Once Upon a Time in the Northwest

[Dewi]

OK, I'm back now with a bit more time to post more of the foxes.

Thanks for the comments agaain, glad you liked the sleeping fox pic :D

These little ones were on the road between Rooiputs and Kij Kij, with the Bat Eared Foxes also in the same area. The road on the SA side is being upgraded, so at present, you cross over into the Botswana side to get to Kij Kij.

Both species were new for me, so I was fascinated to watch them for the first time as they went about their buisness.

A youngster peeks out of the entrance to the den to make sure the coast is clear.



And pops out to sun itself for a while.



Then gets a bit more adventurous.



It's sibling was much more of an explorer and wandered about further from the den.



Further along the road, we saw this adult returning in the direction of the den.



The Bat Eared Foxes were also out in the open, with two crossing the plain in front of us.



This one must have been watching the Springbok pronking display and wanted to try it out for itself.



Mum just chilled out in the morning sunshine.



While the runt of the litter couldn't resist a peek at what was happening outside.

[Dewi]

Most of you will know by now that raptors are my favourites. KTP was raptor heaven for me and we saw lots of different species during our wanderings in the park.

Martial Eagles are formidable birds. Their huge size and menacing presence are mesmerising to watch.We saw mostly juveniles on this trip, which somehow look even more stunning than the adults. Take a close look at the size of the feet and talons of the one below and you can just feel the power present there.



Another juvenile posed nicely in the last of the setting sun one evening.



Before moving position just as the last of the light was gone.



This same youngster favoured the area and we saw it on several occasions, but it was sometimes camera shy.



Another juvenile was seen perched in an old tree.



A juvenile Pale-chanting Goshawk was just as interested in us as we were with it.



And a Greater Kestrel spin dried it's feathers.



An obliging Lanner Falcon sat in wonderful light for me to take some snapshots of it.



Coming next....even more raptors

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Dewi]

Thanks Guy's and Gals. Really appreciate your positive comments here.

Another Lanner sat nicely in a tree for his photo to be taken.



And Black-shouldered Kites did their best to keep cool by perching with their wings half open.



Bateleurs were seen quite reqularly, despite the fact that they are reported to be uncommon in the park. Few came down close for photo opportunities though.





Tawny Eagles were scarce at the start of the trip, but numbers increased after we had the rainfall halfway through.



It was great to see a mixture of different plumage phases evident in this species.





And there was always a juvenile PCG somewhere who liked to have it's portrait taken.

[Dewi]

Thanks again for the wonderful comments.

Sorry I missed last night's posting, a bit hectic here at the moment.

A change for you tonight, some scenics.

KTP is a beautiful place and I wished I had my wide angle lens with me and polarizing filter, but had to leave them behing due to weight restrictions, so relied on my little mik en druk for all these. Not quite the same quality as the slr gives, so I hope I've done the place a little of the justice it deserves.

I did not take as many scenics or sunsets as I normally take on my travels, but the ones below are some of my favourites from this trip. Most likely due to what I was feeling at the time. Awe!

[Dewi]

Thanks, glad you liked them.

Lis, how did you find out I had a postcard scanner? :lol: :lol: :lol:

OK, some fethered friends for you this evening.

Some may be "familiar" to you.


While others, like this Lesser Grey Shrike, may not.


Scaly Feathered Finches were everywhere.


and I could not fail to see Sociable Weavers.


White-browed Sparrow-weavers were also very numerous, especially in camps and at picnic sites.


Black-chested Prinias were seen most days.


and Rock Martins chattered to me from the rooftops.


But star of the show had to be Swallow-tailed Bee-eater.

[leachy]

hey dewi.......

just arrived here and i am so pleased that i eventually did.

stunning photos all around........



my guess is that you were actually hoping that the lanner would stop posing and fly away while you were shooting him

thanks for sharing this event ..............

[Dewi]

How did you guess that Leachy? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Very perceptive of you.

Shame the bird did not read the script though.

The best laid plans..........






:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Dewi]

The farmhouse at Auchterlonie.


Clouds forming.


Grass & sky.


Dry river scene.


Landscape at Union's End.


Van Rhyn's Pass going North.


Van Rhyn's Pass going South.

[Dewi]

Blue Wildebeest plodding along as only they can.


Marching in line towards a waterhole.


Springbok also marched in line heading to water.


Their lambs were enjoying themselves, practicing their gymnastics.


Or just posing for photos.




A young Gemsbok also ran amok.


Whilst an adult took things a little easier in the heat.


A Kudu enjoying a drink at Marie's.


Steenbok froze and stared as we passed by.




While this one seemed to be less shy and came close to inspect us.

[Dewi]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Sprocky, those horns were impressive for such a small antelope. Wonder if this is normal for KTP?

Lis, hope your back & cold is better. I was saying to PA last night that I now look like a Giant Panda with a Gorilla's nose and am walking like a Penguin. :lol:

Giant millipede at the main gate to the park.


Sand Lizard at Auchterlonie.


Gecko on tree (ID anyone please?)


Rainclouds.


Evening light.


Desert Sunset.


And a panoramic of 7 photos stitched together.