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I am back after an awesome 10 days in a completely new (to me and Charmain) part of our country.
First off I will post pictures later since I need to sort through the 500+ photographs me and Charmain has taken.
Augrabies was absolutely stunning and we even had rain
The 'kokerbome' (sorry there is gonna be quite a bit of Afrikaans, due to it being my mother tongue) was truely spectacular and must rate with the baobabs in my top 5 list of favourite trees. The moon rocks are spectacular and the sheer size of them and canyon is mind boggling. I also saw the last 20 minutes of the Super 14 match in Augrabies and I think my shouting is still echoing from the canyon
Moving to the Kgalagadi and sleeping at Kalahari tent camp Monday and Tuesday, I must confess that I dont think I ever experienced such cold. According to personel at Mata Mata the temperature dropped to -12 on Tuesday.
The only other dissapointment was the few lions I saw at quite a distance (no photograph ops).
On the plus side there is too many to mention. Seeing 2 'sperwers' team up against a 'vink' for the kill was like watching a dog fight (lasted about 10 minutes, but the 'vink' eventuallygot away). Seeing a 'edelvalk' take out a dove in flight at Nossobs hide had me awestruck at the spead of the 'edelvalk'.
Seeing quite a few 'grysboskatte' was really special since I understand they are quite shy to come out.
Seeing Oryx so close up with the thousands of Springbok will stick in memory forever.
Meeting some of the most pleasant people working at the camps was an absolute pleasure.
Seeing so many 'bleeksingvalk' so close up was personal and special.
Experiencing 'versamelvoels' not scared of humans.
Having 'grondmeerkatte' clamber all over you at Nossob.
Taking photographs of the stars with results not possible anywhere else. Looking up at the sky at night was humbling.
Ag I can go on for the rest of the day but need to do some work as well. Hope to post some pix in a day or 2.

Louis

PS Nice to meet greenhorn with his yellow ribbon tied to his mirror.

grysboskatte = African Wild Cat?

kokerboom = quiver tree
edelvalk = lanner falcon
bleeksingvalk = pale chanting goshawk (PCG)
grondmeerkatte = grouund squirrels


sounds like you are planning another trip Louis?