Kruger - A short photo tale from Satara *

[pooky]

We had a glorious five days at Satara in August.
I am not going to do a day by day TR - mainly because I didn't make notes and
I can't remember everything!! ( I think the grey hair is getting in the way -O -O )
But here are a few photos that we took.

Hope you enjoy.





One of the many glorious sunrises we experienced.



This coucal obliged beautifully. I normally battle to photograph them as they always creep into the bushes.






This big ellie was enjoying a prickly snack on the S100



Play time for these two big fellows

[pooky]

A few more pics to go on with

Always cute are the babies, whichever ones they are.
This little giraffe looks like he has a punk hairstyle





Waterbuck
How cute is this little face. One could almost touch that wet nose.


Breakfast time for the baboon baby. Doesn't look as if there is much there though.


I am glad we don't all have to get down to drink in that position.
This was on the Rabelais loop right next to the road. He wasn't phased by us at all.



Bath time for an assortment of doves.

[pooky]

Another beautiful sunrise to start the day.



This purple roller was catching some early morning sun.



Impala keeping a weary eye on the water while taking a quick sip.




Impala lily at Oliphants camp



Mum hyena on here way back to her den.



One of 3 pups waiting for mum.



A bird with huge attitude. Redbilled hornbill

[pooky]

This gentle giant was very calmly standing next to the road but the next one.........



A very unhappy lady - she objected to us being in her space and this was all I could
get in when she gave chase. A bit blurred too- do you blame me. There was pandemonium in the car



A tasty morsel



Brown hooded kingfisher




Brown headed parrot




What a lovely sound - can you not just hear the fish eagle call



Water monitor keeping a beady eye on proceedings.



Different strokes for different foals!!



Another hornbill with attitude - this time the yellowbilled.

[pooky]

At Nsameni dam one of 3 lioness. There was also a lioness below the dam wall with 3 tiny cubs but we miss
them unfortunately.



No 2.



What a life - relaxing on the banks of the dam - little did they know what was on the way.



Talk was that this was a herd of +/- 800. they just kept coming. At first there was a bit
of chaos as the lions would chase the buffs only to be chased back again. Eventually the lions
were just overwhelmed by numbers and they moved a short distance away.
This was an awesome sight and the biggest herd we had ever seen.






This big fellow had a little oxpecker friend drying himself after a bath in the dam.
We spent a long time watching the action. The next morning the buffalo were still
there.



One of the bushbuck girls at Timbavati picnic are.



A dustbin lid makes a convenient bird bath at Timbavati. Blue waxbills, female weavers and crested francolin

[pooky]

We met up with a few yellow ribbons this time.

John 'n Poppy were regulars around Satara. We met Susieb's SO, she was in another car.
Bushcraft we met on the Nsameni dam wall. Also a lady from Europe (I think it was Magic Guari)
She ran up to us at Satara, asked if we had seen Kamadejo then ran off and I am sorry I didn't
quite catch her name :oops: :oops: If there is anyone else I have left out I am sorry :oops: :oops:

Here are a few more pics.



Trying to find a bit of greenery.



A little pool of water at the Nwanetsi crossing


The reeds make a perfect ambush spot - no wonder the impala look so jittery :roll:



Two majestic kudu bulls



These kori bustards were checking out something flying in the sky



We saw many of these around Satara.



White fronted bee eaters on the banks of the Olifants river



black headed oriole at Olifants camp


Breakfast time.



Sabota lark

[pooky]

Especially for Crested Barbet and Vall :) :)



This bateleur was quite close to the road - not sure what he had on the ground.



And this one was watching the remains of a kill.



a kudu cow with her lovely soft eyes



Very alert


The Satara Scops owl right out in the open on a wild banana plant.



We were surprised at how much in the open it was and in full sun.



Yellow billed storks tempting fate with a croc at Sweni hide



My first attempt at a BIF. This black shouldered kite obliged by hovering



A lappet faced vulture spreading his wings with a white backed vulture looking on



Oh what bliss - one can almost read the expression on the baboons face.

[pooky]

Crested francolin



Lilac breasted roller - a favourite with many people






A well camouflaged pearl spotted owl



Lovely to see these precious rhino



Double banded sand grouse.



Stone chat.



A juvenile saddlebill stork



Stripes with a burnt background.



Wire tailed swallow.



Orangebreasted bush shrike. Not the best pic - it wasn't too keen to sit still :roll:



Assorted hornbill gathering.



And finally a lovely hazy sunset.