Tales of the Kgalagadi.

[Michele Nel]

Michele!

Interesting the Diederick's cuckoo in the background...

Diederick's ...really ? I must admit I was oblivious to all other sounds around me ...but I am still not sure i can hear Diederick's in the background. Having said that I am actually useless with bird sounds. :)

[Michele Nel]

I am trying to add to my Tales but my photos won't upload....I am getting a message saying http error....anybody else battling with this at the moment. Thx Michele

[Richprins]

Works?

[Michele Nel]

That's not fair RP - I still can't upload ..I am getting the same error. :(

[Michele Nel]

As most of you know I enjoy birds and I enjoy photographing them . Sadly on this trip the birds were a bit far and few between. I came home without a single shot of Swallowtailed Bee-eater and Lilac Breasted Roller. Owl numbers were down and I saw a Verreaux's Eagle Owl when leaving Twee Rivieren ( near the gate into game viewing area) and one in the same place on our return to Twee Rivieren. It was possibly the same individual.

I only had one sighting of Spotted Eagle Owl between Leeudril and Twee Rivieren ….and the bird seemed to enjoy having his photo taken. :)

We spent two nights at Nossob on our way to Gharagab and one night on our way back down. I searched all the trees in Nossob Camp but without much success. On our last evening there I eventually found a Barn Owl in a tree in front of the chalets to the right of the garage when facing the south entrance gate.

[Michele Nel]

That's not fair RP - I still can't upload ..I am getting the same error. :(

success...:)

[Michele Nel]

Although there was not an abundance of Raptors I did have some lovely sightings of Black-chested Snake-Eagle...

A Brown Snake-Eagle ..actually I saw three and it is a long time since I have seen them in the park...

Tawny Eagles were plentiful..

One Martial Eagle a fair distance away and looking a bit grumpy with life.

[Michele Nel]

Bateleurs were scarce....

[Michele Nel]

My birding highlight of my trip was this Pallid Harrier being mobbed by a Fork-tailed Drongo - the Drongos are really cheeky birds . I had to wait until our very last game drive to see this. We were having coffee at Kij Kij when the birds flew over ..I almost messed my coffee all over the place ..but I got the shot...:)

[Michele Nel]

I also managed to see Lanner, Red-necked and Pygmy Falcons...not all were photographic sightings though. Greater Kestrel seen but not one Rock Kestrel.

Lanner Falcon

Pygmy Falcon.

This Yellow-billed Kite kept us entertained while having a picnic at Leijersdraai.