THE SKELETON COAST
It gets its name from the number of shipwrecks that have occurred along its length. We were aiming for a 6:30 start but didn't leave until 6:50. We were hurrying to get to the coast to see all there was to see so did very little birding along the way but we did still manage to get some very good species - Ludwig's Bustard among them. We came up for a new acronym for these special birds - CWBs - Camera Worthy Birds, because when Glen sees one, out comes the camera with the long lens!
The road was extremely rough - we rocked and rolled for the four-hour drive. We had to wear our seatbelts throughout. Worth every jolt as the scenery was breathtaking. We started in a dry river bed, progressed to a flood plain where the thorny plants lining the track, scraped the paint off the vehicle, to an area that resembled the surface of the moon, to giant sand dunes and finally the coast. The most thrilling ride was up the dunes to an area where we had tea. It overlooked a fresh-water marsh where we saw a greater flamingo and several species of duck and teal and other water birds. From there we went to the coast and birdied a river estuary for some terns, gulls, and shorebirds. Then it was off to a fur seal colony where we admired a family of four who were basking in the sun somewhat inland. As we drove closer to the ocean, we spotted many surfing in the water and finally noticed the thousands on shore. Some of the herds reach 250,000 animals. They were fun to watch - some were sleeping on their backs, they were curled up together, some were barking. Quite a sight. A jackal had been stalking the herd and we saw it later with a new-born seal in its mouth. From there we went to view a ship that had wrecked on the coast in 1978. Not much was left of it - only some rusted pieces of metal. We took a peek at the museum nearby. Then it was decision time. We could either fly back or take the drive again. We are the only guests in the years this lodge has been open to opt to take the drive again. We were hoping to see the brown hyena but no luck - only tracks and scat. We did add some new birds but the picnic we had on the dunes near the marsh was worth the bumpy ride back despite the slightly gritty food and wine. (The sand was being blown about.) We all took off our shoes to enjoy the warm sand.
We have done our lists, and are going to dinner before returning to our rooms to pack as we leave here tomorrow for our next adventure. We have decided to sleep in rather than take another morning drive. We seniors have to preserve our energy.
Norma felt a touch of vertigo at supper so retired early. This morning she is feeling better. It most probably was caused by eight hours in a rocking and rolling vehicle.
We both had a good night's sleep - eight solid hours for me and nine for Norma. We have two flights today to our next camp near Etosha National Park and are enjoying a late lie-in before getting dressed.
It gets its name from the number of shipwrecks that have occurred along its length. We were aiming for a 6:30 start but didn't leave until 6:50. We were hurrying to get to the coast to see all there was to see so did very little birding along the way but we did still manage to get some very good species - Ludwig's Bustard among them. We came up for a new acronym for these special birds - CWBs - Camera Worthy Birds, because when Glen sees one, out comes the camera with the long lens!
The road was extremely rough - we rocked and rolled for the four-hour drive. We had to wear our seatbelts throughout. Worth every jolt as the scenery was breathtaking. We started in a dry river bed, progressed to a flood plain where the thorny plants lining the track, scraped the paint off the vehicle, to an area that resembled the surface of the moon, to giant sand dunes and finally the coast. The most thrilling ride was up the dunes to an area where we had tea. It overlooked a fresh-water marsh where we saw a greater flamingo and several species of duck and teal and other water birds. From there we went to the coast and birdied a river estuary for some terns, gulls, and shorebirds. Then it was off to a fur seal colony where we admired a family of four who were basking in the sun somewhat inland. As we drove closer to the ocean, we spotted many surfing in the water and finally noticed the thousands on shore. Some of the herds reach 250,000 animals. They were fun to watch - some were sleeping on their backs, they were curled up together, some were barking. Quite a sight. A jackal had been stalking the herd and we saw it later with a new-born seal in its mouth. From there we went to view a ship that had wrecked on the coast in 1978. Not much was left of it - only some rusted pieces of metal. We took a peek at the museum nearby. Then it was decision time. We could either fly back or take the drive again. We are the only guests in the years this lodge has been open to opt to take the drive again. We were hoping to see the brown hyena but no luck - only tracks and scat. We did add some new birds but the picnic we had on the dunes near the marsh was worth the bumpy ride back despite the slightly gritty food and wine. (The sand was being blown about.) We all took off our shoes to enjoy the warm sand.
We have done our lists, and are going to dinner before returning to our rooms to pack as we leave here tomorrow for our next adventure. We have decided to sleep in rather than take another morning drive. We seniors have to preserve our energy.
Norma felt a touch of vertigo at supper so retired early. This morning she is feeling better. It most probably was caused by eight hours in a rocking and rolling vehicle.
We both had a good night's sleep - eight solid hours for me and nine for Norma. We have two flights today to our next camp near Etosha National Park and are enjoying a late lie-in before getting dressed.
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