Still chilling in the bush

28 August 2024 - Kruger and Ngwenya; Day 5

We had another early visit to Lower Sabi and back which is an enjoyable drive. I picked up a Senegal Lapwing in some burnt grass and while watching it, realised it had two recently fledged young - that it eventually took under its wing. Amazing encounter....

Senegal Lapwing (Vanellus lugubris)

Not much further, a family of Southern Ground Hornbill flew across the road, with one landing in a tree where it started preening

Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri)

More Bateleur's - the most common raptor in the Park and mostly juv/imm

Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus)

After a stop at Lower Sabi, to Sunset Dam where I swear the same Heron appeared to be roosting on the same Hippo, but this time with a Buffalo backdrop

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

This time it was successful catching a fish from its perch, but flew off to the bank to enjoy it's breakfast

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

We also had a flyby African Spoonbill

African Spoobill (Platalea alba)

A little further down the road to Skukuza we came across a pack of Wild Dog, but on the other side of the Sabie River - always great to see these Painted Wolves in the Park

African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)

A lone African Fish Eagle on the way back to Crocodile Bridge and considered one of the call's of Africa

African Fish Eagle (Icthyophaga vocifer)

Back to the Lodge where I worked for the rest of the day. But late afternoon, I had a walk around the Lodge grounds where I had a Collared Sunbird at Reception

Male Collared Sunbird (Hedydipna collaris)

A couple of Butterflies in the garden, the usual Brown

Squinting Bush Brown (Bicyclus a. anynana)

And this delicate and slow-flying African Wood White which I had not recorded before

African Wood White (Leptosia alecesta inalcesta)

Back at our Lodge, a rather large Rock Monitor chilling just inside the fence

Rock Monitor (Varanus albigularis)

Then, it was that time again - light the fire, pour a cold one and watch another sunset - it never gets old!

Dropping out of the clouds

Almost