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Meandering Mouse - sorry for keeping you waiting , but the next one is ready to be loaded.

JeanniR - thank you, it gives me great pleasure in sharing it with all.

hilda - I like the description 'banana birds', thank you for compliments

But here we go...again...

After we had booked in at Mopani, enjoyed the boomslang action at the restaurant side and rested a bit, we were off to Shipandani and Pionier dam hides, just 'around the corner' from the camp. First we stopped at the Pionier dam hide and enjoyed the afternoon quietness whilst observing some bird activity around, but first back to the 'Banana birds' (as hilda called them) - they were the welcoming committe for the afternoon...and friendly


The first thing we had noticed when entering the hide, was the bird activity on the other side of the dam with open billed storks, yellow billed stork and other resident birds in the trees.


Seemed like some of the Open billed storks were busy building nests...and breeding



Right in front of us on one of the rocks, a small crocodile was enjoying the sun...


After a while, some other residents started to make their appearance - first the Jacana...


...and then this Yellow-billed egret


Then there were a couple of fly-by's....first this Squacco heron


...and then a Water thick knee...


After a good hour of enjoying the openness of the dam, we returned to see if we can spot the Leopard with cub in the Shipandani hide area. Coming up next, some afternoon sighting at the Shipandani hide and the causeway....

Oh wow that small croc is well camouflaged. Incredible. Lovely to see all the beauty that Kruger offers.

sigh

Awesome bird sightings at the hide Kaapsedraai! And the smallest little Crocodile, as MM said, very well camouflaged!

Love your tiny croc, Kaapsedraai,

and the many birds

The Shipandani causeway is one of a great advantage of staying at Mopani - As there is always something to be seen - Can spent hours there - So curious what's coming up next.

Lovely water birds!!! I was so looking forward to seeing a few summer birdies at Lake Panic on my last visit to KNP, but then they decided not to pitch for our date! So I'm all about all the nice birdies you saw!

Meandering Mouse - yes, that croc was very tiny, but we got the big one also...look out for up and coming posts

hilda - thank you, the next day we really had some fun with birds which is also coming up

Pumbaa - agree with sentiments in that Mopani got its own Lake Panic. We had some lovely sightings there...keep watching this space.

Bushbuddies - LP was also very quiet when visisted it, but it is remains a special place.

On our way to the Shipandani hide and the causeway, we had to be very careful as some of the Ellie-dung could be quite sizeable and damage your car...


From the causeway over the Tsendze river, one has this view of the Shipandani overnight hide - a must do for us with next trip only planned for 2014.


On the slope of the hill behind the hide, these corkwood trees makes for a beautiful view.


From the hide, we have been entertained by a family of hippos with babies. I just love the grunting sounds they are making, especially the one with the high note in it.


At the causeway, this Green-backed heron was in a fishing mood. He probably had to catch a thousand of these little fish to fill him up, I guess.




Then the resident Mr Goliath also greeted us as he was parading the banks of the river.



We had spent quite a bit of time at the causeway, hoping to see the leopard and cub we were informed about via bbm latest sightings, but they stayed away. As we were still at Mopani another day, we visisted the area again about another 3 to 4 times with some intersting sightings...but we had also visited Mooiplaas and this will be shared next

Kaapsedraai,

Really super special bird sightings with awesome pics of All.

The view of Shipandani overnight hide looks so peaceful. ...sigh with I was there.

Thanks for sharing.

Hi Kaapsedraai

Nice sightings of the birdlife with some impressive captures.

That Shipandani overnight hide looks like the most peaceful place on the planet wright now, sight...

Hi Kaapsedrai
Thanks for sharing your nice sightings.
Mopani (and Pafuri) is one of my favourite destinations in Kruger and Shipandani hide is really a place you could spend hours with hippos family and all those birds
Your pics make me travelled right now more than 10000 km in a second

Thanks

But...I have to wake up I'm still stuck at my office

And still more than 4 months to be back home...

Great sightings and pictures Kaapsedraai! Just look at that proud Hippo mom's face! With a cute little baby like that, any mom would have been proud!

Beautiful Green-backed Heron, as well as the Goliath Heron, especially the close-up picture!

Agree Trrp-trrrrrrrr and t-bal, I also wish I am there, but ... but, hopefully the time will pass quickly...and next trip will be planned around an overnight stay there.



Goronto, the northern part has stolen our hearts as well and enjoys Punda Maria and Mopani immensely . I can associate with your feeling of sitting in a office whilst the mind is in Kruger...



Thank you hilda. Yes, the hippo family is quite something. Thank you for compliments.

Love the green-back heron and the goliath at the Shipandani causeway - Met them personally only weeks ago - Sigh

Thanks for bringing back some good memories, Kaapsedraai

Pumbaa, it is pleasure.
The one thing of the Shipandani hide causeway is that these birds come very close to the cars...just as you had said, as if you meet them personally. We also met one of those living 'water logs' personally and will share some in next day or two.