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24 September 2021 - Leadwood Big Game Estate; Day 2

We departed yesterday afternoon via the Pietersburg route to Hoedspruit, as this road has less potholes than our usual route through Lydenburg. It felt like a much longer drive, as the roads were unfamiliar but we made good time and arrived in Leadwood to see our good friends Simon and Jenny and also in time for welcome sundowner's. After a long afternoon, it was great to a good catch-up on the patio listening to the night sounds with a glass of wine in hand.

This morning, it was just the three boys who were up for an early morning game drive. This time we managed to connect with the 3 big male Lion's who we hadnt seen on our previous two visits. They have grown into magnificent specimens and up close they are intimidating.

Lion (Panthera leo)

It was a casual drive with more talking than game watching, but we did pick up a Bearded Scrub Robin which was pretty cryptic in the leaf litter

Bearded Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata)

Brown-crowned Tchagra that stopped briefly after flushing from the side of the road

Brown-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra australis)

Later a Green-winged Pytilia provided good views as it preened in the early morning sun

Green-winged Pytilia (Pytilia melba)

We stopped at Leadwood Dam, adding a juvenile Three-banded Plover

Three-banded Plover (Charadrius tricollaris)

Black-collared Barbet

Black-collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus)

and one of the early Yellow-billed Kite's of this season

Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius)

A drive through a dry riverbed gave us a one-shot opportunity of a roosting Spotted Eagle Owl. I managed a few images, but my son dipped - score 1 for Dad

Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubo africanus)

We had a late breakfast and chilled on the patio for the rest of the day, just enjoying catching-up. A few Yellow-fronted Canaries came down to drink from the bird bath, but not too much else

Yellow-fronted Canary (Crithagra mozambica)

A Common or Grey Duiker moved quietly passed the house to one of the other waterholes.

Common Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia)

Late afternoon, we packed the coolers for a sundown drive finding the Lion's again for the girls. We stopped at the bigger dam and enjoyed drinks, snacks and a gorgeous African sunset as the day slowly came to an end. 

Leadwood sunset

We had the spotlight out for the drive back to the house, finding another Spotted Eagle Owl

Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubo africanus)

And not too much further on, a Fiery-necked Nightjar. Simon was on the lights, whilst I was flat on my belly in the road - the best way to photograph these birds

Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis)

Back at home, good dinner and more stories and laughter before hitting our pillows.