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Have had a great time catching up with this report.

 

Zorilla, Aardvark, Ardwolf and so many more sightings to savour and make me think of more places for me to visit!

 

Long time since I last saw Klipspringer - great photo showing their ballet like footing.

 

The birds, landscapes - enjoying it all.

 

 

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@CDL111 and @Caracal thank you

 

@xelasthe Karoo certainly is beautiful, the rainbow was an extraordinary sight in an extraordinary environment

 

 

 

This morning we walked up the hill behind the chalets to watch a rich, red sunrise steal over the Karoo while a Pale-winged Starling and a Pririt Batis bounced around the chalets. After an early breakfast we checked out and did a short drive around the loop that goes to the Bulkraal picnic site where the only new animal was a goody - a black rhino. White-backed Mousebird, Pale Chanting Goshawk and Spike-heeled Lark were new birds for this year’s trip.


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We said a sad goodbye to Karoo NP at 9.45 to begin the 450 km drive to Cape Town. The Quantum made good time, with a stop at Laingsberg for coffee and cake in a 1950s pub that had an extensive collection of enamel bakeware on display together with a charming blue and white 1940s English dinner set. We pushed on to Cape Town, arriving at Cape Town Hollow Boutique Hotel about 3.30 pm.  After settling into our rooms we set out to watch the sunset from Table View where Black Oystercatchers and Hartlaub's Gulls congregated on the rocks below and skeins of Sacred Ibis flew overhead to Robbins Island roosts.
 

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Dinner was pizza at the popular Blue Peter Cafe.


Later this evening we said big thank you to Gavin as the party begins to break up. @GnuGnuis going home tomorrow, Ray and Bobbie are spending time with family and Jane, @farin and I are continuing for a few days with Gavin. Ray penned and read several verses of trip memories:

 

Here's to our guide, the Gavin Sims
(yes, famous too for just his limbs).
 

His tales of guiding brought us glee,
his knowledge was exemplary.
His ways were quite winning -
he had ladies grinning...
but I did catch a grimace at last...
when a certain road heap
(where most drivers creep)
caused a big Quantum leap
and the silent cop travelled past - fast!
 

He drove the Quantum to the end
and DIDN'T drive us round the bend!
He had eyes sharp, reactions keen -
or we, and Kudu, MIGHT have been...
 

He'd name a BIRD in some far tree,
when that far TREE I couldn't see!
Did big-D "Drongo" refer to me??
I wasn't appalled.
I could have been called
awry-throated red-neck D!
 

He'd conjure birds from just thin air
(my photos prove that they WEREN'T there).
He taught us so much feathery fare
that even I in awe would stare
at Gorgeous Bushshrike underwear.
 

For days our greatest photo shots
revealed a lot of leopard spots...
No, Gav, it's not rosettes I mean ...
but rather spots where they've BEEN seen!
 

Thank you, Gavin, from us all.

Next morning at 6 a.m. it isn't raining  so Gavin and I set out for Strandfontein,  a very scenic treatment plant.
 

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I noticed that someone had stolen the hubcaps off the Quantum during the night!

Gavin is disappointed in the number of birds which he thinks is due to the high water levels following recent rain and a corresponding decrease in the area of the mudflats. I was pleased with the morning's birding that delivered a number of new species including Hottentot and Cape Teal, Yellow-billed Duck, Levaillant's Cisticola, Common Waxbill, White Stork and Yellow Bishop. I was surprised to see the Bishop in breeding plumage in mid-August, however Gavin thought the unusually heavy winter rains may be responsible. 
 

Great White Pelican and White Storks wait for sun-up while Cape Spurfowl and South Shelduck are out and about early.  
 

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A Hartlaub’s Gull paddled gently across the water and a Levaillant’s Cisticola caught the early sun.


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A Grey Heron and Kelp Gull search for an early breakfast and a Cattle Egret sits quietly.
 

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These Yellow-billed ducks floated in a pond whilst a Black-shouldered kite hovered above.


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The Cape Teal were the last birds we saw on the water and the Yellow Bishop near the gate was a pleasant surprise. 
 

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Breakfast was almost over when we returned, just in time to say goodbye to @GnuGnu



Later, @farin, Jane and I caught the hotel shuttle to the V&A Waterfront where we wandered around the Water Shed and then through the main shopping mall before returning to the Hollow for a lazy afternoon. An Egyptian Goose sits on the copper dome of the National Museum across the street and a Red-winged Starling sings on the balcony of my 7th floor room.

 

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The rain has finally arrived and the mountains are hidden beneath a layer of thick, white cloud. Tomorrow is a day for Cape Town and environs.
 

We drove to the cable car station straight after breakfast, but it was drizzling with low cloud so we decided to try again tomorrow. Red-winged Starlings perched in the mist.  Gavin drove us to the African penguin colony at Boulder’s Bay, past a colony of Cape Fur Seals before arriving in Hout Bay and turning onto Chapman's Peak Road. We stopped at the lookout and saw a dassie on sea, a grey mongoose and a Southern Boubou that was calling from deep cover.
 

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I had been thinking this was going to be small creatures day until whales were spotted in the bay.


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Although this was a return trip to Boulders Beach for me I still took lots of photos.
 

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This last one brings a new meaning to "ankle-biter"! The penguins were firm favourites with other visitors too.

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A bewildered looking dassie wandered around the penguin colony, while Karoo Prinia, Cape Robin Chat and Southern Double-collared Sunbird fluttered close by while this Cape Crow peered down at us.
 

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This Eutricha Capensis caterpillar contrasted with the greenery.

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Seabirds seen included Swift Terns and White-breasted Cormorant.
 

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Leaving Simons Town we drove to the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay for coffee and cake before heading back to Kirstenbosch for the afternoon. Thanks to @xelas for this recommendation. 


 

Southern Double-collared Sunbirds were everywhere today and it's possible that they have driven the Malachite and Orange-breasted Sunbirds from the gardens as we looked in vain for these beauties. The Southern Double-collared Sunbirds really put on a show over in the protea garden. 
 

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while a Spotted Eagle Owl snoozes in the shadows. 

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A confiding Karoo Thrush bounced ahead of us while Cape White Eyes and more Southern Double-collared Sunbirds grazed on aloe flowers.
 

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Egyptian Geese, Hadada Ibis, Helmeted Guineafowl and Cape Spurfowl wandered over the lawns.
 

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This Cape Sugarbird was very busy amongst the proteas.


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Another Cape Robin Chat posed obligingly.
 

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The weather had improved as forecast and Cape Town basks a under a blue sky and a second Sugarbird shows off an amazing tail.
 

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The warm afternoon has bought out the locals - this Forest Canary found an afternoon snack. 
 

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A Spotted Flycatcher with pale markings kept us guessing for a while. Finally, a Southern Boubou posed for a photo.
 

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Our day finished with a quick trip to the gift shop for some last minute gifts to take home - it's sad, but this time in a week @farin and I will be on the way home. However let's not wish the last week away because there is still West Coast NP, Franschoek, the Drakensberg and an outing to Marievale with @Peter Connan to anticipate. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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@Treepol when I saw your photo of the Cape Sugarbird amongst the protea I was going to say "What an amazing tail" but you beat me to it with your second photo!

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Thanks for an array of photographs of birds, enjoying looking at them in detail.

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@Caracal the Sugarbirds are very glamorous, I will be looking hard for Gurney's Sugarbird next trip

 

@CDL111 these are a sub-set of the photos on my 2018 Big Year thread if you would like to see more

 

Today we are leaving Cape Town and heading to the West Coast NP. Cape Town is bathed in sunlight this morning and the mountain is clear, unusual because it's mid-August - this is what I saw when I opened the curtains.
 

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After a quick breakfast and final farewells to Bobbie and Ray we drove up to the cable car station. Cape Sugarbirds fed amongst the proteas on the lower slopes of the mountain. I have tried to do this trip on my 2 previous trips to Cape Town but have been foiled by bad weather both times. However, this morning things were different - Lion's Head, Signal Hill and Devil's Peak were clear.
 

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Our luck held, and from the top of the mountain we could see over the city and down towards Simon's Town where we drove yesterday.
 

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An Orange-breasted Sunbird posed beautifully for photos.
 

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then the cloud began to form over the city, so we descended and set out for West Coast NP, not before taking more photos of an obliging orange-breasted sunbird.
 

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A flock of Great White Pelicans flew overhead just before we stopped for photos of this canola crop and a nearby Pied Crow.

 

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The first animal sighting was a large herd of eland and then a single blue crane before we walked to a hide before lunch. A Black-winged Stilt sat on a nest close to the waterline while a busy Kittlitz plover foraged in the background. A Pied avocet fished for lunch. I was delighted to see Lesser Flamingo in the lagoon, however it was low tide and they were a long way away.
 

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A Cape Longclaw watched us from a distance. We stopped for lunch at Geelbek and munched on yummy ostrich burgers beneath a busy Cape Weaver colony.
 

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We decided that our luck was in and pooled our significant dates and bought a lottery ticket. I guess we have used up our luck because we didn't win a cent.  A  Southern Black Korhaan called raucously along the road into Abrahamskraal bird hide.
 

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Birds seen at the hide included Yellow Bishop, Cape Bulbul, Cape Weaver, Yellow Canary, lesser Grebe, Cape Shoveler, red-knobbed coot, common moorhen, African Harrier and Cape Bunting.
 

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Gavin drove us to an Atlantic lookout for coastal views before heading to Postberg for the wild flowers, where mountain zebra and bontebok grazed.
 

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This ostrich periscope checked us out from over the hill,
 

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while further along an angulate tortoise watched the day go by.
 

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Zebras waded through the wildflowers 
 

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A Long-billed lark called sweetly from amongst the flowers and a Booted Eagle perched watchfully on a rock.
 

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A pair of bokmakerries called in the late afternoon sun while the breakers rolled into Tsarsbank.

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Eland grazed close to the road and Gavin was quick to see a shy Cape Grysbok before it disappeared under the road.
 

 

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A Grey-winged francolin sat patiently for photos.
 

 

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Near the park gate a common duiker had settled for the night on a sunny hillside.

 

 

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Tonight we are staying at the Farmhouse Hotel in Langebaan and went to Pearly's restaurant for dinner which is highly recommended.

Edited by Treepol
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You´re showing the Cape from its very best side! And I guess this must be the first ever Cape Grysbok ever presented on Safaritalk, at least I don´t remember one.

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Towlersonsafari

very much enjoying this report @Treepol love the Zebras amongst the flowers!

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@michael-ibk I really like the west of the Western Cape and will be returning for a longer stay next time. I think that was my first Cape Grysbok, so a few 'firsts' for this little guy, and he doesn't even know of the fame!

 

@Towlersonsafari thanks for reading along. We saw more animals amongst the flowers in 2012, bat-eared fox for one, however overall I am very pleased with the sightings this year in West Coast NP.

 

We ate an early breakfast at 7 am in the atmospheric restaurant at the Farmhouse. House sparrows found their way in and out with ease, red-winged starlings and helmeted guinea-fowl roamed Langebaan early in the morning. We drove into the park again and headed for the furthest bird hide from Geelbek.
 

The lagoon is beautiful this morning - serene, blue and dotted with pink. Hartlaub's and Kelp Gulls, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, White-fronted and Kittlitz Plovers, Lesser Crested Terns, Pied Kingfisher, Whimbrels and Black Oystercatchers were all around.
 

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A very fluffy, young White-fronted Plover made a solo sortie for water before racing back to a protective parent.



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Levaillant's Cisticola serenaded us on the walk back and we checked on the progress of the busy nest building Cape Weavers at the restaurant. Southern Double-collared Sunbirds glinted in the morning sun and a Southern Black Korhaan called raucously.

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West Coast NP had treated us generously with floral displays, birds and mammal sightings. Our final treat was an ostrich family with 14+ chicks.
 

 

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Driving towards Riebeek @farin spotted a pair of Blue Cranes.

 

 

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Lunch today is at the elegant, gracious Royal Hotel. After lunch we moved on to Franschoek and stopped at La Motte winery for a tasting. A tree squirrel and Malachite Sunbird perched in the trees around the tasting room.
 


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This Grey squirrel was at home in the trees, and finally a Malachite Sunbird.  Arrived at the Corner House B&B around 4 pm in time for afternoon tea and a rest before dinner. Swee waxbills are flitting and flirting in the neighbours garden.

 

Dinner tonight is at Rubens, a zusch restaurant and a fitting place for our final meal with Gavin.

 

Breakfast at the Corner a House in front of the fire was very lux. Individual home made pots of Bircher muesli, artisan bread, locally made cheese (the brie was particularly yummy) and freshly cooked sausages and eggs.  @farinand Jane went into town and Gavin and I went birding. We drove into the mountains in search of proteas and sunbirds but it was cold and windy and no self-respecting sunbird would be up there today.

 

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An Olive Pigeon was blown across the road in front of the car so we turned around and headed back into town and ironically found a little park just up the road from the Corner House. A Black-headed Heron was at home amongst the vines.
 

 

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A favourite spot with dog walkers, we saw a male Pin-tailed whydah in full breeding plumage, Southern masked weavers and a darter. Walking around the streets we saw lavender-loving Cape Canaries and breakfasting Malachite Sunbirds.

 

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We met up in town for a final coffee and then took the scenic route to Cape Town where Gavin dropped us at the Airport Road Lodge. Jane H. is flying home tomorrow and @farin and I are off to Durban in the morning for a visit to Giant's Castle.

Edited by Treepol
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Up early this morning and on the 7 am shuttle to the airport for our flight to Durban where we are meeting Stuart McLean who is taking us to the Giant's Castle Vulture Hide. It was about a 4 hour drive to Giant's Castle from Durban with a stop for lunch in Greytown at Taylor's. The weather at Giants Castle was grey and cold so we settled into our toasty rooms, enjoyed lamb chops for dinner and had an early night. We all have our fingers crossed for a clear morning tomorrow.


Next morning there are puddles indicating overnight rain, the clouds are low and the day is grey. It's not looking good for the Bearded Vultures up at the hide so we stop to admire a sad, soggy Malachite Sunbird perched in a bare tree.
 

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Anyway, we head up to the vulture hide after breakfast with a bucket of bones to hopefully tempt the birds. Ezemvelo have concreted a dual wheel track most of the way which is now open to 2 WD cars with a bit of care.  The outside temperature fell to 3C and it started to snow on the way up. Fortunately, there was no wind so the cold was bearable and it was so quiet due to the falling snow. We opened up the hide, Stuart put out the bones and we waited, and waited.
 

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The first visitors were Cape Longclaws, followed by flocks of Red-winged Starlings.
 

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A Malachite Sunbird supped at a Natal Coral Tree, and a solitary White-necked Raven tore chunks from a bone.


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The clouds lifted slightly and the snow stopped a few times early on,
 

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but overall there was no improvement in the weather and no sign of Bearded Vultures.
 

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Still we persisted, admiring the snow and joking that no one would believe we had seen snow this trip. New arrivals included Wailing Cisticola, Cape Robin Chat and Speckled Pigeons.
 

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Finally Stuart called time, saying that we weren't winning and could better spend our time around the lodge and along the entrance road.
 

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The sightings came thick and fast, beginning with a Jackal Buzzard and Greater Double Collared Sunbird outside reception.
 

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The soggy malachite Sunbird was still around.
 

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A young male common duiker disappeared along the entrance road before we could get photos. A Mountain Reedbuck started at the vehicle whilst Ground Woodpeckers, Buff- streaked chat, Sentinel and Cape Rock Thrush made an appearance. A Black-backed Jackal hot-footed it to shelter as we drove by.  


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The drive through Zululand was very interesting with many small settlements, snow-topped mountains and gravel roads before we joined the N3 near Estcourt.
 

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We had some time on our side so Stuart detoured to Midmar Nature Reserve where we saw Blesbok, oribi, reedbuck, zebra, red hartebeest, Wattled Lapwing and Stone Chat.

 

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The big sighting here was Black-winged Lapwing.
 

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Back on the N3 we were slowed by roadworks and crawled towards King Shaka Airport at a snail's pace. The road cleared after about 30 minutes and we arrived at the airport with time on our side.  We are off to JNB tonight and tomorrow @Peter Connan is taking @farin and I birding at Marievale Bird Sanctuary.

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Your wonderful report is making me pine for a return to South Africa. 

 

Marrick really does offer everything from A(ardvark) to Z(orilla), doesn’t it?  It’s definitely on my “someday” list.  And the Karoo just looks spectacular. 

 

I’ve never managed to see the orange-breasted sunbird, and you really got some nice shots of that. My favorite, though, still has to be the purple-crested turaco. 

 

Yes, definitely time to start planning for another visit......

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A wonderful trip, so well written and beautiful photos. The West Coast NP looks well worth a visit, and good to see Kirstenbosch - we really enjoyed it there.

 

It is amazing seeing snow. You didn't get the Vultures, but lots of fantastic birds.

I am looking forward to your meeting with Peter.

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@Alexander33 I agree that South Africa has a lot to offer and am already thinking about a return in 2021, maybe combined with Southern Namibia. @TonyQ thank you for your kind comments and yes, West Coast National Park is definitely worth a visit. I have it in the 2021 itinerary already!

 

 

Next morning @Peter Connanis waiting in reception at 5.15 a.m. for @farinand I. We leave the city behind and head southeast towards Nigel and the Marievale Bird Sanctuary. Peter generously spent most of his birthday with us and I do hope that he was rewarded with some excellent bird shots. Here he is in action.
 

 

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Today we visited 4 hides and drove to the end of the road within the sanctuary, chatting about safari, self-driving and future trips. The weather was kind and some of the birds even perched helpfully and waited to have a photo taken. It was a lovely day of new friendships and happy memories.

 

I do wish my notes were better, however here are some of the many photos I took that day.

 

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African Swamphen

 

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African Spoonbill

 

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Reed Cormorant

 

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Yellow-billed Duck

 

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White-breasted Swallow

 

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Red-knobbed Coots

 

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Blacksmith Lapwing

 

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Egyptian Goose

 

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Southern Masked Weaver

 

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African Snipe

 

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African Stonechat

 

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Glossy Ibis

 

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Brown-throated Martin

 

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Red-billed Teal

 

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Cape Wagtail

 

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Squacco Heron

 

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Three-banded Plover

 

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Hottentot Teal

 

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Purple Heron

 

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Pied Avocet

 

 

After this wonderful day, we returned to the hotel, packed our bags and very sadly flew home the next day. Now its all about planning and waiting for next time...

Edited by Treepol
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A great end to a great trip. Good to see Peter in action - and on his birthday.

 

Thank you for a really enjoyable report.

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Happy belated birthday, @Peter Connan - the day spent birding and photographing is an excellent way to celebrate it.

 

@Treepol reading your trip report was almost as enjoyable as being there myself. Thank you very much for all the efforts invested in it. Much appreciated.

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Thank you for a lovely report, I learnt a lot and had a lot of fun reading it.

 

And yes thanks, I got some pretty nice shots that day (I do hope you don't mind):

 

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@TonyQ and @xelas thanks for your kind comments.

 

@Peter Connancertainly I don't mind, these are wonderful photos and wish they were amongst my shots!

Edited by Treepol
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Yes wonderful photos @Peter Connan

 

@Treepol - I have enjoyed every minute of this special report and I'm sure I'll return to it to savour it again.

 

All been fascinating - the history - seeing some parks and camps that I know through your eyes - and others that are new to me - and everything wrapped around in your excellent narrative and with your lovely photos.

 

THANK YOU

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@Treepol, thank you for your report, it was a pleasure looking at all your photographs. As for @Peter Connan, a belated happy birthday and thank you for adding your photographs. If l only get one as good as yours in the rest of my lifetime, l will be a very happy man.

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@Caracaland @CDL111 thank you for your kind words. Its always interesting to view familiar camps and parks through another visitor's eyes and words and Safaritalk is the forum that makes this possible for so many of us.

 

Look forward to reading about your own African adventures some day soon!

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I enjoyed your detailed report very much, @Treepol. A special thank you for taking the time. Your report inspired me to make notes of places we must still get to in future. :wub:

 

@Peter Connan, your photos are tops!

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@Ritsgaai you are most welcome. I'm pleased that you have found some inspiration in my TR as I have plenty in your wildflower journey TR!

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Peter Connan

Thank you very much @Ritsgaai

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On 11/29/2018 at 6:43 PM, Treepol said:

Scrub and spring hares, Bat-eared and Cape Foxes, African Wild Cat, a Spotted Eagle Owl and Pearl Spotted Owl, Double-banded Courser, Northern Black Korhaan, Aardwolf were spotted and then in the same beam - aardvark and zorilla. What a choice! Johnny decided to follow the zorilla with the spotlight and thankfully the aardvark was waiting for us after the zorilla disappeared. It snuffled around, feeding quietly and didn't seem phased by the spotlight and vehicle.

 

~ @Treepol

 

Thank you for telling of your Zorilla sighting.

 

I'm delighted that you saw it!

 

Tom K.

 

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