Stories from Tar Roads and From Spots

[Pumbaa]

Another causeway had to be crossed and it was simply



amazing to see that much water along that road as the times we drove this road so far it was far drier.



At the beginning of the S130 a large elephant herd was blocking the road it must have been obviously the same we already spotted yesterday on the S82 but luckily today they straight crossed the street



and started to feed on the bushes and grass on the roadside



after a couple of shots we could continue on an elephant free road.



Again we turned into the S130 where we soon spotted a birdie obviously the object of desire



of the paradise whydahs



as suddenly a couple of them willingly posed



nicely for us.



Along that road you will find a little pond close to the road, however, the little pond turned after the massive rainfall into a nice lake and we never saw same that full as this year. A family of Egyptian goose appeared – in the beginning still a bit hidden -

[Pumbaa]

but we already noticed the great number of goslings





who one after the other followed their parents



also in in the open now



and after a while we even discovered an African jacana but same was not easy to locate due to the high grass.



We simply enjoyed the drive along the S137 now and as often on that road we were lucky in spotting a kori bustard



in a not that highly overgrown area as otherwise we never would have spotted same.



In the vicinity of Duke’s waterhole we enjoyed the beautiful landscape now even on a sunny



but still extreme stormy day



and so did obviously another Paradise whydah – obviously this area was this year a hot spot for this bird specie, nevertheless we were happy that we saw them that plentiful.



We first enjoyed the silence and peace at Duke’s waterhole but got focussed when suddenly an OSV stopped at a strange position and all passengers including the guide looked single-minded into one direction through their binoculars – As we stood not far from them we drove a bit forward and did the same and soon spotted extreme far away under a bush two lionesses plus 2 cubs.



The two cubs were first feeding on I suppose buffalo kill whilst the two lionesses supervised everything



and also all the eyes directed onto them were observed carefully although we stood extreme far away as already said.



to be continued……

[Mel]

Beautiful photos! The way the sun works against the cloud coverage make for nice lighting

Some eyeballed you quite curiously Cute lion cub.

[Lisbeth]

Welcome back, Pumbaa! Denmark also this year? My niece and her son went to Hamburg on Holiday

A couple of lovely scenery shots

You really saw a lot of paradise whydahs around there

[Pumbaa]

Beautiful photos! The way the sun works against the cloud coverage make for nice lighting

Some eyeballed you quite curiously Cute lion cub.

Finally the sun came out and stayed quite a days

[Pumbaa]

Welcome back, Pumbaa! Denmark also this year? My niece and her son went to Hamburg on Holiday

A couple of lovely scenery shots

You really saw a lot of paradise whydahs around there

Yes, back from Denmark - Was again very relaxing and had a great time - Hopefully the weather was not that bad whilst visiting Hamburg

Totally right about the paradise whydahs

[Pumbaa]

The one cub was far too hungry and continued to feed whereas the other also glanced at us with its blood-smeared snoot





after the first excitement now calmed down it in fact did not happen much at the lions but we were that happy that we finally discovered them maybe we would have seen them also without the help of the OSV but so it was far easier.



The wind was still blowing strongly into the car and although the sun was shining we were happy to wear a jacket



and in between also Mr. zorro wanted to get photographed.



Unfortunately the cubs stayed now hidden and meanwhile also the OSV left but then another car showed up and we now pointed to them the lions and now they were a bit better to be seen because one of them stood up



and walked over to the fresh kill.



The other lioness still kept lying and always eyed us suspiciously



and although we looked a bit around we could not trace any more lions although we suppose that there might have been far more.

[Pumbaa]

Meanwhile we were the only car at this sighting and we simply loved the silence, the howling wind and the lions in the distance



but after more than one hour also the other lioness now stood up and walked behind the bush and now only the fresh kill could be seen and so we decided to leave.



As we heard often from lion sightings at Duke’s but we so far never saw anything exciting there besides beautiful birds it was always a wish from me to see one day lions there and this wish became true that windy morning so two happy chappies continued their drive now and came across a couple of magpies



and could finally turn into their beloved S28 today into the Southern direction and as we always turn into the direction of the previous Nhlanganzwani dam as the view there is always lovely although this year the grass was extreme high after a while we continued and met along the way another massive elephant bull



but same was extreme peaceful



and was only interested in feeding.



The rest of the drive on our beloved S28 was again as the past years extreme quiet but we neverthess were happy that we finally could drive that road in full length on our last full day in this area. We spotted another Namaqua dove



and stopped for masses of European rollers



before we already were on the tar road leading to Crocodile Bridge camp but before we reached same we were happy about a Secretary bird who was busy in searching for breakfast



and on top we never observed this bird species that close and for such a long period



to be continued…….

[RogerFraser]

Lovely Lions and the Secretary bird is great . Always enjoy finding them but as you say there not usually close by.

[Richprins]

Catching up again, Pumbaa!

As said, lovely light on those elephants!

Thank you for showing this area in summer...I was there just the other day and it is so different in the dry!

Interesting how the lions stared at you so much!

And a secretary bird always nice!