Here are some images of what I have come across in the last few days A Black-backed Puffback feeding in the tree canopy This Malachite Kingfisher was hawking beetles off the surface at the waterhole An Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove arriving to drink Departing the scene A Pair of Lesser Striped Swallows were collecting mud for nest building An inquisitive Helmeted Guineafowl comes closer to take a look
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We recently paid a visit to the Blyde River Canyon which forms part of the Northern Drakensberg escarpment. We enjoyed the scenery by taking a ferry cruise on the dam. The Blyde River Canyon is 25 km long and on average 750 m deep. The dam is at an altitude of 665 m when full. The rocks are mostly red sandstone with the highest point being Mariepskop at 1944 m above sea level. The canyon is the second largest in Africa after the Fish River Canyon but is the world's largest 'green canyon' due to its lush sub-tropical foliage. These images were taken with my Samsung cell phone. A view across the dam Another view across the dam Lichen growing on the mountain rock face The Kadishi Tufa Waterfall is the second tallest tufa waterfall on earth The ''Weeping face of Nature'' Water flowing over dolomite rocks absorbs calcium and deposits rock formations more rapidly than it erodes the surrounding rock. In this case the Kadishi Tufa Fall has produced a feature which strikingly resembles a crying face A view of the ''Three Rondavels''
A pair of Egyptian Geese have bred successfully and are raising 9 goslings. They are based at the waterhole but walk off into the bush with their offspring returning several times a day to allow the youngsters to swim and to feed. They are vigilant parents and to date have managed not to lose any of their brood which with all the potential predators around is an amazing achievement This is our territory Vigilant parents Portrait of a proud parent Incoming Splashdown Strolling down the promenade Return journey Come children it is time we left the neighbourhood Cheers folks, see you again soon
A Wild Dog pack including pups recently entered Leadwood from a neighbouring property. They spent a few days here hunting which resulted in some lovely close up sightings.
Golden-breasted Bunting male Jameson's Firefinch female Jameson's Firefinch male Long-tailed Paradise-firefinch female tbc Red-billed Firefinch female Village Indigobird female tbc Blue Waxbill
A Spotted Eagle-Owl sitting on two eggs Nine recently hatched Egyptian Geese goslings heading for the pan at speed A male Crested Francolin. Note the spur on his leg The Three-banded Plover continues to show A pair of Cape Turtle Doves at the water's edge An Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike A Purple-crested Turaco A Bearded Scrub-Robin A Brown-crowned Tchagra A female Golden-tailed Woodpecker
The other day an Impala was taken down on the Estate. It was not long before the sky was full of circling vultures. They made short work of the remains of the carcass and then retired to the trees. Later they took off and used the thermals to gain altitude before heading off in search of the next meal White-backed Vulture juvenile White-backed Vulture Cape Vulture Cape Vulture on take-off White-backed Vulture White-backed Vulture juvenile White-backed Vulture with a Cape Vulture in foreground
Here are images of some of the many Kudu bulls that are to be seen on Leadwood. The males are truly magnificent animals to observe with their impressive horns
Thirsty male Thirsty female Inquisitive female Spiteful female Reclining female Posing female Feeding female Portrait of a female
The African Barred Owlets continue to show well. The pair of them allowing me to approach closer so I could capture this dream shot I observed the African Hawk-Eagle in the same area again African Hawk-Eagle Common Greenshank. A non-breeding Palearctic summer visitor A Crested Francolin approaches the waterhole with caution A pair of Red-billed Oxpeckers also dropped in for a drink A Brown-hooded Kingfisher male on the lookout for a meal A locust for lunch
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April 2024
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