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A bit further an Easter clapper lark or a rufous-naped lark -
Still under discussion by the experts
But a Tick! either way.

We then started a wild goose chase, or should I say a wild cape longclaw chase which was foraging in the tall grass. Ronnie had found it for me and I was determined to get a good photo for my tick list. The boys got bored with me watching the birdie and moved on to watch the ellies further up the road. Poor Mel didn’t have a chance but to endure my mission. At the end I ‘only’ got the juvenile version of the longclaw as mum (or dad) didn’t want to play along.

By the time we got to the ellies they had proceeded to the top of the dam wall.

We went all the way to Matyholweni gate as we were desperate for a toilet. While standing in the car park, Ronnie said: ‘Fish eagle!’ Indeed, there was one soaring high above us. Even if the photos have come out rubbish I am very happy that I at least got to see one!

After stretching our legs, some cold drinks (Soft drinks! Still midday!) and a few bites of food we returned to the cars to make our way towards the main camp again. En route some:

Don’t eat it all up!


I said. Leave some for me!!!


Oops, sorry too late.

Another bloke passed us very close by:

And just before the camp:



I told you to stop for black-shouldered kites, Ronnie!

As we had had a looong morning drive, we decided to take it slow and spent the rest of the day in the camp. It had become rather hot and we were all pretty exhausted. Must have been the heat… Can’t believe that the nights before would have anything to do with it…

So we sat at the rondavel and cracked open a first cold one while reminiscing about the experiences of the last three days and always having a watchful eye on the waterhole. But that was and had been very quiet for the whole time we stayed there. Only the nightly hyena visits made up for it. We had seen the odd kudu, jackal and an assortment of birds, but never once an ellie came down to drink.

Later in the afternoon – being refreshed with a few Castles by then – I started chasing the birds in the camp.

There had also been a hoopoe, neddicky, laughing dove on the lawn in front of our unit. But most pics didn’t come out too great so I give posting them a miss. Maybe I should’ve started bird hunting before beer drinking.

We also got a beautiful double rainbow in the sky. But I had too much lens again and my equipment was still in the car. So this is all I got on my camera. Mel must have zillions on hers though as I abducted her camera for the rainbow.



Early evening we had to say goodbye to Ronnie for good. Three days had passed in a wink and we were meant to go to Mountain Zebra the next day. Without Ronnie.

It was also our last night with the Aussies and Mel and I were set to make the most of it. And we did. Her dad and SO had gone to bed but we sat until the wee hours. And wee it was the next morning for us as well. But well worth it!

ADDO
30/03/2012

Before leaving the camp and Addo altogether, I had to pop into the hide once more to see if anyone was available for a photographic session. Alas, it was very quiet and only the common moorhen (tick) tried to please me and my camera:



It was also time to say farewell to our Aussie friends. We had had the times of our life but now we had part again. These three days had passed just way too fast. Writing this makes me all teary again , so I reckon I’ll just move on and say that we happily accepted the invitation to come to Oz! 2014 roll on!

Neither SO nor I felt like game viewing after we our painful and pretty wet goodbyes from Mel and Dad.

But the ellie a Gwarrie Pan (Ronnie, is that correct?) was very insisting so I eventually started to warm with my camera again:











Sorry for the overload, but I so like the colours and the reflection…

On a mission:

It had been a healing sensation as I wasn’t as neglecting towards the critters anymore as before.
Some sea views:

A kudu was granted a fleeting shot as well:

And some ostriches:


I kinda have the feeling that it was indeed the period of annual colon examinations.


Just short of having a pooped day…


And one with a bit too many bodies and too little necks and heads…

Our first sighting of a steenbok in Addo would also mark the last sighting in the park.



Good bye, Addo and thanks heaps for treating us so kindly!

Mountain Zebra
30/03/2012

Mountain Zebra greeted us with thick clouds.



We had just finished unpacking the car when the rain started to pour down. But it didn’t help, we needed to get out again on a short drive to see at least a bit of the park.