And then the rain set in or at dusk the bush comes alive

[Pumbaa]

Like Jurassic Park there!

Love the elephant shots, and well done on braving the traffic jam, Pumbaa!

Those mannikins are TINY!

We hd no choice as we were stuck but definitely far too many cars there for our liking

[Pumbaa]

We carried on and stopped for a noisy grey lourie



as well as for another yellow billed kite.



The N’watimhiri dam at the crossing with the S21 was nearly dry but a bit water was still left and a buffalo was taking a sunbath



and we also spotted in the distance a three banded plover as well as blacksmith plovers and another buffalo close to the other



and even a waterbuck lady arrived



to quench her thirst as it was getting hotter and hotter over the day.



Then it was elephant time again and we for sure had to stop

[Pumbaa]

for them to take a couple of shots





especially observing all their cute little ones





and for us in general it is always amazing to be that close to such gentle giants.





Suddenly all the large bodies could not be traced any longer and we carried on and paid a small waterhole a visit nearly at the beginning of the S21 where we do stop always. At least a bit water was still left this year but we saw this waterhole already totally dry or well filled so each year it is different. We do love that little gem as it is such a peaceful spot and most of the cars normally pass by without stopping there so most of the time you are alone there. We noticed some cracking branches and saw an elephant bull arriving who needed an urgent drink



and after also covered his body with mud and dust he needed another one and after everything was done he disappeared behind the waterhole.



The rest of our drive along that road was today disappointingly quiet but a phenomenon was that at the beginning and the end of that road the grass and vegetation was relatively dry compared to a normal wet summer but in the middle of that road the vegetation was completely lush and green and everything looked so fresh and healthy. So far we never discovered such a phenomenon so at least the drive was not totally wasted.

At another waterhole closer to the end of that road I guess it is called also N’watimhiri we stopped for a couple of female knob-billed ducks.



So far this year we already saw many birds of that specie compared to other years but still no male.



to be continued......

[Lisbeth]

The waterbucks are such lovely antelopes and rather different from the others

[Richprins]

You like your elephant, hey Pumbaa!

Agreed about that waterhole, it is a very nice spot to sit!

One sometimes gets big green stretches when a late storm has swept through an isolated area?

[Flutterby]

Not too much action, but at least you found ellies and some birds.

[Pumbaa]

The waterbucks are such lovely antelopes and rather different from the others

Also for us alsways a pleasure when they do come across

[Pumbaa]

You like your elephant, hey Pumbaa!

Agreed about that waterhole, it is a very nice spot to sit!

One sometimes gets big green stretches when a late storm has swept through an isolated area?

That waterhole is magnificent and we saw it already nearly totally dry or flooded and everything in between so each year wou do not know what to expect

[Pumbaa]

Not too much action, but at least you found ellies and some birds.

It was meanwhile midday and it was hot and we already saw a lot so nothing to complain about and the evening is still to come

[Pumbaa]

Then for a long time we did not see anything and only in the vicinity of the S23 we saw from time to time the head of a giraffe and in the absence of any animals we photographed the landscape instead – here a view into the Biyamiti from the loop with the same name.





Only at the weir we again spotted the same crocodile we saw already a couple of days earlier there at nearly the same spot.



Meanwhile it was again extreme hot and sunny and we were finally allowed to drive the S139 so full of anticipation we turned into this amazing road and were not disappointed as we discovered giraffes there





and finally could also capture our first red backed shrike this year.



We realized more grey louries, European bee eaters,



a wooly necked stork in flight



and at the first lookout point two buffaloes were making their way through the thick bushes down to the river



but gladly they did stop for a picture