I do hope that you are all marvellously well and have had another lovely weekend. Here in the Luangwa we have yet to experience any real rain and we are getting rather warm. One storm came our way which was more bluster than anything else and caused some significant damage including 5 trees falling down across various sections of the Nkwali road and a rather enormous ebony coming down just behind our house – it made the most almighty crash! On a plus side though the elephants have been surrounding it feasting on the usually inaccessible green leaves that have been brought down to their level.
Up at Nsefu we have closed camp for the year and it has to be said that we have had some absolutely incredible sightings this season, and before closing Simon and Shanie Cousins managed to grab a few days up there with their girls and as always have captured some incredible images of their time. The small watering hole by the bar provided some wonderful opportunities to enjoy the flocks of Lillian’s lovebirds coming down to drink. Vying for a chance to cool down at the waterhole along with the lovebirds were some slightly larger occupants in the ways of elephants splashing wet cooling mud all over themselves.
Carmines are also a must for anyone visiting late October as they clutter the skies with their incredible vibrant colours and familiar squawking/chirping calls. Having their nests in the banks of warthog park is a definite drop in spot for any keen birder and on the way across the dry dusty and aptly named plain plenty of warthogs can be seen digging up what juicy roots that they can find.
As the water levels continue to drop and the clouds continue to build the animals make the most of being able to easily and safely cross the river and whilst it admittedly takes quite a lot of patience to wait for the giraffes to make this decision the wait is definitely rewarded when you watch lines of them crossing over. The elephants seem to make the decision with significantly more ease and just dive on in with slightly less grace but plenty of enthusiasm. This is also the time of the year for babies, we usually start with vervet monkeys and elephants and then as the clouds build and storms threaten out pop the impala and warthog and all of a sudden, the dry dusty landscape becomes a nursery for new beginnings.
Along with all of these wonderful sightings some time was also spent in the main area of the park where efforts were certainly rewarded with this incredible shot of a Pels Fishing Owl posing perfectly on this vine and a wonderful moment with a Giant kingfisher enjoying the fruits of her labour.
As always a huge thanks to Simon for sharing some of his incredible images and sightings with us and its always such a big treat to have them to come and visit and we look forward to the next visit sometime in the New Year. For now though it is definitely time for me to bid you all a very fond farewell and hope that you have the most wonderful week ahead with plenty of smiles and laughter. Keep safe and don’t forget to look after one another.
