As the sun was setting in the west after an amazing game drive at Samara Private Game Reserve near Graaff-Reinet, we stood with gin and tonics in hand enjoying the end of another stunning late winter Karoo Heartland day. Suddenly we heard a noise over a nearby rise. The 'krraaarrr krraaarr’ call of blue cranes. … Continue reading Blue Cranes at sunset
Last week while Miggie was playing cricket at Heatherbank Cricket Club / Youth Cricket Academy in Walmer, I strolled around the field to get some pics of her batting. Passing the nets I noticed foot prints in the cement and had a closer look. They weren't dog prints or cat prints or even those of … Continue reading Geese prints
Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve's bird hide The 600 ha Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve is located about 35km west of Port Elizabeth. The reserve stretches from the Van Stadens mountain to the coast and its main purpose is to protect the area's unique indigenous Fynbos vegetation. It's always worth popping into the reserve because there's always … Continue reading Van Stadens bird hide
One of the things I really enjoy about driving past Swartkops to Uitenhage is seeing the flamingos in the estuary and salt pans. Usually I'm in a hurry to get to where I have to be and I really need to stop more often and take some more photos of them.
The Wild Coast is all about the rugged coastline, beautiful beaches, rolling green hills, dramatic waterfalls, spectacular river mouths, friendly and hospitable people. So in fact that many visitors often miss the little things. And y'all know how I can go on about not just looking at the bigger picture when you are travelling.A little … Continue reading Black Oyster Catcher nest on the Wild Coast
I remember how people were moaning when they banned all driving on beaches back in 2002. One of the reasons given for the ban was the Black Oyster Catcher and how vehicles driving on the beaches destroyed nests, and thus eggs, as well as killed chicks. The pro beach driving group blew this off as … Continue reading Black Oyster Catchers
A Cormorant checking the tide to see if everything is in order for this Sunday's River Mile at on the Sundays River at Colchester
The 19 hectare Bird Island in Algoa Bay is home to 250,000 Cape gannets, the largest breeding colony of these birds on the planet. In 2014 Alan Straton of MyPE did this great time lapse of Gannets on Bird Island at sunrise.
Another flower picture sent to me by Gerhard Burger, this one of a Hadida Ibis between the flowers. Wonder if his name is Petal the flower (bird) child? Picture taken in Glendinningvale.
Not a lot of non-twitchers would know that the Swartkops River estuary is one of the best places around Port Elizabeth for bird watching. It is home to a huge amount of estuarine and water birds and the ideal spot to tick off a few feathered friends from your bird list.
Firefly the Travel Guy 