagle landed on a dry branch close to where we parked and started to pose nicely for him



and also called its mate who replied from the other side of the river



and whilst still observing the fish eagle we also noticed in the water some very well hidden egrets



and finally Timon even got a shot from the taking off fish eagle.



The very last loop in which we had last year one of our best lion sightings ever was today empty at least nearly as we were about to leave when we saw a waterbuck mom



plus another cute youngster coming up from the Letaba river.

[Pumbaa]

No lions today but another gorgeous little fluff ball and compared to last year it caught our eyes that the vegetation was extreme short and only sparsely but I guess the recent rains might have changed at least everything a bit greener.



Now Letaba was no longer far and we stopped there for a short break and wanted to drive to the high water bridge via the S95 but as already assumed same was still closed and also the roads leading to the Matambeni hide or to Mingerhout dam were closed as well which was indeed a bit disappointing so we had no alternative to drive back to Olifants via the tar road.

Here we stopped on the bridge across the feeder into the Nlanganini and indeed loved to see that much water in a normally dry riverbed



but beside a little birdie



and a red billed quelea who obviously caught a dragonfly and the again starting rain nothing spectacular came across and so we decided to give the Balule bridge another try as at least that sand road was open



and now it even looked as if it will clear up weatherwise for the rest of the day which it finally did. The obligatory pied kingfishers were again present but still in light rain



as well as the sandpiper



and today also a bateleur was around in a tree trying to dry its feathers.



We drove via the S89 and already was about to turn into the tar road when we noticed that the S39 was now open and as it was still quite early nothing could stop us to at least drive a bit along that road at least until the views into the Timbavati river will start but same was still extreme muddy and whilst droving along it was very slippery – At least we stopped for giraffes



and one was feeding appreciatively on some



acacia bushes – Yummy!



We definitely did not come far as it was still too muddy and as we still had to turn around we did so – If we had been on our way to Satara we for sure had tried this road until the end but we still could capture a hadedah in a bush



to be continued………..

[Flutterby]

The waterbuck youngsters are too cute!!

Nice to see the bush so green.

[Lisbeth]

The waterbuck calves are soooo cute and great pic of the kingfisher with raindrops

[Richprins]

Very cute indeed, Pumbaa!

Ja, it is different to drive in the wet like that, but just as interesting, and cool!

Lovely bird shots!

[Pumbaa]

Pafuri!

Totally right

[Pumbaa]

The waterbuck youngsters are too cute!!

Nice to see the bush so green.

Hopefully the bush will be that green again shortly

[Pumbaa]

The waterbuck calves are soooo cute and great pic of the kingfisher with raindrops

Those waterbuck youngsters were indeed one of the cutest creatures ever

[Pumbaa]

Very cute indeed, Pumbaa!

Ja, it is different to drive in the wet like that, but just as interesting, and cool!

Lovely bird shots!

Definitely it is different but I love the variety