This past Sunday Joubert and I had the immense privilege of visiting the Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre a stone’s throw away from the small and historic town of Dullstroom on the Mpumalanga Highveld. Tripadvisor rates it as the foremost attraction in Dullstroom – no small feat considering Dullstroom’s fame among local and international visitors alike as a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts where visitors are spoiled for choice.
With tourism being the lifeblood of the picturesque town, restrictions on travel imposed in recent months, however necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19, had a devastating effect on the local economy. As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. Only non-indigenous birds, those whose injuries are too severe to permit a fully self-sufficient life in the wild or those that are hopelessly imprinted on humans remain at the centre permanently. The love and passion these people have for their job is absolutely inspiring. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind). The way Libra, an immature Bateleur that was severely injured by a vehicle a year ago, seeks comfort from handler Magdali Theron in the picture below will leave you in no doubt just how vital the work of the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre is.
Libra and Magdali
Apart from the fact that it was our first chance to escape from South Africa’s heavily industrialised Gauteng Province in almost six months or that we were able to marvel at the most majestic birds of prey from close quarters, the trip was both long-awaited and memorable for another reason: being tutored by accomplished wildlife photographer Hannes Rossouw in the art of taking photographs of birds in flight. Thanks to Hannes’ unending patience and skill as an educator we hope we’ll be able to have many more images like these gracing the pages of de Wets Wild in future.
As you can imagine, after spending most of the daylight hours at the centre, we came back to Pretoria with hundreds of photo’s. In the coming days we will be using those images to tell you the stories of ten of the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre’s most charismatic residents. And be sure to look out for Joubert’s images in the mix; under Hannes’ expert tutelage his photographic skills have become even more impressive (I know, I am biased).
DeWetsWild 
I’m going to enjoy reading these stories… and just btw… fathers are allowed to be biased!!
Say what Dries, how about a story to promote the sanctuary in the SWW magazine?
Thanks, A.J. I was also thinking along those lines 😉
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Raptor rehab centres are so necessary and I hope their funding streams improve as leisure travel possibilities start opening up. Heartwarming to see Libra and Magdali together.
Those flight photos are fantastic!
Thank you very much, Carol. Places like these really need our support.
Wat ‘n ongelooflike ondervinding Dries!
Uit-en-uit een van die wonderlikste wat ons in n lang tyd gehad het, Aletta
Ek kan dit dink 😊
Ek is so bly julle het hierdie wonderlike geleentheid gehad, Dries. Ou Rooney is my gunsteling! Ek sien uit na julle foto’s.
Dankie Dina! Die voels kruip almal so diep in n mens se hart dat dit moeilik is om te kies wie my gunsteling is. Klein Vinkeltjie met sy “ag shame” lyfie, Daphne met haar liefdevolle persoonlikheid, Hali wat so lekker roep en Ashanti wat so “diva” is.
Fabulous photos. What an awesome place. Great opportunity for Joubert too. It is amazing what these rehab centres do for our injured birds. There is an excellent one at the Spier estate in Stellenbosch too. Always enjoy a visit there.
Thank you, Helen! It is a sad reality that our species is having an enormous impact on the wildlife that share our country and planet. Least we can do is support places like this that try to undo a bit of our damage.
Just magnificent, Dries. And who wouldn’t be thrilled to have an owl in one’s cap!
Thanks, Tish! I’m sure Joubert will remember this day for a long time to come.
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So exciting! Wonderful photos, Joubert.
Thanks a lot, Tracy!
Incredible photos and what an amazing place. Should I ever return to your beautiful country, will definitely put this sanctuary on my ‘must-see’ list….
We really hope you will return to South Africa, Lori, and I can promise you won’t be sorry for including the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre in your itinerary.
Great for you to get out and what a day you had!
Awesome in the true sense of the word!
What a fantastic way to spend your own first ‘flight of freedom’: in a beautiful part of the world, with beautiful birds – and learning how to take even more beautiful photographs than the two of you take already!
It was an amazing experience, Anne, and as you say in a beautiful part of the country. Have you visited the centre yet?
No, but you make it sound worth a stop.
You won’t be sorry, Anne.
Love, love, love!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️Joubert is doing a fantastic job as are you. I must say I envy this opportunity but look forward to more photos like these.
janet
If ever you come visit us here in South Africa, Janet, I know where I’m going to take you first!
De Wet, jou pragtige fotos getuig behoorlik van jul uitgelatenheid om net weer vryheid te ervaar.
Dit was n belewenis uit die boonste rakke, Una. Defnitief n feesviering! Baie dankie.
Hurray for Joubert! He’s getting the knack of the camera. He’s going to be your star photographer.
The rehabilitation institutions are a great help for wounded birds, especially the raptors. Great post as always, D. 🙂
Thanks, H.J. Indeed, from that day he took his first photo at just 18 months old it was clear that Joubert has a knack for the photography hobby, and what a pleasure it is for father and son to share the same interests!
I love the photos of Joubert and Daphne, and look forward to viewing more of his wonderful work 🙂 Thank you for sharing information on the rehabilitation centre.
It is entirely our pleasure, Takami. Every bit of awareness we can help bring to their plight adds a drop to the bucket.
Wonderlike foto’s! Die een van Magdali en die berghaan is eenvoudig hartroerend.
Baie dankie, Tannie Frannie. Mens voel skoon aangedaan om te sien hoe veilig jong Libra by Magdali voel.
Daphne is a sweet little owl on Joubert’s sleeve, but so very impressive in the other photos. Great job, Joubert! Looking forward to more, Dries.
Thanks very much, Lois. We can’t stop talking about this amazing outing.
Dis n heerlike uitkom gewees. Pragtige fotos. Ek hou daarvan dat hul die plek waar hul aasvoëls voer n ‘Aasvoël restaurant” noem.
Aasvoelrestaurante en rehabilitasiesentrums is broodnodig om die negatiewe uitwerking wat ons op hierdie manjifieke voels het te probeer aanspreek. Dankie tog dat daar mense is wat genoeg omgee!
Stem saam. Die Restaurant was by Lente Roode se jagluiperd rehab sentrum gewees waar hul dit gewys het. Dink dit is by Hoedspruit as ek so onthou.
Jy is heeltemal reg, Ineke – op die pad tussen Hoedspruit en Klaserie.
Dis hy!