Unfortunately it started with the weather, exactly the same as the previous day to begin with. Pretty miserable in as much as it was dull and miserable but at least it was warm. Once again Claire decided the better option was to come back in to the park with me.
First stop had to be the waterhole but to our disappointment the Lions had gone. Oh well, we could check again later.
We headed back towards the causeway that splits Etosha and Fisher's Pan.
Some new species!
Black-necked Grebe
There were quite a few.
Couldn't fit them all in one image there were that many!
You know the feeling when you turn up at a lakeside though?
Generally no mad panic but everything tends to paddle slowly away giving you the best of rear views!
That was the closest I had been to Cape Teal though, and the Little Grebe.
Over in the corner of the lake we found some more species, another first in Cape Shoveler
and I don't recall seeing Red-billed Teal earlier in the trip either.
Before heading around Fisher's Pan we had a look along the road that heads north.
A Rhino!
Not exactly a good view but we'd caught a glimpse through the undergrowth.
Driving around the edge of the pan we had one or two interesting views.
The only Warthogs in the east!
A seated Giraffe made a change and an opportunity for some more dove shots.
Both Cape Turtle and Laughing Dove were sat in the same bush.
Very considerate, saved moving the car.
We also had this new one too, not 100% but I'm thinking White-browed Scrub Robin
It wasn't very exciting though despite seeing several new species. Maybe the weather was at fault. Still flat and grey.
We returned to the edge of Fisher's Pan but this time took the road to the far end.
Along the way there were the usual suspects.
Maybe the chance of a better shot
Maybe not
Photography can be so frustrating.
How do you get a small bird like the Shaft-tailed Whydah fully in the frame without it being very light on detail?
A bit of wind helps!
It was lovely to see a Cattle Egret in full breeding plumage and in full view too.
But others like these Maribou Stork were exasperating .
Mind you they are so ugly I appreciate why they are camera shy too.
Whiskered Tern
and Glossy Ibis just didn't want to co-operate at all
and African Spoonbill not much better.
Still not too frustrating as I have seen them all before.
This one got me briefly grabbing for a shot until I realised it's a juvenile Pale-Chanting Goshawk.
I have to admit I was actually getting a bit bored.
Sometimes you see something ordinary that appeals though
Synchronised Ostrich team or was it the head of the Gorgon?
Time to take a look at the Lion waterhole again methinks!
Driving alongside a Wildebeest it decided to give us an action shot of sorts.
and a Golden-breasted Bunting, the second we'd seen was worth stopping for.
The waterhole was empty though.
Shame, but we passed some Bee-eaters that looked nice in the improving weather.
Time to investigate Klein Nanutomi waterhole, one we hadn't as yet seen.
Lovely flowers.
More Springbok fighting.
Terrapins seem to live in most of the waterholes and I have to say, this one , the waterhole that is, gave great views.
The White-backed Vulture didn't! It stayed too far to get a clean image in the increasingly hot conditions.
We had a drive around DikDik Drive and yes we saw a diminutive Antelope but I didn't take any pictures because I assumed I already had some.
Mistake, they later turned out to be Steenbok. I should have made better use of my animal guide book. Never mind, something for next time I guess.
Back for a last look at the waterhole, nothing had turned up save a Starling on a tree that looked very appealing.
"Come on Claire, lets call it a day" I said.
She was only too happy to agree.
We left them to it.
Some late afternoon sunshine back at the lodge, a cold beer or three and a delicious dinner. All was not lost.
T.B.C.
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