EXPLORING FRONTIER COUNTRY and other areas.

[Lisbeth]

Very nice and unusual pictures of the old bridges

Cute little squirrels a nice rhinos (private farm I presume).

Nan has already IDed the raptor. The other two should be forest canaries, if I don't error

Must be nice to go through places that you do not know. Full of surprises

[Lisbeth]

Yes, they are both jackal buzzards

[steamtrainfan]

Very nice and unusual pictures of the old bridges

Cute little squirrels a nice rhinos (private farm I presume).

Nan has already IDed the raptor. The other two should be forest canaries, if I don't error

Must be nice to go through places that you do not know. Full of surprises

Thank you for the lovely comments Lisbeth.

We are so enjoying this trip - as you say "full of surprises".

[PJL]

Nice to see you're having such a fun trip STF
The colours of the landscapes are breathtaking

[Richprins]

Fascinating again!

Those old Cape people seem to have built bridges to last!

Funny how some raptors can almost be identified regarding their penchant for sitting on telegraph poles...some do some refuse! Same here in Mpuma!

Very good pics, stf!

[steamtrainfan]

Nice to see you're having such a fun trip STF
The colours of the landscapes are breathtaking

Thanks PJL - the autumn colours are so stunning.

Fascinating again! Those old Cape people seem to have built bridges to last! Funny how some raptors can almost be identified regarding their penchant for sitting on telegraph poles...some do some refuse! Same here in Mpuma!

Thanks RP. That's why those old bridges hold such a fascination for me.

[steamtrainfan]

19 APRIL 2015 - DAY 4 - BADFONTEIN GUEST FARM TO STUTTERHEIM - PART 1/3


Early morning mist at Badfontein.



Coming to look for some breakfast.



An amazing luxurious bungalow at Badfontein. We went out last night at about 21:30 and the sky was a fantastic sight. Never so many stars, except maybe in Kruger, but here we felt we could reach up and touch them,



Please can someone give this fellow an ID.



African Stonechat.



The road leaving Badfontein Guest Farm.



Crowned Plover.

[steamtrainfan]

19 APRIL 2015 - DAY 4 - BADFONTEIN GUEST FARM TO STUTTERHEIM - PART 2/3


The R26 all the way from Villiers down to Rouxville is an absolute disgrace. It is signposted as the Maloti Tourist Route. I would advise all tourists to avoid it all costs. We had to play "Dodge the Pothole" as in most places we could only do 60 - 80 kph. However, once we had crossed the Orange River the roads became roads again.



The roadside picnic spots on the Free State roads are broken, dirty and overgrown but in the Eastern Cape what a pleasure.



One of the shortest goods trains with the most locomotives I have ever seen. Between Queenstown and Cathcart. Maybe they needed the extra locos in case the others break down.



An unusual second hand shop in Cathcart.



Our chalet at Eco Shire Lodge Stutterheim. Most unusual but very comfortable.



The view from our stoep.

[Lisbeth]

Must have been a an awesome starry night

Your bird is an ant-eating chat.

Both the shop and chalet are not of the usual kind, but very

[steamtrainfan]

19 APRIL 2015 - DAY 4 - BADFONTEIN GUEST FARM TO STUTTERHEIM - PART 3/3


Some birdlife and a forest walk.

Fork Tailed Drongo.



Black Headed Oriole.



A river crossing in the forest.





Please help with an ID for this butterfly. Plenty of them around.



Another ID required please.



End of day 4.