I've got a feeling of a hot summer in Kruger

[Lisbeth]

stop again for another elephant under the only tree there.

Not much shadow there but maybe it needed a scratch

Around there is the only place where I have seen tsessebes in Kruger

Rather dry also there

Nice pic of the Zeb trio

[Michele Nel]

Wow so many lovely sightings ..love all the bird images. :)

[Richprins]

It really is a beautiful area of the Park for me, Pumbaa, especially Nshawu!

Lovely ellie interaction, I like the fight shot!

Amazing how they have worn down the concrete,,,

And great tsessebe pics, somehow they are never photogenic for me?

It is a bonus to be able to see animals at a waterhole in summer!

[Pumbaa]

stop again for another elephant under the only tree there.

Not much shadow there but maybe it needed a scratch

Around there is the only place where I have seen tsessebes in Kruger

Rather dry also there

Nice pic of the Zeb trio

Me too only in that area we saw tsessebes so far - I guess the ellie needed a nap as well

[Pumbaa]

Wow so many lovely sightings ..love all the bird images. :)

Thanks Michele - Believe me lots of more birdies to come and a couple of other things as well

[Pumbaa]

It really is a beautiful area of the Park for me, Pumbaa, especially Nshawu!

Lovely ellie interaction, I like the fight shot!

Amazing how they have worn down the concrete,,,

And great tsessebe pics, somehow they are never photogenic for me?

It is a bonus to be able to see animals at a waterhole in summer!

Totally right and with that termperatures we had during that trip is was easy to find them there - This year it looked totally different with water everywhere in the park

[Pumbaa]

as normally those rarer antelopes could only be seen far away and most of the time it is during the midday heat so the air is always flickering like hell



but today we were extreme happy that they presented themselves that close.



Meanwhile it was already time to check in but as the Shipandani causeway is not far we decided to pay a quick visit there but besides an enormous crocodile



nothing else was around so we stayed not that long and decided to check in but we simply had to stop at a small puddle / pond along the road leading to camp as this was this year the best birding spot for us. Last year it was the large pond along the tar road H1-6 and so every year we select our personal best birding spot and great is that same is every year another one. A Namaqua dove couple was extreme thirsty although in the beginning only he appeared





and so was a paradise whydah.



As it was such a hot afternoon that for sure such a spot was perfect to attract lots of birds and we obviously arrived at the right time as sparrows, three banded plovers and our Namaqua dove couple bustling around here and Mrs. Namaqua dove decided to take a bath



whilst he was satisfied with drinking a bit of water.



As we already knew that this was not our last visit here we carried on and wanted to check in, however, whilst I was already on the way to reception Timon discovered a grey headed bush shrike indeed a bird we so far did not saw that often and after a couple of safety shots on the ground the bird flew into a bush



where same could pose far better for us.

[Pumbaa]

Meanwhile I had the keys for bungalow No. 51 in hand and after we moved in we simply had to admire that breath taking view for a while with a fish eagle enthroned on a branch above a couple of bathing elephants.



We also noted Egyptian goose, marabu storks and impalas but got sidetracked by this little birdie



before we could concentrate again onto the many elephants.



We paid today the restaurant a visit and luckily found a place outside in the shade so we could enjoy the view from there whilst munching on our salads. At that time it was quiet there although the food tasted amazing and after a quick visit to the shop as well it was time for our afternoon drive although it was already late, practical that you can reach from camp places like Shipandani as well as Mooiplaas waterhole within minutes but we simply had to stop at our beloved pond just outside camp as now redbellied firefinches



had to quench their thirst as well.



Now we even discovered a terrapin in the pond,



a three banded plover as well as Mrs. Namaqua dove.



A quick visit at Shipandani hide revealed a grey heron



but not much more so we continued to Pioneer dam hide but we immediately left again as we looked against the sun and as same was shining on the water we nearly could not see anything. On our way to Mooiplaas waterhole we then stopped for a herd of buffaloes who enjoyed the shade between mopane bushes



and were entranced by this cute youngster.





to be continued……………..

[Lisbeth]

What a great bird show The Namaqua doves are very pretty

[Pumbaa]

What a great bird show The Namaqua doves are very pretty

We are always happy about such ponds on a hot summer's day