Venturing out early morning to catch the low tide to enjoy this special time of day, up with sunrise with lunches, cold tea, water packed, spare camera battery, fully charged to be out to share the splendour of the day.
Welcoming committee at the East Bank Gate, iSimangaliso Wetlands Park a family of Warthog doing what they enjoy most for an early morning pick-up is most needed after the long winter night.
Come join me in the drive, not the first most definitely not the last so many photographs to share, will also delve into greater detail on some wildlife in separate posts into different slots within the Hive.
Going into the region taking all loops on offer is suggested, this particular morning we racing for low tide we did stop for a quick look.
Yawning fortunately looking the opposite direction we never caught the bad breath!
Turning with lazy glare across the pond as if to say, why the hell you here so early, give me time to cleanup a little!
Giant Egret wading through the water slim, trim and prim early to catch the first morsels for breakfast.
Nyala also up early finding young leaves to use as a bushveld toothbrush shine to smile for later guests.
No I kid you not never get out your car unless in designated places leopard, lion or other more territorial than you will take you out.
Zebra whispering sweet nothings to each other, or are they keeping each other warm from the chill in the air?
Around the corner a your Nyala might be stalking the pretty lady we had just seen.
Only way to tell the difference between the Nyala and Kudu in the bush is the Kudu has a more prominent hump above his shoulders on his back.
Did I mention spiders, I think I did in the header, spider webs everywhere in different size and shape, through the early sunlight quite dazzling to see.
I checked before leaving home, most ideal morning for low tide at 09h00 with low wind and sunshine making it the most perfect day for Mission Rocks exploration, again more depth in the region for another day.
Taster on what is to come, the sea from on top of the sea dune viewing out the window!
Looking down onto the rock pools when we arrived not many had ventured out this far yet being an extremely popular place for fishermen.
Rock pools bring the child in you back out, rock jumping to see as much as able within an hour, experience what life may look like underwater in small capsules on the rocks.
Grey-headed gull sunning themselves out enjoying the morning, fishing a little later mate, still a wee bit cool at this time of the day.
Small patch of beach between the rock pools to sit upon lingering in sea breeze, crashing waves swelling up then receding as life carries on slowly changing to high tide again.
We move reluctantly back toward the car to carry on with our days outing, will be back soon! Gulls have started to move perhaps fishing conditions have improved.
Along the paths where one is allowed to exit the vehicle some stunning flowers to be seen in the dead of winter.
I know not the names, will try research in the future, not now I am trying to get content up with timing being a flip of a coin of late.
Between this rugged bush one find spectacular flowers in all shapes, sizes and colours. Looking through the trees with estuary in the background, sea on one side, estuary the other.
Always a Flower somewhere in the landscape, cheerful faces everywhere to be pollinated by birds, bees and insects.
Aboreal Weaver Ants full description given in the link, love to see them still thriving in the region.
Fungi found along the path with morning dew still dripping. Some kind of Puff Ball.
We meet a lovely lady along the wayside and stop for awhile watching her gracefully nibbling at the leaves.
Ladies stick together, always!
Trips into this region have never let me down in sighting African Fish-eagle, look how proud in almost midday sunlight.
Buffalo another short sighted mean fellow to tackle when on the wrong side of his good books...
Yikes more webs, watch where you walk up down be sure to keep eye open everywhere!
One sees much smaller buck in this region, little red duicker or blue duicker along with bushbuck, drive with caution not to startle them with fright and flight.
Long powder soft beaches greet you at the end of the road, words cannot describe adequately how one feels standing here trying to absorb sight and sound.
At the waters edge the tide has risen enough to hide the local tidal pool here where many enjoy swimming in the warm Indian Ocean water whether summer or winter makes little difference.
Fat Bike Fishing Tours returning from early morning ride at 13h00 chatting to Parks Board Official about conditions down the coastline.
Highly protected for future generations, with dunes, bush, Samango Monkey everything counts.
Making our way back taking in more sight in Burchell's coucal dancing on top of shrubs, another predatory bird.
Sun slowly turning around 15h00 we felt ready to call it a day, some Egrets wade in the late sun, Impala dashing into deep bush yes it is time to return another day.
If you made it this far, thank you for staying, hope you enjoyed my Sunday drive a couple of weeks ago, I will return with more....
All photography my own using Canon Powershot SX730 HS camera. Any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod, go with the flow wherever life takes you. NB: Amateur photographer in nature, keep smiling!
Thought for Today: "If you see an animal running in the early morning know that it is running away from something more scarily than the due." - African Proverb
