Flavour of the Month - Feb 2013: S56-Shingwedzi/Babalala

[nan]

there is a lot of Elephants, those are at the ende of the road, Babalala side

road block

the picture seems to be not infocus, because of the heat

and these ones surprised me a little bit -O
qui sort des fourrés

[nan]

Grey heron

Toko... need a barber

[nan]

and like already said, a lot of Buffaloes... even dagga boys

[nan]

this one is a little bit more shy


eyeliner... by Red-billed Oxpecker


again Hamerkop... it was spring

[Dewi]

Other birds to be seen on this road include:

Cape-turtle Dove which are regular at Babalala and along the verges.



Laughing Doves are also common at the picnic spot.



But Emerald-spotted Wood-doves are best seen foraging on the roadsides of the various loops.



Greater Blue-eared Starlings will crowd you out as you park up at Babalala.



Whilst Wire-tailed Swallows enjoy resting on the thatch roof of the toilet block.



Keep a sharp eye out for Magpie Shrikes as you head back along the S60 towards Sirheni. They seem to love the open stretches here.





Swainsons Spurfowl are regulars.



As are Natal Francolin and their young.



Helmeted Guineafowl can be encountered anywhere along this stretch.



And Brown-hooded Kingfishers are usually perched somewhere near on the look out for insects or reptiles to pounce on.



That just about sums up my experience of this road so far. Hopefully I'll get back there one day to experience the peace and quiet that it offers.

[Dewi]

Thanks Sprocky - will do. Shame that Shing was so badly damaged during the floods, may be a while before anyone can stay there again.

Thanks Nan, I much prefer the North of the park to the South. If we see three cars in a morning we get grumpy as it's too busy there. -O

Have not seen any cats in this area yet, but have seen Lion, Leopard and Caracal closer to Shingwedzi.

We did find Black Rhino tracks one morning. The tracks were very, very fresh, but no amount of searching could land us a sighting. We even staked out the nearest waterhole in the hope that it was heading there for a drink, but no luck. We speculated at the time about the tracks as this is not typical habitat for them, but the tracks were clear and my friend J has had lots of experience with these animals so was positive with the spoor ID.

[Richprins]

Amazing pics!

Agreed about the North, Dewi!

Interestingly, regarding that first Ellie Bull...no evidence of "urine" stains on the hind legs, so just a normal display, not Musth?


Have some Babalala pics, obviously...will post when unbanned!

[Dewi]

Thanks RP.

That ellie bull was just a youngster being nervous rather than being aggressive. They seem to take fright and put on a show for Impala, Zebra cars etc. regardless. Think it must be insecurity and a bit of bluff.

[nan]

February 2008

As per my camera, it was around Boyela
I had always preferred dirty roads to the tarred

oups

African Cuckoo

the roads I love

Nyala *EDITED*

thank you
I mix Bushbuck and Nyala females... tell me if I'm wrong

[nan]

European Roller

frog nest

first ever Nyalas