Social distancing in the Kgalagadi Oct/Nov 2020
- GavinW
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Re: Social distancing in the Kgalagadi Oct/Nov 2020
Wednesday 11 November 2020
We wanted to get down to the cape fox den as early as possible, so we were the first car out of the gate on Wednesday morning. Not that it helped, as it didn’t take long for the rest of Mata Mata to catch up with us and pass us by.
I tend to travel at about 30km per hour so as to not to miss any sightings.
The sunrise at Sitsas was spectacular, and was made even more interesting with a pair of secretary birds silhouetted in the golden sunshine
Wishing I was in the KTP
- GavinW
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Re: Social distancing in the Kgalagadi Oct/Nov 2020
By the time we got to the Cape Fox den on the far side of the 14th borehole loop, there was a minor traffic jam at the site, with everyone trying to get a glimpse of the action.
Debbie doesn’t do traffic, so we carried on hoping to see the owl chicks a bit further down the road once again.
They weren’t home, and then FOMA set in
I turned around and returned as fast as I could to the cape foxes, fearful that by now they would have gone to sleep.
While we were driving back Debbie thought she could hear a strange noise from the tyres of the bakkie, but as the road had just been graded, she assumed that it was just the sound of the road
We got there to a quiet den, but we decided to wait and see what would happen.
We were not disappointed, as they all came out to play once again, and moved towards us.
Debbie doesn’t do traffic, so we carried on hoping to see the owl chicks a bit further down the road once again.
They weren’t home, and then FOMA set in
I turned around and returned as fast as I could to the cape foxes, fearful that by now they would have gone to sleep.
While we were driving back Debbie thought she could hear a strange noise from the tyres of the bakkie, but as the road had just been graded, she assumed that it was just the sound of the road
We got there to a quiet den, but we decided to wait and see what would happen.
We were not disappointed, as they all came out to play once again, and moved towards us.
Wishing I was in the KTP
- Lisbeth
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Re: Social distancing in the Kgalagadi Oct/Nov 2020
Mom looks a bit worn out
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
- GavinW
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Re: Social distancing in the Kgalagadi Oct/Nov 2020
The cubs were up to all sorts of nonsense including a game of catch
Eventually, they disappeared down underground so we moved off.
Eventually, they disappeared down underground so we moved off.
Wishing I was in the KTP
- GavinW
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Re: Social distancing in the Kgalagadi Oct/Nov 2020
Not far though as our left rear wheel was as flat as a pancake.
I got out the car and started preparing to get the wheel changed when the grader returned on it’s way back after grading up north.
I probably looked like some old helpless man with a car problem
(Which was a pretty accurate summation of things) so the kind SANParks gentlemen, stopped and offered their assistance.
My car jack could not fit under the vehicle due to the sand and the flat tyre so the SANParlks guys made a plan..
They jacked the bakkie up with the grader blade and changed the tyre for me.
Those guys rock!!!
I got out the car and started preparing to get the wheel changed when the grader returned on it’s way back after grading up north.
I probably looked like some old helpless man with a car problem
(Which was a pretty accurate summation of things) so the kind SANParks gentlemen, stopped and offered their assistance.
My car jack could not fit under the vehicle due to the sand and the flat tyre so the SANParlks guys made a plan..
They jacked the bakkie up with the grader blade and changed the tyre for me.
Those guys rock!!!
Last edited by GavinW on Sat Mar 13, 2021 6:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Wishing I was in the KTP
- harrys
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Re: Social distancing in the Kgalagadi Oct/Nov 2020
I just love those Cape foxes
KNP: May be one day again??
- RogerFraser
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Re: Social distancing in the Kgalagadi Oct/Nov 2020
Those Cape foxes are super cute
So happy to hear that the Sanparks guys stopped to help .
So happy to hear that the Sanparks guys stopped to help .
- Lisbeth
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Re: Social distancing in the Kgalagadi Oct/Nov 2020
Those cubs are just too cute for words
You were lucky to get some help
You were lucky to get some help
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
- GavinW
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Re: Social distancing in the Kgalagadi Oct/Nov 2020
It was still only 8.30 or so, so instead of going back to Mata Mata to fix the puncture, we decided to take a chance without a spare wheel and to carry on down south a fit further.
The swallow tailed bee- eaters were active at their nest near Kamqua, so we spent a bit of time watching them come and go
The swallow tailed bee- eaters were active at their nest near Kamqua, so we spent a bit of time watching them come and go
Wishing I was in the KTP