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Sunset Dam

Hello All,
Just got back form quick vist to Lower Sabie, and stopped at sunset dam, to see's if theres any exictment there....WELL, never seen this before, but Grey Herons, now riding on hippos back and fishing as well....not just 1 or 2, but at any one time theres about 10 riding along!
Got some great pics, plus we saw the big 5 in 3 hours....

We saw the same thing at Shipandani Hide, and every time the Hippo submerged the Heron had to fly off and then return as soon as the landing spot became available once again!
Very interesting and I guess goes to show how versatile and clever they are.

John T - it must have been funny to watch! I wonder what the hippos think about it all

Interesting John

Seen them on the backs of hippos but not that many and it would be an ingenious method of catching fish as I would imagine the fish would let their guard down when a hippo comes by not expecting a heron on its back.

Many years ago ... lowlevel bridge at Skukuza ?

We certainly watched the herons doing the same thing during our visit last month - picture included on our TR. Funniest of all was when the hippo was just below the surface and therefore out of sight and it looked as if the birds were 'walking on water'. Spotted them doing this at Lake Panic as well.

Yes correct, they seem to be walking on water....or sailing on invisible boat.....im going to try and post a few pics, esp with hippo yawning and heron just watching from behind..

John T - excellent photo! It must have been great to see these birds doing their thing

Gosh, the hippos are seem so patient! The herons are even hopping around on their faces

My family and I were in Kruger in April this year and saw the same thing. My wife took a few pictures of the Herons riding on the backs.

We thought it was a once off but apparently not

hey john t....... i saw this all happening on saturday (15th)...

it was hilarious.....



looked like the herons were surfing as some of the hippo were moving quite fast through the water.