The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers

[Lisbeth]

Elephants in all sizes

[Richprins]

Wow, those ratel are difficulte to photograph, Pumbaa!

Interesting studies of daily life indeed.

I love the eellie in the spa!

[Pumbaa]

is always fantastic to see Elephants in search of water... and find it
cute tiny one

love the Antelopes ans Zebras are beautiful
and don't forget the Heron



it's a regal to follow your advantures

We could watch those elephants for hours

[Pumbaa]

Elephants in all sizes

Especially the smaller ones are very special

[Pumbaa]

Wow, those ratel are difficulte to photograph, Pumbaa!

Interesting studies of daily life indeed.

I love the eellie in the spa!

That was a cutie and totally right about the ratel - We were extreme glad we could capture same not hidden by grass

[Pumbaa]

Next stop was then on the high water bridge crossing the Olifants and how I love to climb out of the car and stand on that bridge and let the breeze cool you down a bit as travelling in the car with open windows can heat up extremely and today it was in fact far warmer than the previous days.

We looked into each direction and could discover a grey heron,



a couple of Egyptian goose,



another grey heron on the look out,



a hippo still trying to find some grass between the already extreme short green



and a sandpiper. Overall also here the water level was as low as never experienced before.



Finally and after a couple of years where we could not drive same we turned into the S89/90 leading to the Balule low water bridge which finally had been rebuilt and had been reopened again. This was one of our favourite places whenever staying at Olifants and we were extreme happy that same could be visited now again. On our way we came across some warthogs





and zebras



and still realized the effect of the drought also here because besides the low level of the Olifants



all the bushes in that already stony and rough area did not have any green on



and so it even more looked like a wasteland that the area around Satara already did.

[Pumbaa]

Nevertheless we always love to drive these roads and finally we were standing on that bridge again – sigh – and at that time of the day we had same all to ourselves and so Timon parked the car and we were on the look out again. A dragonfly had to be captured,



noisy Egyptian goose could be seen in the distance and close to where we stood in the reeds very well hidden we noticed a little bittern



another lifer for us and same posed so nicely that Timon could not stop in pressing the button.



Close to where we stood a hamerkop was standing in the water – at least a bit was still left – and was looking out for some fish



and a green backed heron did the same.



The pied kingfishers occurred here plentiful



and even a giant one could be seen although same was located a bit farer away.



Gladly birdingwise it was a busy time and we took shot after shot





and enjoyed it so much that the bridge had been reopened again after such a long time and after we stood there already quite a while we carried on having in mind to return during our afternoon drive again to this breathtaking spot.





On the small drive to Olifants camp we could admire a juvenile bateleur in flight,.



to be continued.......

[Mel]

Wonderful bird shots, Pumbaa And once again in a not so favourable light... so an extra well done

[Richprins]

Birds!

That rocky zone permanently looks like drought, Pumbaa!

[Pumbaa]

Wonderful bird shots, Pumbaa And once again in a not so favourable light... so an extra well done

Compared to the weather we had the days before it was that day far better and even better than blazing heat and it even cleared up completely towards afternoon