Kruger Park February 2008, Pafuri

Late 2007 the Rand Barbet Group, a birding club from Johannesburg, invited us to join a birding trip to Pafuri, Kruger Park SA. Together with Elaine & Ian Middleton, Marty & Peter Brooks, Jane Smart & Claudia Holgate, Denise Paton & Gill Taylor we formed a silly and happy birding group.

The Group

It is always good to have a sundowner.

The Group

View from the bridge over the Luvuvhu River, near Pafuri Wilderness Lodge. Image Properties: Canon 10D, 28mm, 1/180 @ F8, ISO 100, 23-02-2008, 06:45.

On our first afternoon drive we went into the Yellow Fevertree forrest. It felt like driving through a fairy-tale landscape.

Fever Tree Forrest

The Fevertree derived its name from the early settlers of South Africa. As they migrated to the northern regions of South Africa, where the Fevertree is more common, they also entered malaria infested areas. As many settlers attracted malaria, it was soon related to the Fevertree, hence its name. The forrest here was littered with a large number of trees felled by elephants and as they die off, the tree-trunks turn black.

Little Bee-eater

Image properties: EOS-1D Mark III, 500mm with 1.4TC, 1/170 @ F9.1, Av mode, Evaluative Metering, Date/Time 2008 February 22, 16:02:32.

Our tour guide, Callum Sargeant, had an amazing eye for the finest details. As we drove back from our afternoon drive, it was already dark and the only light source we had besides the headlights of the landcruiser, was the searchlight of the tracker. In this light he was able to spot these little guys, green cameleons, just a few centimeters long.

Green Cameleon

Image properties: EOS-1D Mark III, 100-400mm lens @ 400mm, 1/160 @ F5.6, Tv mode, Evaluative Metering, Date/Time 2008 February 22, 18:18:23, Full Flash.

And as we came back into the lodge area, this Wood Owl was watching us walking in.

Wood Owl

EOS-1D Mark III, 500mm, 1/60 @ F4, Av mode, ISO320, Evaluative Metering, Full flash with better beamer, Date/Time 2008 February 22, 20:02:34.

The northern region of Kruger Park is situated above the tropic of capricorn, i.e. is in the tropics. This line is known to be the border for where the Baobab Tree can be seen. These trees can grow to enormous proportions and can be thousands of years old. Curious detail: they die by collapsing under their own weight.

Baobab Tree

EOS-10D, 28mm, 1/160 @ F8, Auto mode, ISO100, Evaluative Metering, Date/Time 23 February 2008 , 08:14:24.

Near our cabin, this African Fish Eagle searched the river for a meal.

African Fish-Eagle

Image properties: EOS-1D Mark III, 700mm, 1/250 @ F13, Tv mode, ISO320, Evaluative Metering, Date/Time 23 February 2008 , 11:44:29.

Close to the end of our afternoon drive, we saw this European Nightjar. The way to positively identify nightjars in South Africa is that the african nightjars will roost on the ground and in trees they will perch perpendicular on a branch. The European Nightjar roosts in trees and will sit along a branch.

European Nightjar

Image properties: EOS-1D Mark III, 100-400mm @ 400mm, 1/125 @ F5.6, Tv mode, ISO200, Evaluative Metering, Full Flash, Date/Time 23 February 2008, 18:13:49.

At the start of the morning drive, in beautiful early morning sun a couple of Redbacked Shrikes were in a very happy mood. Perhaps anticipating the journey back to the northern hemisphere.

Redbacked Shrike

Image properties: EOS-1D Mark III, 500mm + 1.4TC, 1/320 @ F8, Tv mode, ISO400, Evaluative Metering, Date/Time 24 February 2008, 06:02:42.

In the afternoon we were treated with a little excitement as we could hear the call of the Thrush Nightingale. The bird was in low dense bush and was not getting out, despite attempts with iPods and birdsounds to get him out. Poor as proof may be, here is an image as he was best visible.

Thrush Nightingale

Instead, a couple of Woodland Kingfishers were making a lot of noise in a tree just above the Thrush Nightingale.

Woodland Kingfisher

Image properties: EOS-1D Mark III, 500mm + 1.4TC, 1/100 @ F6.3, Av mode, ISO200, Evaluative Metering, Date/Time 24 February 2008, 15:05:21.

As we drove back to camp, we decided to once more make a brief drive over the Luvuvhu bridge, as we had seen the Pel’s Fishing Owl in the morning. As we approached the bridge, our ‘sister’ vehicle (with guide Brett Greenaway) was already at location and they were in close proximity of the Owl, sitting on a branch of a fallen tree, just over the river. I was ill prepared and didn’t allow myself to get the better beamer on, jumped out the vehicle and managed to get 2 images out, this one the best. The owl left in the next seconds.

Pel’s Fishing Owl

Image properties: EOS-1D Mark III, 500mm + 1.4TC, 1/80 @ F5.6, Tv mode, ISO400, Evaluative Metering, Full Flash, Date/Time 24 February 2008, 18:59:38, Hand-held !.

On our last day in Pafuri, we went to an area south of the camp, where there was a huge congregation of Lesser Spotted Eagles. Hundreds of these birds were feasting on the termites, flying out. There were so many of them, we had a contest running who could find the Least Spotted Eagle. I think I won.

Lesser Spotted Eagle

Image properties: EOS-1D Mark III, 500mm + 1.4TC, 1/250@F10, EC+1, Tv mode, ISO200, Evaluative Metering, Fill Flash, Date/Time 25 February 2008, 11:02:20.

Nature has strange artists. A Baobab tree had developed a drawing, carved by elephants and the growing Baobab, it resembled a smoking Indian.

Indian Face

Image properties: EOS-1D Mark III, 500mm + 1.4TC, 1/320 @ F5.6, Tv mode, ISO200, Evaluative Metering, Fill Flash, Date/Time 25 February 2008, 08:02:56.

We were witness to many spectacular nature events in this short period in Pafuri. Termites flying out in their millions, but also an invasion of Armoured Groundcrickets. This European Roller got hold of one, but its armour is really tough. So, smack, toss, smack, get the armour off and eat.

European Roller

Image properties: EOS-1D Mark III, 500mm + 1.4TC, 1/500 @ F5.6, Tv mode, ISO200, Evaluative Metering, Fill Flash, Date/Time 25 February 2008, 08:02:50.

And just when you’re having most fun, it is all over again. A last pose of all of us, kiss, kiss and see you all next time. Love you all !

The End

The Group.