Western Shores A Day Of Exploration iSimangaliso Wetland Park
I cannot believe a month has passed since we took a trip up our North Coast, charming in every way possible, a nature lovers featured escape. Packed lunches and cold drinks we ready to leave St Lucia town over bridge, after a couple of kilometers gate entry is on the right.
Entering the Dukuduku Gate iSimangaliso Wetland Park on 4th July 2021 at 09h50, after you have paid at the reception, move to the gate manned by a team. First to avoid carrying Foot and Mouth Disease into wildlife park, motor vehicle will first be sprayed, number plates and occupants noted after proof of payment displayed, boom will be opened.
Park offers a quiet drive through with many good stop off points to enjoy, disignated stopping areas have good ablutions available, great picnic sites, travel through slowly taking the loops for ultimate viewing.
Lets go, this is a long post with many photos.... The bush and palm trees swaying in the wind.
We're on our way with slightly windy overcast conditions, ideal weather for leisurely drive. Constantly on the look out for signs of game in the bush, or on top!
Taking the uMphathe Loop under fifteen kilometers long on good gravel roads, travel at twenty kilometers per hour giving time to pull slightly off gravel when encountering animals or birds to watch them in their natural world.
Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) now this although from a distance was an exciting sighting with the large endangered bird appearing to have three young in the nest. Confirmed by fellow bird watcher all three juveniles are now strutting their stuff in the grasslands having left their lofty home.
Short video of adult taking off, not great but gives a feel!
A good reminder that our estuary needs to be properly managed since birds like this will disappear when pesticides and other contamination flows into the water affecting their food source.
Great egret - Ardea alba enjoyed moving between trees some looked like ghost trees around small pond with blue water lily - Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea
and a star flower - Hypoxis hemerocallidea for the month of July many flowers evident. Writing names have been researched from local South African sites especially plants...
Around the corner enjoying themselves Pied Crows - Corvus albus another tree that appeared either fire damaged by fires or struck by lightning.
Giraffe - Giraffa camelopardalis on every trip into the Westbank we have been treated to some large herds of Giraffe, this time of the year we witnessed smaller groupings.
Brunch nibbles, top of acacia tree is the favourite here....
Burchell's zebra - Equus quagga burchellii stripes as unique as finger prints to humans, these beautiful zebra were to be seen in a couple of areas, including walking the road causing a traffic jam while they ambled along.
Common you lot in your painted pajamas you do look super dashing in the long grass...
Flora was flourishing everywhere in mid winter months, giving the veld a lovely gentle look.
Southern reedbuck or common reedbuck - redunca arundinum are seldom on there own, left me wondering where her partner or group is, perhaps hidden behind a mound of sand or in the deep vegetation.
Buffalo keeping their heads down low...
A busy pan of water, truly Africa in style showcasing themselves putting their best foot forward... First up the Woolly-neck Stork.
Coral Tree standing tall toward the back of the thicket,
Even an Egyptian goose!
Another loner stood gawking on at us in the Wildebeest (direct English translation "Wild Beast"), little strange seeing one of each quite happily enjoying life, normally stand in crowds together.
Of course, water equals Hippo and the whole family was here, wallowing in the sunshine the little there was or swimming snorting all kinds of obscenities at the world.
Now you know why you cannot skinny dip just anywhere!
Off to lunch up at the Tree House, a favourite spot I have written about previously CapeAsh Tree Boardwalk
Cape Ash View #1 - May 2014
Cape Ash View #2
Cape Ash View #3
Originally posted in May 2014 via dTube still in it's infancy, now uploaded in two spaces, soon try another decentralized arena. For anyone to take in the view through the canopy.
Well past 13h00 already, still clambering at the back taking photography of mushrooms I do not know their name!
This is for the #fungilovers to identify if they please....
Throughout lunch we had a raucous crew of Trumpeter Hornbill moving through the canopy, here I tried my best...
Some wild orchids hanging from the trees, hopefully one day I will see them in flower.
Tummy full and on the road again, down the loops and bends another couple of Giraffe.
Wait..., with hitchhikers on their back, the Oxpecker clearing ticks and mites off the lanky Giraffe.
Haven't had time to settle, collate and write of late so much happening around leaves my head spinning, so a longer than usual day out since I enjoyed it so much I must share it with you!
Black-chested snake eagle or black-breasted snake eagle - Circaetus pectoralis at a distance, another first time for sighting this bird having to call on local forum to identify.
Grey Heron striding out, how nice to come and greet close to the gravel road.
Before we checked out of the park around 16h00, one more surprise against the tree line, late afternoon snack for the Kudu ladies.
So kudos to you for reading all the way through, hope you enjoyed this day out in the bush. Following day it rained and rained, planning on the beach when I write next, and will include Pardette mentioned in my post about the sunsets earlier in the month.
All photography my own using Canon Powershot SX730 HS camera. Any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod, go with the flow wherever life takes you. NB: Amateur photographer in nature, keep smiling!
Thought for Today: "Listen to the voice of nature, For it holds treasures for you." - Native American Huron Proverb
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