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
Communities to Enjoy On Hive: #lifestylelounge @hive-114105, #qurator @hive-102880, #featheredfriends @hive-106444, #wednesdaywalk @hive-155530, #amazingnature @hive-127788, #alwaysaflower @hive-154065, #feelgood @hive-19093, #theterminal @hive-101265, #ladiesofhive @hive-124452, #silverbloggers @hive-106316
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Wow, so many cool species
Wow, so many cool species! I miss doing that kind of wildlife watching!
Hands up, Me first for living in the park or as close as dammit, a dream I have always had. Second best go more often.
Thanks for visiting!
!ENGAGE 20
My pleasure, always great to read good posts! !BEER
Thanks @pardinus, I so enjoy seeing and sharing days like this.
Wow what an experience that must have been amazing photos
Absolutely love this region, times like this one wishes for expensive good camera equipment, always excited to see results captured after a day like this.
Ohh yes and remember the best camera is the one you have with you 👍
Great reminder, sadly not everyone can zoom behind a big rig capturing the tick on the bum of the giraffe...😉
Lmao I am sure not many can do that
Thanks so much @ewkaw and the @qurator team.
Africa at its best & then so many of us are wanting to run away with all the riots and looting that took place recently! Stunning photos Joan, looks like you had an awesome time in the wild, your timing was very good as well!
Gorgeous place, this time due to unrest we never visited Hluhluwe/iMfolozi which we normally go visit. Perhaps things will calm down now giving opportunity to start building this wrecked country up again.
WOW, it is amazing!
So much wildlife!!!
You live in paradise, @joanstewart!
Paradise is a three hour drive away, always relaxing being there!
Ahhh... paradise!!!
How I long to be in my paradise😒😞 😘😍!!!
Sad reality, it came and went too quickly 😄
What a beautiful wetland park! Nice to be able to get so close to the animals. :) Thanks for showing us these detailed photos!
This side has been reclaimed from tree farming and/or sugar cane, local people have cleared and replanted back to indigenous which is starting to look exceptionally good.
Humans can live in harmony and balance with wildlife when they put their minds to rehabilitating areas.
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What an abundance of wildlife. I enjoyed very much reading your post and viewing the photos.
Glad you enjoyed reading and viewing as much as I did going out to see them and share, thanks for visiting and kind comment.
Wow, what a cool trip, Joan - so many wild animals, such beautiful birds, I love the hippo's eyes 😀
!LUV
!PIZZA with !BEER or with !WINE - perfect dinner :)
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Won't love happy hippo when he charges the boat you are in, those deceptive dreamy eyes come with a short temper.
Had a very good day out with sightings on this particular day, cloudy but no rain and not too windy making ideal time driving looking under every shrub and up all the trees like peeping toms....
Thanks for visiting so !LUV and leave to enjoy a !BEER perhaps later a !WINE wait and see.
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Yep, that's why I said I love the eyes ;)
That was a really cool and interesting post. If I was close to such an area I would pack my things and have a trip myself :)
Have a great weekend Joan 🌞
!ENGAGE 30
!PIZZA and !BEER - sounds like a nice dinner :)
!invest_vote
Would love to live up there permanently, just too hot/humid in the summer,) still a great thought to visit soon.
Weekend wishes Johann,
!LUV
!BEER
I think if you love it there you would soon get used of the temperatures and the humidity ☺️ but visiting it from time to time sounds great and you have always something to look forward to.
You have a great Sunday too Joan, it's raining here, so I'm having a lazy day 😁
!LUV
!BEER and !WINE - both make a nice dinner with !PIZZA :)
!invest_vote
Rainy days are always great lazy days, you don't even need an excuse to sit relaxed in slippers going through photographs from the sunny days... 🙃
For the sake of sanity perhaps visit will come sooner than later, who knows....
Yes, but no slippers - I'm always barefoot at home 😁
Now you have something to look forward - that's cool 👍
!PIZZA and !BEER - sounds like a nice dinner :)
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BEER.wow, such a beautiful post, i can assure you that i felt like i was near all the animal life and all the vegetation, that's amazing!
Glad you enjoyed visiting with me @edgarlys.bravo appreciate your kind words have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks for taking me along with you on your visit into he reserve. I loved the photos of the animals, ones that are not in Australia.
Would love to visit Australia, travel by train and see the wonderful wildlife, all very different!
There are a few trains that do this too @joanstewart too. One is called the Ghan and it travels from Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory over 3 days. It is a train journey that my husband and I would be interested in doing one day.
If it were closer I would be on it already LOL, love train trips, seeing the countryside, nothing can beat that.
Australia has some totally amazing train trips available I have done them all on Bradshaw's Guide - Journeys
What a great expedition seeing all those animals. Cute little hippo with the family enjoying the sunshine. It certainly would be dangerous to skinny dip in those waters.:)
That’s a large fungi you found.
Thanks for sharing your tour, Joan
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Magic everywhere in this region now rehabilitated for wildlife to flourish.
Watching the animals one does not have to travel far, we spend a fair amount of time always seeing ever changing moods here.
Will try identify fungi when I have some time Jo. Thanks for visiting and enjoying day out with me.
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Thanks for updates, wishing you a wonderful new week ahead @hivebuzz
You're welcome @joanstewart, that's with a lot of pleasure!!! Thanks for being so involved in this platform 😊👍
Have a nice day.
How awesome would that be to drive away from them boom gates and come across all this natural wild life something I would love to see and experience one day maybe 😊
Who knows what the future holds, at least you have wonderful well looked after regions to get to as well.
This is true @joanstewart time to travel more of our own backyard have a great week my friend 👍
It is safer in the back garden to the unknown for now, perhaps not as exciting, still fulfilling.
We actually do have many exciting places to visit here around Australia but we are having major lockdowns again just when I thought I could get away some where...bummer 😣
These lockdowns are mentally draining people, not really working with majority over here being unable to afford buying masks. Many use a cloth only when in shops where it is enforced.
Destruction of the world by an unknown...?
It's horrible and terrifying no one knows were all this is going to lead us to one thing it's certainly going to lead to much more criminal activity's and the rest.
What a beautiful post! You made me feel like I was alone with you for the ride through the park. That would be so exciting to me to see all those different creatures
We are spoiled being able to enjoy wildlife in their natural habitat, from large to small each brings balance.
What a wonderful post, @joanstewart. I love the storks, the cranes and the herons most of all (I'm a total bird lover!), but I was also tickled by the hippo peeking above the water, the reference to the zebras in their pajamas, and the hilarious giraffe butt, with a bird on his back. You do amazing work with your camera!
Animals have wonderful personalities to express in their demeanor, what many do not realize is there are more than one type of giraffe and zebra species, each marking is unique to the animal like our finger prints are to us.
Thanks for visiting and expressing enjoyment in the reading material @jayna
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66 Moons and I made it, thanks wish I was 5 again 😆, these last have been so enjoyable!
You're welcome @joanstewart, ah ah times goes fast!!! But you can stay a child in your mind 😎😄 Have a nice day!!!