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Of my 5 trips (each around 2 and 1/2 weeks long) I have only ever seen wild dogs once, they were not close but I was so excited I accidently hit the horn !! Will never forget the sighting or the embarrisment.

Looking forward to more

john

It is Biyamiti time…but first the Weir. Unfortunately, I did not take a scenic photo of the Biyamiti Weir, but will be on my list for next year’s planned trip.

Down memory lane, I think is worth sharing, is that in Sep’10 we explored the S114 and stopped at the Weir – as you drive down to the causway, you find yourslf eye level with the calm flowing water from the dam. We stopped at the overflow section and within 3 meters of us, suddenly this crocodile appeared out of the blue and gave us a fright



This time round we spotted a couple of hippos and waterbirds...


Pied kingfisher


Little egret


Three-banded plover


Marsh sandpiper


Hamerkop


On the S139 gravelroad towards Biyamiti we encountered some ellies in the road, but slowly they crossed and we managed to continue. After settling in at Biyamiti and rested a bit, SO, daughter and mother-in-law went for a walk. Upon their return, my daughter was so excited, running towards me telling me the news that grandmother nearly stepped on a large monitor and they all got one big fright or should it rather be

As we wanted to braai, and in need for some braaiwood etc so we took the road to Crocodile Bridge where we had some wonderful sightings of general game and some birds at the different causeways across the rivers. The one sighting that was a first was upon our return, we spotted this pearl spotted owl (correct?) close to the camp.


Day 4 – although no predator sightings, we were in for a treat – X and V shaped poses by the shy gentle giants of Kruger, rain and more rain awaited us…but not before an early morning scare…to be continued

Correction - The owl should be rather a verreaux (giant) eagle owl?
The pearl spotted owl will be in next posting.

A great selection of biyamati weir pics...........it really is a great spot..

john

Money well spent Id say lovely crocodile pic stunning!!

Kaapsedraai,

Great sightings and brilliant photos

What camera equipment (body & lense) are you using?

Thank you john n poppy, Sheenaugh-Lee and yoda.

yoda, I got a Canon 60D with 100-400mm lens. SO took over my first camera Canon 400D with Sigma 500mm lens.
Dec 2012 was the first time that I had shot in raw.

Awesome sightings Kaapsedraai .

Thanks for sharing .

Kaapsedraai,

Stunning

Yes, that is a Verreaux's Eagle Owl Kaapsedraai!

I love all your beautiful bird pictures, but the Crocodile is my favourite this time around! Great shots!

Hi Kaapsedraai.

Goeie TR dusver. Jou kamera neem baie mooi fotos. En ek geniet jou afrikaanse se goed. Boer Koffie Kapitaal, Man ek wens ek kon nou so een geniet daar by Afsaal.

Sien uit om die res te lees.

WOW Kaapsedraai- what a fab TR going here. Excellent photography here! That incident with the Rhino sends some shivers down the spine, as I also saw a BR in Addo, and thought it was getting agitated at one stage.
Wild Dogs mmmm magical sighting .
And as for Adoons awesome shot that one .
And that Croc at Biyamiti Wier is sch a treat when you get to see it at eye level. and as I drive a sedan car, usually a bit lower than eye level. Window closed and just pointing the camer out the top section. For some reason that croc likes being close to the edge of the Wier.
As for the Verreaux (giant) eagle owl, I am totally
OK, now about the morning scare???? After that incident with the BR, i'm on the edge...

I can only imagine the sheepish look and feel after such a moment John.
Been there myself

Apologies for taking liberties at stretching your TR, Kaapsedraai.

Hi Kaapsedraai

I’ve caught up again on your trippie and haven’t I missed a lot.

How lucky you where to see wild dogs 2 days running. It must have been such a wonderful experience . One day I will see them…

Special sighting of the pigmented kudu, shows that even the more common game can be special .

Any Lion sighting is always a bonus, so nice sighting.

Love all your pictures , especially of the baboon and the crocodile with its head out of the water.

barryels, Trrp-trrrrrrrr, hilda, Wildkyker, noel, Mandinga and t-bal thank you for all your comments - it is appreciated

Mandinga
No need to apologise for streching the TR, Mandinga


t-bal, we were fortunate to have another 3 wild dogs sightings in the north and quite a few of the lions which I plan to share.