Sunday, 5 June 2022
It rained last night and we woke to overcast and chilly weather. Fortunately, we had put our chairs in a sheltered place.
I packed a breakfast bag and filled a flask and we were out of camp by 8:30 am. There were a few spots of rain which soon cleared up and by afternoon the skies were clear again. Temperatures were low but not unusual for this time of year.
We spent most of the morning exploring, stopping a Zuurkop Lookout Point to have breakfast. We did not go to the southern part of the park until our afternoon drive when we went in search of lions and did not find them!

You may alight from your vehicle at a place that overlooks Domkrag Dam and it is usually a worthwhile stop. We spotted elephants and kudu in the distance and the dam had a few birds to entertain us.



Today as we drove around we saw a good number of malachite sunbirds.





We were hoping to be entertained by meerkats (Suricates) but instead, a pair of yellow mongooses put on a good show for us.



At Carol’s Rest Waterhole there was very little action. While we watched some ant-eating chats take a bath we heard a tapping on our rear window. It was a cheeky wagtail imagining that he saw a potential rival. He was attacking his reflected image! We had such a giggle and even when we drove away he followed us for ages. I got some shots in the side mirror!


Hapoor is usually a good gathering place for pachyderms but today it was fowl of the water variety.



Rooidam produced some waterfowl too.



In the evening we went over to Jim and Maureen’s campsite. Jim had a fire going which created a lovely ‘gees’ (atmosphere) and kept us relatively warm. Maureen cooked a delicious chicken and vegetable stir fry with just enough ginger and chilly to give it a bite.
The sunset once again was just too stunning.

Monday, 06 June 2022
Omiword it was freezing when we got up at 7:30 am. The temperature was about 4 degrees C. After a hot shower and a warming cup of coffee we set off toward Colchester Gate and tried to find the lions on the Ngulube Loop where they had been reported but we had no luck. We did, however, see an Aardwolf! It was a lovely sighting but he dashed back into the bush and refused to pose for his portrait. But this is a free clipart drawing of one!

Of course, we stopped to photograph other creatures along the way and were pleased to see some of the waterholes had attracted a bit of wildlife.





We exited at Colchester Gate and went to Taste of Africa for breakfast and to make a few purchases at the Spar next door. It was still very cold at 10 am.
We then went back through the park and explored a few roads and waterholes enjoying some lovely sightings.


At Peasland Waterhole there were simply scores of zebra coming and going












More tomorrow if I get time – otherwise the next day!
Lovely bird pictures today and I really like the photograph of the two mongooses. Do double check your Thick-knee … it may be a heron …
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Yes – I think it’s a juvenile black-crowned night heron?
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Juv. Green-backed (Striated) Heron, yes a nice little Heron, well done
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It is similar to the striated but unlikely that striated would be found in Addo. But maybe.
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Given that the presence of the Green-backed Heron is a bit iffy down Addo way, I would support your suggestion of a Black-crowned Night-heron. Whichever it is, this is a wonderful sighting!
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Wonderful photos Helen 🙂
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Looks like Addo’s treating you royally!
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Hi… a regal thank you, love all the birds and little critters. Just one thing, the “Thick-knee catching the morning rays” is a Heron
thank you for all these pix ❤
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Thank you – yes a heron it is
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