When small Streams turn into Rivers

[Pumbaa]

Another elephant bull could be discovered as well and now even the sun showed up more and more.



It was still prior to 07.00 o’clock when we turned into Afsaal picnic spot and so it was still quiet there. A handful people headed to the toilets but the one for the “cows” was closed so everybody used the one for the “bulls” and soon the picnic spot was deserted again.

However, we did not come far as then we had to stop for a large dose of cuteness factor as on a sandhill a group of dwarf mongoose could be recognised



and as we were the only car at that sighting Timon switched the engine off and luckily



now even a couple of babies were presented





and as they were all so relaxed our cameras worked overtime again.



We simply enjoyed the bustle they made,



admired the cute babies



and finally had to drag ourselves away as we already stayed at that sighting quite long.



We stopped for lots of zorro birds as well as Wahlberg eagles in the distance and got a couple of lovely close ups from a group of relaxed impalas.





For sure we stopped again on the bridge across the Biyamiti and must say that we never saw same that full as normally only a runlet or even only a couple of puddles are left.

[Pumbaa]

It now got extreme quiet but we noticed a fork tailed drongo, vultures and another brown eagle



and noticed with extreme joy that the bridge at DeLaporte waterhole was more than easily crossable and it in fact looked as if it definitely not rained that torrentially here compared to the Berg en Dal area so we lingered not long, crossed the bridge and also the part of the road behind the bridge which was partly washed away was not closed so it looked as if we definitely might stay at Skukuza the following two nights. Also here it was more than quiet but we gave another elephant bull right the way,



stopped for zebras and a Wahlberg eagle



before we reached Skukuza camp where we only stopped shortly for a body break and as Lake Panic was still closed as well as most of the gravel roads in that area and as it was still quite early we decided to drive up to Leeupan to maybe get there our bird fix. For sure on route we already noticed another goliath heron in the Sabie river



but same far too soon took off.



Also we decided to pay Nkuhlu picnic spot another visit as we also needed another coffee and ice cream fix so we drove the little detour and were happy about another blue waxbill presenting a blade of grass,



we met extreme tired impalas



and had more than great fun in watching them.



We stopped for more birdies





and finally at Nkuhlu picnic spot whilst enjoying our coffee we were eyed suspiciously by the vervet monkey youngsters.







Then it got again extreme quiet and we finally stopped on the highwater bridge across the Sabie to gape at the masses of water flowing downstream.



We already crossed that bridge earlier as well as later during that trip but today it in fact looked as if the river has reached its highest level.



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

[Lisbeth]

The dwarf mongooses are adorable

Nice birds as usual

Lots of water

[Richprins]

Stunning mongoose shots, Pumbaa!

And plenty sightings, love the impala with head on ground, and always like green pigeons!

The Sabie is majestic, I would be quite scared standing on the bridge there!

[Pumbaa]

The dwarf mongooses are adorable

Nice birds as usual

Lots of water

In fact we had also during previous trips rain and full rivers but never saw them that full as this year

[Pumbaa]

Stunning mongoose shots, Pumbaa!

And plenty sightings, love the impala with head on ground, and always like green pigeons!

The Sabie is majestic, I would be quite scared standing on the bridge there!

The water level was still extreme high and it was loud but on the other hand fascinating too

[Pumbaa]

Luckily the weather on top got better and better and we in fact so much hoped that the torrential rain might stopped meanwhile and so it was we still had a couple of raindrops here and there during our trip but that was nothing compared to the waterfalls we experienced at the beginning of our trip. On our way to Leeupan we today only spotted a couple of giraffes



and also noted that shortly behind Mantimahle where the dam a couple of years broke on a bridge also part of the tar road was washed away so we also hoped here that no more road closures will occur. To our joy we noticed that the road to Leeupan was not closed and already along the short distance one had to drive to reach the pan masses of wildebeests were hanging around.



At the pan itself we noticed buffalo buddies who enjoyed their day,



lot of whited faced ducks



and even a black headed heron who just caught something which we discovered later was a crab



which we never ever saw before in Kruger but must have been delicious to the heron as same soon caught another one.

The pan itself was also nicely filled in fact no surprise after the torrential rainfall the previous days, a bit far away a family of egyptian goose were swimming but closer a little grebe appeared and swam closer



and even presented its strange swim style.



After a while also masses of marabou storks could be seen landing on the other side of the pan and masses started their approach and soon also closer to where we stood marabou stork after marabou stork landed





and their arrival did not stop to take pictures as uncountable marabou storks suddenly surrounded our car





and we have never seen that many of them together.

[Pumbaa]

A green shank had just caught also something to eat



and suddenly also white faced ducks appeared (at least their heads were visible) between the huge marabu storks.



After a while most of the marabus started to catch extreme tiny insects and swallowed them





which looked so funny compared to the huge bill and it must have took ages to be sated. At least the presence of the insects explained the masses of marabu storks there. Needless to say that we had such a great time in photographing them and we were nearly all alone at the pan at that time.



In between we also noted a moorhen also a water bird we in fact do not spot often in Kruger,



the green shank we noticed already earlier



as well as the black headed heron.



At the bank border now a wildebeest appeared and we also spotted a jacana close to the wildebeest



but we were still fascinated by the masses of marabou storks so close to our car.





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

[Lisbeth]

Nature was very cruel when she arrived at the marabou stork. Why did the evolution make them so ugly?

Nice pic of the wildebeest

I am glad the weather improved

Cute little grebe

I like the white-faced ducks a lot

[Richprins]

Such lovely greenery, Pumbaa!

Leeupan is a must, haven't been there for ages!

Love the waterbird shots, but must say I do not love the marabou...

Nice shot of the wildebeest on the dam wall.