Namibia - There and Back

[Duke]

A trip we want to do as well Michele. Beautiful photos - thanks for sharing

[Amoli]

Wonderful trip so far Michele. Love your numbering and will search your FB page.

I am watching the road surface closely - this is certainly on my bucket list.

[nan]

superb atmosphere pictures

love the Horses in a row and goats with the dog... or maybe several dogs

and of course the chase to birds -O

[Mel]

Just the beginning? Now that must have been the most awesomest trip ever then...

Love the landscape, love the birds, love the horses and love the colours!

[Toko]

Wow we are in AUS! Formidable sunset photo, wild horses, birds close-up -

[Flutterby]

Your pics are just sublime Michele!!

[Michele Nel]

Thanks again to all that are reading and commenting...:)
And a bit more

We arrived back in camp….set up the tent and lit the fire. Another enjoyable day in Namibia had come to an end.

Day 4
24 May 2013.

Again we had an early start but this little raptor made my early start worthwhile….

Pygmy Falcon



We didn’t dally too long though…Sesriem was calling.

Camp Rating: The campsite at Klein Aus Vista is awesome …great ablutions with a wash-up area for dishes as well separate facility for laundry. There are 10 campsites and we had campsite #10 at my request. This one is a little bit away from the other 9 sites and a bit more private. A bit of a walk to the ablutions though...but that has never bothered me….
There is also a huge Sociable Weaver’s nest in the tree…be careful where you sit…

Klein Aus Vista

Destination – Sossusvlei
Intended Route – C13 to Helmeringhausen – D407 to Betta – D826 to Sesriem.

We had an awesome drive to Sesriem…there was loads of game …one would have thought we were in a game park.

Flying Springbok – this Springbok was flying along at 60 km/h



We saw plenty of Gemsbok, Bat-eared Foxes, Kudu, Booted Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Rock as well as Greater Kestrels, Ludwig’s Bustard and many many Familiar Chats. We had one really special sighting though …I had asked Doug to stop so that I could photograph the Ludwig’s Bustard. They promptly took off but Doug decided to make use of this stop and to do what you gentleman do so elegantly alongside the road……
The next minute I heard him yell “Hyena” ..then noooooooo Aardwolf. I jumped out of Junior like a shot and immediately started taking pics. The Aardwolf didn’t really notice us but being the shorty I am I couldn’t really get a shot over the grass. I gave Doug my camera and he managed to get a proof shot before the Aardwolf noticed us. What excitement - our first ever proper sighting of an Aardwolf.



Elated we carried on along the dry and dusty roads to Sesriem

[Toko]

Aardwolf in broad daylight, that's awesome

Scenry is also and so is the falcon

[nan]

Pygmy Falcon doing
and then Aardwolf

[Michele Nel]

Yes the Aardwolf was soooooooooooooooo special.
and the last little bit for tonight...

We arrived at Sesriem..checked in and had a bite to eat.During which time I managed to capture 3 more birds for my Birds captured list. Not very good photos but they do count for the purpose of the challenge.

Pale-winged Starling


Yellow-bellied Eremomela


Cardinal Woodpecker


After lunch we took a drive to the dunes which are about 60km away.
Some scenic shots….













Driving back to camp we witnessed the most awesome moonrise. We really didn’t have time for me to stop and play with my camera…there was a matter of the gate closing that we had to bear in mind. I just took a quick shot with the 400mm …



We got back to camp had a quick braai and an early night…we had a very exciting outing planned for the next day. I was hoping that the weather would play along…..