Grietjie Private Reserve

[Mel]

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...

Kinda comforting thought to know that an old "acquaintance" lives on in his offspring

Quality pix as always

[Lisbeth]

Great pic of the European Roller The purple one looks funny; must be the angle from which you shot the photo

[Alf]

A purple roller

[Pumbaa]

Amazing Variety of birds you got, Sprocky

Love the tchagra and the waterbucks

[Klipspringer]

I am enjoying your birdies

[Richprins]

Great spread and pics, Sparky!

Purple roller does look funny, but so rare!

Nice big waterbuck.

I like the hippo under the tree too!

[Sprocky]

Hi and thanks again for the comments.

On Thursday morning, I was unfortunately late for work. The reason as follows...LION!

I heard that there was a pride slightly off my route, but what the heck...I left home with my camera and spent a fair bit of time with the pride of nine. There was a huge black maned male, but when I stopped he moved off into the bush to catch a quickie with an in season female, all out of view.

Here are some of the other pride members. This one walking towards me, unfortunately on a tar road...

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This Lioness doesn't look too happy...

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This one had a real look of intent in her eye...

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One of the sub-adults testing out this funny black surface...

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More of the Lion sighting shortly...

[Sprocky]

The midweek Lion sighting continues...

I had this one walk past me, very close...

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A close-up...

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An even closer-upper...

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The last of the Lion sighting, I just love this shot...

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Next up, some birding shots from a wet drive this morning...

[Sprocky]

After the Lion sighting and the wet weather this morning, the next shots are a bit of an anti-climax.

A wet and disgruntled Yellow-billed Kite...

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The Blue Waxbills were enjoying the puddles that the rain left on the roads...

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My first ever Swainson's Spurfowl portrait...

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The last shot for today, not often seen on Grietjie, Cut-throat Finches...

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Until next time, from the banks of the Olifants...

[Lisbeth]

I wonder if cut-thoat finches (what a terrible name) are monogamous; I have only seen them in couples

My first ever Swainson's Spurfowl portrait...

Isn't this a portrait?