Page 68 of 79
Re: The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 5:13 pm
by Pumbaa
Alf wrote:I just love the woodland kingfisher. That chip trrrrrrrrr sound is amazing

And I am longing to hear that call again

Re: The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 5:14 pm
by Pumbaa
Flutterby wrote:Love the fish eagle pics.

Fish eagle are always great to capture but that one playing duck was so funny

Re: The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 5:15 pm
by Pumbaa
Re: The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 5:18 pm
by Pumbaa
We spotted a giraffe who laid down but a car in front of us stood too long and too close to the giraffe to take a picture so that same started to get up when it was our turn
and finally same stood up completely to only disappear in the deep mopane bushes
and we came across a very shy and hiding red crested korhaan until we finally reached the hide.
Somehow no wind was blowing that day and the short walk to the hide heated us even more up. Gladly the hide was shady and it was bearable there and we made ourselves comfortable there although it was quiet birdwise but we spotted some tortoises which swam by and started to sunbath on the rocks,
a pied wagtail had something to say,
the white fronted bee eaters could again be admired in a close by tree,
in the distance a goliath heron was trying to catch something to eat
and a numerous Egyptian goose convention was up and running.
We also spotted in the distance great white egrets and from time to time huge crocodiles paid a closer visit to the hide.
All in all it was a quiet but worth visit and we enjoyed our time in the hide although we did not stay that long and on our way back we came across elephants

Re: The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 5:19 pm
by Pumbaa
and lot of buffaloes
who took a rest under mopene bushes in the shade. Somehow these bushes also do have leaves when other bushes had no longer any due to the drought.
At least we once again could take a couple of close ups as the buffaloes were posing as always brilliantly.
After another short break at Letaba with the obligatory ice cream break we were again back to Olifants and although it was a quiet day it was already early afternoon but for sure we had to stop for a tawny eagle in a tree and
a curious looking waterbuck.
As we drove via the tar road back to Olifants we decided to also pay a visit to N’wamanzi look out as otherwise we would have miss this place this time and from high above we saw a troop of baboons in the riverbed and simply enjoyed the view.
All in all it was another one of those quieter days especially after the lion festival around Satara but we in fact could not complain and also had today a great time especially with that view from our verandah whilst a longer break in camp.
to be continued...
Re: The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:16 pm
by Richprins
I'm a bit lost now, Pumbaa...which hide was that again?
That first buffalo cow has very wide horns!
My favourite is that pale tawny, special for me as it is one of the first big eagles I saw in the Park, and in my opinion the most beautiful!
That elephant is buggered...

Re: The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 11:24 am
by Mel
24
Interesting capture of the giraffe getting up!
Richprins is getting into raptors
And why do buffs have such a silly look on their faces...

Re: The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 12:19 pm
by Flutterby
That giraffe looks like a camel!
What a lot of geese!
Lovely pics again.

Re: The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 9:52 pm
by Pumbaa
Richprins wrote:I'm a bit lost now, Pumbaa...which hide was that again?
That first buffalo cow has very wide horns!
My favourite is that pale tawny, special for me as it is one of the first big eagles I saw in the Park, and in my opinion the most beautiful!
That elephant is buggered...

The hide is North of the Letaba high water Bridge - You simply have to turn the next right It is the S62 with some nice views over the Letaba from there as well

- Also love the pale tawnies

Re: The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 9:54 pm
by Pumbaa
Mel wrote:24
Interesting capture of the giraffe getting up!
Richprins is getting into raptors
And why do buffs have such a silly look on their faces...

I do not know but they are always so photogenic with the different facial expressions
