Birds of Eden and Tenikwa Cat Sanctuary Tuesday November 29th 2016

We had a relaxing early morning wandering about Hunter's. I sat quietly in the outside covered sitting room where it was very peaceful with only the sounds of birds, insects and the water from the pool. Jim wandered about taking photos.

Charlotte's room was similar to ours but with the thatched roof. It also had a shower with a glass dome so you could see the trees and birds while showering.

The view from where I was sitting looking up towards the pool.

En route to Birds of Eden, the largest free flight bird aviary in the world , we passed along Plettenberg Bay.

Birds of Eden is a 2 hectare dome which spans a gorge of indigenous forest. Currently over 3,500 birds live at the sanctuary.



The toilets at Birds of Eden.

This is a black bird - it might be a pied starling but then again it might not.

A Golden Pheasant - there were quite a few of them.

I think this was a Purple Crested Lourie.

Hyacinth Macaw.

Rameron Pigeon.

Blue and Gold Macaw.

Golden Pheasant

Another Golden Pheasant

This could be a Northern Red Bishop.

Buffoni Green Turaco

Buffoni Green Turaco

Livingstone's Turaco

Another Blue and Gold Macaw

Royal / Golden Breasted Starling

Some kind of Dove.

Maned Goose?

Mandarin Duck?

I saw more of these than any other birds. Hartlaub's Turacos have a beautiful red under wing in flight.

A Grey Loerie or Go-Away Bird. They make a variety of loud, nasal squawks that sound like "go-away"

Australian King Parrot

Green-winged Macaw

Western Grey Plantain Eater

Hartlaub's Turaco

Double Toothed Barbet

At this stage, to continue our tour, we were forced to cross a suspension bridge made of bamboos. It looked extremely fragile and did not instill confidence in this overweight being. Neither was Christopher too happy. However, we managed to cross and were glad of a rest on the other side.

Scarlet Ibis

Some class of goose or duck

Crested Egret

Flamingos. They were inclined to peck which did not appeal to Christopher.

Blue crane

Egret

Crowned Crane

Black Swan

Chinese Geese?

Birds in their little nests agree!

Common Shell Duck?

Humpbacked Heron



















From Birds of Eden we headed for Tenikwa, a wildlife and rehabilitation Centre. Our focus was to be wild cats. Our guides were Joel and Msizi who were very knowledgeable. We first visited the Wild Cat of Africa enclosure. There was a wild cat under a bush and it was hissing. Joel warned us not to get too close as it was very dangerous. The more Joel warned us the closer Jim was getting to it - he obviously was not listening to Joel nor to me as I frantically hissed "Jim"!

The Wild Cat Jim was risking his life to get a photo of.

We were not allowed to join the leopard in its enclosure.

This is a Serval, one of the lesser cats of Africa.

And this is a Caracal. Caracals were once tamed and trained for bird hunting in Iran and India. The Caracal is capable of leaping in the air and knocking down 10-12 birds at a time.

This is a white Lion - absolutely beautiful!

Chester the Cheetah. Chester is a type 1 diabetic and would not have survived in the wild.

Jim and Charlotte grooming the second cheetah.

That did not appeal to me at all - cats!

When this tortoise was rescued someone had painted its shell! 

Meerkats

So all in all an action packed morning. We had the afternoon at leisure at Hunter's. I had a bit of a rest and Jim explored the grounds, finding the little chapel in the woods which is very popular for weddings.

En route back to Hunter's - Plettenberg Bay with the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the background.

Dining room prepared for our evening meal which was again delicious. An amuse bouche of carpaccio of venison, starter of calamari rings with plum sauce, a raspberry sorbet and venison ragout with buttered samp and carrots. I still don't take to the samp.

My favourite outdoor spot but only when there is no music.