and THE BIRDS! I could almost become a "birder!"

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Denny and I were quite surprised at how much fun we had identifying the birds throughout the park while seeking the animals!  One sunset drive on which I went was filled with self-proclaimed "birders"  and that was amazing to me -- more excitement over a sighting of a Paradise Whydah than if they'd seen a lion!   However, I really learned a lot from them on that drive!

I loved going to sleep each night and waking up each morning to the many, varied sounds of the oh so numerous birds.  It was fun too when our ranger guides on Morning Walks pointed out the different ways birds send one another and animals messages about who (and what) is in the area.  We learned to stand very still and let the veld come back to life.

We learned to stand very still and let the veld come back to life.

Southern yellow-billed hornbill
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I am sorry that these aren't such good photos, but they are, after all my first attempts with birds!  The birds of prey were numerous and huge from eagles to vultures, to buzzards, and hawks and owls.  We would laugh at the Nightjars and the Thick knees as they flew before our headlights on the night drives.  The starlings and the sunbirds were plentiful around camp and waterholes.  There is one bird called the Grey-go-away-bird with a gorgeous crest that fascinated me!  The lakes formed by the dams always seemed to draw the storks, egrets and herons.   We could watch them fish for hours -- so patient and stealthy.  They had o also be on the watch for the crocodiles!  Flamingos, pelicans, and of course the kingfishers were terrific, so colorful!  Yes, I could almost become a birder!