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my oh my.... such intimidation techniques. It was just a warning bushbuddies. Looks like your investigation is hitting too close to home for them. beautiful shots of them though. Lovely. And your scar and mufasa, definite leos of interest.

Beautiful Rhinos I think they are poor victims protecting each other!

Beautiful Rhino Shots!

Thanks billyf! For sure not a good idea to hold up the investigation team! We are trying to help the guys like them!



Well, noel - I think this was a testosterone issue. The one has the girls, the other wants the girls. Even among humans - these issues often leads to bloodshed... Glad you are still enjoying it!



What is wrong with these roadblockers? One would wish that with their propensity of late to become victims, they should remain out of sight! But interesting feedback to hear this is habit of these guys - helps to make the investigation more thorough!



john n poppy!!! How nice of Scotland Yard to join in here! Well - we need all the expertise from around the world for this case... welcome on board!



Thank you, Trrp-trrrrrr! Disturbing a crime scene is definitely NOT on! But I must say, we were relieved that they eventually moved out of the way, so we could move on with the investigation!



Danger? I laugh at the face of danger!!! But seriously - I would not appreciate a horn like that through my car door...



Thanks Hilda! As I've said before - good detective work includes good !



Strange to have rhinos blocking the road - yes! Strange that two men fight over some ladies - seen it all before my friend - seen it all before! After a few black labels - any girl seems worth a fight for some!



Mostly, AKadwa, I see these guys as innocent victims. But behaviour like this reminds us they might turn and become the dangerous parties themselves!



We are always happy to see these guys, and to know they are survivours!



Thanks Capie!

Saturday 23/2/2013 8:20 - Another Top Secret Destination... 19:20

Usually when one drives over a riverbed at a scene such as this, one should slow down, and look up and down the riverbed to look for possible hiding suspects. Buffalo is a common finding in these riverbeds. The next riverbed we crossed, we saw this guy lying there:



Snoozing away. We decided to let him be and head on. We thought that with all the information gathered so far - it was time to hold a press conference to inform all the reporters on the latest. And what a better place to hold a press conference than Lake Panic!

On our way there we met up with some of the reporters. Not a common guy - the African Hawk Eagle (Grootjagarend):



The next reporter was not interested in our press conference. He preferred reporting on the weather - especially on lightning and storms... The Hamerkop (also known as the weerligvoel / lightning-bird):



And a common reporter on the ground - the Groundscraper Thrush (Gevlekte Lyster):



On the little dirt road leading to Lake Panic - we spotted this Green-backed Heron (Groenrugreier) - but he just turned his back on us, and wanted nothing to do with the case!



Then we arrived at Lake Panic. What a disappointment. After all our trouble of organising a press conference here - none of the reporters pitched! I've never in my life experienced this place this quiet before. No Grey Herons, no Goliath Herons, no Egrets, no African Darter, Kingfishers or Cormorants! Not even a Jacana or a Black Crake!

Only a single Green-backed Heron (Groenrugreier) sitting on a nest:



We decided to wait, and whilest waiting - take more shots of the scene...



But nobody pitched. Maybe they knew something we didn't. Or there was some new gossip they were all following. So after waiting for some time, we decided to leave. On our way back, we spotted this - the tiniest we've ever seen - terrapin! His shell was probably 5cm in diameter!



My husband always calls the terrapins "waterpasteitjies" (waterpies). We decided to call this one a "waterkrummeltjie!" (watercrumb)

And then - a special reporter. A new tick for us. Very attractive indeed, smooth and charming. A Long-tailed Paradise Wydah (Gewone Paradysvink):



We decided to share our press update with him:

Saturday 23/2/2013 13:00 - On our way back to Berg-en-Dal 24:00

By now, the first 24 hours of our investigation has passed. Thus far we have gathered a great amount of evidence already:

- We found that there were still many survivours mourning the passing of their fellow rhinos. We even noticed a black rhino!

- We saw multiple reporters - some coming from as far abroad as Europe - indicating that this was indeed a high profile case!

- Forensic Pathologists were involved, and will be reporting on the case.

- Our first suspect - Ms Panthera Pardus - was noticed in the area, and mugshots were taken.

- Our second group of suspects - the Malelane Mafia - were placed under permanent surveilance (See Avatar).

This all happened in 24 hours. What will be revealed in the next 24 hours? Will the detectives crack the case....

I wish you had called for some back up from Scotland Yard....I could help with the photographing of suspects

John

Ah there is beauty in paradise, indeed. Absolutely stunning bird pics. Your African Hawk Eagle does look as though he is doing a bit of sleuthing himself. Good to see that the Hawks are still firmly on the job and watching how events unfold.

Bushbuddies,

Gorgeous of all the reporters.

Wonderful to see this high profile case is leaving no stone unturned..by using diving crew as well..."waterkrummeltjie!" (watercrumb)

So sorry that the crime reporters did not pitch for the press conference - the only ones showing were those that cover the social and glamour pages

Excellent detective work for the first 24 hours, and you do have some prime suspects

Your Wydah is a real charmer you must use her to get info from the trees she could listen in The other birdies so beautiful but keeping their opinions to themself not wanting to share their knowledge sales of newspapers on the line

Fantastic detective work done in 24 hours' time Bushbuddies! Keep up the good work!

Gorgeous Rhino in the riverbed!! And the majestic African Hawk Eagle!! Superb!

Beautiful birdie pictures all in all! What a cute little Terrapin, and a beautiful Water Lily!

Amazing that LP was so quiet!?

So sad to hear of the lack of reporters at lake panic. Sounds like they found a juicy scoop somewhere else....
Your paradise whydah is gorgeous. Truly a beautiful pic, that reporter belongs on the TV. Perferctly made up.

Can't wait to see how the rest of this investigation goes.

I can also spend ages on bridges to scan the area from left to right and so on and already caused lot of traffic jams.......

A pity that at LP nothing worth to be seen but we also experienced this a bit disappointing visit there on one or two visits there.

Love your tiny terrapin - Although on pictures the real size cannot be shown exactly

Thanks Bushbuddies

Hi Bushbuddies

WOW, this investigation is progressing FAST!

I am totally amazed by your rhino sighting
Such huge animals in comparison to the little humans in their tin cans.
I imagine it was quite exhilarating being that close to them
And you got some great mug shots

However, I think it is the seemingly innocuous little "watercrumb" that needs some follow-up surveillance.
Your suspect looks way too cute to trust!

I know you guys from Scotland Yard as being good photographers! Especialy of the birdies and owls...



Yes indeed - the hawks are always keeping an eye out for the "little" suspects snooping around... And they have no difficulty in catching them!



Thanks, Trrp-trrrrrrr! That "waterkrummeltjie" was a real expert diver! The one minute he was still walking on the side of the road, the next minute he fell off the edge, "plonk" into the little stream running under the road. Was hillarious to see!



We were so disappointed - after driving all the way up to Lake Panic - no joy! But it is like you say - we shouldn't complain - we already had a lot of prime suspects 24 hours in.



Anna-MarieSA - this Wydah is a GUY! His female counterpart, I'm afraid, is a pretty dull lady... But in general these "pretty boys" who dress so well DO know how to gossip!



Nee, Hilda, I tell you - I've never seen Lake Panic that quiet before. And I was expecting so much more seeing as it was summer, and we usually visit it in winter. Some of the other people in the hide also commented on the fact that it was the quietest they've ever seen Lake Panic...



Thanks AKadwa! I thought him to be a gorgeous TV reporter too...



You see Pumbaa - that is exactly why you are also such a good KNP investigator - you also scan those riverbeds! Keep up the good work, colleague.

I actually thought the same about the terrapin when I was photographing it. Kind of wished I could get out, put a coin next to it and then photograph it! But a detective should always stick to the rules and never interfere with the scene!



I assume you mean tin caRs, not caNs? Maybe you've had too many caNs yourself lately Melphie...? Just joking! They really are huge. It is always amazing to look at these animals in real life and realise how tiny and fragile we are compared to them. You might be right about "watercrumb"... Thank you, Melphie - will put him under surveillance immediately!