Camping with Petronella ; KTP May 2016

[GavinW]

A quiet afternoon

We got back to Mata Mata at about 1pm after our morning drive, and decided to chill in camp for a while as we (no sorry), I had some washing to do

Debs insisted that she was on holiday, and that washing clothes was definitely my job

Happy wife........ Happy life! ek se maar niks

While I was doing my household chores, my SO was out looking for birds

She managed to locate the Pearl Spotted Owlet that had been calling all day.
(She did call me to show and tell!!)



After all the household chores were completed, we packed an evening cooler box and set off to Craig Lockhart for sundowners
We were treated to sightings of a lot of general game including these wildies



And some gemsbok





The moonrise on the way home was stunning, and was just a prelude of what was to come in the next few evenings



That being said, we were treated with another spectacular sunset that evening.
Writing this I just want to be back there

[Lisbeth]

I wish I had a husband able/willing to do more chores, like hand washing, passing the Hoover etc.

Lovely pearl spotted owlet

[Mel]

That was indeed another Special day in the Kgalagadi! What a lovely sighting of the mongoose, great shot of the buzzard and I also like the goshawk - buzzard interaction. Always great to watch stuff like that. But the springbok had me in stitches!

And of course that pretty pearlie

[Alf]

An undercover springbok trying to do his private business

A sundowner sounds great now

[GavinW]

19 May: Mata Mata meandering

We always like to be at the gate early so as to be able to get out into the game area as soon as possible.
What do they say about early birds and worms?
This morning we formed part of a typical early morning gate queue in Mata Mata.



As the sun rose in the east, we came upon this herd of wildebeest in the riverbed



And a bit later these bokke seemed quite happy to enjoy their breakfast without even noticing us.



Another quiet day seemed to be on the cards.

However, as I have said often before, there is no such thing as a quiet day in the KTP, as you will ALWAYS find stuff to look at.

Like this kestrel



A lone meercat just south of Urikaruus



And a baby springbok trying to live up to it’s name

[Mel]

Awww, that is cute!

[Alf]

A flying springbok in action

[Lisbeth]

A lovely meerkat

and the baby springbokkie is very ......spinging

[pooky]

Some great sightings

Love the sunrises - can never see enough of them!!

Very cute little flying springbok

Nice pearl spotted owlet and kestrel.

[GavinW]

Thanks everyone for your comments

The Kalahari always delivers no matter what we see, we always feel blessed at what we have in front of us, and a little frustrated when we hear of what we missed out on

The trees at Kamqua are dead.

They were inadvertently poisoned a few years back with insecticide to try and treat them. (I am under correction, but I think that is the case)

One of the most amazing things I find about those trees is this one in particular

A branch broke off the tree and landed exactly on top of one of the picnic table posts, and stayed there.
Hello what are the chances of that?



The rest of our morning drive took us to Montrose and then back
I wonder if this was the same Jackal Buzzard we saw yesterday?



The munch bunch were out and about





As was this tawny eagle



We went back to camp, where a lion had been seen high up on the dunes above camp, but we couldn’t see it, so after a rest we set off on a trip to Craig Lockhart and back

My PA was on the side of the road at about 5pm



And this Kori was strutting its stuff a bit later



And before we got back to camp we saw some Genormans which were grazing peacefully



Once back in Mata Mata , I was torn between various tasks

• Trying to sort the meat out without Zazu stealing it
• Lighting the fire ( My SO was after all pretty hungry)



• Being at the new hide at Mata Mata



• Along with some friends



• Or to have a peek at the now visible lion far away on the dune above Mata Mata



A first for us, a lion at Mata Mata
Our lion drought was about to end, we hoped