6 December 2019
The day started with cloudy skies but we only got a spit and a spot of rain in the early morning. It was 17 degrees C when we left for our pre-breakfast drive at 05:45.
Mom and Baby Giraffe
A fluffed up European Bee-eater posed nicely for me
We returned to camp at 7:30 and the Earl cooked breakfast.
While he napped I walked around the camp and took some photos of the birds. I have been hearing the Orange-breasted Bushshrike but been able to capture its portrait. This morning I got one or two reasonable shots.
First he wouldn’t look at me
Later he peeped out from amongst the foliage but would not reveal his entire body
The Puffback is another bird who calls loudly but is difficult to locate. Today I got him with his back all puffed up.
Two Black-backed Puffbacks – Male trying to impress the female with his white powder puff display
All puffed up to impress a potential mate
A Speckled Mousebird tried to hide
Dark-capped Bulbul likes to show off
The Grey Go-away-bird was ready for duty
A female Bennett’s Woodpecker having a break from pecking the tree
A Black-collared barbet dropped in to say hello.
After doing some shopping we went out again at 13:30. It was a lovely drive with lots of interesting sightings. These are the highlights.
A terrapin out of water
Playful elephants
Bathing Buffalo
Wallowing in the mud
Salon attendants doing a good job of grooming away the parasites
They say mud has rejuvenating properties!
Mommy Squirrel grooming her baby in her high rise home
Hold still baby – if you wriggle it’s a long way to fall
I told you to keep still!
Juvenile Bateleur drinking at a puddle in the middle of the road. I’m still waiting to get good shots of his parents!
Tomorrow we are heading to Lower Sabie.
Adventuring into Retirement 
I enjoyed the bathing buffalo. It is unusual to spot a woodpecker on the ground.
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