Mars - Have You Been Watching "The Pond" Lately?

Post by **tex** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 1:32 pm

After all the rains a few weeks ago, it's pretty green there right now, and there's probably water still standing all over the plains, because I haven't seen many animals coming to Pete's Pond lately, (maybe I'm watching at the wrong time of day), but the birds are really active these days. I watched last night from about 10:30 pm CDT, until around 11:30, and besides a beautiful sunrise, they showed a lot of closeups of songbirds, and their nests, in the thorn trees, and the audio was completely saturated with their songs, the whole time. Apparently, it's nesting season there, now.

I usually see more animals for an hour or so just before sundown, (around 10:30 am CDT to 11), but the last time I logged on then, all I saw was a crocodile sunning himself, (or herself, as the case may be). I haven't been inclined to stay up all night, to see what shows up at other times of the day. It was a birdwatcher's delight last night, though.

In case anyone is wondering what I'm talking about, I'm referring to some live cams at Pete's Pond, in Botswana, a country in South Africa. Mars found the National Geographic sponsered site a couple of years or so ago, and brought it to our attention. Watching is always relaxing, and often you can see a wide variety of African animals and birds there. You can even watch at night, (IOW, during the daylight hours here in the states), because they switch the cameras over to infrared. I've never seen much when it's night there, (but I've never spent much time watching then, either, since I'm usually working then). Even if you don't see anything, though, you can still enjoy the unique sounds of the African night.

You can see it here:

http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/wildcamafrica/

You need the latest version of RealPlayer, to access the video stream, but you can download it right there on the site.

Love,
Tex

Mars · Post by **Mars** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 5:54 pm

Yep, saw some elephants the other day in the pond. I haven't seen as much as last year yet but hope I will soon!

Glad you enjoy it. I love it when I see the pond full of animals and the sounds are sooo relaxing.

Love,
Mars

jenilake · Post by **jenilake** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 7:27 pm

Hi Tex and Mars,

I have watched some this month. Mostly birds, but I am happy to see the pond is back.

I know Polly is very busy, but I sure miss her posts about her pond, talking with someone else who had one.

I was up at 2 or 3 am the other night/day, and I saw birds, an antelope? and something I couldn't identify. Amazing place.

Thanks, both of you, for all you do here!!!!

Kathyp

Mars · Post by **Mars** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:56 am

It's Sunday at 10 a.m. Eastern and the pond is "hoppin"!

I watch the screen in RealPlayer mode by clicking the upper left corner of the screen and clicking on Realplayer. It will increase the screen size and enable you to see the animals clearer.

Enjoy everyone!

Love,
Mars

Post by **tex** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:58 am

Hi Mars,

That's the way I watch it too, in theater mode, most of the time, (unless it's quiet).

Thanks for the heads up - I'll check it out.

Love,
Tex

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:30 am

This is the first day I've really been able to "watch the pond" this year. How fantastic!! I've been watching a bird work on his (?) hanging, woven nest, and listening to all the other birds making their individual noises. It's great.

Love, Shirley

jenilake · Post by **jenilake** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:40 am

I've been watching it too, Shirley. Also saw a croc.

Love, Kathyp