The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers

[Pumbaa]

So lucky to see Roan

In fact but we could not believe it for very lond time

[Pumbaa]

It was then also the first time we ever saw a tsessebe calf.



Somehow a large buffalo herd took over the area and smaller groups of them tried to find some shade under the many mopane bushes



as it was unbearable in the sun meanwhile and on top it got more and more humid as well.





The area around Mooiplaas was extreme dusty and a group of wildebeests made their way in the heat after quenching their thirst



although the buffaloes simply needed a rest from the heat.





The area around Nshawu marsh looked compared to the rest of the area far greener and wetter and so it was not a surprise when we here met uncountable elephants herd



between them we could see a lot of youngsters

[Pumbaa]

wet and muddy protected by mom





and they even walked closer



feeding peacefully side by side whereas the youngster was more interested in a stick to play with than in feeding.





Gladly they all were very well behaved and we could watch and photograph them as much and as long as we wanted.









Normally we wanted to drive via the S50 to Shingwedzi as we only drove this road once in full length during our previous trips and it was about time again to do so again but a short detour to Tihongonyeni simply had to be. Along the way which got waster and even more waster even more then around Satara we came across a nicely posing magpie



and a couple of large elephant bulls who only raised dust as the waterhole itself was unfortunately deserted so we did not stay long and turned around.



to be continued...

[Flutterby]

Cute tsessebe and love the baby ellies!

[Richprins]

Nice ellie family shots with scenery, Pumbaa!

The one buff has a mopane leaf stuck to its mouth, but probably just from the ground. They can browse a bit in extreme drought, like cows, but it doesn't really help...

Nice baby sheep!

[Alf]

Those baby elephants are so cute

Baby tsessebe

[Pumbaa]

Cute tsessebe and love the baby ellies!

It is always great to see the next generation

[Pumbaa]

Nice ellie family shots with scenery, Pumbaa!

The one buff has a mopane leaf stuck to its mouth, but probably just from the ground. They can browse a bit in extreme drought, like cows, but it doesn't really help...

Nice baby sheep!

It was still a fantastic drive

[Pumbaa]

Those baby elephants are so cute

Baby tsessebe

I love to watch that Baby ellies

[Pumbaa]

Back on the S50 we spotted another group of white helmet shrikes who we saw this year quite often and they even were always in the mood to pose



and on top this one just caught an insect





and tried to kill and swallow same.



This procedure took some time and gladly Timon could capture the whole action as these birds are in fact not easy to photograph.



We passed Grootvlei dam which was another dam which was totally empty which was a pity as same is always beautiful when same is full but with the dryness we only realized how large this dam actually is!

The next stretch along lots of mopane bushes was extreme quiet and it got only more interesing when we could leave the car at Nyawutsi bird hide which only recently has been re-opened after refurbishing.

I fell right when entered the hid in love with the view and although at least a bit water was still left and we even could hear water flowing over a couple of rocks how lovely this hide must be when there is more water around. Not much around birdwise but for sure a woodland kingfisher was



and after some attempts same even caught something.



Although the hide is only reachable after a long drive from either Shingwedzi or from Mopani it is a more than lovely stay and for sure will be re-visited by us again with hopefully more water around.

Now the road is coming closer to the Shingwedzi river and we met a fish eagle in flight



and then we were right at the river where a large pond had been retained and we gladly could spot although in the distance on the other side



another darter – A bird who did not come across that often so far.