Africa Wild

Joan and I spent 4 hours in Rietvlei on Saturday afternoon. Very interesting and entertaining. Will post some pics soon.

Hi Amoli - Joan and I also felt totally renewed after our four hours. Also stopped for some tea and cake and the tea room there.

Hi Toko - Hope you enjoy.

More a photo album than a travel tale with some bird species unidentified.


Is this a Lappet Faced something or other.


Cropped version of above.


A white egret at Otters Bridge.


An Egyptian Goose at Otters Bridge.


Black Shouldered Kite.


Another pic of the same BSK after he had flown off and settled further away.


A baby zebra playing hiding go seek with Joans camera.


Some more zebra.


Some duck ???????? at Otters Bridge.


Another duck?????? with what seems to be a huge crop also at Otters Bridge.

Some more to follow.

The first two are of the African Wattled Lapwing....
I think he is fed to be a sign of welcome to all visitors... -O -O

The duck with the yellow bill - is a yellow billed duck, yet the one at the back...
I also saw him today, and will look up what it is.
The last two - I am not sure if it is related to the unknown one.

Your black shouldered kite is superb - wow !!

I think the Erget is a Little egret

STF - I think your last pic could be a Southern Pochard female - with the brown duck behind the YBD as the male.
As soon as Dewi pops in, he will correct us.

I also saw a pair of African Black Duck today - as beautiful.

Nice photos STF, especially the kite and the shy zebra foal. -O

Think Amoli is right with the Pochard behind the Yellow-billed, but the last one is a Mallard (orange legs & feet).

Thanks very much guys for the bird ID's.

Some more pics.


Some Eland seen from the tearoom.






Very happy to see that not all the Rhino in Rietvlei have had their horns removed.


Not sure what little bird this is. Another pic below.




Hippo seen from Marais Dam hide.


A pair of mating secretary birds. Unfortunately the tree was very far away and the light was terrible. Another pic below.




Black Backed Jackal

More to follow.

Great of the Eland

The yellow one might be a juvenile Cape longclaw

The final few:


Please help with an ID.








This Giant Kingfisher posed very nicely for us at Otters Bridge.


And then turned around so we could get another view.

Thats all for this day. Thanks for looking.

STF... super pictures.... sigh.

I think it is a pied starling - and Rietvlei is the only place I have ever seen one (or a whole lot together.. -O )

Love your Egyptian goose and the waterbuck. The Kingfisher is also stunning. Was this late afternoon?

I believe, although gates close earlier, you can stay in the park until about 7