Flavour of the Month - Feb 2013: S56-Shingwedzi/Babalala

[Richprins]

Excellent!!!

Also nyala:











S-56 is one of the most scenic roads in Kruger, IMO, and also relatively quiet, even during peak season!

[mposthumus]

a day later


Same tree . . . different bird
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill


Crested Barbet


Some bird

[mposthumus]

Thank you nan, Flutts, RP & Amoli . I have to agree with you RP . I travel the road more than once when visiting Shingwedzi

it was a Buffalo, before the scavengers ?
the bird could be a Boubou, Southern Boubou

nan definitly an ellie

this is what it looked like in May 2012


approximately 5 month later - I still wonder about the cause of death


PS: Southern Boubou thanks

More later . . . . if its ok with you guys

[Dewi]

Amazing sightings and photos all.

I love this stretch of road and have spent a fair amount of time sitting at the various little loops along the river here.

Saw my first and only Puffadder at the bottom end of this road.





The same goes for Brubru. Only ever seen this once.



It's a wonderful road to travel on and is usually very quiet traffic-wise. We were held up by a breeding herd of 50 odd ellies one day as they all moved up from the riverbed and crossed the road in front of us. The matriarch came quietly to stand next to our bakkie while the others crossed over in front of us. I think she was making sure that we were no threat to the little ones.

Some of the stragglers still in the riverbed.



We often saw Kori Bustard along the roads here, unusually, in thick bush rather than out on the open grasslands.



Kudu are also common on this stretch. I love the inquisitivness these were showing and the beautiful winter leaves in the background.



Giraffe can be almost completely hidden in the thick vegetation here.



But allow you to sit quietly nearby to watch them feeding.



Impala are also very confiding and glow in the early morning light.

[mposthumus]

Last ones then off to Babalala







At first we thought the ellie was dead . . . . until he pooped and soon after stood up












Magpie Shrike ?











European Bee-eater

[mposthumus]

Babalala









During our last visit, the bone was no more




A Stick gogga against the wall of the Ladies ablution




Caretaker at Babalala for many years I remember her way back from when I was a little girl

[Dewi]

Lovely pics of Babalala MP.

We always made a point of stopping here as there is usually something interesting to see in this area.

The S56 has always produced some good raptor sightings for us. A pair of Verreaux's Eagle-owls breed just South of the turn off to the main tar road and one of the birds sat out in the open on an overhanging branch.





Tawny Eagles soar overhead in search of easy pickings.



And Fish-eagles call as they wander around on their morning tour of their patch.



This stretch has also produced good sightings of Storks for us. A juvenile Yellow-billed Stork yawns in the warm sunshine.



Before stretching it's wings prior to a preening session.



A Black Stork struts along the riverbed in search of reptiles of insects to feed on.



While three Wooly-necked Storks pass warily by a drowsy Croc, all watched over by the local Hippo.



We had an amazing encounter with a Flap-necked Chameleon on this road as it crossed over ever so slowly.



And watched us suspiciously with those swivelling eyes.



It's also a good place to see Squirrels as they go about their daily buisness. This one was taking a break from the heat by staying in the shade.

[Dewi]

At the Sothern end of this road we chanced upon a grumpy old Buffalo bull who stared us down dolefully. These lone bulls seem to look right through you.



Further along we saw some cows, who seemed more at peace than the lone bull.



A small breeding herd of ellies were browsing whilst making their way down to the river.



And it's always nice to catch up with some Nyala along this stretch.





Waterbuck are always worth stopping to observe. A group of cows were resting in the shade with their young.





I love their long shaggy coats.



And a lone bull posed for a while in the nice light.



This has always been a good road to see Sharpe's Grysbok in my experience.



And Kudu are very common.

[nan]

April 2011

A lone Giraffe


ready to climb down, just beside me


*EDIT* Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper and Three-banded Plover


even a Tortoise and Greenshank *EDIT*


and bee-Eater and Dove


again Hamerkop and the Monitor


still Monitor and (Water birds) Wader... sorry don't note the names *EDIT* Greenshank and Wood Sandpiper


thank you Dewi to put names on my... laziness

[nan]

right in the middle of the road... glad not a lot of people drive through these road
only two cars and they ask me "what are watching for"... a Lizard, ... as you like but beware don't drive on the hole, there is not a lot of place to cross
and I waited almost one hour, and I was rewarded it comes