The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers

[Pumbaa]

Those shots that show a variety of water birds are just great!

I also like the view from the huts at Olifants. I only stayed there once (well, I only went to Kruger three times anyways before discovering the Kgalagadi ) but I so loved looking over the river and the whole scenery in general.

Okay, it's January already... How many days to go? (secretly that is a )

Exactly 28 days and I start counting the hours meanwhile

[Pumbaa]

With a final shot of a yellow billed stork,



another one of the many sleeping crocodiles



and an open-billed stork we left Engelhard dam although we could have spent the whole day there as it was simple too peaceful.



Close to Letaba camp the road is forking and one leads to a river crossing in which normally a small pond with water is always left and in fact same carried still water and we spotted yellow-billed storks



with even a couple of resident hippos.



The sun won more and more against the vanishing dark clouds and illuminated everything brilliantly. Lots of water birds could be spotted – the yellow-billed storks were foraging and a grey heron was hiding in the grass and also an open billed stork was around.



Normally not much cars there and always a lovely spot to take a break as there is always something to be seen.

After a lovely break in Letaba we drove along the tar road and the S95 with always some breathtaking views into the riverbed and also here it got again clear that the park was suffering under a severe drought as I never saw the Letaba that empty. Along the road and river we stopped for another purple heron,



a little egret and yellow-billed storks,



grey herons and crocodiles,



a very naughty crested barbet

[Pumbaa]

and another African hoopoe on the ground.





We stopped here and there on that road and in fact nearly saw everywhere either bird or animal activity – White-fronted bee eaters were around



as well as a group of warthogs



even in the classical pose.



We spotted a fish eagle in flight



and afterwards one taking a bath.



It looks always so comical when they doing so a bit like a duck



and afterwards same looked extreme miserable in trying to dry its feathers in the sun.



Our short stop on the Letaba high water bridge was uneventful as nothing could be seen and so we carried on to pay another visit at Matambeni bird hide but it got meanwhile extreme hot again and driving in a car got already a bit haunting due to the baking sun. Along the deep mopane bushes you had do drive to reach the hide we spotted a woodland kingfisher



to be continued...

[Richprins]

Very interesting, Pumbaa!

I like the one eagle swimming!

[nan]

swimimg Fish Eagle not common
I like the Hoopoe and Bee-Eater
and same for all the Storks
and Phacochere praying

why the Crested Barbet was naughty (something I didn't understand... or)

[Alf]

I just love the woodland kingfisher. That chip trrrrrrrrr sound is amazing

[Flutterby]

Love the fish eagle pics.

[Mel]

You are counting hours? You must be mad Still way too many, so the number is still way too big
But 28 days sounds great!

Oh, and maybe I should not forget to mention that I enjoyed seeing your photos - particularly the birdies, and within those particularly the series of the fish eagle - again.

[Pumbaa]

Very interesting, Pumbaa!

I like the one eagle swimming!

It was the second time we could watch such behaviour

[Pumbaa]

swimimg Fish Eagle not common
I like the Hoopoe and Bee-Eater
and same for all the Storks
and Phacochere praying

why the Crested Barbet was naughty (something I didn't understand... or)

I originally wanted to post another picture of the crested and there same looked more naughty than on the posted one