This past weekend allowed us our first brief escape from city life of the new season. Our day at Rietvlei Nature Reserve was blessed with the first, and very welcome, rainfall of Spring, although accompanied by a terribly windy cold front which put an early end to our plans for a nice picnic next to the dam. Happily the reserve’s wildlife came out to greet us in their numbers, despite the inclement weather.
Eland cow
Ostriches silhouetted against dark skies
Plains Zebra
White Rhinoceros
Black-backed Jackal
Springbok ewe and lamb
Black Wildebeest
Egyptian Geese
African Spoonbill
African Sacred Ibis
Black-winged Stilt
Plains Zebra stallion, sporting battle scars
Yellow-billed Duck
Waterbuck bull
Southern Reedbuck
A wet road, with promise of more to come
Northern Black Korhaan
Crowned Lapwing
Springbok on the run through wet grass
A portion of Rietvlei Dam during the downpour
DeWetsWild 
How exciting that the rains have started, Dries. The animals must be so pleased. Great shots. Such a beautiful little duck. 🙂
Such a blessing, Sylvia, but we’ll need lots more.
I wish I could send you some of our rain. It’s pelting down at the moment. 🌂
Wouldn’t that be great, Sylvia, if we could direct the weather to where it’s needed.
The yellow-billed duck is quite striking. 🙂
That conspicuous bill stands out especially in the gloom caused by the dark rain clouds!
I’m so happy to see the rain! May you have lots more and may the animals have an easy spring and summer! 😉
From your lips to God’s ears, AJ, thank you!
And He listens… so, we can say thanks for a good year already!!
The weather might not have been great for a picnic, but it was great for some photos. I really like that last photograph.
Thanks very much PJB. We didn’t mind the rain at all, as South Africa is suffering through one of the worst droughts ever recorded.
Agreed, I’ve been reading about that, so the rain was needed.
climate differences are a trip ..jest enjoying the autumn rains here in colorado while u are jest startin spring what a trip reallY! 🙂
Amazing planet that we all share, isn’t it Q!?