
With Winter coming on is South Africa, things are drying up and wild fires are a very real danger. To help control these, small areas are burned to create fire breaks.

And many came to take advantage of this area. A Yellowbilled Hornbill finds lots of treats.

Unusual to see, a Double banded Sand Grouse. They are usually around but hidden in the grasses.

Not so unusual but I liked the picture, a lone Nyala doe.

Just to cute for words.

Pieter made an interesting observation about this tree. Said it reminded him of a skeleton of a dragon. Can you see it?

Friends to many animals are the Oxpeckers. They help keep pesty insects to a minimum.

Steenbok doe

More of the baby ...


Mom must be trying to wean this little one but ...

finally gives in.

Smile your on WildEarth TV !

Now this had me zipping to the animal guide.

Don't remember ever seeing one of these. I discovered it's a Bush Buck. I love the markings on these.
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Marc was out to find the Styx pride, who so far have eluded us. He stopped to show us some local color,

and the source of song.

After much looking around and with the help of friends it is decided that our intended target is close by. The team splits up,

seems the mud wasn't as solid as Marc thought so out comes the jack,

and a few tree limbs he found in the area are just the thing to get us on our way again.

Success ! ! ! This lovely lady has an injury of some sort to her right front paw. Possibly a stick/thorn in the pad.

Here it comes, get ready ...

just look at those chompers.

back scratchin'

A little further along we find the rest of the pride.

Who's arrived ??

Ahhh, it's our lovely lady.

And she's greeted by the cubs. Marc speculated that it was out of concern and I'm going with that. I like that idea.


I liked this scene with the cub in the background

Wonder what was so interesting down there?

Boys being boys, there's always some wrestling

all in fun. And it's good practice for the day they may have to defend their own pride.


The
'princess'
naps. They do need their beauty sleep.


Sleepy lions yawn a lot, lol.

Now this one I just couldn't help but share.

The picture of innocence, isn't he?


The sky grows dark and the pride moves on.

With one last good stretch, they say farewell.
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Well all the waiting and scouting was certainly worth the time spent with the pride. Another adult female has a gash on her leg also, which may account for the lengthy visit. Whatever the reason, it's always exciting to see a pride with cubs that are growing. Thanks WE for sharing the wonders of the bush with the world.
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HAPPY VIEWING !!

Looks like rain maybe moving into the area soon

So we hurry to catch the Rhinos

Hey Mom, wait for me ! !

Hitchhikers

We see her but she doesn't see us

but she surely does hear us

A bump and nuzzle and next thing ya know ...

it's dinner time

HMMMM good stuff

Then time for a short nap

while Mom stands guard.


Then on the 13th this Squirrel was sounding the alarm.

And this was why. Saseka was out Squirrel hunting. (I believe Saseka is one of Karula's cubs from last year)

WOW it's a long was down.

Hope I can find a way down, lol.

Doesn't look so bad after all.

Watching to make sure Saseka is moving on.

Then before the PM Drive on the 13th, a couple of buffs soaking the day away at Gowrie.

Oh it's turned into a perfect day.

Pieter finds a unwelcome hitchhiker

Hinged back Tortoise

A lone Dwarf Mongoose

2 Doves on the Road, Rexon says they mean good luck.

A a rare treat, a Drongo on the ground. They prefer perching over standing on flat surfaces.

Nyala Bull.

Actually 2 of them

Handsome fella, isn't he ?

Off they go.

Pretty

Went a short way away to see if he could hear some Ellies that were reported in the area.

Bug that gave Pieter a hard time, lol. (Got stuck in his throat)

Good tree to go up and see if those Ellies can be spotted, (Actually I think Pieter just likes climbing trees and looking for the Ellies was an excuse, lol)

On his way back down

And another hitchhiker, this time a Hairy Caterpillar. The hairs are very irritating to the skin and can cause a rash.

Must be a day for insects and bugs, lol. An Orb Spider, this one is a female.

Equal time for the Male Orb Spider.

European Swallow

Impala lamb. Must of got separated from Mom. But when it meets up with any other Impala's it will easily blend right into the herd.

Sunlight on the grass

A quick check at the Waterhole shows how much it's been raining there.

Twin Dams is full too. Nice to see all the green and water in the area.
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HAPPY VIEWING !!