Me too!Bushcraft wrote:
I can only wish that KNP was on my door step
Sprocky's visits to Kruger Park
Re: Sprocky's visits to Kruger Park
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Sprocky
- Posts: 7110
- Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:29 pm
- Country: South Africa
- Location: Grietjie Private Reserve
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Re: Sprocky's visits to Kruger Park
Hi all. Back from a few wonderful days at Shingwedzi with my two daughters and leachy. 
It was a strange trip regarding sightings and the weather. The weather went from one extreme to the next, max temps of 43 and then torrential downpours and gale force winds. All perfect weather when camping. As for sightings, they were not the best either, but good company and a few cold ones followed by good food made the trip most enjoyable. 
I will post each days sightings in their own posts, making a total of five posts.
I'll be back with the first day shortly.
It was a strange trip regarding sightings and the weather. The weather went from one extreme to the next, max temps of 43 and then torrential downpours and gale force winds. All perfect weather when camping.
As for sightings, they were not the best either, but good company and a few cold ones followed by good food made the trip most enjoyable. I will post each days sightings in their own posts, making a total of five posts.
I'll be back with the first day shortly.
Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.
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Sprocky
- Posts: 7110
- Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:29 pm
- Country: South Africa
- Location: Grietjie Private Reserve
- Contact:
Re: Sprocky's visits to Kruger Park
Shingwedzi Day 1 14 December 2013
We entered the Phala gate at around 07h00 and headed north for Shingwedzi. I was really shocked at the lack of life, it was very quiet. It was also starting to warm up, but nothing compared to what we experienced later.
First up, a huddle of Mopani Worms sorting out the last few leaves a this tree...
The rest of the drive was dead quiet, luckily I managed to get a pic of this little Black Crake close to the Shipandani hide...
On arrival at Shingwedzi the check in went quick and smooth. I was soon building up a major sweat in the sweltering heat while setting up camp. Our first guest was this Monitor that found a spot under a tree next to our tent. He was also trying to survive the heat, mouth open wide trying to cool down...
Once the camp was set up, I chilled with a few cold ones in the shade while the girls raided the pool. A Puffback came and joined me in the shade, also with his mouth wide open to take advantage of any form of cooling...
This poor Squirrel tried to escape the heat by laying flat on his belly in the shade under my bakkie...
Later in the afternoon we took a short drive along the Red Rock's road. Still not much to be seen as the heat had not yet been broken. There was a troop of Baboons, and this one looked so cute...
On the way back to camp I spotted this Woodlands, yet another creature with it's mouth open for cooling...
Back at camp we chilled with a few beers and a good braai. Day 2 coming soon...
We entered the Phala gate at around 07h00 and headed north for Shingwedzi. I was really shocked at the lack of life, it was very quiet. It was also starting to warm up, but nothing compared to what we experienced later.
First up, a huddle of Mopani Worms sorting out the last few leaves a this tree...
The rest of the drive was dead quiet, luckily I managed to get a pic of this little Black Crake close to the Shipandani hide...
On arrival at Shingwedzi the check in went quick and smooth. I was soon building up a major sweat in the sweltering heat while setting up camp. Our first guest was this Monitor that found a spot under a tree next to our tent. He was also trying to survive the heat, mouth open wide trying to cool down...
Once the camp was set up, I chilled with a few cold ones in the shade while the girls raided the pool. A Puffback came and joined me in the shade, also with his mouth wide open to take advantage of any form of cooling...
This poor Squirrel tried to escape the heat by laying flat on his belly in the shade under my bakkie...
Later in the afternoon we took a short drive along the Red Rock's road. Still not much to be seen as the heat had not yet been broken. There was a troop of Baboons, and this one looked so cute...
On the way back to camp I spotted this Woodlands, yet another creature with it's mouth open for cooling...
Back at camp we chilled with a few beers and a good braai. Day 2 coming soon...
Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.
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Sprocky
- Posts: 7110
- Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:29 pm
- Country: South Africa
- Location: Grietjie Private Reserve
- Contact:
Re: Sprocky's visits to Kruger Park
Shingwedzi Day 2 15 December 2013
After a night of serious heat and not a breath of wind, we freshened up to hit the road to Crook's Corner and Pafuri for a brunch. At 06h30 it was already 26 degrees, so was was once again not expecting to see the best sightings as it was getting hotter by the second. A Giraffe was already looking for shade...
Even this Fish Eagle had no intention of moving from his vantage point...
In the heat the only animals that I found that had any energy was a herd of about 20 to 25 Waterbuck. They were next to the road, but once I stopped they fled. All the females first and then finally the bull followed them, at speed...
After a healthy skottel breakfast we made our way back to camp and the refreshing swimming pool. I then sat at the camp and watched a few birds while sucking on an ice cold beer or six. A little Crombec kept me busy for a while...
Another bird that was quite amusing was this juvenile Glossy Starling. It was almost as big as it's parents, but still kept crying to be fed even though it was quite capable of finding it's own food between feedings. Here it is perched on the braai having a good ol' scratch...
The evening routine was much the same as the previous day, myself and leachy braaiing while the LO's stayed in the pool until summonsed to return for dinner.
Day 3 to follow...
After a night of serious heat and not a breath of wind, we freshened up to hit the road to Crook's Corner and Pafuri for a brunch. At 06h30 it was already 26 degrees, so was was once again not expecting to see the best sightings as it was getting hotter by the second. A Giraffe was already looking for shade...
Even this Fish Eagle had no intention of moving from his vantage point...
In the heat the only animals that I found that had any energy was a herd of about 20 to 25 Waterbuck. They were next to the road, but once I stopped they fled. All the females first and then finally the bull followed them, at speed...
After a healthy skottel breakfast we made our way back to camp and the refreshing swimming pool. I then sat at the camp and watched a few birds while sucking on an ice cold beer or six. A little Crombec kept me busy for a while...
Another bird that was quite amusing was this juvenile Glossy Starling. It was almost as big as it's parents, but still kept crying to be fed even though it was quite capable of finding it's own food between feedings. Here it is perched on the braai having a good ol' scratch...
The evening routine was much the same as the previous day, myself and leachy braaiing while the LO's stayed in the pool until summonsed to return for dinner.
Day 3 to follow...
Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.
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Sprocky
- Posts: 7110
- Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:29 pm
- Country: South Africa
- Location: Grietjie Private Reserve
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Re: Sprocky's visits to Kruger Park
Shingwedzi Day 3 16 December 2013
The plan today was to do a short drive and then get back to camp for breakfast. Red Rock's it would be, the full loop. The girls however decided that the pool was a better plan.
Once again, the heat was building fast so there was no time to waste.
First up today, a few Buffs...
It was still relatively early and this Nyala ewe had already claimed her spot in the shade...
Yet another one of the numerous Woodlands that we saw...
A dugga boy stretching and shaking of a bit of excess mud from his pack...
The same chap looking cool in his fresh mud...
Almost back at camp I spotted this impressive looking tusker...
Back at camp it was breakfast time. The biggest job was getting the kids away from the pool to come and eat. Leachy wacked together an amazing breakfast. The plan was to relax and do a late afternoon drive. I joined the kids in the pool for just over an hour. While there I was watching the clouds building, not knowing how serious they were. We had to get out of the water as there was already lots of thunder and lightning. Back at the tent it only took a few minutes before the heavens opened up. This was followed by very strong winds and even heavier rain. The air had now cooled and it was an ideal time for some shut eye. I awoke once the rain had stopped and checked that the tent was still in one piece. Leachy also popped over to see if we had survived. The rain continued intermittently for the remainder of the afternoon, stopping just long enough for us to braai in the evening. We could now have our first decent sleep in liveable temperature. Little did we know that we would not see the sun again on this trip.
An overcast, wettish day 4 next...
The plan today was to do a short drive and then get back to camp for breakfast. Red Rock's it would be, the full loop. The girls however decided that the pool was a better plan.
Once again, the heat was building fast so there was no time to waste.
First up today, a few Buffs...
It was still relatively early and this Nyala ewe had already claimed her spot in the shade...
Yet another one of the numerous Woodlands that we saw...
A dugga boy stretching and shaking of a bit of excess mud from his pack...
The same chap looking cool in his fresh mud...
Almost back at camp I spotted this impressive looking tusker...
Back at camp it was breakfast time. The biggest job was getting the kids away from the pool to come and eat. Leachy wacked together an amazing breakfast. The plan was to relax and do a late afternoon drive. I joined the kids in the pool for just over an hour. While there I was watching the clouds building, not knowing how serious they were. We had to get out of the water as there was already lots of thunder and lightning. Back at the tent it only took a few minutes before the heavens opened up. This was followed by very strong winds and even heavier rain. The air had now cooled and it was an ideal time for some shut eye. I awoke once the rain had stopped and checked that the tent was still in one piece. Leachy also popped over to see if we had survived. The rain continued intermittently for the remainder of the afternoon, stopping just long enough for us to braai in the evening. We could now have our first decent sleep in liveable temperature. Little did we know that we would not see the sun again on this trip.
An overcast, wettish day 4 next...
Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.
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nan
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- Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 9:41 pm
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Re: Sprocky's visits to Kruger Park
welcome back
nice start... Baboon can be cute... time to time
love the Squirrel flat in the ground, super serie of birds and the Monitor's portrait
nice start... Baboon can be cute... time to time
love the Squirrel flat in the ground, super serie of birds and the Monitor's portrait
Kgalagadi lover… for ever
https://safrounet.piwigo.com/
https://safrounet.piwigo.com/
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Flutterby
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Re: Sprocky's visits to Kruger Park
Jeez Sprocks, are you in a hurry? 
Great pics , but I can't say I'd want to be in Kruger in December...way too hot for me! 
Great pics
, but I can't say I'd want to be in Kruger in December...way too hot for me!