The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers

[Pumbaa]

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

And I am longing to hear that call again

[Pumbaa]

Love the fish eagle pics.

Fish eagle are always great to capture but that one playing duck was so funny

[Pumbaa]

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.

And now we are down to 25 days - I am already so excited

[Pumbaa]

We spotted a giraffe who laid down but a car in front of us stood too long and too close to the giraffe to take a picture so that same started to get up when it was our turn



and finally same stood up completely to only disappear in the deep mopane bushes



and we came across a very shy and hiding red crested korhaan until we finally reached the hide.



Somehow no wind was blowing that day and the short walk to the hide heated us even more up. Gladly the hide was shady and it was bearable there and we made ourselves comfortable there although it was quiet birdwise but we spotted some tortoises which swam by and started to sunbath on the rocks,



a pied wagtail had something to say,



the white fronted bee eaters could again be admired in a close by tree,



in the distance a goliath heron was trying to catch something to eat



and a numerous Egyptian goose convention was up and running.



We also spotted in the distance great white egrets and from time to time huge crocodiles paid a closer visit to the hide.



All in all it was a quiet but worth visit and we enjoyed our time in the hide although we did not stay that long and on our way back we came across elephants

[Pumbaa]

and lot of buffaloes



who took a rest under mopene bushes in the shade. Somehow these bushes also do have leaves when other bushes had no longer any due to the drought.



At least we once again could take a couple of close ups as the buffaloes were posing as always brilliantly.





After another short break at Letaba with the obligatory ice cream break we were again back to Olifants and although it was a quiet day it was already early afternoon but for sure we had to stop for a tawny eagle in a tree and



a curious looking waterbuck.



As we drove via the tar road back to Olifants we decided to also pay a visit to N’wamanzi look out as otherwise we would have miss this place this time and from high above we saw a troop of baboons in the riverbed and simply enjoyed the view.



All in all it was another one of those quieter days especially after the lion festival around Satara but we in fact could not complain and also had today a great time especially with that view from our verandah whilst a longer break in camp.





to be continued...

[Richprins]

I'm a bit lost now, Pumbaa...which hide was that again?

That first buffalo cow has very wide horns!

My favourite is that pale tawny, special for me as it is one of the first big eagles I saw in the Park, and in my opinion the most beautiful!

That elephant is buggered...

[Mel]

24

Interesting capture of the giraffe getting up!

Richprins is getting into raptors

And why do buffs have such a silly look on their faces...

[Flutterby]

That giraffe looks like a camel!

What a lot of geese!

Lovely pics again.

[Pumbaa]

I'm a bit lost now, Pumbaa...which hide was that again?

That first buffalo cow has very wide horns!

My favourite is that pale tawny, special for me as it is one of the first big eagles I saw in the Park, and in my opinion the most beautiful!

That elephant is buggered...

The hide is North of the Letaba high water Bridge - You simply have to turn the next right It is the S62 with some nice views over the Letaba from there as well - Also love the pale tawnies

[Pumbaa]

24

Interesting capture of the giraffe getting up!

Richprins is getting into raptors

And why do buffs have such a silly look on their faces...

I do not know but they are always so photogenic with the different facial expressions