The red-billed queleas had been unleashed

[Pumbaa]

Great bird sightings, Pumbaa!!

Thanks Sprocky and it was such a joy to find that different feathered friends

[Pumbaa]

busy catching up , lovely shots so far Pumba

We in fact could not complain about all the sightings

[Pumbaa]

Ja, lovely and green!

I like the eagle with its foot stock in its chest hair!

Your English has improved nicely over the years, Pumbaa...how many years now?

It must have been now already 10 years and reading all the travel tales helped as well

[Pumbaa]

Grand capture of the babbler preening Love the green paradise and the lush and green one

Then there is the cute little bee-eater and the really impressive paradise whydah

Beautiful photos again

It was such a joy to watch and photograph the little bee eaters

[Pumbaa]

Especially when surrounded by the lush and green vegetation.



Today it was one of those few sunny days we had this year and not only us but also the impalas enjoyed the weather.



As you can notice this year the grass was impala high so we did not complain that we did not see that much in that area.



We came across a tawny eagle,



a chinspot batis



and at the crossing with the S100 we were stuck again in a traffic jam as there several elephant herds crossed the road.



Some of them presented us their beautiful headgear



which needed some professional attachment



at least it is headgear and food all in one.



For sure all the elephants had right the way and we gave enough space but nearly all of them were very gentle and only took care of their own business.

[Pumbaa]

Obviously the headgear was the dernier cri between the elephants this February



but we had a lot of fun in observing them especially with the many little ones between them.





We stood quite a while there until all of them had crossed the road and we could continue our way but for sure it is always something very thrilling to see that many gentle giants together.



We paid Gudzani dam another visit and spotted in the distance a lot of open billed storks and also on the bushes along the causeways on the S41 we in fact spotted more of these storks.

In the more open area after the causeways and until the crossing with the S90 we spotted that masses of brown raptors as we have never ever seen before





reason was that masses of the red billed queleas were nesting in the bushes along that road and so attracted a lot of raptors. It was such a spectacle and such a noise level it was simply breathtaking.

We also noted a great number of marabou storks in that area and for sure it was already decided





that we will pay them another visit with an extensive photographic session as today the birds were a bit too far away for some decent shots. At the causeway at the end of the S41 we spotted as already often during other trips a red bishop but the grass was far too high and was always hiding our red friend.



Also we got our next giraffe fix some were feeding



whereas other were staring.



to be continued......

[Richprins]

What beautiful scenery there in summer, Pumbaa!

I can't wait for a quelea predator frenzy, never seen that!

Ja, the elephant generally rip the grass out so it can't grow again...destructive! But the soil wears their teeth down faster...

[Mel]

Your ellie with the beautiful headgear is very, very cute
But of course, the little crossing the road is just as sweet

And again, lots of great bird sightings and photos

[Flutterby]

I've often seen ellies with grass/branches on their heads...I wonder why?

Lovely pics again Pumbaa!

[Pumbaa]

What beautiful scenery there in summer, Pumbaa!

I can't wait for a quelea predator frenzy, never seen that!

Ja, the elephant generally rip the grass out so it can't grow again...destructive! But the soil wears their teeth down faster...

The noise level at all those quelea nests was incredible