In Search of Some Good "Spots"

[Flutterby]

Great bird sightings! Love the cracked mud around the nyalas.

[Pumbaa]

Also love your bird shots, Ratel,

especially the purple crested turaco

and your rhino shots are brilliant too

[Ratel]

I am glad you all enjoyed the pics. We thought it was quite unique to see the antelope on that cracking mud. They sure had to be careful as they walked around. And the Turaco was certainly the icing on the cake!

Thanks for the info on the Nyala Richprins. They are a favourite of mine so I forgive them for being where they should not be!

Sunday 27th August continued...

Departing Berg en Dal we now were getting short on time to make it back to Lower Sabie so headed straight for the H3. Along this stretch north there were two sightings of note. Firstly, less than ten minutes from Afsaal, one which was not pleasing...

75-IMG_9308_sml.jpg (112.18 KiB) Viewed 429 times

Then, on a short side detour we took off the H3, we suddenly stumbled upon a trio of precious ones!

76-DSC09289_sml.jpg (165.82 KiB) Viewed 429 times

They were right on the side of the road, very close to the car, and one was on the opposite side to the others. He sported an old wound on his face and I watched him closely in case he was not happy about us being between him and his two companions. Thankfully he didn't seem bothered so we switched off and just savoured this most special of encounters.

77-IMG_9195_sml.jpg (154.32 KiB) Viewed 429 times

One had a very modest horn.

78-DSC09318_sml.jpg (164.88 KiB) Viewed 429 times

79-IMG_9221_sml.jpg (181.85 KiB) Viewed 429 times

The third had a butt that would make a Kardashian blush!

80-IMG_9232_sml.jpg (197.13 KiB) Viewed 429 times

Then turned to show us its impressive horn.

81-DSC09351_sml.jpg (186.4 KiB) Viewed 429 times

82-IMG_9259_sml.jpg (188.61 KiB) Viewed 429 times

They were so close yet so relaxed about our presence. All I could think was "How could anyone harm such a majestic creature?"

83-IMG_9277_sml.jpg (178.14 KiB) Viewed 429 times

I am sure we could have seen the day out marveling at the Rhinos, but needed to press on if we were going to make it back to camp by gate closing time.

[Richprins]

What on earth is that chap doing?

Excellent closeup sighting of the rhino, Rattle! Ja, makes all the difference if one can switch off the engine.

[Flutterby]

Not nice to see people out of their cars, but sometimes if you have to go, you have to go!

Stunning sighting of the precious ones!

[Lisbeth]

As Flutty says, when you have to, you have to. I am sure that he has waited as long as he could

Lovely rhinos It looks as if the one with the small horn, has had a previous one cut off

[Ratel]

Sunday 27th August continued...

After a long day on the road we bypassed many common sightings, only stopping if good photographic opportunities presented. Further along the H3 a Dark Chanting Goshawk had an itch it needed to scratch.

84-IMG_9293_edit_sml.jpg (120.54 KiB) Viewed 417 times

Back on the H4-1 we ran into the inevitable late afternoon Elephant roadblock.

85-DSC09411_sml.jpg (163.31 KiB) Viewed 417 times

Some were very close!

86-IMG_9385_sml.jpg (191.72 KiB) Viewed 417 times

A tiny one.

87-IMG_9404_sml.jpg (190.3 KiB) Viewed 417 times

Then a Giraffe feeding in perfect light.

88-DSC09369_sml.jpg (173.27 KiB) Viewed 417 times

89-DSC09355_sml.jpg (155.16 KiB) Viewed 417 times

90-DSC09400_sml.jpg (119.84 KiB) Viewed 417 times

The cleaners were on duty!

91-DSC09406_sml.jpg (148.86 KiB) Viewed 417 times

[Flutterby]

You got some nice close-ups.

[Richprins]

Close sightings today, Rattle!

[Lisbeth]

Great pic of the the dark chanting goshawk and some nice close ups