Red Socks and a Bird Book - CENTRAL KNP*

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Amoli
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Red Socks and a Bird Book - CENTRAL KNP*

Post by Amoli »

Red socks and a Bird Book – Central KNP

Red socks mean that I will be on a mission to find …..

No – not sharks, 0*\

No – not cheetahs 0*\

No – not bluebulls 0*\

But ….. LIONS. - and male lions especially... O/\ O/\ O/\


And the bird book is to remind me to scan the trees for ….

LIT…. O\/ O\/


On the off chance of seeing birds, then I will have the book on hand for reference. ;-)


I am excited to do the central of the Park on this visit.
The map books are marked with regular sightings from A.W. travel tales and my eyes are set on the weather channel. 0'
My day trips have be cut in half so that we can travel at half the speed – and maybe do certain roads twice. (I am learning) -O -O

I would love to see :

Civet
Roan
Sable
Secretary bird
Kori bustard
Rock monitor
A Blackie
any raptor from nearby. :-)


We will overnight in Lydenburg going down, and be in the park from Saturday 29th to Sunday the 6th Jan.
I decided to exit Malelane and do a sleep over in Nelspruit.
Any wildies wanting to share a cold one… we will be at the Spur near Mediclinic from 6 o’clock on Sunday evening having dinner. X#X

Oh.... and I will pay for the pint we share =O: =O:


Pretoriuskop
Satara
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Re: Red Socks and a Bird Book - CENTRAL KNP

Post by Amoli »

Amoli wrote: But ….. LIONS. - and male lions especially... O/\ O/\ O/\


And the bird book is to remind me to scan the trees for ….

LIT…. O\/ O\/


I would love to see :

Civet
Roan
Sable
Secretary bird
Kori bustard
Rock monitor
A Blackie

Any raptor nearby. :-)

Was I spoilt.? I would think so... I saw two separate male lion no further than 20 m from me... O:V O:V O/\ O/\ \

and I saw 3 lifer raptors.... need to make double sure of their ID's.

It is very hot here - some say 40 degrees, other say 50 with a night temp of 28... 0*\

More stories and pics to follow. Bye.. 0/* 0/*


Pretoriuskop
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Re: Red Socks and a Bird Book - CENTRAL KNP

Post by Amoli »

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We had an overnight stay in Lydenburg to add hours to our day driving up to Letaba.

As we entered at Orpen gate, a great welcome awaited me – an (Eurasian Hobby-wrong) Amur Falcon. I now know that it’s message for me was that I might not see that many lions, but I will add a lot of ticks to my bird book. ^Q^

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Service at Orpen was good and quick and we were soon on our way. Isn’t it a sure thing that when you enter the park, the first 20km’s or so, you drive at a snails’ pace, scanning every tree and every shrub. -O -O

I will mention here we saw a Rhino and at no specific location.

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We were greeted by a confused bird – instead of ‘hello’ – is says go-away.

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These chickens were plentiful in the park, and they were full of fun and games. They would run quarter way into the road and as soon as you slow down, they move to the middle. While you think they are actually on the move, they suddenly come to a standstill and you have to brake with a jerk. We got their trick soon enough and out-chickened them.
Crested Francolin

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I had a field day with the rollers – and stopped at about every one – my explanation being that I needed a good pic. European Roller

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Staying with the European birds – European Bee-eater.

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Wattled starling is a first for me – and although it makes a lot of noise in a group, it is such a pretty bird

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O0 O0 O/\ O/\ O\/ O\/

…. And the red socks started it’s work. Between the S39 and S12 we came across the first male lion. It was sleeping a few yards from the road under a tree.
He looked up, said his welcomes, wished us well and turned on his back to continue his nap.

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Just up the road we found a second male.
He was not impressed with attention. He got up and moved right under the bush. Had we not seen him get up, he would have been hidden to all eyes.

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Nsemani dam was quiet, and knowing we would return, we pushed on. We found these buffs at Satara.

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A few k’s from Satara we saw this cheetah under a faraway tree. The Kruger is quite overgrown with faraway trees. O**

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And of course there is always a vulture nearby to clean the table of feasts.

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At Ngotso two lazy ladies were taking a nap and couldn’t be bothered with traffic jams and bino’s.

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There was excitement brooding the car. O/\ O\/ ^Q^ O/\
So far we have seen 4 of the Big 5 in one day…. Wow. Now what if…..sigh.


The Olifants river is sooooo beautiful. I could build my house right here and have this view daily if some people of power would allow it.

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While waiting for service at Olifants, I noticed this tree.

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By the way, the service never happened and we grabbed a snack and a cooldrink and left.



Letaba camp was great.

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The service was good – the campsite was hugh and all amenities nearby.

Our neighbors were all two sites away. The only time we heard one couple was when they got up at 3.30 (every morning) and started smashing freezer meat on the floor, chucking dishes and stuff in the picnic basket – and hubby scruffing : Is die koffie al klaar, maak die fles vol, onthou om die fan af te sit. (is coffee done, fill up the flask, and remember to put off the fan) I actually got up to watch this – and then this person would come out the caravan door, open his 6liter bakkie door and bark the last commands before starting up. Then he would rev it in order to hurry the missus up. Aai, aai.


At the restaurant we were watching an ellie go down a sand dune. He would literally fall on his one bum and slide down. He then got up and went on his way – so naturally.

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The sun was setting on this our first day, and we were content – well, almost.

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Day 2 to follow
Last edited by Amoli on Wed Jan 09, 2013 8:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.


Pretoriuskop
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Re: Red Socks and a Bird Book - CENTRAL KNP

Post by Dewi »

:o0ps: :o0ps: :o0ps:

I wasn't with you for a moment there...I'd skipped the Hobby bit Amoli. Too excited looking at the pic :o0ps:

The red cere and underparts markings are the pointers to it being Amur Falcom. \O


Dewi

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Re: Red Socks and a Bird Book - CENTRAL KNP

Post by Amoli »

Day 2
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We decided to take a quick drive to Sable dam before the meet, and maybe drop into Phala for petrol , some cash and nice cold cooldrinks.
Sunrise from S96
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Our first sighting was a yellow-billed kite. I asked it to move a bit for better lighting…. And it obliged.
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We stopped off a few places with water and I took random pictures of little birdies flying around.

Brown crowned Tchagra
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Black chested Snake Eagle
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Diedericks cuckoo – I was looking for a Klaas….
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Longbilled crombec
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And then I heard a familiar Rietvlei sound. A red crested korhaan.
We stopped a few times on our trip when we heard the korhaan, and then searched the bushes for it.
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We passed Sprocky and his family on their way in to Letaba for the meet; we said a quick hello, see u later, and went on our way to Sable Dam.

There were two ellies cooling down in the dam, a grey heron, some water thick knee and a marabou in the distant. The hide was quiet.
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We saw some general game and a giraffe (that would fit my lens….)
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On our return and very close to camp, we came across these marabou’s
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The top right hand Woody is the same woody as at our meet. I just loved taking pics of these bright well vocalized birds.
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On our afternoon drive to Engelhart dam –
Juv green wood hoophoe
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Some Hippo’s drawing maps in the sand
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Blue wildebeest - I found a lot of them in the park this time – also lots of young ones.
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And at the river on the H1-6 – Warthog babies with mommy nearby
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Ellie having a cool down.
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No cats today….
Last edited by Amoli on Sat Jan 12, 2013 2:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.


Pretoriuskop
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Re: Red Socks and a Bird Book - CENTRAL KNP

Post by Amoli »

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This beautiful sunrise just outside camp, caught my eye and I stopped to take a pic. A very kind gentleman stopped next to me and asked what were we looking at, … so early in the morning… and in the middle of the road. Only then I realized where I had stopped !
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We turned off on the S47 Letaba river road and was heading for Mingerhout dam.
This was on my bucket list.
About a kilometer in, as I was coming round a bend, a mighty big ellie was having breakfast, standing in the road.
He shook his head as if to say : no, no.
I reversed a little bit and waited.
Then he shook his head and trunk, and came walking to me, saying : I said no!.
I respected his authority…. and reversed around the bend, and went back to where I came from.

A quick re-plan and we decided to have breakfast at Timbavati.
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We saw some warthog
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And this Tawny
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We also saw kudu, waterbuck and giraffes and lots of baby impi’s
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I believe this is not ‘common’ in Kruger – Black shouldered kite.. O:V
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RobT later told me he saw lion on the Timbavati road toward Orpen, but I combed the area – ziltch, nada, niks.
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I stopped at Leeubron and after taking a pic of the ‘Windmill’, I made a decision to find out what and why this windmill looked like this.
I now understand the solar system - so it can no longer be called a windmill. ;-)
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Our first real kill…. Toko tops…
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At Nsemani I could improve on my ‘water-drinking-giraffe’ photo. Now I can chuck the other one… \O
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Just outside Satara, there is a dam that has changed into a mud pool. This ellie was struggling to get out.
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I found a drinking Bateleur. What a magnificent bird.
We also came across one in the road, and for the few seconds it allowed me, I was just watching it in amazement - Jacques calls that pictures for your heart.
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Flowers decorated the sides of the road – a real garden trip O0
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And trees showing their years of dedication and togetherness 0/0
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Of the 1081 rollers I saw, here are a few..
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During our afternoon drive, on the river road, a red car stopped next to me, and asked me something about my ribbons and who I was…. Big eyes,
I started explaining about AW.. and he laughed and introduced himself as GlenD. What a pleasure to meet up with them. -O -O

There were hippos with babies, more waterbuck..and buffalo
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And then I grasped …. At first I did not recognize them… stunning junvenile Fish Eagles.. another absolute highlight for me. O/\ O/\
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And the sun sets on this the last day of 2012… 0/* 0/*

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.... and my AF packs up 0*\
Last edited by Amoli on Sun Jan 20, 2013 9:14 am, edited 1 time in total.


Pretoriuskop
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Re: Red Socks and a Bird Book - CENTRAL KNP

Post by Amoli »

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We went up north to have breakfast at Mooiplaas and see the markings of the Capricorn line. ^Q^


I had to learn very fast how to use Manual Focus and ALL THE OTHER SETTINGS – so please excuse any blapses.
I later felt as if MF gave me more control – but I have a lot more to learn.

Sightings on the way was :

Squirrel
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Lot’s and lot’s of mackkies (impi’s)
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Buffalo – what is and what was :-(
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Middelvlei was like Nagmaal at Memel – lots of animals came and were camping out… O:V
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We were lined up by a buffalo who dared us to pass. GlenD was in front of me.. so I was safe. X#X =O:
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A wattled starling tree -O
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When we approached a breeding herd having breakfast both sides of the road, I waited for the Landy (in the buff-stand-off pic) and kept close to them while passing these ellies. O-/ O-/
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I loved the call of the Woodlands on all our trips through the park – and the doves definetly ‘koerrr’ different there than in the city.
Stunning sounds.

After Mooiplaas we saw a (another) Martial ;-)
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And at Bowkerkop this beautiful Tusker.
He seemed drained by the heat and tired.
Each movement he made was very slow. :-(
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At The Capricorn Line ^Q^ ^Q^ ^Q^
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On our return we dotted into the loops we missed.

We saw Southern Hornbills and youngster.
It pleases me to see that their breeding pattern continues. O/\
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The show of day was given by the Ellie – full of joy and show-off
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and after he cooled himself off, he had a lot of fun with the warthogs. =O: =O:
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On our whole trip we saw magnificent kudu bulls..
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Efjay was chuckling while taking this pic O**
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A saddle billed stork near Letaba
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This tree caught my eye.
Daddy tree was carrying his offspring through life’s storms on his shoulders.
No flooding should get to you my child.
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Once in camp, I felt tired and pulled my mattress half way out of my tent to lay down.
Efjay was busy cleaning the inside of the car and getting it ready for us to pack up for Satara the next day.
I fell asleep about immediately.
From a distance I could hear this panicky whisper… gran!!!, gran!!!… :shock: :shock: :shock:
I woke up quite annoyed and in the same breath I said, WHAT…
I saw the monitor only about a feet or so from my head.
Did I jump… yes, but for my camera. ^Q^ ^Q^ ^Q^
What a beauty the resident monst... eh..monitor of Letaba is.
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No cats today… they have all gone away…. O** (no milk today...)


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Re: Red Socks and a Bird Book - CENTRAL KNP

Post by Amoli »

Thanks for your support BC and JN... wonderful to have you... X#X X#X



So let's wake-up for Day 5 -O -O

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I decided to go on an early morning drive on my own and leave Jacques to sleep in.
Driving on the H10-Phala road, I enjoyed watching this Yellow Billed Kite being pestered by a little bird. -O -O
It was early and very cloudy.
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At the Maswidzudzu bridge I took the loop road and stopped.
I was scanning the cave and the koppies, and watching little Three Banded Plovers nibbling on the water edge.
I spent some time just relaxing.
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Time to head back to camp and start packing up for our stay at Satara.

I was so deep in thought, it caught me by surprise seeing a cheetah stealithly crawling across the road.
While I went for the camera, it disappeared into the bushes.
I scanned every tree and yellow marking.
I found it – laying, waiting.

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And I waited also.
It later got up and moved to what I think was part of the dry river bed.
I couldn’t see anything, but I soon heard the Impi’s warning cries and what sounded like barking.
I waited – thinking if it came from this side of the road – maybe the family will follow to share the feast.
Nothing happened and I left after about an hour.

Down the road I saw these Impi’s and they looked all tensed up and alarmed.
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And a Fork tailed Drongo
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While packing the Violet backed Starling came to say goodbye.
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This was a morning of ‘sitting-buck’ sightings..
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A little steenbokkie stopped to see us..
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Then… in the road was a Juv Bateleur… what a beautiful big bird.
I stopped and looked.
Totally amazed
– then a 4x4 came from the front. It reduced speed, and then went for the bird.

I cannot tell you how cold I went and dumbfounded – the bird was thrown from the front side fender.
By this time I was halfway through my window having a very, very serious talk to this guy, and in case he could not hear me,
I showed him with my hands what stupidity is.

I waited to see whether the bird would return, and whether it was hurt – not that I could do anything.
It came flying back and presented us with such beauty.

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I have seen so many pic’s similar to this one… yet we took our own pics..amazing
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We are halfway through our holiday... and my list is not nearby half seen !!
I would love to see :
MALE LIONS
Civet
Roan
Sable
Secretary bird
Kori bustard
Rock monitor
A Blackie
any raptor from nearby.


Next up : Day 5 – Part 2 - Satara


Pretoriuskop
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Re: Red Socks and a Bird Book - CENTRAL KNP

Post by Amoli »

Only this one I had on the quizzies... -O-

Does the build of the body show what it is..?


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Pretoriuskop
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Re: Red Socks and a Bird Book - CENTRAL KNP

Post by Amoli »

Day 5 – Part 2 - Satara

Before leaving Letaba our last thoughts were toward RobT and family who came around and checked on our well being after each storm we had. An appreciated friendship gesture, thank you : hugs: O0 O0 O0



The resident Satara Scops owl just closes it’s eyes with the onslaught of flashes around it!!

After taking a few pic s,while on my own, and without the flash, it did give me a little peep, saying …. Hi 0/*

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Oh, oh…. Better watch it – Satara has it’s own monitor !!! :shock: :shock:
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After setting up camp, it was time for a late afternoon drive. ^Q^ ^Q^

We decided on the S100 – a trip we did every day for the next three days (each time with two or three other cars as a preventative measure that I won’t miss anything). Not once did we see any cats, but an abundance of bird life. It was great. [O] [O]

Woody
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Juvenile Bateleur - O/ O/ No, it's a brown snake eagle
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S. Carmine Bee-eater
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S. Ground Hornbills
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And lots, and lots of Quelea’s - :o0ps: :-? :o0ps: actually female wattled starlings
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Oh, and I know where the xmas lights idea comes from…… O\/
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We saw Zebra, Blue wildebeest, Buffalo and lots of impi’s.

We also saw this big Ellie, with only one tooth. There was calmness about him. ;-)
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Our first night at Satara.
The camp atmosphere was awesome.
Some fires going – lulled chattings – and the smell of braaivleis.
We had two stands empty right around us - wonder if it was something we said. :O^

Time for Amarula and bed. X#X

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Next Up - No... (0) it's not my first leopard any more... 0*\
Last edited by Amoli on Mon Feb 04, 2013 1:19 pm, edited 2 times in total.


Pretoriuskop
Satara
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