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

[steamtrainfan]

Your bird pics are amazing but the ellies sliding are just the best.

[Flutterby]

What fantastic ellie pics!!

[Pumbaa]

love the toboggan

and all theses babies

We also had a lot to laugh how they slipped down the sand on their knees

[Pumbaa]

Those lil'ones know have to have fun. They are hilarious

We could have spend even the whole evening with them but somehow suddenly they all were gone and it got far too soon too dark

[Pumbaa]

All these sightings were another proof that you definitely do not need to travel as many roads and as many kilometers or to race from one sighting to the other to spot animals often it is easier to just stay at one spot and let the animals come to you - mostly you even will see more.

AND it's much more convenient too - especially when you have a chalet with a waterhole or a river right in front of you, aka in the camp for example.

Great start, Pumbaa! Nice variety of the birds. I like those egrets in flight. A good shot! Just as the one where they are marching with the elephant. Looks quite funny somehow.

The sliding as well as the sand-slurping ellie are very cute and entertaining.

Also like the cut throat. Pretty bird. Reminds me of the red-headed finch. The cut throats just forgot to put the rest of the colour on.

It looked indeed as if they forgot a bit of red in the face and once again thanks for the hint with the lodge

[Pumbaa]

Your bird pics are amazing but the ellies sliding are just the best.

We also saw at least sporadically ellies sliding down sand but here it were so many of them doing that

[Pumbaa]

What fantastic ellie pics!!

Flutterby and also often seen always fascinating and breathtaking

[Pumbaa]

Friday, 09. February, 2018 Malelane – Berg en Dal

Explored Roads: S110 – S120 – H3 – S118 – S114 – S23 – S110 – S113 –H3 – S110

For sure we got up as if we were in Kruger (our breakfast packs we got already the prior evening) and drove into the direction of the gate but for sure a first must stop we made as usual on the bridge across the Crocodile river.

We already saw the water level lower but it could not be disregard that it was exceptional dry again, however, we looked around and noticed a group of white faced and knob-billed ducks,



a grazing waterbuck



and a huge crocodile.



As not much else was around we reached the gate and had luck as when we arrived nobody was waiting in line and so after we filled in everything and got our permit we entered the park in no minute and we were again in Kruger mood. First animal this year was a European roller a bird who occurred really often in the park this year despite the drought. For sure we stopped for a plum coloured starling,



a yellow eyed canary,



Mr. and Mrs. red backed shrike,



grey headed sparrows and then we met our first elephant bull in the park already.



We drove into the direction of camp and wanted to visit Matjulu when a group of yellow billed hornbills



forced us to stop as one of them presented to us a small kill.



That area of the park was dryer than during the drought although the bushes this year were green but the ground and grass was very dry and so was Matjulu, the mud holes as well as the waterhole were bone dry and a giraffe already walked frustrated away as same came originally for a drink.

[Pumbaa]

At least when it will stay that dry during the coming days it will make no sense in visiting this water point again as no animal will come for a drink so we were already a bit disappointed as this was always a more than nice late afternoon or early morning drive.

Anyway then we simply must to find anywhere animals and so we did in form of a large herd of resting buffaloes during our continued drive.



Some fell over and were sleeping on the ground



and later on came up again to check out what is up.



The obligatory oxpeckers found their host and





we had a more than great time in either photographing the buffaloes or the birdies.





They made no arrangements in getting ready to stand up



so we could abuse them as models as they are always amazing to photograph



and so we stood at that sighting quite long and at that early Friday we were the only car there.



I originally thought a buddy greeting would only take place between lions or maybe elephants but two buffalo bulls did the same.



to be continued...

[nan]

wow this Starling