From Floods and Surprises in River beds

[Dindingwe]

Very interesting sighting !!

The weavers don't seem to harass the Gymnogene a lot. They look powerless. I think one single Drongo would have been more efficient to defend the nest, punching the Gymnogene's head with the bill and chasing it away !

[Richprins]

How astounding, Pumbaa!

Unique footage!

But no flamingo?

Seriously, stunning Sunset Dam!

[Flutterby]

Wow, a really amazing sighting and great photos.

[Mel]

What a unique harrier sighting!!!

[Pumbaa]

Wow! Harrier-Hawk raiding a weaver’s nest is a very special sight

We first were not aware that it was a harrier hawk but after closer inspection we were thrilled

Wow great sighting

It definitely was but besides another man in a car and we nobody seemed to be interested in that sighting

[Pumbaa]

Very interesting sighting !!

The weavers don't seem to harass the Gymnogene a lot. They look powerless. I think one single Drongo would have been more efficient to defend the nest, punching the Gymnogene's head with the bill and chasing it away !

They indeed were powerless but at least their nest most of the time withstood the attacks of the harrier hawk

How astounding, Pumbaa!

Unique footage!

But no flamingo?

Seriously, stunning Sunset Dam!

No flamingoes Sunset dam is always worth for a stop or even more

[Pumbaa]

Wow, a really amazing sighting and great photos.

Birdingwise we definitely could not complain that day

What a unique harrier sighting!!!

This raptor is not a regular sighting for us so whenever same comes across we are happy

[Pumbaa]

Whilst the gymnogene started to feed appreciatively on the chick. After the raptor had finished more or less its meal same tried on and on to get more chicks out of the huge nest whilst all the weavers now started to dive-bomb the gymnogene



but as the nest withstood the attacks of the raptor same now tried its luck from the other side but with less luck or same finally lost the interest but we were happy to have captured and watched the whole spectacle. Now we even noticed the sandpiper on the shore



and noticed far away in the shade of the bushes close to the dam a lot of dozing water dikkops whilst the buffalo weavers continued in feeding their chicks and they even started already with the repair of the nest



and the African harrier hawk flew finally away



but it was still so much to be seen for example the famous silver surfer was again busy in abusing the hippos as surf board





and for sure the view is always amazing there



and far away a crocodile as well as a yellow billed stork were resting peacefully side by side.



We meanwhile stayed already far too long at the dam and we finally dragged ourselves away and made it slowly back to camp whilst we drove two roads which we left so far behind as we never had great luck on same, the S82 and the S130 and so it was today but I guess it was due to the heat – At least we noted more mud-caked warthogs



with their piglets



and then again long time nothing but at one of the causeways on the S108 we spotted a couple of impalas



quenching their thirst from a puddle.

[Pumbaa]

Normally we wanted to pay Mpondo dam a visit but as we already stayed so long at Sunset dam because of the gymnogene sighting we skipped our intention as it was already early afternoon. Another must stop is then again on the Biyamiti causeway where today quite a lot of European bee eaters were around





busy with catching bees and from time to time they even were successful.



In the distance we noticed a great gathering of different vultures close to the Crocodile River



they even were flying around



or taking a bath.



Unfortunately they were far away and the air was already flickering because of the heat so we returned again to the European bee eaters who gladly always landed on a branch close by to where we stood.



Luckily we nearly had the bridge all to ourselves so we could stay quite long there and enjoyed the appearance of a group of vervet monkeys



and nearly all of them started to feed on the reeds in the river bed



which was lovely to watch



and obviously same tasted extreme yummy.



to be continued.....

[Richprins]

You two have a great eye for detail, Pumbaa!

Amazing the circle of life going on there at Sunset.

And interesting the monkey eating the reeds!

(They are called Blouaap, or Blue Monkey in Afrikaans! )