Stargazer was in the USA on business so I decided to spend a couple of nights camping on my own.
The trailer went to work with me on the Friday as it's already part of the way there. Two hours of driving and I was at the gate booking in. Another 30 minutes and I was relaxing in a chair, unfortunately without any beverages other than coffee because I'd left the beers in the fridge at home
After chatting to one of the other campers I decided not to worry too much about getting up early so I ended up taking my time and getting out at around 08:00. As it turned out, there wasn't very much to see.
All of the hides in the Nylsvlei reserve have been burnt down so it was really difficult to see any of the bird life - such as it was.
First up, a Roan Antelope.
A Squirrel on top of a flowering Euphorbia.
After a short drive, I went to breakfast at the restaurant - not the best value for money but it's the only place in the area so it's Hobson's Choice!
On one of the chairs, a beautiful moth.
At the gate, I found some more bugs.
A Plume Moth.
And a couple of Spiders.
I drove around to the Vogelfontein side where I found the sole surviving hide but it wasn't worth the effort to go to it as the area was dry.
I did find a Dragonfly.
And a Redbilled Firefinch - I don't think I've seen one of those before.
As I drove back, I spotted a juvenile Fish Eagle in a very small vlei. It took off before I could get a picture but it did circle around a few times.
A Weekend at Nylsvlei - 8-10 May 2015
A Weekend at Nylsvlei - 8-10 May 2015
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Re: A Weekend at Nylsvlei - 8-10 May 2015
The afternoon drive was also a bit sparse. The grass was very long so it was even difficult to see the larger animals.
A stretching Giraffe.
More dragonflies.
Tsessebee.
Pearlspotted Owlet.
Smaug.
And a Kudu in the late afternoon light.
And that was it! May was a month or so too late in the year as all of the migratory birds had left. Next time I go it will be in February!
A stretching Giraffe.
More dragonflies.
Tsessebee.
Pearlspotted Owlet.
Smaug.
And a Kudu in the late afternoon light.
And that was it! May was a month or so too late in the year as all of the migratory birds had left. Next time I go it will be in February!
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
- Richprins
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Re: A Weekend at Nylsvlei - 8-10 May 2015
Very interesting, BT! Thanks!
Smaug!
And what a ridiculous moth, that plume one!
Left his beers in the fridge...
Smaug!
And what a ridiculous moth, that plume one!
Left his beers in the fridge...
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- Flutterby
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Re: A Weekend at Nylsvlei - 8-10 May 2015
Oh well, you win some, you lose some! Nice sighting of the Firefinch , and I like the squirrel.
Re: A Weekend at Nylsvlei - 8-10 May 2015
Platysphinx piabilis (Measly Hawkmoth)
The firefinch is cool and Roan, too.
Lovely dragonfly photos and the squirrel on Euphorbia is a first on AW forum, I think
The firefinch is cool and Roan, too.
Lovely dragonfly photos and the squirrel on Euphorbia is a first on AW forum, I think
Re: A Weekend at Nylsvlei - 8-10 May 2015
Hahahaha : at least I arrived on the right day!Richprins wrote:Very interesting, BT! Thanks!
Smaug!
And what a ridiculous moth, that plume one!
Left his beers in the fridge...
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Re: A Weekend at Nylsvlei - 8-10 May 2015
It was nice to get away for a couple of nights and it was a good test to see if I could operate the trailer on my own!Flutterby wrote:Oh well, you win some, you lose some! Nice sighting of the Firefinch , and I like the squirrel.
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Re: A Weekend at Nylsvlei - 8-10 May 2015
Thanks again for the ID! The dragonflies were taken with the Tamron 150-600 which focuses where I put the dot, not 1cm behind that point!Toko wrote:Platysphinx piabilis (Measly Hawkmoth)
The firefinch is cool and Roan, too.
Lovely dragonfly photos and the squirrel on Euphorbia is a first on AW forum, I think
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Re: A Weekend at Nylsvlei - 8-10 May 2015
Do we declare this one a male Agriope trifasciata?BluTuna wrote:
And a couple of Spiders.
Re: A Weekend at Nylsvlei - 8-10 May 2015
... and this an Anyphops sp.BluTuna wrote:
And a couple of Spiders.