When small Streams turn into Rivers

[Pumbaa]

Not only the zebras impressed us with their posing skills but also the many oxpeckers





nevertheless we were still fascinated by the masses of zebras



hanging around.





We always do stop at the last loop on the S100 as from there you always have a lovely view into the N’wanetsi river



and after the zebras the birds once again could be discovered such as another Wahlberg eagle,



another burchell’s coucal



finally we could again capture another woodland kingfisher as they are always extreme noisy but often love hanging around in the shade under a tree



and finally we had to look out for the double banded sandgrouse on the ground.



Our final stop at Gudzani dam took a bit longer as this was already our last visit there and we always do love to see the dam that full

[Pumbaa]

our beloved fish eagle was also present but today far too far away so we finally dragged ourselves away and along the way we had to laugh about this baboon on the look out as the tree was definitely extreme high.



The crocodiles at the Gudzani causeway were still present plentiful



and on this picture one can see clearly how high the water had flown not long ago.



The giraffes as well as zebras were also present along the S41



and we had to laugh about this impressive kudu bull who loved it to smudge his horns excessively with mud.



At the N’wanetsi causeway we again met the ever present grey heron there



and luckily could again capture one of the open billed storks who was also here busy in searching for mussels which must be found in the rivers obviously plentiful



also without mussel the colours of the feathers always do fascinate us.



A bateleur came across as well as



a tawny eagle and we also discovered a malachite kingfisher unfortunately a bit too far away and hidden before we again had a break at the N’wanetsi picnic site before we continued on the H6.



Unfortunately the road to the Sweni hide was still closed so also no visit at this hide this year so we had to be satisfied with the giraffes who we then stopped for.





to be continued……………………..

[Lisbeth]

A pity that there was no sun at the Gudzani Dam and causeway; the photos would have been fabulous

Luckily, birds need no sun to look great I love the open-billed stork with the mussel

[Richprins]

Interesting both yellow and red oxpeckers together there on the zebra, Pumbaa!

Fascinating the flood view along the one causewy there.

Love the kudu behaviour.

And it seems the openbills absolutely specialise in mussels!

[Pumbaa]

A pity that there was no sun at the Gudzani Dam and causeway; the photos would have been fabulous

Luckily, birds need no sun to look great I love the open-billed stork with the mussel

It took a while until the sun came out completely that day

[Pumbaa]

Interesting both yellow and red oxpeckers together there on the zebra, Pumbaa!

Fascinating the flood view along the one causewy there.

Love the kudu behaviour.

And it seems the openbills absolutely specialise in mussels!

It is always scary when noticing how high the water was We indeed found often open billed stork with mussels in Kruger

[Pumbaa]

At least along that road the carmine bee eaters did not let us down



and after another sighting of a kori more carmine bee eaters could be photographed



and meanwhile also the sun came out after the more or less cloudy morning so everything got soon brighter as well. Luckily we could also capture a melba finch



and Timon nearly stopped at each bush as along this road masses of carmine bee eaters could be seen



as well as ostriches



which are also great fun in watching especially when finding them that close to the road.





A huge elephant bull also came across but the rest of our drive was unfortunately quiet



as it was still relatively early we decided to drive again into the direction of Girivana and originally we wanted to drive the S127 back to Satara but you could only drive until the Timbavati picnic spot as the S127 was also closed. At least along our drive we once again captured one of the many European rollers with kill



and we were extreme fascinated by the hard work the dung beetles were doing on a huge pile of poo



they even allowed a couple of close ups – We do always drive extreme cautious when that masses of beetles are around but unfortunately there are always so many reckless drivers who do not care about things going on on the ground.

[Pumbaa]

Now we even had a bit time for a longer break at Girivana where the minute we stopped there a family of ground hornbills arrived and luckily also these birds were extreme close





and as always at least one of them was extreme busy in collecting something



must have been the same group we already met yesterday there.





On our way back to camp we stopped for a juvenile bateleur who far too soon took off,



European bee eaters



as well as another elephant bull.



Back in camp we detected with regard of horror huge puddles and also our braai could not be used as the area was flooded obviously it came down in that area but we never noticed a single rain drop during our drive.



Luckily the sun was shining and the water slowly and stolidly flow off so that until the evening the puddle was gone but as we wanted today anyway pay another visit at the restaurant we did not care about the flooded braai area. We spend an extensive break in camp whilst watching the come and go of the many birdies around such as our beloved woodhoopoes



out of which this one was demonstrating the magot same caught proudly.



We also discovered a spotted flycatcher,



lots of flowers



stopped again at the bats in the tree in front of the reception complex



had another delicious lunch in the Cattle Baron restaurant, even bought our meat from the butcher and paid a final visit at the shop before we strolled back to our bungalow and during that walk we even captured another blue waxbill.



to be continued…………………

[Lisbeth]

What a great, awesome and varied bird show

[ExFmem]

to the resident Bird Whisperer That bat tree is too cool .