In case y’all are sick of birds, here are some of the painted wolves we saw a half hour ago. Always worth getting through the huge clusters of cars to see them behave just like dogs do. They’re so vulnerable to diseases from domestic dogs that it’s a special privilege to see these rare hunters.
Pre-dawn on the Sabie River is when the night wails of the bushbaby mix with the victory cry of the fish eagle.
Posting one extra from yesterday to remark on the magic of flying ants. Walking by the riverside here in Skukuza, they rise in great cones of insects - perfectly silent. Not the slightest sound. They fly towards the brilliant summer moon in their hundreds like grey fairies in the dusk. This phenomenon is impossible to photograph and would be a challenge to film. This is a Woodland Kingfisher, BTW. Its call is the sound of the summer.
I didn’t take too many pics today. And if birds aren’t your thing, you’re bang out of luck 😂. This is the Carmine Bee-Eater - one of the only bee-eaters, in my experience, that won’t wing it at the first sign of a camera.
A Lesser-Striped Swallow does a little yoga to get going.
One of the most striking Plains Zebras I’ve ever seen. Usually they’re more white than black. But not this guy we saw this afternoon.
Did you know we have absolutely beautiful pigeons in South Africa? If all you know are “sky rats,” your impressions may be softened by meeting the African Green Pigeon - a beautiful wood Pigeon very fond of wild figs.
Just them bushveld trees and the sun going down. Living in Africa - classic edition.
So my project this year is to capture something of the feel of Kruger rest camps. I’ve started slow, as usual. I missed doing anything to show off Berg en Dal at all (although it has its own wonderful charm). But here’s Crocodile Bridge. The camp is just this small circle of rondawels (colonial versions of traditional houses among some South African tribes) and a very open campsite. The small size and this leafy greenness are what really struck me. It’s a lush feast for drought-tired eyes.
Dear @sanparks … why aren’t these available for sale? We would buy the heck out of these.