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It is still the day of our arrival at Mopani and we had already seen some wonderful and scary sightings, but a day at Mopani is not complete if you have not stopped at Mooiplaas.

Well, on arrival at Mooiplaas, we were pleasantly surprised by this large 'bunch' of running feathers - ostriches and lots of 'teenagers'. It was the first time seeing so many of them together with only a male and female with them. I just wonder, has anyone perhaps seen an ostrich kill ?...Here are a few pics...



Then our attention was caught by Mr Secretary as he was walking from the waterhole and then started to pick up a bit of speed....and then the take off...




On the other side some Tsetsebe's with calves were grazing. I like the colourul legs - as if they are wearing socks.



It was time to head back to camp to enjoy a nice braai whilst enjoying the picturesque view of the sun setting over the Pionier dam. It is only at Mopani one can enjoy such beauty...


The next day it was time to explore the two hides again where we got some colourful birds and then doing a trip down to Stapelkop dam and a bit of Shongololo loop where we got another excellent sighting - first for us, but this will be coming up next....

Beautiful Ostrich family Kaapsedraai! And the Secretary Bird making ready for and then took off, stunning!

I also love the Tsessebe! And the little ones are so cute!

What a breath-taking sunset!

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you, hilda

The sunsets at Mopani are really something special, especially with the elevated view from the camp over the dam.

Kaapsedraai,

Lovely of the Ostrich's ...Mom's must have their hands full looking after so many.

Wonderful sighting and photo of the Secretary bird.

Breathtaking pic of the Sunset. ...making me very homesick.

Thanks for sharing.

Trrp-trrrrrrrr, it was quite a unique one as there were a lot of them and only 2 or 3 adults, but the little ones were obedient by staying together.

Thank you for compliments and comments.

Day 10 of 16 day trip:

Early morning we were off to Shipandani hide again - maybe the leopard and cub is there. As we came down the hill onto the causeway, we spotted this beautiful Malachite kingfisher close to us... he flew away shortly after I managed to get this photo.


We waited a bit, scanned the area together with other visitors, but no sight of the leopard. So we headed in the direction of Pionier dam. At the one intersection with Shongolo loop, we did an impulsive decision to drive up this loop, just for a few kms. About 3-4 km up the road, we were about to make a u-turn and then we spotted this African Wild cat. It was the first time we spotted an AWC and was delighted.


On our way back and driving slowly with windows open, I heard the distinct noise of a certain bird and then high up in the trees we spotted the Brown-headed parrot


At the intersection with S149, we decided to see what it looks like at Stapelkop dam and took the 19km trip which appeared to be very quiet on this long stretch of road, but we got sight of this beautiful baobab in front of a koppie. As I had lost my wide angle lens, this was the best I could do with telephoto...


Arriving at Stapelkop dam, there were a bit of activity with impalas and zebras coming to drink on the far side of the dam. Then a large herd of buffalo started to make their appearance.


On our way back this steenbok was resting under the shade of a tree while the day started to heat up to above 35 degrees.


During our morning trip, we also spotted this beautiful Large-leaved rock fig.


Our morning started off with colourful malachite, what a way to start a day. And then it got better and better... It did not stop there as we were very fortunate to have some different and excellent birds sightings at both the Pionier dam and Shipandani causeway which will be shared the next time. ...to be continued.

Whenever we pay Mooiplaas a visit there is normally nearly nothing to be seen - Maybe wrong time

Great sightings you had there Kaapsedraai - That much ostriches, tsessebe and secretary bird are amazing

On top that awesome and colourful malachite and even an African Wild cat plus the beautiful tres

Simply fantastic

Kaapsedraai,

Stunning pic of the Malachite. ...Their colours are so striking.

AWC gorgeous.

Awesome sightings and super pics of All so far for the morning drive... ..Thrilling to have seen all those Buffs coming for a drink.

Trees always make good photos ...Amazes me how the roots always find place to anchor in the rocks.

Thank you for sharing.

Lovely, colourful Malachite Kaapsedraai! They are beautiful! And a gorgeous AWC! What a superb picture!

My SO always chases the Brown Headed Parrots in all the camps late afternoon! They are awesome!

Very special pictures of the Baobab and Large-leaved Rock Fig!

Thanks for sharing all your lovely sightings!

Wow a lovely wildcat Yet to see one in KNP

Love your heron fishing

and the ostrich family

Pumbaa, thank you. We visited Mooiplaas for the first time in Dec'11 and everytime we visited there was something new, hence had great memoiries. In Des'12, it was less exciting - only Ostriches, Sectetary birds and tsetsebes. I will post some Mooiplaas memoiries in a day or two.



Trrp-trrrrrrrr, thank you for comments. The Malachite is a favourite of mine and was delighted to have had this sighting so close as I was a bit dissappointed not have had one at Lake Panic on day 1 & 2.
Interestingly, we had some buffalo sighting also at Pionier dam in Dec'11 and always wonderful to observe them - love to take portrait shots of their faces and horns and see how different they all look.
Trees are one of the Kruger's beauty - always look at them with admiration.



hilda, your comments are appreciated.
The Malachite was taken very early morning, hence light still cool and delighted to get the shot.
The AWC, we got 2 new kitties and the one look just like the AWC with the striped on the side and top of face. We were jumping out of our skin when we spotted it.



Sharifa, your comments are also much appreciated and thank you.
The AWC was also our first in 4 trips.
The heron, we watching it and watching it and watching it - waiting that it catches something and just as our patience were up, it moved on. Still want to take a shot with a big fish in the mouth.

Our second visit to Pionier dam on a lovely hot day following a trip to Stapelkop dam and up the Shongololo loop. After 50 km drive, it was time for a proper leg stretch and relax a bit, and the Pionier dam hide was the place.

The one thing about a hide, especially with bird activity is that once you have entered, do not ecspect to see everyhing immediately. Sit and relax and just absorb the tranquility. The birds will slowly appear and visit which makes for great sightings. As soon as the one arrives, the other follow. Here are a few we have enjoyed at the Pionier dam hide the morning and the afternoon, respectively.

As we were walking to the hide, we spotted this White-crested helmet-shrike in the trees


On the other side of the dam, quite a number of birds were active on the water edge - Jacanas, Egyption geese with chics, Blacksmith lapwing, Black-winged stilt and Great egret


But in front of us on the rock, the big guy with lots of teeth was sun bathing - wonder if he or she is one of the parents of the little croc posted earlier in TR


Then we had a Little egret also making its appearance by means of a casual fly-by...


Worth sharing is this Water thick-knee that came and sit on the rock right in front of the hide and he was going off calling to the others. The sound echoed in the hide with its high tones , but we enjoyed the music provided to us my nature.


Some other birds arrived such as this Cinnamon-breasted bunting


In the afternoon, we also had this Jacobin cuckoo visiting us...


In the reeds, this Marsh-wabbler was busy hunting and managed to get a worm from the reeds

Just love all your great bird sightings! We also found the hides around Mopanie great for birds! Also wonderful AWC sighting! Who would've thought you'd see one there! Just goes to show once again - right time, right place, if you keep your eyes open you can see anything anywhere in the bush!

Awesome bird pictures, and you saw quite a variety Kaapsedraai!

The Croc just fits on that rock he chose for his tan!

Great shot of the Marsh Wabbler with its catch, but my favourite picture in this episode is the Thick-knee! He definitely was telling you a story!

Lovely report Kaapsedraai
I am quite impressed by all the lovely sightings you had during this trip
We had the same adventure as you had with the car,renting a Nissan 4X4 automatic four years ago with a third party and ending with a Mercedes automatic at KMIA for the trip
I am thinking at the moment about a bird focus trip in the north of the park for next november-december so your tale report ade a lot of value for me
You managed a lot of beautiful bird's pictures here with a great variety
Can't wait to see what the far north brought you