Cats Can Fly *

[Sharifa]

We have been travelling to Kruger and KTP over the years and have seen many amazing sights. Many of you may have read our trip reports as we shared our once in a lifetime sighting of the “Cheetah in the Tree.”

Then we had some special scenes like the mating leopards being disturbed by the buffalos. Altercations between lion and hyenas at Urikaruus waterhole, Charlie Fax feeding her little ones, the cheetah chasing down a springbok, though she was not successful, the birth of a springbok, Princess, the leopard and many more.
We were blessed to get another of those once in a lifetime sightings on this trip.

Most days started of below 0 degrees and then warmed up. One day we started the day at -8 C. Though we did see large herds of springbok, gemsbok and wildebeest, we had to scratch around to find the predators and raptors. The animals tend to move into the dunes at night when the temperature drops and then return to the riverbed in the morning at around 9am when it warms up.

The trip started out real slow as far as sightings were concerned. They were few and far between.

27-07-2013

We arrived at Twee Rivieren at about 3.45pm and it was a beautiful 28 deg. After unpacking and settling down we took a drive to Leeudril.

Our first sightings were gemsbok





Springbok



The next day we were off to Kieliekrankie Camp.

[Sharifa]

28-07-2013

The gate opened at 7.30am and we were off to Kieliekrankie for the next two days. I expected the temperature to be lower but it was a lovely 5 deg. C.
We drove to Kij Kij and saw very little game.
On the dune road we saw some ostriches.



It was still too early to check in so we carried on to the Auob River side and down to Houmoed waterhole.
It was still quiet but saw some nice herds of springbok



At Kamfersboom Waterhole we were watched a herd of springbok and wildebeest. We carried on further south where we met this lioness who walked all the way to Kamfersboom (about 3kms.)



That sent the herds scattering but she was only interested in having a drink and not eating. They still thought it safer to stay out of her way.





She had her drink and disappeared over the dune.






On the afternoon drive we spent time with a Martial Eagle at Gemsbokplein.

[Lisbeth]

Great lioness seguence Isn't it rather strange to see a lioness on her own, if she does not have cubs Maybe she was close to giving birth

[Richprins]

Hey!

Great stuff, Sharifa!

I think that lioness is pregnant!

[Sharifa]

29-07-2013

The day started at -5 °C (Bbrrrrrrr). We headed for the Auob side from Kieliekrankie. On the dune road we saw a spotted hyena



He ran quite a way with us, seems like he was also trying to warm up -O

Just before Gemsbokplein we found two Martial Eagles. We saw these every time we drove this area and they were building a nest









this one was very vocal



On the afternoon drive we went to Twee Rivieren and on the way we saw a Rock Kestrel - the first of many



A sleepy lion at Munro



A pygmy falcon close to Twee Rivieren

[Sharifa]

Aren't spotted hyenas rarer than brownies there?

Fine shots, Sharifa!

They are RP. There are about 590 brownies and 380 spotted hyenas.
The brownies are more secretive so you see them less often, unlike their spotted cousins.

[Sharifa]

30-07-2013

Today we were leaving for Urikaruus, to spend the next three nights there. Once we were in the riverbed, the temperature hit -5° C. The temperature in the dunes is higher than in the riverbed by a degree or two and the temperature is at its highest late in the afternoon. Today it peaked at 26° C. Urikaruus Camp is not well insulated and the cabins are extremely hot in the day and extremely cold at night. We were lucky the water in the pipes did not freeze up.

At Munro we saw a Tawny Eagle



Before Auchterlonie meerkats









Just before 13 Borehole we found Seleka , she looked very well and relaxed. She is growing up to be a fine young lady. We first saw her in November last year with her brother Tshidi just south of Urikaruus. The first pic is Seleka from November last year



She walked around very confidently



Climbed a tree came down and paraded some more







She crossed the road for us and disappeared into the dunes

[Sharifa]

Back at Urikaruus Camp we were visited by some kudus and jackals.
The jackal having a drink



The kudus came to have their drink







Then quickly ran off



And another rock kestrel

[Sharifa]

For our afternoon drive we decided to go to 13 Borehole. Seleka who was 1km south of the borehole when we saw her earlier had decided the same



She was sitting under the tree looking at the waterhole



and kept an eye on the jackals that kept coming to drink water





We thought she would charge a jackal but no such luck. She ventured out when the jackals had gone to the far end





got mobbed by a crow for her troubles - cannot even have a dump in peace -O





She just sat down and looked pretty as a picture amongst the flowers



but that brought out the jackals and they started howling away - there were 3 of them but the other two kept their distance



It was all too much for Seleka who crossed the road in front of us and disappeared over the dunes

[Sharifa]

31-08-2013

I was obsessed with the temperature making notes of them every day. Today we started off with 0° C and reached a lovely 25.

We started off with a Red-necked Falcon





We have travelled to the KTP for a few years and I have always looked out for scorpions and today I had my first sighting of one BUT it did not last long. This roller caught one




Bashed it around a few times







Flipped it uplike a pancake and caught it





and enjoyed his prize



Bye bye scorpion

Rollers feed on insects such as grasshoppers and beetles but have been known to eat crabs, small amphibians and also small birds and rodents.

And now scorpions too