Grietjie Private Reserve

[Sprocky]

And the drive continues in the rain.

All the trees had bling on them...

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Wild flowers got their share of water as well...

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Another wet one, a Little Bee-eater with ruffled feathers...

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This Spurfowl was singing in the rain...

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More weird wetness to follow...

[Sprocky]

Last batch for today.

Still wet and drizzling, this young Jackal tried to spin dry himself...

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Two Green-winged Pytilia were drinking from a puddle in the road. As soon as I approached they flew in the trees, after a short wait one made a brief appearance...

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At the entrance to one of the properties, the previous owner had handmade Elephant statues erected at the entrance. While I was approaching, I saw a huge Elephant bull walking towards me. He then veered off the road, roughly where I thought the statues were. I drove on to get a visual, and there he was, a massive bull in full blown musth. He was interacting with all the statues, touching them and rubbing up against them. Here is a shot of him and his new fake family...

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After a while he realised that he wasn't going to get what he wants, as a bull in musth, from any of them. He then wandered off looking for real company...

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That's it for today and tomorrow is back to work. Until next time...

[Alf]

Shame the fake elephants gave him no satisfaction

[RogerFraser]

Love the bling .

the Bull incident is very interesting bet the artist would be happy to know that his creation was so lifelike

[Lisbeth]

The raindrops on the leaves and flower

[Klipspringer]

Odd - the elephant interacting with the statues

My fav is the Wild Foxglove with the droplets

[Pumbaa]

Thanks so much, Sprocky,

as Always Incredible shots - For sure love all the birdies and plants

Lovely to see it a bit wet there

[Richprins]

Very crisp shots, Sparky, especially the francolin!

Amazing ellie interaction...

[Sprocky]

Thank you very dankie...

The rain has departed and the heat and humidity sneaked right in behind it.

I had to go and check Phil's house on Thursday afternoon, after the rain, for any leakage into the house. All was fine and while I was outside, a Hippo left the water real early for its nightly forage...

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Yesterday afternoon I spent a few more hours down there, enjoying a sundowner. There was not much movement, but this Waterbuck bull came right to the deck. Now, you all know that a few months ago we lost the dominant bull to the Lions. Well, this is the new chap on the block, also a great specimen and we think he has the same genes as his predecessor...

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My drive this morning was not very productive regarding mammals, I did come across a smallish Elephant herd, but no photo opportunities. So mainly birds again, starting with a European Roller with his breakfast...

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A Black-crowned Tchagra also waited for me to take a shot before flying off...

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More in a minute...

[Sprocky]

While heading along one of the main roads, in the distance, I saw a Roller at a pile of Elephant dung. When I got closer it flew up into a tree. Then I realised that it didn't quite look like European Roller, when I looked closer I saw it was a Purple Roller...

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Rounding a bend, I startled a young Waterbuck and his tick remover. The Oxpecker flew into a tree while the Waterbuck stared at me, as if I had done something wrong...

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Another Red-billed Oxpecker in a tree...

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Last shot for today, a beautiful Dusky Lark...

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Until next time, keep safe and take care...