Monday afternoon and evening, 25th February . After a siesta we went out for another drive, aiming for another waterhole. On the way:
Kori bustard – a very big bird which ‘flies reluctantly’
These may resemble our collared doves, but they are African (aka Cape) turtle doves. I rather mind the name, given that our own turtle doves are now such a rarity.
Once at the waterhole we were royally entertained.
Springbok trying to keep cool. It was particular hot this afternoon.
Adult and juvenile Bateleurs. ‘Bateleur’ is French for an acrobat, and the bird is so-named for its sideways rocking flight. like the rocking of the high-wire artist’s pole.
Black-faced impala
Juvenile baleteur
Zebra with a springbok
A scattering of giraffes
I thought I was taking the juvenile Bateleur cooling itself. But, as I take photos on burst setting, I found I had also taken a sequence of a bee-eater coming in, hoping to catch a fish. Sadly the sequence did not include the entry to the pool, but here it is emerging – with no fish.
? I’m tempted to suggest a juvenile African fish-eagle, but our records say we did not see one that day.
A lioness appeared some way off,
and joined another.
Springbok
During our return to Halali Camp for our second night there:
A slender mongoose
some striped mongooses,
and another black rhino! Most unexpected to see so many and so soon:
After an early dinner we returned to the morning’s waterhole, by now floodlit, in the vehicles this time even though it was only a short walk away.
As we arrived, a hippo was leaving, and there was the twittering of hundreds of sandgrouse (?) arriving and drinking their fill for quite a while until they left.
A mother hippo and youngster arrived.
Another (the first?) arrived. Mother was very protective, though the youngster seemed curious about the newcomer.
But sadly, having stayed an hour we had to leave before we could see the outcome of the confrontation.
susanpoozan said:
So interesting to travel with you seing so many interesting animals and birds. Thanks for taking us on your tour.
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Musiewild said:
Thanks for coming with me, Susan.
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tootlepedal said:
What a lot you saw. I am sorry you missed the entry into the water of the bee eater but the exit was pretty good.
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Musiewild said:
Happenstance!
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Christine said:
Passionnant !! Beau coup de chance avec le bateleur et le “bee-eater”. Plop !
J’aime beaucoup aussi celles des springbok Ă l’ombre, des tourterelles et les zèbres qui s’en vont. Ne nous reste qu’Ă les suivre pour la suite !
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Musiewild said:
Merci Christine. Oui, totalement inattendu le séquence avec le bateleur !
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maryh said:
what a splendid variety of animals you saw, and none eating any of the others. the evening visit must have been memorable.
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Musiewild said:
And I nearly got left behind there!
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Olive Simpson said:
your site wouldn’t let me comment on this – kept telling me my email address was not valid – seeing if it will send today
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Musiewild said:
Seems I had to ‘approve’ you once more, even though I’d done so long ago!
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Olive Simpson said:
And indeed it did – but I have forgotten what I said, so that’s not much use! Technology…
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Musiewild said:
Huh!
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Olive Simpson said:
….and I think it was to say that the mongoose looks surprisingly feline…and how sad it is that our turtle doves are now an endangered species…and that in Donegal Bustard is quite a common surname!
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Musiewild said:
Good job it’s spelt with a ‘U’!
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