When small Streams turn into Rivers

[Pumbaa]

A superb selection, Pumbaa!

Never a dull moment, especially with the birdies!

Great reflection shot of the plover.

Mopane is a wonderful area, squiet roads most of the time with plenty of options.

And what luck with the leopard!

Nice moonshot.

The more often we stay in that area the more we love it

[Pumbaa]

New kinds of birds

Great sunset shot

Headless leopard but still a leopard

Nice foto of the two of you

It is always nice to hear that you eat so well at the restaurants in the park

Definitely a leopard is a leopard and so far definitely could not complain about the service or food whenever visiting a restaurant in the park

[Pumbaa]

Friday, 24 February 2023 – Mopani – Shingwedzi

Explored roads: H1-6 – S50 – S143 – S50 – S135 – S135 – H1-7 – S55

In the morning the same procedure as yesterday we had no power and I know I was extreme unsupportable one morning without coffee can be accepted with extreme tolerance but a second one, definitely not. Luckily the power returned only half an hour prior to our departure so at least enough time to cook coffee for the mug we always take with us in the car but the coffee on our verandah had to be skipped and so we skipped a visit to Shipandane causeway as we drove straight to Mooiplaas waterhole after we successfully packed everything together.

The area around the waterhole is often abandoned in the morning and so it was today besides a couple of spur winged goose in the distance and so we did not stay long and continued but as often did not come far



as shortly behind the waterhole on the S50 a family of black backed jackals was enjoying the cold morning and was frolicking around and luckily it was still bright enough to capture these moments





as they were indeed in such a good mood and did not run away but stayed on the road.



The one or the other had in between a short break but then the chase started again.



We stayed with them as long as they were on the road but after a while all of them disappeared in the dense vegetation and we again were stopped by a couple of white winged widow birds



not that they presented themselves from the best side but also the background with the green grass or bushes was amazing.



We also discovered our one and only tsessebe along that road during this trip



and noticed a nice birdie on the ground. This morning was complete different to the sweltry 23 degrees we had each morning so far – The air was crystal clear with only 18 degrees and the sun was already shining so it was a fantastic morning and on top even in the best light.

To our luck we even noted a temminck’s courser on the ground



and the more open the area got the more antelopes could be seen such as these wildebeests



who again occurred in masses although most of them were still resting on the ground.

[Pumbaa]

We meanwhile had turned into the S143 as we wanted to pay another visit to Tihongonyeni and on the road we again were surprised by more black back jackals – This one was sitting on the road like a dog



whilst this on already checked a pile of poo



and same was then soon joined by a youngster who was begging for food which was so cute to watch.





In the background one can see how littered the road was with enormous fresh piles of elephant poos



another member of this family instead enjoyed a nice sunbath in the early morning sun in the grass.



The youngster on the other side did not let up and was constantly begging for food, however,





from time to time they allowed us to take also shots whilst posing so nicely for us.



Most of the time we had the jackals all to ourselves and only at the end of this sighting another car approached from the front.



to be continued…………………………..

[Lisbeth]

Lots of jackals

The first ones look like youngsters playing

The next ones: The cub is insisting and in the end gets awarded

Nice pics

[Pumbaa]

Lots of jackals

The first ones look like youngsters playing

The next ones: The cub is insisting and in the end gets awarded

Nice pics

All of them were too cute so we could not resist in taking that many shots

[Pumbaa]

We carried finally on only to stop for more ostriches still enjoying the morning in the grass



and then a bit in the distance we discovered an impressive elephant bull with enormous tusks



and we were impressed as it was long time ago since we saw such a tusker.



The closer we came to Tihongonyeni we slightly could notice a disappearing eland herd between the Mopane bushes unfortunately already far away at least we saw them. Fore sure more and more zebras, wildebeests as well as ostriches were around as well as these elephant bulls who were obviously on a mission.





We stopped at Tihongonyeni where we soon captured another birdie on the ground



and from far slowly coming nearer we detected another majestic elephant bull





and must say his tusks were also not that small.



After looking a bit around via binoculars Timon successfully found still far away another eland and now we even could take a picture.



At the waterhole itself it was not much to be seen at that early morning so that all the Egyptian goose had the place still all to themselves.



In the distance we still could see the three elephant bulls together with the zebras and wildebeests



and that migration of different animals is the reason why we so much love that area.

[Pumbaa]

The second elephant meanwhile could be seen closer also surrounded by zebras and wildebeests



and we once again had problems in dragging ourselves away as so much interesting things could be seen but finally we turned around



and strolled slowly along the S50 but it got quiet compared to earlier at least we now could capture one of the many wattled starlings which were around



and for sure more wildebeests were around



and it looked as if the grass was extreme delicious here.



In one of the many bushes close to the roadside a lighter tawny eagle stayed long enough for a couple of pictures



and meanwhile we turned again into the S50 but now Northwards and for sure we also were happy that this road was also not closed. It took a while until we came across a group of waterbucks were the ladies still had a sleep in



but an impressive male was on the look out and



not only eyed us suspiciously but also posed as mad for our cameras.



Once again I had difficulties in choosing the pictures as he in fact was such a beauty and also the background was so beautiful.





to be continued………………………..

[nan]

wow those Tuskers....
and all the rest of course

Pumbaa

[Lisbeth]

At Tihongonyeni there is room for a lot of animals and mostly 3 or 4 species are always present.

Those two elephants are serious tuskers

I love the light-coloured tawnies

A very handsome waterbuck posing



P.S. I have tried to ID the tuskers, but have not succeeded. Maybe with more time....