Addo Outings 2016

[PJL]

Once the elephant roadblock had finally moved, we turned our attention to lion-spotting on Ngulube loop. Unfortunately the youngsters must have disappeared into thick bush as they were nowhere to be seen, but Craig somehow spotted Josie



She was high up on a hillside so that's very much zoomed in - quite how Craig saw her even he wasn't sure about
After a bit of grooming she got up and started wandering across the hillside, stopping now and then to admire the view



We were hoping that she might go find her youngsters, but she seemed to be enjoying a bit of peace and quiet for a change so we never saw them
After meandering along the hillside she dropped down and finally came out close to us. The light was fading by now, but we had a great view as she came along past the vehicle

[Lisbeth]

Josie is a very good looking lioness and you got some excellent close ups

[Flutterby]

She is lovely.

[PJL]

We spent about 45 minutes watching Josie meander her way towards us, so it was getting quite dark and time to head to the gate as we continued along Ngulube. We stopped at a spot where Craig had seen hyena for a few days running and upon closer inspection it really did seem to be a den site next to the road which is great news. There was a noise and big cloud of dust as a hyena suddenly appeared out its burrow





It started moving behind us so Craig tried to back up as best he could without scaring the hyena away.





After another cloud of dust a second appeared
So we believe this must be a breeding couple... hopefully sometime there will be little ones to see as the den is literally next to the road



We left the 2 of them in peace... what a great day it had been

[Lisbeth]

Great to know in advance where the den is I am sure that it is a spot that you will be visiting often after three or four months time

[Flutterby]

Always nice to see hynies.

[Richprins]

Very nice, PJL!

So Both hyena species in the park, seen by you!

[nan]

what a chance to find the Lionness
like too the Hyenas

[Mel]

Always good to know the right people for the right sightings

Unfortunately, neither did Josie materialize on Ngulube for us (despite about 20 rounds on there )
nor did the southern hyenas throw in an appearance for us - despite the very early mornings and late evenings.

But I get an idea of your successful afternoons.

[PJL]

Last week was something of a birding trip to the park. First up an emerald-spotted wood dove. They often fly away very quickly so I was happy to finally get a photo of one



Along Ngulube loop we came across a very rare sighting for Addo - a long-crested eagle
They aren't endemic to this area at all, but you do occasionally get a vagrant passing through. He was a long way off, so these photos are heavily cropped just to be able to see him









I was also lucky enough to get very close to my favourite little raptor... a black-shouldered kite