A cat or a lifer a day keep the doctor away

[Pumbaa]

Oh some lovely photos I just love the Zebra and the Waterbuck

Although common we do always stop for the zebras and waterbucks

[Pumbaa]

The waterbucks are mostly rather willing to pose and they are also worth quite a few shots, especially with a little one

Totally right - They are born posers and always interesting to watch

[Pumbaa]

Missed an installment!

Great shots all round, Pumbaa, especially from Grootvlei!

Birds and babies galore!

Grootvlei is always worth a detour as there is always something around

[Pumbaa]

The causeway was still overflowing but same was in fact easily passable and lots of crocodiles had already piled up as well as a lot of birds such as hamerkops,



yellow billed storks



and grey herons.



As it was still a bit too early to check in we decided to cross the causeway and drive back via the S135 to camp. When we reached the tar road leading to Shingwedzi we noticed an elephant herd



on the way to maybe take a refreshing bath in the river.



They were quite a great number



but all were extreme relaxed



and were willing to pose.



Check in went again smoothly and we again got the key to bungalow B70 which is still our favourite in that camp and due to the heat we enjoyed a lovely break inside the bungalow with a bit air condition but for sure also walked a bit around and enjoyed

[Pumbaa]

the presence of a very patient crested barbet posing on nearly each available branch





as well as a couple of lizards.



Due to the long drive and the heat we only left camp extreme late for a short visit to the causeway where lots of crocodiles took sunbathes but that one was about to disappear in the river



but one of the many present green back herons were willing to pose



but there were so many of them around so we could not decide which one to photograph first





grey herons could be seen as well



and also hamerkops as it was already late many people decided to pay a visit at the causeway and as we got our shots we cleared the causeway so that others can enjoy all the birdies as well and we continued via the S135



and to our surprise we even could spot a levaillant’s cuckoo in a Mopani bush.



to be continued………

[Lisbeth]

I love the crested barbets, but this time around the Levaillant's cuckoo is my favourite It's nice around there

[Pumbaa]

I love the crested barbets, but this time around the Levaillant's cuckoo is my favourite It's nice around there

and always a birder's paradise

[Pumbaa]

In an area with not that high grass we also stopped for a korhaan and as still a bit time was left



we decided to drive the short confluence loop from where we had lovely views into the riverbed and we noticed a large herd of elephants



out of which this one simply looked so funny obviously the sand in the shade of the riverbed was much cooler and so same cooled a bit down





but soon stood up and started to bark a small branch



whilst the others were feeding on the lush and green bushes.



The longer we stayed on the loop the more birds arrived and we even could capture a scimitarbill



and many white fronted bee eaters already revealed themselves





by their chirping and it arrived more and more

[Pumbaa]

and as they posed so nicely we could not resist



and again took more shots as originally planned.



A woodland kingfisher had hidden itself between all the bee eaters but we discovered same nevertheless



but returned again back to the bee eaters



who were so plentiful so it never got boring as nearly on each branch we spotted at least one of them.





In the end they even started to take dust baths one of them started the bath and soon many of them followed the first one



and soon the ground was laced with dust bathing bee eaters.





Meanwhile it was also more than time to return back to camp and soon we start litting the braai for our very last braai during that trip and for sure I put everything on the table which had to be eaten and it was a more than lovely braai from leftovers.

to be continued……

[Lisbeth]

and again took more shots as originally planned.

Seems to be happening all the time The more the better

The bee-eaters make a beautiful colour palette

What are we going to do for the rest of the year without a new TT?