Braaiing with Wild Cats*

[Pumbaa]

Also another brown hooded kingfisher could easily be seen



and also a pied wagtail who favoured to rest on the specific rock formation on the left hand side of the hide.



A couple of white fronted bee eaters were busy in searching for food and obviously had other mouths to feed as some of them always flew into a nest



and lateron also took a rest of the famous rocks.



I guess we spent about two hours in the hide with enjoying the views and watching the birdies come and go and on the other hand it was also a far too hot day to be spent the entire day in the car on the road then in a lovely aerial hide as there was still a nice and steady breeze blowing.

Whenever in the park times flies by and although we did not drive that far today it was already early afternoon and so we decided to head back as slowly as possible to Olifants. Along the Letaba river road two buffaloes shared the riverbed with a saddle billed stork



and also a group of mostly white backed vultures was enjoying a refreshing bath in the river and



now also the buffaloes and the saddle billed stork could be captured a bit closer.





A group of baboons could be seen and also a cute squirrel who popped out of a bush could be captured



as well as more giraffes which always occur plentiful in that area



and a group of resting waterbucks.



Instead of the S93/46 we decided to drive back to camp via the tar road as we wanted to drive that road once again the next morning and so it was more than obvious that we would stumble across some elephants



- there were lone ones and for sure a great number of herds.



For sure a short stop on the famous view point on the H1-5 was also a must and besides the stunning view we could also observe and on top hear a lovely woodland kingfisher



and also an extreme large crocodile was resting on the shore.



The rest of the afternoon we definitely spent in camp enjoying the view and an early braai and although compared to the previous days at Satara this was a relatively quiet day which we nevertheless enjoyed plentiful as in particular the birdlife was incredible.

to be continued.....

[Pumbaa]

Friday, 21. February, 2014 - Olifants - Shingwedzi

Today dawned unfortunately already the last moving day inside the park and we packed everything together, however, simply had to enjoy the view a bit more that morning with the obligatory boiling hot coffee in hand which was in fact needful that early morning, as it was somehow extreme chilly outside with a strong wind blowing and with heavy dark clouds but although the weather stayed the whole day that way the rain kept gladly away.

With a final good-bye we headed forward to Shingwedzi first via the S44/93 but as already expected and maybe also because of that strange weather it was a quiet drive that early. A group of zebras crossed the road but it was still so dark that it was not worth to take any pictures. a bit later we saw on one of the causeways we had to cross a lovely giant kingfisher looking out for some fish.



At least after more than hour on the road it got meanwhile a bit brighter now and so this little cutie could also finally be captured after a couple of useless attempts – A Village indigobird -



and I cannot remember during our passed trips that we ever had seen this little blackie before.



Close to Engelhard as usual a group of waterbucks came across as well.



A short break at Letaba camp was then needful but we did not stay that long and carried on the H1-6 as well as S95 and it did also not take long until we stopped again in front of those nearly bare bushes because we first spotted a speckled mousebird -



gladly this shot came out lovely as this was the only one we were allowed to snap – the next one only showed a branch and some leaves but no mousebird.....but then somehow a couple of other birds appeared as well and Timon had indeed difficulties in capturing them all as they nearly appeared like an invasion – This was what we saw only within a couple of minutes in only one bush – a tawny flanked prinia,



a Jacobin cuckoo – gladly with this one the sightings did not end as the previous times,



a rattling cisticola with some nesting material



and another one of those most wanted birds – a green winged pytilia or easily known as melba finch.





I often envied all the others of you who showed pictures of this colourful bird in your reports but finally we got it now as well and this bush already made our day. Believe me one day we will choose such a bush and spent our whole day right in front of same waiting and staring what might come next.

Already whilst standing in front of that bush we noticed a couple of ground hornbills in some of the next trees along this lovely road and gladly they stayed in there as long as our bush watching lasted.



This one was permanently busy with cleaning its feathers



nevertheless Timon was once again in his element and fired away. Besides the birds also the baboons occurred along that road quite plentiful



with some cheeky ones having always something in mind in between them.



Once again on a sandbank we spotted today even two fish eagle, it must have been the adult we already saw yesterday at nearly the same spot, but today same was accompanied by a juvenile one



and same had later the honour in feeding on a fish on the ground which must have been caught a bit earlier already.



Already on the S95 we then found ourselves again in front of a tree because a group of redbilled woodhoopoes was busy in searching for some insects in the bark of same



and so Timon started to snap happily away as so often during this trip and I once again had difficulties in choosing the favourites.



to be continued.....

[Pumbaa]

I was amazed by the colours of theirs feathers as they were so differently shining in so many colours



and I had pleasure in watching in the faces when telling the people in the other cars that we were simply bird watching – I then always get a pitiful look back, as if we might have gone mad completely......



After a while I looked a bit more carefully up into the tree and discovered another African hoopoe who was fascinated watching what the redbilled woodhoopoes were doing.



We also spotted a crested barbet in that tree and a grey hornbill obviously attracted by the prevailing bird activity.





As it was ones again one of those trees in which everything can happen also a group of wattled starling made their attendance.



As soon as the activity started same was over and the tree trunk looked abundant as if nothing had been seen there only seconds earlier so we carried on and could watch also the many hippos again



as well as another beautiful saddle billed stork



although I must say that the light during the whole day was not nice for photographs. On the bridge across the Letaba we for sure left the car and soaked in everything once again as it was at least for this year time to say goodbye as we were driving steadily Northwards. We were already about to get back into the car when an impressive giant kingfisher landed on the railing of the bridge.



The rest of the drive on the H1-6 until we reached the turnoff into the Tsendze loop was uneventful and after the elephant blockade we experienced there last year we dared to drive that road again, however, we had already better sightings on this road same is always a nice drive especially when driving through the thick mopane bushes and then when choosing a loop leading further to the Tsendze river you stood in front of the full riverine vegetation. In a tree along the road a group of buffalo weavers had a nest and where busy in feeding the offspring



and we had the luck to spot another martial eagle on top of a tree staring with its magic eyes down to us or even onto the road. Gladly during the whole drive on that road we did not experience any elephant road block.



As we wanted to pay a short visit to Mopani camp before turning into theS50 we drove a short detour via all the loop roads along the Tsendze river but some of them were indeed very adventurous to drive and so we were glad that we arrived safety at the Shipandani causeway where we were pleased to spot right in the beginning a green backed heron who was busy in catching small fishes



and it took not long until we also spotted the ever present black crake there also active in looking for some yummy food.





On the other side of the river we spotted a bit far away also a black stork. A short visit into the hide itself was also a must but we did not stay long and as we were booked into Shingwedzi this time this was unfortunately already the one and only visit we could pay to this famous causeway. An ice cream break at Mopani camp followed and we also walked a bit around to have a look over the Pioneer dam which is always breathtaking but as we had still a long way ahead we carried on into the direction of the S50 to Moiplaas.

Meanwhile it was already after noon and so it was only normal that elephants were roaming around this famous place



and they were huge but gladly stayed calm and were only interested in drinking, feeding, dust spraying and hanging around with other buddies.



I simply love that spot as the grass is not that high also in February and it is a large areal and there is always a lot to see – Well today the elephants took over the regiment and so only a couple of zebras and wildebeests a bit far away could also be spotted.



Also a nice tusker could be discovered but same started scratching his back behind a tree and so we only got a bum shot



and later on as well a side shot but there had some urgent scratching to be done and this turned out to last endlessly so we had to carry on.



The S50 along the Nshawu waterholes was quiet but once again a hectic bird activity started and hundreds of wattled starlings appeared out of nowhere



as with the appearance of the wattled starlings also an invasion of some strange insects / grasshoppers collided so I guessed the green insects attracted all the wattled starlings and suddenly the spook was over and the starlings soon disbanded.



to be continued...

[Pumbaa]

Later on we discovered a pair of laughing doves who were busy in searching on the ground for something to lunch.



Another paradise whydah flew always in front of our car on the ground and finally stayed long enough for a quick shot



and meanwhile we came closer to Tihongonyeni on the S143 and so the appearance of zebras



or wildebeests was plentiful



and to our delight we even spotted a group of four elands.



A pity was that same were already a bit far away from the road and we were a bit too late maybe if we had been earlier there we probably had seen them much closer



but we were nevertheless amazed that after last year to see for the second time elands in Kruger again.



The elands were also surrounded by a large number of zebras and wildebeests and as always in the vicinity of Tihongonyeni you will never be disappointed.



Also a lot of tsessebes could be seen but today it was even tricky to get a decent shot from them as they either were resting on the grass or hiding behind a bush – It was midday and consequently time for a nap!



In each visits to Kruger we always do visit Tihongonyeni and I cannot remember of a visit there where we did not spot tsessebes there.



As always wildebeests and zebras occurred plentiful and they populated the area close to the waterhole itself a lot with even extreme muddy ones running around and simply enjoying the life.



Needless to say that we made ourselves comfortable in the car and started to look around and had great fun in watching all the animals who surrounded us – Although I wish we had a bit more sunshine that day for animal watching the cloudy weather was simply perfect as it was in fact not that hot as compared to yesterday. Groups of Egyptian goose declared the waterhole as their own and we saw a lot of them too.





The zebras are always the clowns of Tihongonyeni and to watch mom and little one's tender moments was simply amazing.



The little one could not understand why mom was preferring to roll on the ground in the mud instead of playing with same hide and seek.



The zebras in a row are always a classic



and we even spotted two secretary birds which was unfortunately the one and only sighting this year of this impressive bird but both kept simply too far away the whole time for a decent picture.

Love was also all around



and we caught them in the act



and hopefully in a couple of month more little striped fellows will run around this famous waterhole.



Another regular guest right at the parking area in front of Tihongonyeni was a juvenile Kittlitz plover and whoever want to see such a bird pay a visit to Tihongonyeni and you will never be disappointed.



As always we could have set up a tent and watch for the rest of the afternoon and the whole night the come and go of the animals but we had to carry forward as it was already late.

We strolled along the H1-6 and soon could enjoy some views into the Shingwedzi riverbed which is meandering close to the road and soon spotted some younger waterbucks



together with an impressive male resting in the green grass at a lovely shady place.



We also came across giraffes, a chameleon and another elephant bull and already on the road close to Shingwedzi camp itself we found this impressive crocodile sunbathing in the dry part of the riverbed.



As it was already late after a long drive we decided to skip our afternoon drive for that day and after we have been awarded with bungalow B70 we explored the camp instead a bit more and we must say that we were impressed especially by the new and stunning looking new shop and also by the cleanliness and settings of the bungalow and verandah together with the kitchen.



With a delicious braai we let the day end and as it was so lovely and silent in camp we enjoyed our stay outside a bit longer.

to be continued with the last full day of that trip.........

[Pumbaa]

Saturday, 22. February 2014 – Shingwedzi

Our last full day of that trip dawned and the minute we started to pack the car it started unfortunately to rain so needless to say that it was still nearly pitch dark when we left camp. Originally we wanted to drive the S50 at least up to Kanniedood dam but in fact we did not come far when this huge elephant bull appeared



and same was that early morning still too huge for us and same also had not intentions to clear the road so we decided to turn around and try our luck somewhere else as we had already some thrilling elephant encounters on that road which we definitely did not want to repeat.



Close to the causeway which was unfortunately still closed a group of baboons had obviously only recently woke up and some members were still a bit tired.



Somehow we landed on the S52 and after a couple of years with road closures same was gladly open and so we could drive that magnificent road again. A first stop was as always at Red Rocks and there we soon spotted a beautiful African fish eagle although a bit far way but extremely good visible.



It was relatively not much water left and so the falls came out a bit smaller than we already saw them in some previous years.



The fish eagle found it obviously a bit boring to wait for some breakfast so same decided to flew onto a close by branch so that same could still have a look into the coming down water.



Gladly the rain meanwhile stopped and it stayed more or less dry with a couple of smaller sporadic showers spread all over the day. We carried onto the Southern part of that road but had to stop at a bush where a couple of little bee eaters were sitting who were simply too cute to only drive ahead.



Needless to say that our stop there turned out to be much longer



as they simply posed too amazingly for us



and also on our last full days in the park you never will be sure whether this will be in fact the last little bee eaters you might see during the trip.





They had indeed difficulties in sitting still as there was a strong wind blowing from the back and same always puffed up their feathers which was even making them looking much cuter as they normally do already.



After we finally could drag ourselves away from the bee eaters we enjoyed the views from some of the smaller loops along the riverbed although same suffered from the previous floods in the past years but gladly the circle of life continued already and new trees and bushes had already grown.



The birdlife was prolific



and besides more bee eaters we noticed some laughing doves, could capture a woodland kingfisher



and another village indigobird



before we found ourselves in front of the causeway close to Bateleur camp and as already expected and noticed from previous visits the impressive crocodiles were already waiting in front of the water which was coming down from the causeway for some good prey.



Also a green backed heron was present but too far away and a bit hidden in a bush. Then it was also time for the impalas again



and as you never know whether this group might probably be the last impalas during that trip we simply stayed a bit longer with them



but they in fact were spread all over the place and we could not pass without capturing some of them.



to be continued....

[Pumbaa]

The road was now leading northwards on the other side of the Shingwedzi river and although we never had luck with some thrilling sightings we simply love this overgrown vegetation along the road.

A large group of baboons could already be heard from far and when coming closer we realized this one right on top of a termite mould.



He obviously had the best look out from the entire group



and had already been observed jealously by another member of his clan who wanted also sitting on the throne





whilst we in contrary had been eying suspiciously by the baboon whilst he was chewing on some marula fruits.



The termite mould was positioned under a marula tree and needless to say that the whole tree was full of baboons all eating marulas and the rest of the clan was running around on the ground so we had in fact a lot to look



and photograph.



The birdies were also good to us and besides the views we had from time to time whilst standing in one of the loops we were successful in spotting another African hoopoe, more woodies and lot of Carmine bee eaters.



We then came across another bush full of bird activity but this time it were in fact only masked weavers, however, they were plentiful and lots of these nests could be seen hanging from the bush.



Mr. Loverboy was also around promoting his nest



and he even was successful in attracting a female.



I cannot remember how long we stayed and watched all the yellow dots flying around



but it was a more than nice time we had and gladly also the Northern part of the park is not that frequented in February as the South and so we were the only car the whole time we spend on the S52.



Lots of grey headed bush shrikes joined us as well as the Carmine bee eaters out of which we spotted lots of juvenile one,



however, one of the parent was still around.



Needless to say that more birds could be spotted on that lovely road too – Some European bee eaters



and even a red faced mousebird could be captured as well after an unsuccessful attempt whilst we stayed at Satara – Same at least sat still enough for some shots.



It was as if we travelled along a bird highway and due to the lack of other animals we for sure concentrated more on the birds but as already said it was a brilliant drive with fork tailed drongos



and even a purple roller which is not that often coming across as the other rollers.



to be continued....

[Pumbaa]

Also this road had and end and this was when we had to cross the second causeway across the Shingwedzi but a lovely hamerkop held us once again a bit up



as well as another chameleon which was crossing the tar road and for sure we waited to make sure same arrived on the other side safely. We also noticed a bird high on our wishlist but as so often the first attempt was not successful – a lovely broad-billed roller – as we still had the rest of today as well as a couple of hours tomorrow we still had hope.....we instead captured another hornbill who posted simply too nicely for us



and we saw the one and only Namaqua dove during this trip as well.



We then stretched a bit our legs on the highwater bridge across the Shingwedzi and enjoyed the view and drove a little detour via the S55. At Lamont waterhole we enjoyed the presence of an elephant herd



enjoying the water.



Gladly they were only interested in quenching their thirst instead of in us so we dared



to stay a bit longer with them as it was simply such a joy to watch them.



As it was still early enough and we wanted to spend most of our last full day in the park on the roads we decided to give the S50 another try as the elephant bull from earlier that morning must have cleared the road meanwhile, however, before we even could drive that road we were forced for another stop onto the Shingwedzi highwater bridge, as in the riverbed an impressive elephant was strolling around



and compared to last year shortly after the horrendous flood in that area the trees and bushes started to grow again – Gladly most of the old trees survived the flood and also on the other side of the road we saw already more green than last year.



Finally after another short break at Shingewedzi camp we started the second attempt on the S50 and had luck as Mr. Elephant was no longer to be seen and the birdlife continued to be as good as on the S52 – We spotted a goliath heron



and we were surprised that we noticed that the Kaniedood bird hide was still alive and even passable besides a couple of holes in the thatched roof so we made ourselves comfortable in the hide and waited what might come across and it definitely did not take long until we spotted the next white winged widowbird.



After we could admire this bird long enough we noticed a bit more the background and saw the inevitable huge crocodiles which are always a bit larger here than in the Southern part of the park



and we were already on our way to the car when we realized that a numerous herd of impalas was about to arrive so we decided to still stay a bit longer and observing them. Although already seen a hundred times it always impressed me how high and far these antelopes are able to jump



and even whilst drinking they had their eyes everywhere not to get surprised by any predator. Along the road we spotted a lot of plants which do look exactly like trumpet creepers we can also buy over here and plant in your garden unfortunately they never survive the winter here so it was a nice sighting as we both are fascinated by these flowers.



A lovely waterbuck family could also be observed, however, we were a bit concerned due to the huge crocodile in the foreground but gladly same stayed stock-still lying where it was suesiously watched by the waterbucks who noticed same so we could continue with a slightly better feeling.



The variety of birds in that area was indeed brilliant and we could not get enough in stopping and taking shots of them, especially when they was so willingly posing as this African hoopoe.



For sure a couple of sporadic elephant bulls appeared as well but gladly stayed in the riverbed and were busy in feeding on the juicy grass there.



Lot of these flowers could be admired and



another brown snake eagle came also across



and on our way back on the same road to camp we had to wait a bit in a comfortable distance because a small elephant herd just crossed the street in front of us whilst their tails where waggling happily whilst walking.



to be continued..........

[Pumbaa]

Lovely waterbuck family and I love the bum shot of the elephant herd. Great pics of the various birds

We simply had to capture the ellie bums as they were offered to us in so many different sizes

[Pumbaa]

a namaqua dove in KNP - what a great sighting

I like the hoopoe as well and the Wild Dagga

nice ellies, especially the one in the river and the bum shot

We saw already sporadically namaqua doves in Kruger but not on each trip so this sighting is always a fantastic one to us

[Pumbaa]

After they disappeared in the bushes we even could not locate where they vanished as nothing from them was even heard or seen any longer.

We strolled slowly back to camp meanwhile and spotted another beautiful flower,



the impala herd from earlier that day which was still around and enjoying life



as well as a stunning posing waterbuck lady



and even in the distance we spotted a pied kingfisher busy in standing in the air whilst flying and looking out for fishes.



More birdies crossed our path as well such as bulbuls, crested barbets, African hoopoe (again), little bee eaters, Egyptian goose, European swallows, white backed vultures and they were enjoyed without taking any pictures and then we spotted a bird we definitely did not see often – a diderick cuckoo even with a youngster – and the older one was busy in feeding the juvenile the whole time we observed them.



Unfortunately not the best shots and a bit tricky to take as both were steadily in action but due to the fact that this colourful bird is not often coming across we were at least happy with the outcome.



We even drove a bit back to spot them longer but unfortunately they disappeared far too soon and always stayed a bit too far away,



however, that jacobin cuckoo immediately appeared far closer and we were happy at least to spot this specie also along that road.



Lots of redbilled firefinches appeared as well but before we were even ready in capturing them they were gone. Gladly for us the European swallows do always occur in flocks and even sat long enough still for a couple of shots.



The last birdie we spotted before our break in camp was another brown hooded kingfisher which indeed could be seen often this year.



Our break in camp especially on our verandah from our bungalow was lovely and with some strolls inside the camp and with bird watching the time unfortunately flew far too fast by.

Timon was hunting woodpeckers in camp



and I enjoyed our very last full day in camp with another hot coffee and the view from our bungalow.



As we left the camp only around 17.00 o’clock and we were not in the mood to drive that far again we slowly drove to the high water bridge but got immediately held up by two elephant bulls who were bathing in the Shingwedzi river.



Although it looked like a fight it was indeed more or less a bathing session with some harmless mock charges against each other



and in fact it looked much more like a fantastic bath taking with a good buddy.





Gladly all other cars who left camp for their afternoon drives stopped as well at this sighting and stayed with them quite a while.



At least we made it up to the high water bridge where we left the car for a short look around and for a deep breath but then it was also time to turn around. Needless to say that the elephants were still around but close to the gate we noticed some noisy birds in a tree – grey headed parrots.



As nearly during the whole day the light was bad and it was difficult to capture them as they moved permanently.



Now we indeed had to force us back as it was nearly time for gate closure. We also enjoyed our very last braai during our trip, however, were already looking forward to the very first one in next February.

to be continued with three nice surprises on our way out of the park.......