Rietvlei Nature Reserve through Greenies' Eyes

[nan]

Joan and I are planning to go to Rietvlei very early on Wednesday morning.

Anyone care to join us?

me... me... me

[Amoli]

When I crossed the Otterbridge this morning, I heard : AMOLI !!!!!
I looked back and saw Jan with Big Dave.
Great you guys recognising me and having a short chat. Hope your breakfast was good

My first sighting this morning was of a whole lotta little ostriches. I loved watching them. One suddenly fell to the ground, then another, and then another. Oh my!
.
Whoops, they jumped up and ran after their mommy again Could have given me an attack of some sorts





A little further on I came across their aunt and uncle.... think they were dancing the Macarena..





She was definetly dancing away from him and he had to jump up and run after her to catch up...



then the music stopped.

The Magpie is spoiling me with opportunities...



I saw only two long-tailed Widowbirds this morning - not fully mature yet.



This was an overseas visitor - he did the KEEP RIGHT, and I did the KEEP LEFT



A blackshouldered kite in a highup, faraway tree...



Mr Hammerkop has a itch this morning





Nature is pronouncing that summer is here - come back birdies.... please.

[nan]

cute little Ostriches
again, nice serie of birds

[Flutterby]

Love the ostriches!! -O Nice pics.

[bigbird]

When I crossed the Otterbridge this morning, I heard : AMOLI !!!!!
I looked back and saw Jan with Big Dave.
Great you guys recognising me and having a short chat. Hope your breakfast was good

Good to see you too!
Yes we had a great breakfast, Sausage, Bacon, mushroom and fried bread.

Did things about face yesterday, arrived just after 0600 and were home by 1230 to miss the heat. Saw lotsa rhinos and birds, lovely shots of female Northern Black Korhaan and Banded Martin.

There was a noticable lack of water beside Island Hide, and a lack of undergrowth beside Coote hide?

Had a great trip though.

[Bushcraft]

Awesome ostriches

[Flutterby]

Let's see some of those pics bigbird.

[steamtrainfan]

One day I will manage a Wednesday trip STF... one day..

I'm going out tomorrow morning - hoping for Secretary bird and maybe some migrants.

It would be great to have you with us Amoli as you seem see great sightings.

Lovely pic above - just love your rear end rhino.

The ostrich sequence is really amazing.

Hopefully the long tailed widow birds will be out in force.

[steamtrainfan]

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2013:

We arrived at the gates at 05:40.

First to be seen on the first dirt road to the right were two black backed jackal that crossed the road in front of us. They seemed to be in intent on getting somewhere.




We then saw a bit further up the hill a whole lot of crows and ibises on the ground. This where the jackal headed to. It seemed to be a carcass of sorts as they were pulling and tugging at something which we could not see clearly.




A short while later a blesbok looking good in the early morning light.


Cape longclaw.


Little egret.


Giant kingfisher at Otter Bridge.


A first for us at Rietvlei - We think it is a grey duiker.


Pearl breasted swallow at Island View Hide.


Cape robin chat.


Yellow-billed duck.


An unidentified LBJ - please help with an ID.

[Flutterby]

Lovely pics stf. Don't think I've ever seen a Longclaw in a tree...they're always on the ground. Nice duiker sighting.