Day 0, Saturday 8 November : Home -> Pretoriuskop and
Day 1, Sunday 9 November : Pretoriuskop -> Maroela.
It was our second two week trip to the Kruger this year and we were hoping for a few more cats than in May when we didn't see a single Lion.
It was also our first Kruger trip with the Off-Road Trailer which proved to be a big change from our usual camping routine.
We had a variety of good days and bad days, including a five day stint at Balule which had us both champing at the bit to see anything other than the usual herbivores.
We also had a very special sighting, which involved the "Crunchy Meat Pie", that we'll talk about for years to come but I'll get to that at the appropriate time
Our first night was at Pretoriuskop on the 8th of November after a journey without any drama apart from a detour in Mahusu, the town near Numbi Gate, which had us traveling around in circles for a while.
After checking in, finding a camping spot and setting up we still had plenty of time for a drive around the Pretoriuskop loops. Unfortunately, the light wasn't much good and there was, as usual for the area, a dearth of subject matter. The only thing worth getting the camera out for was a gorgeous Pygmy Kingfisher - a lifer for the SO and only the second time I've seen one.
Back at camp I found a beautiful moth. EDIT : Toko has identified this as a Cream Cake Moth, which fits perfectly with this TT's theme! : EDIT
We didn't get up at zero-dark-thirty the next morning. Instead, we woke up when it was light, did a unhurried pack-up and went to the Wimpy for breakfast before setting off on the long journey to Maroela.
While we were packing up, we spied a gang of Dwarf Mongooses in the open area between us and the laundry so I crept up on them and took some pictures.
I also spotted a Laughing Dove taking a sand bath.
Then we were off for what turned out to be a leisurely drive along the S36 instead of the H1 with only a few things worth getting the camera out for.
Mocking Chat
Vultures in the river bed.
And assorted other animals.
We stopped at Nhlanguleni for a coffee break and I found what I think is a Chafer Beetle.
Back on the road, some more regulars including an enormous Giraffe.
We got to Maroela, set up and decided we'd had enough driving for the day so we stayed in camp for the rest of the afternoon.
All I found that night was a Cicada.
Crunchy Meat Pie and other culinary delights!
Crunchy Meat Pie and other culinary delights!
Last edited by BluTuna on Fri Dec 12, 2014 8:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
- Richprins
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Re: Crunchy Meat Pie and other culinary delights!
How can you have a "Day 0"?
Ja, interesting that detour through the Township!
A Gorgeous Kingfisher indeed!
The rhino looks to have been in quite a fight!
Ja, interesting that detour through the Township!
A Gorgeous Kingfisher indeed!
The rhino looks to have been in quite a fight!
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Re: Crunchy Meat Pie and other culinary delights!
I always start my TTs with Day 0 - that's the day we spend traveling to the park, day 1 is the first full day in the park. Not paying attention again RPRichprins wrote:How can you have a "Day 0"?
Ja, interesting that detour through the Township!
A Gorgeous Kingfisher indeed!
The rhino looks to have been in quite a fight!
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
- harrys
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Re: Crunchy Meat Pie and other culinary delights!
Great to have another BT TT
That Pygmy Kingfisher is beautiful , I have never seen one
Great all round sightings and photos
That Pygmy Kingfisher is beautiful , I have never seen one
Great all round sightings and photos
KNP:
Re: Crunchy Meat Pie and other culinary delights!
Pygmy Kingfisher I have only ever seen that model once before
Wonderful variety of animals
Brilliant pics
Wonderful variety of animals
Brilliant pics
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Re: Crunchy Meat Pie and other culinary delights!
The PKF is also a first for me. What a beautiful bird.
Great photos of the animals and the HUGE giraffe dwarfed the poor Toyota.
Waiting to find out the Crunchie Meat Pies is all about.
Great photos of the animals and the HUGE giraffe dwarfed the poor Toyota.
Waiting to find out the Crunchie Meat Pies is all about.
Faith is the bird that feels the light while the dawn is still dark. Author unknown.
Re: Crunchy Meat Pie and other culinary delights!
Great to have you aboard Harry!harrys wrote:Great to have another BT TT
That Pygmy Kingfisher is beautiful , I have never seen one
Great all round sightings and photos
My only other sighting of Pygmy Kingfisher was in 2000 at Maroela - the SO was in the shower
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Re: Crunchy Meat Pie and other culinary delights!
Thanks BCBushcraft wrote:Pygmy Kingfisher I have only ever seen that model once before
Wonderful variety of animals
Brilliant pics
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Re: Crunchy Meat Pie and other culinary delights!
A jewel of a bird!steamtrainfan wrote:The PKF is also a first for me. What a beautiful bird.
Great photos of the animals and the HUGE giraffe dwarfed the poor Toyota.
Waiting to find out the Crunchie Meat Pies is all about.
A seventeen footer at least!
There was only one CMP and you don't have long to wait as it happened on day 3 of the trip!
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Re: Crunchy Meat Pie and other culinary delights!
Aptly named TT starting with a Cream Cake (such a beautiful one!)
And I love the Pygmy KF and the mongoose series
And I love the Pygmy KF and the mongoose series