In Search of Some Good "Spots"

[Lisbeth]

I love the sunbathing one

[Richprins]

Astounding pics, Ratel!


the Baboons seemed to be just hanging out and enjoying some rays. They are such photogenic creatures

We know exactly what is going on...more free delivery of food by naked apes!

[Mel]

Oh, uh, some x-rated photos here



Great sunrise shot and I love that photo of those three rhinos in the previous episode

[Ratel]

Any pics of the Booted Eagle? Never seen one of those before!

Terrible light, but here is the bird we identified as a Booted Eagle. The light morph is similar looking to the Little Eagle we get here in Australia.

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[Ratel]

Friday 25th August - Lower Sabie continued

Heading up the H4-1 again we still didn't find any cats. On the S79 causeway the Hammerkop from earlier had been replaced with a Woolly-necked Stork.

For sure the Red-billed Queleas had been unleashed! There were some great flocks along the Sabie and also later in the trip on the S65.

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No idea what this tree is, but it was going off! This Black-headed Oriole was just one of the many birds busily feeding in it.

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Of course it was only a matter of time before we encountered an Elephant roadblock. These never bothered us though. We would just find an individual near the road to photograph until the path was clear to proceed. After all, what a privilege it is to get to hang out with such amazing creatures!

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One of the many Impala herds drew our attention and we decided to pause for a moment to try an 'artsy' shot.

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"Onward trusty steed!"

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Somewhere near Skukuza we were informed that the Delaporte Leopard had an Impala kill stashed in a tree which was visible from the bridge. Jackpot!! Off we went to see if she would show herself. Surely if we were patient she would return to the kill?

Arriving on the scene we located the kill from the bridge. It was quite distant and there was no Leopard in attendance. We parked for a brief time to snap some pics of the kill anyway, since to us this is one of those classic African scenes.

As we were about to move off a really nice South African man pulled up next to us and excitedly informed us that the Leopard had just finished drinking at the waterhole, handing us his camera so we could drool all over it as we admired his pictures. How frustrating that we had missed her by 10 minutes! The guy was super-happy though, so we were really excited for him and pleased he had had such an amazing experience. We would cross paths with him a number of times later in the trip and we really enjoyed his company.

[Flutterby]

Thanks for the pic of the Booted eagle.

Lovely ellie encounter...always nice to spend time with them. Such a pity you missed the leopard.

[Richprins]

What a pleasant fellow you are, Ratel! Appreciating everything and wishing those that saw what you missed well!

Like the Macdonald's antelope!


That's a sausage tree, (Kigelia) they bloom abundantly in the dry season, so really get attention from all insects and birds...some birds are there for the insects, some for nectar! Sometimes male and female trees, with only the one flowering...complicated! They are evergreen and make those lethal sausages...

[Pumbaa]

Like the big M on the impalas back, Ratel,

and great ellie and bird shots as well

Always pity to miss something interesting but a Leopard sighting is always very frustrating when missed

[Mel]

I'm not bird expert, but I think the booted eagle might be a tawny

Great ellie sightings! And that woolly necked is very nice too

Love the impala bum too

[Ratel]

I'm not bird expert, but I think the booted eagle might be a tawny

Me neither Mel!

Can you explain why you think Tawny?

My field guides only show Tawny Eagles having a creamy-white breast and belly in the uncommon blonde morph, which also has a pale head?? This bird is pale ventrally with a pale patch on the wing also, and a dark head.

Help please?