Mankwe Dam is at the heart of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.
The large photographic hide there offers birders an array of species,
as well as some of the land based game that often wanders past.
Not to mention stunning views of the dam itself
For this young Nile Crocodile, the area under the Weaver nests
 must be like a food delivery service.
Often chicks will fall while learning to fly and they become an easy snack
for a quick opportunistic hunter like this lurking below.
A Red Bishop proudly showing off its plumage.
These stunning birds can be found in the reeds that surround the hide.
A Greater Striped Swallow…all the way from Europe.
A partly submerged turtle…
It too could become a snack, or a play toy, for a crocodile.
This hippo was just a little confused about feeding time.
On a very HOT afternoon, he was wandering around out of the dam.
Hippo usually only feed from dusk when it is cooler.
A “dazzle” of Zebra…
Or does it need to be more than 3?
A young Bull elephant lumbers past the entrance to the photographic hide parking lot.
A Pied Wagtail posing for photographers.
A female Lesser Masked Weaver.
As the spouse/ client she can become rather fussy about the nest that she moves into.
The male of the same species.
He tries so hard to please his partner, often rebuilding a nest several times.
A Little Egret, partially hidden behind a tree stump.
A Steppe Buzzard, hiding in plain sight.
“I want to be in the photo as well”…
Two young Wildebeest calves having some fun
An imposing looking Warthog.
Not a great sighting, but lions never the less.
They were lying, rather inconveniently, in exactly the wrong position
 for any sort of decent image.
A couple of Giraffe at the salt lick at the Visitor Centre that is about 2km from the dam
And not too far away, this pair of White Rhino enjoying the cooling mud.
Don’t feel like going out on a drive?
Then stay in camp and watch the platoons of Banded Mongoose
 as they snuffle around looking for food.
There are no night drives allowed in the park.
So, as the sun sinks slowly into the West,
it is time to head back to the Tented Adventures camp site.
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“Travel & Things” relies on Pentax  cameras
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When last did you actually print a photograph?
“Travel & Things” images are printedÂ
at their store in Cresta.
Great service, friendly staff
and more importantly awesome prints.
To find their current specials
or to locate a store nearest to you:
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When I head off to the bush, I like to feel comfortable and look good.
I can achieve both in clothing supplied by:
https://www.ruggedwear.co.za
My first pair of “vellies”…
Check out their website:
and their Facebook page:
You can order on-line and their delivery
 turn around is the best!
 Cool Ideals is my service provider of choice.
They enable me to ensure that my articles
and images are sent fast and effortlessly.
Not to mention all the other benefits that FTTH offers…
Like stability and affordability!
www.cisp.co.za
GammaTek is my powerbank supplier of choice.
One of my problems is often lack of battery power
 if I have been using the camera on my phone.
I have tried many “powerbanks”,
but the majority drain before they can fully recharge my device.
This is where this Powerbank has the edge…
it can recharge my phone up to 7 times,
before it needs to be recharged.
To find out more:
www.sablogawards.com
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 and may not be used without permission
 and may not be used without permissionFollow me on Twitter: @davidbatzofin
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