The Heat is on and the Lions as well

[Lisbeth]

I simply love your beautiful leopard, but also the black-collared barbet is fascinating

[Richprins]

As Lis says, those are the two great sightings, Pumbaa!

The insect is a robber fly, I think, and congrats on Timon's first macro pic that I can remember!

I don't know if I like Berg en Dal or not, was there briefly last month and can't decide!

[Pumbaa]

I simply love your beautiful leopard, but also the black-collared barbet is fascinating

Sorry for letting you wait but finally back from Denmark We were definitely blessed with good sightings on our very first day

[Pumbaa]

As Lis says, those are the two great sightings, Pumbaa!

The insect is a robber fly, I think, and congrats on Timon's first macro pic that I can remember!

I don't know if I like Berg en Dal or not, was there briefly last month and can't decide!

At least the area is always good for lots of good sightings at least in February when we are there and thanks for the ID and must say macro is not our favourite way to photograph but sometimes we do always try

[Pumbaa]

After we could drag ourselves away we were not in a great mood for a late afternoon drive but as this would be our only night in this camp we simply had to drive the short stretch to Matjulu waterhole and along the drive we again detected a plum-coloured starling on a small branch



with something in his bill.



At the waterhole itself the elephant show continued as the minute we arrived there some were already quenching their thirst,



others appeared out of the thick vegetation and checked out the situation whilst coming closer.





Others were still in the middle of their rituals



whilst a Mom presented her little one as well



and not long after the first elephants arrived at Matjulu same was surrounded by masses of elephants.



Now we were more than happy that we decided ourselves for that afternoon drive and not only us but meanwhile many other cars arrived and enjoyed the elephant show.





Simply love that shot of the three different sized younger ones



unfortunately meanwhile the clock started to count down but we simply had a couple of moments with them from the view points a bit higher above. A couple of impalas were also around

[Pumbaa]

and besides the waterhole itself only one larger extreme muddy puddle was still left and the grass was already extreme short around the waterhole.



Finally we returned back to camp in time and lit the braai which we so much enjoyed as the first braais in Kruger are simply the best and in the fading light we even detected an elephant mom with her still extreme small youngster trying to reach the milk bar.



Due to the not existing dam I missed a bit the frog concert whilst braaing but you cannot have everything so we retired that night extreme early and finally I could sleep like a log.

Saturday, 10. February 2024 – Berg en Dal – Biyamiti

Explored roads: S110 – H3 – S118 – S119 – S25 – H4-2 – H5 – S108 – S25 – S139 – S25 – S139

Far too soon it was again moving day and after the obligatory morning coffee on our veranda we packed everything together and left with gate opening time and for sure turned right into the road into the direction of Matjulu and we had to stop a couple of times to capture that beautiful sunrise in the mountainous region of that area which is always so special.



Unfortunately it was still dead quiet on our way to the waterhole with no birds around but whilst we reached the waterhole we were lucky in finding a lone buffalo there in the only remaining puddle enjoying his private spa.



We stayed there quite a while enjoying the peace whilst sipping at our coffee but as nothing else showed up we headed forward and now more than half an hour after gate opening time a couple of birds were willing to pose so we were lucky in photographing on our way one of the many brown snake eagles,



magpie shrikes



and on the H3 at the bridge across the Matjulu we noticed a couple of great white egrets who nearly fought against each other in order to get the best place at one of the very few and already very wadable puddles



which obviously still had a couple of fishes



as otherwise not that many water birds were attracted by these puddles.



Between the great white egrets we discovered hamerkops as well as cattle egrets there



and after we got our shots we continued only to stop for a couple of green pigeons unfortunately a bit farer away in a dead tree



and parrots.



to be continued………………………….

[Lisbeth]

Lots of tinyphants

And the starling is fabulous I have only seen one or two.

[Richprins]

Lots to see, Pumbaa!

Ja, that mountain scenery makes for great landscape pics!

Love the egret with kill!

[Pumbaa]

Lots of tinyphants

And the starling is fabulous I have only seen one or two.

The colours of the starling are definitively very special

[Pumbaa]

Lots to see, Pumbaa!

Ja, that mountain scenery makes for great landscape pics!

Love the egret with kill!

Can watch birds catching something always for hours