Now it was time for a short break at Mopani camp for sure with the obligatory icecream in hand we walked a bit around and finally returned to Mooiplaas waterhole were we stopped for the bathing
crowned plovers in one of the larger puddles which do occur after heavy rains always plentiful here.
There were again many of these birdies around and to our delight also a kittlitz plover could be discovered
who so far could not be seen that often but when one was coming across than funnily
always exactly here or at Tihongonyeni – Another reason to pay also the North a visit!
Our first during that trip but still a bit farer away tsessebe could be seen
and for sure more zebras appeared on the scene as well.
A buffalo was busy with a spa treatment
and indeed was not willing to leave his puddle
and simply chilled along.
We also stopped for a steenbok but same was a bit skittish and immediately dashed away. Another “must” when in that area is a visit at Tihongonyeni which is normally worth the detour maybe not only for the waterhole but for the ride along the S143 and this year same was an extreme fascinating detour which we called the raptor boulevard as we never saw that much eagles, owls or other wading birds mostly on the ground looking for insects. It started with a great number of Wahlberg in bushes
followed by white storks on the ground
and even a black backed jackal who was obviously chasing larger insect who just emerged from holes on the ground after the heavy rains
but same looked still a bit tired.
to be continued….