Frost, Fires & Family Time

[PJL]

After completing all the necessary paperwork at the entrance we trundled in along the main road and then took the Ubejane Loop where we came across our first sightings. Some ground squirrels were near the road and they proved to be a favourite with the kids



Whilst on the other side of the road a crowned plover wasn't doing a very good job of hiding



A little further round the loop there were some gemsbok looking very lazy... it was nearly lunchtime after all, so they were possibly due a snooze





As we were getting near to the Link Road which leads up to Rooiplaat, there was a secretary bird strolling along



And then our first highlight of the trip... D spotted a large bird of prey which eventually came close enough to get some pics. A Verreaux's eagle - something we hadn't seen before



TBC

[Alf]

Oh this trip i will enjoy



We have found the staff very friendly and helpful at the gate

[Richprins]

Why, only kids enjoying the squirrel? You also a "sightings chaser?"

Nice Black Eagle!

[PJL]

Oh this trip i will enjoy



We have found the staff very friendly and helpful at the gate

I'm sure you'll see some familiar sights Alf

Why, only kids enjoying the squirrel? You also a "sightings chaser?"

Nice Black Eagle!

Nope... I love the smaller sightings as well. But I think the kids wanted to stash the squirrels in the car at times

[PJL]

We took the Link Road towards Rooiplaat. It's quite a long drive, but as we started to head uphill we got our first view of the iconic mountain zebra



This one looked ready to pop any second



Further along the link road there were some eland in the distance. It was the wrong time of day for far-off photos with the heat haze blurring everything



Likewise our first jackal sighting was distant, so just a proof pic



Arriving at the edge of the Rooiplaat Loop we found the familiar herds of black wildebeest, blesbok and springbok near a water hole. It was a great sight - there seemed to be larger numbers of game around than on our last visit









TBC

[Lisbeth]

Great! I will not have to wait for Mel in order to get to Mountain Zebra

I LOVE squirrels, any kind of squirrels, starting with Chip & Chop

Hey, you are fast, PJL

Beautiful Zebras and the plain full of animals is great

[Dewi]

Great start PJL. Those pies look tasty.

Nice secretary & verreaux's eagle.

Love those Zebra pics.

[PJL]

Great! I will not have to wait for Mel in order to get to Mountain Zebra

Hey, you are fast, PJL

Beautiful Zebras and the plain full of animals is great

Thanks Lis... yes - approaching take-off speed already

[PJL]

Great start PJL. Those pies look tasty.

Nice secretary & verreaux's eagle.

Love those Zebra pics.

Thanks Dewi
Those pies are simply brilliant... more meat than any other ingredient which is always a good start

[Richprins]

What lovely light!

Looks a bit like parts of Namibia!

Nice, Peej!