In Search of Some Good "Spots"

Post Reply
User avatar
Ratel
Posts: 194
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2017 3:48 am
Country: Australia
Location: Alice Springs
Contact:

Re: In Search of Some Good "Spots"

Post by Ratel »

All we could determine was that there were at least two Lions sleeping in the grass a fair distance from the road. And this was only because there were two tails intermittently flicking into the air. Since we would be passing this spot again on our return to camp we decided to press on north.

South of Ngotso Dam we encountered an Impala roadblock. There was a herd of over 200 making their way across the road, along with a few stray Wildebeest. What an amazing sight! We would encounter this group again in the same area on the following days.
38_IMG_7083_sml.jpg
38_IMG_7083_sml.jpg (164.64 KiB) Viewed 365 times
39_IMG_7119_sml.jpg
39_IMG_7119_sml.jpg (164.8 KiB) Viewed 365 times
We cruised the Nyamarhi area looking in vain for Leopard, instead being treated to a distant SBS and a batchelor group of Kudu with their amazing spiral horns, before turning around to meander back to camp.

At the S127 turnoff a herd of Elephants were slowly making their way north in beautiful light, so I turned onto that road and positioned the car for Lyca to get some photos as they approached.
40_DSC07048_sml.jpg
40_DSC07048_sml.jpg (127.73 KiB) Viewed 365 times
41_DSC07062_sml.jpg
41_DSC07062_sml.jpg (130.24 KiB) Viewed 365 times
The last individual in the group, a young bull, was about 50m behind the herd, so I moved the car forward for some head-on shots as he approached (my favourite view of Elephants). Once we had a couple of nice pics I moved out of the way so as to not block his path. He was so relaxed and continued to munch on his take-away dinner as he strode across the road. Fantastic! What an Elephant afternoon we were having. \O
42_DSC07068_sml.jpg
42_DSC07068_sml.jpg (139.63 KiB) Viewed 365 times
43_DSC07076_sml.jpg
43_DSC07076_sml.jpg (139.87 KiB) Viewed 365 times
On our way back to the Lions at one of the river crossings a Verreaux's Eagle Owl was perched in a dead tree beside the water and appeared to have just had a bath. It is so special to encounter this massive owl so we took some distant pics but they are not great so I haven't included one here. We also found a few "vulture trees" where the scavenging ones were communally roosting for the night.

There was slightly more action from the Lions on our return so we waited for a little while as the sun set. We were now able to determine that there were at least 5 including large cubs.
44_IMG_7185_sml.jpg
44_IMG_7185_sml.jpg (150.72 KiB) Viewed 365 times
45_DSC07092_sml.jpg
45_DSC07092_sml.jpg (118.22 KiB) Viewed 365 times
We thought there was some chance they might come and lay on the road but it soon became apparent that it was not likely to happen before gate closing time so we moved on. Since it is only 3km from Satara we spent our final minutes at the Hyena den, where our day had begun all those hours ago. It was quite dark but the colour of the light was great so I took a few videos of the action then this one pic to remember it by.
46_IMG_7193_sml.jpg
46_IMG_7193_sml.jpg (147.92 KiB) Viewed 365 times


User avatar
harrys
Posts: 13761
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:37 am
Country: South Africa
Location: Warmbaths
Contact:

Re: In Search of Some Good "Spots"

Post by harrys »

Great trip so far and some beautiful photos ^Q^ ^Q^


KNP:
User avatar
nan
Posts: 26471
Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 9:41 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Central Europe
Contact:

Re: In Search of Some Good "Spots"

Post by nan »

like the Elephant in golden light O/\

plus a tail ;-)

Hyenas too and huge herd of Impalas O/\

^Q^ ^Q^ ^Q^


Kgalagadi lover… for ever
https://safrounet.piwigo.com/
User avatar
Flutterby
Posts: 43945
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:28 pm
Country: South Africa
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
Contact:

Re: In Search of Some Good "Spots"

Post by Flutterby »

It's always great to see big herds of animals. :yes:

Nice sightings for the afternoon. \O


User avatar
Lisbeth
Site Admin
Posts: 67186
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Lugano
Contact:

Re: In Search of Some Good "Spots"

Post by Lisbeth »

Yes, now I can see the tail lol I was concentrated on the thingie to the left, most likely a stub -O-

Lovely ellie shots ^Q^ ^Q^

Your writing is tops \O


"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
User avatar
Pumbaa
Posts: 8146
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2012 8:53 pm
Contact:

Re: In Search of Some Good "Spots"

Post by Pumbaa »

Really love your elephants shots, ratel \O \O


PuMbAa

Please visit our website: www.photomaniacs.de
User avatar
Richprins
Committee Member
Posts: 76014
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 3:52 pm
Location: NELSPRUIT
Contact:

Re: In Search of Some Good "Spots"

Post by Richprins »

You must be the first person in history to rave about a big herd of impala, Ratel....but right you are! X#X :yes:


Nice ellie shots, and seems to be much more grass about after the drought, but still not back to normal..not sure... :-?


Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
User avatar
Lisbeth
Site Admin
Posts: 67186
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Lugano
Contact:

Re: In Search of Some Good "Spots"

Post by Lisbeth »

Also Pumbaa does it lol


"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
User avatar
Ratel
Posts: 194
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2017 3:48 am
Country: Australia
Location: Alice Springs
Contact:

Re: In Search of Some Good "Spots"

Post by Ratel »

Richprins wrote:You must be the first person in history to rave about a big herd of impala, Ratel....but right you are! X#X :yes:
RP there is a bird in my neck of the woods called a Grey Honeyeater. Google it. It is possibly the most unattractive bird in the world. But it is rare and hard to find which makes it very sought-after. Birders come from all over to see it. I am reluctant to take people out to find it as if and when we finally see one their response isn't normally excitement or wonder but rather relief at being able to finally "tick it off". After so much effort they quickly want to move on to something more interesting...

But consider a 200-strong herd of Impala.
Stop for a minute and look closer.
Look at the male tapping the female on the leg. He wants to sneak one in!
And check out the two males sparring. Their horns aren't fully grown yet. They are just youngsters practicing for when the big day comes.
And what about the ones on the outer? Are they male or female? Seasoned adults or naive youngsters? Are they alert for danger or succeptible to predators?
There is drama in such a scene. Common animals, but lots of action and drama. Much more than back at the sleeping Lions with their flicking tails!


User avatar
Lisbeth
Site Admin
Posts: 67186
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Lugano
Contact:

Re: In Search of Some Good "Spots"

Post by Lisbeth »

I love the way that you watch and explain the details and "the not very special" O/\ O/\


"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
Post Reply

Return to “Travel Tales of Kruger National Park”