When small Streams turn into Rivers

[Pumbaa]

Are you sure it's a kittlitz plover

Quite a few beautiful zebra photos

Lots of closed roads; rather disappointing

Indeed the many roads which were closed during that trip was incredibly disappointing The bird is definitely a capped wheatear - a lifer for us

[Pumbaa]

Catching up, Pumbaa!

No coffee!

Ja that Shawu road is totally different, a sort of weird part of Kruger reminiscent of the Okavango!

Love the woodhoopoes again with the feeding, and the ellies under the tree, looks like a hot day again.

For us that N'shawu road is always a must as same can be extreme surprising or complete quiet but always very special - It was again a hot day

[Pumbaa]

Quite a number of youngsters were resting



and now we meanwhile reached Tihongonyeni already were we found as often quite a lot of ostriches once again we were happy that they were so close to where we stood



also lots of crowned plovers could be discovered easily



and even more ostriches



were feeding from the wonderful green vegetation.



As often the area around this waterhole was dotted with general game especially with group of zebras taking an eye on the sleeping youngsters on the ground which were in fact the cutest





and on top the most typical zebra shot was also guaranteed.



After a while we continued but somewhere along the S144 we stopped at a smaller water- or better to say mudhole which had been declared by two elephant bulls at their own



as often they played in the mud like small children and we had so much fun in watching them especially when suddenly masses of birds appeared.

[Pumbaa]

For sure the mud had been thrown everywhere



and then one of the bulls decided that he needed an extensive wallow in the far too small mud puddle whilst another bull appeared between the mopane bushes



and then also the other bull soon took a dive into the mud not that the one who just arrived will stole the best place to be. At least we had a good laugh and after quite a long time we carried on



and stopped at N’wambu which is always such a nice and open place and here we were surprised by a yellow bishop unfortunately a bit too far away, however, we were more than happy in spotting that bird specie again.



The rest of our drive along the H1-6 was then more than quiet and as we still had a bit time available until we could check in we paid the Shipandane causeway a visit and luckily same was overflowing and consequently lots of waterbirds were willing to be photographed and at such places they are not that shy and always allowed nice close ups.





At that time of the day we were all alone there and had the causeway all to ourselves as same can be extreme busy especially in the evening so we were in no hurry



and enjoyed that place tremendously especially still having in mind all the causeways we had missed due to the closed roads and rain we experienced at the begin of our trip.



A couple of grey herons were around and so were the hamerkops



who watched the yellow billed stork carefully whilst fishing



and we detected quite a lot crocodiles in the water and in the distance on the other side lots of water dikkops in the shade.



We left the hide itself behind but paid Pioneer hide a visit as in the evening there is always backlight and we are nearly blind but so far we never had luck there, however, the view is lovely but at least a beautiful dragon fly was around.



to be continued………………………..

[Lisbeth]

The bird is definitely a capped wheatear

I had not worked out what it was, I was only sure that it was not a kittlitz plover

Elephants + mud holes = Lots of fun and

Lovely waterbirds

[Pumbaa]

The bird is definitely a capped wheatear

I had not worked out what it was, I was only sure that it was not a kittlitz plover

Elephants + mud holes = Lots of fun and

Lovely waterbirds

Luckily that year there were lots of mudholes available

[Pumbaa]

Meanwhile it was also time to check in and soon we moved into our unit No. 49 which had an incredible view over Pioneer dam and after everything had been stowed away we walked to the restaurant for lunch which was once again delicious especially with that breathtaking view after we finished we strolled along the boardwalk and discovered not far Carmine bee eaters, great white egrets and to our joy a group of red faced mousebirds landed in a close by bush





and now also the Carmine bee eaters were willing to come closer



and happily also another mocking cliff chat arrived





and also a couple of lizards appeared as well on the scene



so we had quite a lot to look at.



We also paid a short visit to the shop but the things we needed were sold out so we hoped that we will have more luck tomorrow with the shop in Shingwedzi and whilst strolling slowly back to our bungalow we captured that thrush as well





and also detected a spotted flycatcher in a bush.



We had a short break in our bungalow and only left camp for our afternoon or better to say for our evening drive really late, luckily the distances to our favourite spots from camp are not that far. First we paid a visit to Mooiplaas waterhole and although the area around the waterhole itself was quiet we stopped at a larger pond close to the waterhole and suddenly hundreds of queleas arrived indeed a fascinating moment.



As soon as they arrived out of nowhere the more sooner they were all gone but now we could pay attention to a kittlitz plover in the pond

[Pumbaa]

the mirroring of the bird in the water was amazing especially in the best evening light



and soon another waterbird could be spotted.



We still had a bit time left and I remembered long time ago we once drove a couple of smaller loops along the H1-6 which do lead closer to the Tsendze river which to end really close to the Shipandane causeway, the views into the river indeed were lovely but overall it was extreme quiet, however, in one loop we discovered a large pond which was nicely filled and here lots of weavers were refurbishing their nests and we also noticed green back herons but it was extreme shady there and the light was not the best.



When we wanted to turn into the very last loop we noticed a very slowly driving car and luckily the driver let us pass so that we could discover the reason it was a leopard strolling along the loop



and we so much hoped that he would at least turn his head to us only once but unfortunately that wish did not came true at least we saw another leopard and far too soon he disappeared in the thick vegetation we waited a bit and drove forward as well as backwards but the leopard did not show up again.



So we returned only for a short visit to Shipandane and enjoyed the evening atmosphere there with the hippos





and the yellow billed stork could be discovered at its favourite spot where we already noticed same already earlier that day.



We now hurried to return back to camp in time so that we still had a bit light to take the obligatory picture of us with the view in the background



and it took not long until we had the best view onto the sunset which simply was breathtaking especially with my beloved South African white wine in hand.





We in fact stayed outside quite a long time so we noticed how darker it got with each minute



and finally we also were happy in capturing a nice crescent moon until it was in fact time to fall asleep.



to be continued………………..

[Richprins]

A superb selection, Pumbaa!

Never a dull moment, especially with the birdies!

Great reflection shot of the plover.

Mopane is a wonderful area, squiet roads most of the time with plenty of options.

And what luck with the leopard!

Nice moonshot.

[Lisbeth]

New kinds of birds

Great sunset shot

Headless leopard but still a leopard

Nice foto of the two of you

It is always nice to hear that you eat so well at the restaurants in the park