After we had picked up some people in Observatory at Koornhoop Guest house and Villa on 10 Durbanville Guest house, we hit the road towards Darling.  Despite of a misty day we saw a few beautiful flowers in the Tienie Versfeld Nature Reserve outside Darling. African Snipe popped up out of the grass and some of us were lucky so see it. The Cloud Cisticolas were all over the place, busy displaying and singing, but it was not possible to take pictures of this tiny little bird.

Five keen birders, one from Pretoria, departed early morning from Beaufort West towards Laingsburg to pick up two more very passionate bird photographers. We took the Sutherland road and turn off towards the Tanqua. Gazanias, Mesembryanthenums and Bulbinellas were seen along the road. A sub adult Martial Eagle was very co-operative and everybody could have a good look and could take very good photos of it.  Black-headed Canary, Long-billed Pipit, Karoo Long-billed  Lark, Greater Flamingos, Southern Pochards, Black-necked Grebe, Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, SA Shell-duck, Large-billed, Karoo & Red-capped Larks, Trac-trac & Karoo Chat and Greater Kestrel and even a African wild cat were seen through the Tanqua.  At sunset we were on top of Gannaga Pass where one can appreciate the vast scenery of the Tanqua.  We stayed over at Gannaga Lodge and enjoy the hospitality and good food of the owner Johan Visagie. (www.gannaga.com)