This morning we are out of the camp gates at 5.30am and make our way around the loop roads fairly close to camp. There are a number of birds that really are prolific here.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1588-1000x700.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1645-1000x700.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1604-1000x700.jpg)
Of course there are many others but wherever one goes these predominate.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1297-1000x700.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1317-1000x700.jpg)
Kudu are quite plentiful and are more the normal colour here.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1500-1000x700.jpg)
Returning to camp I take a few photos to illustrate again how attractively these Cape National Park camps are styled and laid out.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D3S5693-1000x700.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D3S5695.jpg)
From these pictures you will get an idea of the nature of the Addo vegetation – quite attractive and succulent.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D3S5700.jpg)
Pale Chanting Goshawks seem to be the only bird of prey and they are quite common.
This afternoon as we leave camp we come across a pair of Red-necked Spurfowls.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1532-1000x700.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1346.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1567-1000x700.jpg)
Friday, 16th
This is my third visit to Addo and I have never explored it fully, tending to hang around the northern area near the main camp. Today the forecast is for cloudy conditions so I decide to do an exploratory trip down right down the park to the southern gate. Addo was founded in 1931 with the aim of preserving the remaining 9 elephants that remained in the area. It is quite extensive with the main section north of the N2 highway being 160,000 Hts – compared to the combined area of about 100,000 for iMfolozi-Hluhluwe.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D3S5699.jpg)
The forecast clouds do not materialize so I wander southwards through the park which consists of the same type of vegetation throughout. Here and there a few water holes are drawcards for the 600 odd elephant that exist in the Park.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1594-1000x700.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1667-1000x700.jpg)
Towards the south of the park it is quite hilly with the valley floors being quite grassy. Approaching the coast I get a view of the sand dunes along the coastline.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D3S5702.jpg)
Again, Pearl-breasted Swallows are collecting mud for nest building.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1675.jpg)
I exit the Park at the south gate near Colchester and quickly circle the park on the main roads entering the north gate at 11am. I earn “brownie points” by stopping off at Nanaga and taking Renette a lamb-mint pie.
This afternoon the wind is blowing strongly from the east and I head for the nearby Domkrag Dam. Here some ellies (which are all brown coloured from the mud) are drinking.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D3S5705.jpg)
Whilst watching the ellies another beautiful Malachite Sunbird alights next to me.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1691.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D85_1360-1000x700.jpg)
I next come across another Pale Chanting Goshawk sheltering from the wind behind a bush. I am not in the habit of writing about the toilet habits of Pale Chanting Goshawks but the this one’s performance was so remarkable that I am going to include the sequence.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D3S5750.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D3S5751-1000x700.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/D3S5752-1000x700.jpg)
No Photoshopping or funny tricks – this is exactly how it happened.