Lake Jozini - home of the Striped Water Dog

We have been visiting Jozini dam since the early 1990's. For the fishermen in my family, the attraction is of course the tiger fish, the most southern extremity of this superb fighting fish. For me, exploring the reserve started on my bicycle in the early years. What an absolute thrill riding past grazing rhino in the first light of dawn, and the experiences have been abundant throughout the years. Camping close to the dam edge in those early days brings back memories of hippo bulls exploding through the water chasing off rivals or spotting a pearl-spotted owl in the hole of an old tree (and son waiting long minutes to photograph it as it peers out), wildlife walking past camp in the predawn gloom or hearing guinea fowl and other birds chattering in their roosts before unzipping the tent or catching that one huge striped water dog (The latin name for tiger fish is Hydrocynus Vittatus which translated means striped water dog) It's been my all time favourate place to spend a few days

In later years, while the boys were out fishing, I'd put on the walking shoes, faithful camera in hand and walk the length and breadth of this gorgeous wilderness. A common Reedbuck peacefully grazes as I inch closer

'We are his eyes, Beware, we will warn him'

A Cape Bunting sings a lovely song

With each visit the water level notably drops and the animals battle in the lengthening dry season

The sun setting over the Ubombo mountains

The Pongola Game Reserve (on the western shores of the lake) was proclaimed in 1894 as the FIRST recognized conservation area in South Africa (who knew that?) and ultimately lead to the proclamation of Hluhluwe/Umfolozi, Mkuzi and Nduma game reserves as well as the Kruger National Park

A government settlement was established in the depression years of the 1930's and a sugar mill was built which was the start of the town Pongola (Derived from the Zulu word phongolo, meaning Trough) and by 1955 advanced plans were underway to build a dam in the gorge between the Ubombo and Lebombo mountains to irrigate the fertile lands of the Makatini Flats

In the gorge, looking back towards the Game Reserve and Ubombo mountains in the west

Construction of the dam started in 1963 and was completed in 1973 but after completion, the dam could not be filled as it would inundate part of Swaziland. It took 9 years to overcome this problem and just in time, Cyclone Domoina hit the South African coast in 1982. To this day, the catchment area received a record 700mm of rainfall and the dam was filled to 87% (it was 13% before the cyclone)

Water birds are plentiful and these white-faced ducks show off their gorgeous colours in the early sunlight

"The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature"

Do you ever feel you're being watched?...

The beautiful European Roller is the only roller to breed in Europe in their summer and migrate to African for the winter

Getting down with a dung beetle sure makes you appreciate just how hard working these guys are

Egrets and guinea fowl on the prowl for anything edible

A magnificent Brown Snake Eagle looking for his breakfast

The next best thing to walking a wilderness is being on a boat viewing the wilderness. Jozini is South Africa's version of Kariba Dam. When the morning fish is over...

... float over to the Pongola Game Reserve and be awed

One of the biggest crocs we've yet to see

An openbilled Stork on the hunt for fish, crustaceans or fresh water mussels

Nyala family gathering

A shy Kudu doe eyeballing us

In the early years when the dam was fuller, we could take a slow ride up the Pongola river. It's source is some 2200m high near Utrecht in Mpumulanga. Tiger fish occur in all rivers flowing eastwards in most of Africa and they've occurred here naturally for centuries

Whitebacked Vultures I think

When last did you see such an impressive horn? The egret seems to be telling her just how impressive it is

The Sicklebush or Kalahari Christmas Tree, a profusion of color when flowering through December (fashion dictated that pink and yellow never go together). Nature tells a different story

The Sicklebush is often confused with the Acasia trees but the former has spines and the latter, thorns. It is a medicinal plant, having antibiotic properties and can help with many conditions such as pneumonia, stomach complaints, dysentery, gonorrhoea and worms. The wood is extremely strong and hard and burns well and the inner bark makes a reliable rope. An effective eyewash is made from the seedpod. The bush is grown near homes to ward off evil spirits

Natures perfection - string of stars ( common heliotrope)

I have yet to find out what this tree is

Teeny tiny baby, the population still on the rise here

"C'mon, smile for the camera guys!"

"I said SMILE!"

"I'm trying to be cute man"

"You cute? Haha that's funny"

"We're really not impressed"

A hazy early morning walk, thankfully rhino have bad eyesight as I wake them from their slumber

A new year and a massive drop in the water level brings water birds to the shallows by the dozen

African spoonbills with a youngster

I've never seen Pelicans or Flamingo's here before

A light breeze lifts the feathers creating a 'skirt'

Its such an honour to watch these graceful birds going about their business. What a treat!

Stranded fresh water mussels sparkle like jewels on the sand

The drought is taking its toll and the woodland forest is being picked clean

The African fish eagle is not a 'true' eagle but belongs to the Haliaeetus genus of sea eagles. They habitually steal food from other species and eat not only fish but ducks, terrapins, crocodiles and flamingos

Southern yellowbilled hornbill enticing a mate with a morsel of food

7 Giants on the move

Backing up into a lager for a nap

Another family of 3 arrive with a youngster in tow

The sleepy rhino rise...

and a scuffle ensues, scattering beasts and birds

Peace is soon restored. There are not many places to witness this type of interaction on such a scale. What a privilege!

The grassland seen in the rhino photo collection was under water not long ago. It is said that the dam will never be kept more than 40 percent full

There are more than 27 species of fish in the dam with the tiger being the most abundant. Other species are barbel, blue kurper, red breast kurper, african longfin eel, southern barred minnow, three spot barb, natal, bushveld and lowveld yellowfish, mudfish, bass and tilapia to name a few. Jozini must be the most diverse body of water in Southern Africa

A short visit a few weeks back sadly found this part of Northern Zululand in the grip of severe drought. Life looks desperate

Its going to take many years of good rains to bring this beautiful park back to its former glory. Will the wildlife survive? Some grazing on the exposed banks as the water recedes might provide some nurishment until the rains arrive

"In the falling rain, I learn to grow again"