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What time did they arrive BB?? Was it between 19h30 and 19h45
Judging by the your pics it seems that they roosted in the same part of the clump of trees on the little island as when I saw them.
I wonder how long they will hang around the duckpond for?

The first one arrived about 19h15 and the rest at 19h40.

We've had quite a few in inland KZN too. There seems to have been an irruption into areas they don't usually populate this year all over the country. Would love to know why.Locally we had a couple at Hilton College and one at Darville If you would like to report the sighting send time, date, place, numbers and a pic (just for confirmation) to:

Trevor Hardaker [hardaker@mweb.co.za] who compiles the SA Rare Bird News Report

Thx salamanda..I will do so

Caracal, pic and info just in time for Monday's newsletter!

Spotted them at the Shimangwaneni Dam on the S36 during December 2009:

It just shows what another unplanned day in Kruger can bring - our first wilddog sighting, the only leopard sighting during the 11 days and then the African open billed stork.
During Dec'11 we visited the north of Kruger for the first time and at the Red Rocks viewpoint near Shingwedzi we saw our first African open billed stork. I was excited! Unfortunately the light was poor and the bird stood in the shade in a pool of water, so the pic was not a good one. I was hoping to get another sighting during our last few days. On our third last day we impulsively decided to stay another day - which had lead to some memorable sightings. On our way out at Mpondodam near Skukuza, I got this African open billed stork posing for me.


Next visit to Kruger - Dec'12 (from the south to the North and back)

We were so lucky to spot one at Lake Panic for the first time in October 2011 and add to our bird list!

So you missed the ones that came to visit the Cape in Jan 2011 then. They were at Die Oog in Bergvliet for a while.

Bush Baptist, I guess so - seems there is whole in my education re this spot. Need to explore.

Jan, what camera and lens were or are you using and the settings = excellent clarity!

Kaapsedraai: Canon 40D, 400mml lens, AV 5.6 Shutter speed was 1/1000......

Tx for the asking

Thank you, Jan. I have a 60D, but a Sigma 100-500 lens. My photo was taken also with aperature f/5.6, exposure 1/1000 sec, ISO 200 and focal lenth 300mm. I guess the type of lens plays a role. I really enjoy your photos and visited the Tales link where you have posted a few. Lake Panic is also my favourite and been fortunate everytime I went there. I will post a few photos.

Bush Baptist, I have checked out your suggestion of Die Oog and will pay the area a visit some time and keep an eye on their webpage for any news.

a Few years back I also used a Bigma and almost stop taken photographs because every time I thought I had a great image, when opened on the computer the image was soft. I think for portraits and if you hold the lens still it can still work but for birds in flight it is to slow. May be the new Sigama's are better but that is just my opinion

Taken at Sunset dam Des 2009

Spotted one at the N'wanetsi Bird Hide

Openbilled Stork with a Mussel at the Low water bridge at Shingwedzi, July 2013.