Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.*

steamtrainfan
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.

Post by steamtrainfan »

13 October 2015 - Day 5 - part 2.

Black Collared Barbet at Fish Eagle picnic spot.

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Our annual Lenong View photograph.

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The pink flamingo was still on the shores of Manwe Dam.

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This Ivory Tree Lodge vehicle almost pushed us off the road in his hurry to see, which we were not aware of at the time, the lions at Mankwe Dam. I really wish that North West Parks Board would ban radios in the park just as they have banned any form of remote flying drone , model aeroplane etc etc.

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There was such a bun fight to try and see the lions that we clicked off a few photos and then drove to the hide.

This seemed to be the main female who took the lead in stalking some wildebeest.

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There were some wildebeest on the other side of the elephant and the lion were trying to figure out a way to get past them.

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The young male that was drinking water at the Pilanesberg Centre water hole in earlier photos.

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Two females bringing up the rear.

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Trying my hand at high speed photography with my Canon SX50 at Makwe hide.

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Then suddenly seven jeep jockeys, all from Ivory Tree Lodge as far as I could see, arrived and all the people had drinks in their hands and shouting and laughing like idiots thus spoiling the whole ambience of the hide.

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Joan and her friend Kathy watching the braai. Bushcraft will be so proud of me.

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To be continued.


Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
steamtrainfan
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.

Post by steamtrainfan »

14 October 2015 - Day 6 - Part 1/2

This was on our kitchen wall. Anyone know what it is as we do not think it is a dragonfly?

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Leopard tortoise on the Tilodi dam bridge.

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These two giraffe were having a bit of a fight but then paused for me to take a photo.

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These lions were quite far in the veld on Tshepe Drive.

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Some pretty flowers alongside the road.

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Blue Waxbill.

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Another flower.

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A pair of secretary birds on the road up to Fish Eagle picnic spot.

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Acacia Pied Barbet.

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Francolin and three chicks.

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Does anyone know what these structures are going to be used for. Seen them at other spots as well as this one at Fish Eagle picnic spot.

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An unknown beetle having a meal.

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Finally for part 1 another lovely flower.

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Part 2/2 to follow.


Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
steamtrainfan
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.

Post by steamtrainfan »

Thank you so much everyone for your feedback and lovely comments.

14 October 2015 - Day 6 - Part 2/2

Capped Wheatear.

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A Crap-scraper ooooops sorry - Ground-scraper Thrush.

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Can you spot what is on this plant?

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Another one of those birds that you have told me the name of but can never remember.

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Pink Flamingo at Mankwe Dam.

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Black-headed Oriole.

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Yellow-fronted Canary.

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Golden-breasted Bunting.

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The same pride of lions as this morning except up near Mankwe Way.

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The sun started to set behind some clouds..........................

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........................so Joan took two more photos of the males getting very friendly.

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As the light was fading very quickly we left the pride where they were and headed back to camp.


Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
steamtrainfan
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.

Post by steamtrainfan »

Thanks very much once again to everybody for the great comments.

15 October 2015 - Day 7 - Part 1/2

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A Zongololo

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Grey Hornbill

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Grey Heron.

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Tsessebe at Rathlogo hide.

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Dung beetles in action.

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Mother and child at Pilanesberg Centre.

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A very entertaining warthog at the waterhole at Pilanesberg Centre.

Rubbing butt.

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Snuffling out a comfortable spot...................

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.....................for a very relaxing mud bath.

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Part 2 to follow.


Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
steamtrainfan
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.

Post by steamtrainfan »

Hi R.P., here is another view of the Mantid.

Photo not so hot as I had to crop it quite drastically.

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Toko
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.

Post by Toko »

That's a Paper Wasp of the genus Belonogaster , might be Belonogaster juncea colonialis


I love the warthog, too. ^Q^ ^Q^ ^Q^ and the lovely grey Toko O:V


steamtrainfan
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.

Post by steamtrainfan »

We are so enjoying all the lovely comments. Thanks very much everyone.

15 October 2015 - Day 7 - Part 2/2

The second time we saw a Kori Bustard cross Hippo loop.

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Seen at Makorowane Dam parking area.

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A huge crocodile at Mankwe Dam.

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Two handsome fellows near Mankwe Dam.

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Is this an Agama as it is not a lizard - see the feet.

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Elephantorrhiza burke - Elephant root or Sumach Bean.

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Three in one seen on Hippo Loop.

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Joans photo of a Black-shouldered Kite.

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My photo of a Giant Kingfisher seen in front Mankwe Hide. The setting sun reflected so nicely off him.

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The setting sun from Mankwe Hide parking area.

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It was time to head back to camp for the last time. This collection of birds near Mankwe Hide.

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A momentary road block until the vehicle behind sent these two into the veld.

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Our last evening dinner at Manyane restaurant was once again excellent. Our friends who were with us - Eugene, Kathy and us.

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For tomorrow we decided to head home by going through the reserve and exiting at Bakubang at about 12:00 instead of around it. Who knows what one can see in a morning.....................................
.....................and we were not disappointed.


Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
steamtrainfan
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.

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Friday 16 October 2015 - on our way home. Absolutely perfectly timed. As we arrived at the dam wall she came down to drink and went back up into the bushes and then he came down to drink and went back and both disappeared.

The day started with a bang as at Tilodi Dam we saw this pair.

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Then on Motlobo Drive we arrived just minutes after a springbuck had given birth.

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A very tender moment for mother and baby.

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Can it be that such a tender and loving scene could turn into such terror in a matter of seconds???????????????????

The answer, in video format, will be posted after this posting.

Finally at Mankwe Dam we saw a flock of pink flamingos arriving and circling around and around. We could not wait until they settles as we had to be on our way home.

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Video to be posted soon.


Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
steamtrainfan
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.

Post by steamtrainfan »

Thank you everybody for the lovely comments.

I think Pilanesberg is the only game reserve where springbuck and impala graze together.

Here is that video - please excuse abrupt ending but Joan could not carry on videoing.

It was all so peaceful until the zebra came on the scene. Hope you can see the video

ImageMVI_0560 by Richard Gillatt 1, on Flickr
phpBB [video]


Fortunately the baby came through unscathed and re-joined its mother.

Well, that was our annual visit for 2015.

Thank you very much to everyone for staying on board and for all the lovely comments and ID's.


Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
steamtrainfan
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Re: Our annual week in our B.P.O.E.

Post by steamtrainfan »

Hi Toko,

Here are two close ups of the elephantorrhiza burkeii or Sumach Bean or Elephant Root.

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Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
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