special moments

[nan]

a pile ... sandwich of Ellies
nice pictures and sighting

[Richprins]

As I booked this trip very late I couldn't get accomodation in Punda

Did you try asking to change bookings last minute at the earlier camps' receptions during your trip?

It often happens, especially Punda in Summer!

Very nice to see Klopperfontein ok!

Few animals beside elephant/buffalo will visit dams during wet season, as they disperse to take advantage of pans/pools in the bush!

Think I know that elephant bull at Kloppies!

[flying cheetah]

As I booked this trip very late I couldn't get accomodation in Punda

Did you try asking to change bookings last minute at the earlier camps' receptions during your trip?

It often happens, especially Punda in Summer!

I'll tried this I while was in Mopani but no chance Seems Punda became extremely popular with birding groups, especially in November. Problem is that I can't book a long time ahead, booked my last trip end of August...

[Richprins]

Thanks, fc!

[Flutterby]

I just love watching ellies in water...great pics!

[Heksie]

What a great ellie water bashing episode
Those ellies can be very entertaining when it gets to watersports Great pictures and thanks for sharing them, I tend to always be too far to take good shots so it is lekker seeing some close ups
I do agree that the imp might be very lucky

[Pumbaa]

I guess a wise decision from the mom of the calf to say "no" because the action of the other ellies did look a bit ruthless although I can understand that little ellie calf as well

[Bush Brat]

Your pics got me giggling fc! Nice episode!

[flying cheetah]

Thanks you all again for following this report

On my way back down to Shingwedzi I took oneof my favourite roads in the North, the S56 (Mphongolo Road). This offered me marvellous views on the river who also had more water than usual during November. to my delight a Saddle-billed Stork used the opportunity to do some fishing






And then I saw my first and last Grysbok of this trip. It was a skittish lady who was not willing to pose for me and who gave me a hard time to get away with these pics at last. These were the only moments when a fair part of the little body could be seen






Before entering the tar road agin I spotted this colourful bird which in my opinion should be a Green-winged Pytilia (please correct me if I'm wrong):




One last time I stopped on the Shingwedzi bridge and looked at the riverbed that showed the signs of the flood 10 month ago. And I decided to take the same pics from now on whenever I'm here and compare them with the pics of former years. Lets hope that the changes during te next years will not be as extreme as in 2013!!

[nan]

wow superb sceneries
and Pytilia and Grysbok