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Can't wait for the next installment!

Gosh, but you saw many different kinds of birds at Mooigesigt Dam Johan!

That was a VERY close Ellie! Thanks for sharing!

JvR, you lyre of a homo sapiens! I'm just catching up with your report-in-progress and it's if I was on the trail myself... Well, off course I WAS on the trail with you - lucky me. Thanks for all your pics and memories. And also a thank you on behalf of SANParks Reservations: surely everybody who reads this (including repeat offenders like myself) are scrambling to book a spot on the unbeatable Mphongolo Experience?

It's true. I can't read this without thinking about booking the next one...My bank balance would have preferred your computer woes to have continued

Work got me and I had no time for even a quick peek during the day!

So back now to enjoy your tale..

Johan, your photos are just exquisite but it must have been a real downer after such a trek to find a dust bowl! You had a party of great birders on the trip who are capable of quick idents and the list of birds was just amazing! Well done Team JvR!

Great idea to blend in with your tents.. The level of protection, however, leaves a lot to be desired.

The old faithfulls are back to enjoy your story unfold.

It is so good to relive the trail experience and it is good to have you back online Johan.

Fantastic photographs (as we have come to expect) and a great TR.

Cant wait for our next Atlassing trail, are there still spaces available?

Can't wait for another TR. You write so well and the pictures are great. Can't wait to hear about all the animal tales and how you abate the insects, like flies, mosquitoes, spiders, etc.

Brave? Nah! I was last in the group and snapped away at the presented photo opportunity on my way in to "safety"! Ook maar Bangjan! (I am a scared cat).



Too many irons in the fire, mel... "Waits" are unavoidable! Sorry...



I'd love to do some birding around that dam when it is full, hilda! The topography is hugely promising and I can only imagine what a little corner of paradise this must be when blessed with enough rain!

The ellie experience was rather special... certainly one of those memories that will make my grandchildren listen to that specific campfire story with bated breath!



Thank you for the kind words, Joel.

Well, regarding the do-over... I have not had many responses as yet apart from the odd indication of interest or promise to consider. I'll have to start a "hard-sell" soon!

I guess this is an opportunity to announce that we have THREE atlassing trips planned for the new season (...or two, depending on how you look at it )

The first one is a normal three-nighter in October. The second one (...and the third, depending on how you look at it ) is in November. I'll post details about these trails a bit later...



I'm keenly looking forward to those trips as well, Dianne. I just hope the ol' bones will stand up to the rigours of the second one which I plan to do back-to-back with the third... I hope a few birders will join me on the extended trip!



It is always an honour to share such an experience with well-versed birders, Cherries. Their participation adds another dimension to the experience... Sharing the pure joy of finding a lifer is a very special highlight! And being able to observe and discuss the features of a difficult bird as a team and then making an informed ID leaves one elated just to have been part of the learning...

The tent-blend was more for lengthening our observation time with the ellie than for our protection... There really exists no risk in such an open encountre at all!

I am very appreciative of the "faithful" enjoying the read!



Thanks for the kind appreciation, Brenden. Like I said earlier in response to Joel post: I will soon have to start a hard-sell because I have not had any real commitments yet. The grapevine is not doing it's thing this time...



Insects like flies and mosquitoes we try to keep off best we can by applying repellent (not that the muti always works...) and by having tents that are as near as possible to being "insect-proof". Spiders we play with as often as we can!

Difficult to relate unless experienced - had many similarly pleasant elephant encounters I can treasure.

Some of my KNP elephant encounters while we await the next episode...

I'd love to do another one, especially the back-to-back. There is just not enough leave days in a year...might have to wait untill next year

Awesome Johan, I'll be in for either the October or November one as I finish varsity in October

A next episode would really be nice

My daughter would run at the first site of a spider, she is deathly afraid of them. I guess being out in the jungle it's hard to keep all the insects away that like to bite you. Problem is you need different repellants for different insects.

How did I fall so far behind a blonde moment.

I have soooo enjoyed catching up. What a pleasure.