When small Streams turn into Rivers

[Pumbaa]

Unfortunately it got again quiet and we only stopped for a grey hornbill



and a tawny eagle



before we again reached Leeupan where we soon detected the green shank again





and a white faced duck with a great number of ducklings.



We were happy about the sighting of a white breasted cormorant



and same even flew closer to where to stood



also a wooly necked stork was around as well as the obligatory knob-billed ducks on the dead tree in the middle of the pan.



We noticed a couple of whiskered terns flying over the pan in the distance



who then luckily landed close to where we stood indeed a bird specie we so far met not that often during our stays in Kruger



the more we were happy that we were the only car for a long time at the pan.





From time to time they even looked up into the sky





and although today not a single marabou stork was around we were so happy about the





more than nicely posing terns.

[Pumbaa]

After we got again masses of pictures we also paid attention to a black stork



before we after one hour at the pan turned around and only stopped again along the H4-1 for a pied kingfisher who



just caught a fish.



Back in camp we today had lunch at the Cattle Baron Restaurant and also here we were more than satisfied about the meal and the service and after we also spent a while in the shop we returned to our bungalow where we had a nice break with a couple of butterflies





before it was time again for our afternoon drive where we came across giraffes



lots of elephants





and a family of kudus out of whom





we so far only noted the male a couple of times during our stay in that area but presently he was busy with feeding behind bushes, however, the many cute youngsters were more than willing to pose.



The sun was shining now nicely and it was a lovely evening light and on top we were happy about all the different animals who showed up such as another hamerkop



and more elephants.





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

[Lisbeth]

Sorry for not commenting on the last instalment; I did see/read it, but.... Great pics of the monitor

The grey hornbill is my favourite of the family, it looks so elegant. Maybe because I like grey clothes (in winter)

The sterns must have been attracted by all the water

Beautiful butterflies

and again lots of ellies

[Richprins]

All sorts again, Pumbaa!

Never seen that tern, seems to be a seabird?


Love the butterflies too!

[Pumbaa]

Sorry for not commenting on the last instalment; I did see/read it, but.... Great pics of the monitor

The grey hornbill is my favourite of the family, it looks so elegant. Maybe because I like grey clothes (in winter)

The sterns must have been attracted by all the water

Beautiful butterflies

and again lots of ellies

The grey hornbills are on top not that often seen by us as all the others - We never saw that many different butterflies as this year

[Pumbaa]

All sorts again, Pumbaa!

Never seen that tern, seems to be a seabird?


Love the butterflies too!

It is a sea bird - At the Baltic Sea in Summer holiday at least the North European version of them are often to be seen and heard

[Pumbaa]

Meanwhile it was also time to turn around and now Mr. kudu was willing to pose as well although now his family could no longer be detected.



We stopped for a large herd of impalas





and although we could not drive all the loops along that road due to the huge puddles there we now noticed three blue waxbills who first drank from one puddle



and then even started to take a bath



and also pied wagtails and bulbuls visited that puddle. After all birds were gone we again had to stop at our favourite spot along that road where we again admired one of the pied kingfishers,



a green backed heron was also around and today even the giant kingfisher was not that far.



The rest of the evening we spent on our verandah with a cold one until it was again time for the bed and as tomorrow will be moving day again we packed already a couple of things together.

Friday, 17. February 2023 – Skukuza – Satara

Explored roads: H4-1 – H12 – H1-2 - H1-3 – Nkaya – S1-4 – S100 – H1-3

After our obligatory very first morning coffee we packed everything together and left with gate opening time and as so far all the gravel roads in the South were closed as well as the causeways across the Sabie and Sand river it was easy to decide which road to drive as only one option was possible. It was again extreme quiet but we noticed a couple of glossy starlings and had fun in watching magpie youngsters



and many more.

[Pumbaa]

We also stopped for giraffes



and two burchell’s coucals when somehow along the H1-2 we hit the jackpot.



We were the only car when we suddenly saw a catlike silhouette right on the road for sure we neared cautious but at the same time from the other side a Kruger vehicle approached as well and we already assumed the worst but luckily Mr. Leopard was more than relaxed and stayed where he was.





After only a short inspection the Kruger vehicle carried on and we had the spotted beauty all to ourselves but after he turned around



he walked right into the grass



and once again we thought he would disappear but he only needed the toilet and after he finished he turned finally around



and then we noticed that Mr. Leopard had two wounds on the side in his fur



same were not bleeding and he moved the whole time without any handicap so we supposed that he was fine.



Nevertheless we were happy about that more than wonderful encounter and after he now crossed the street we again thought that sighting was finally over.



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

[Lisbeth]

The tiny impala with the big ears is adorable!

Pretty waxbills and also the coucal with chick isn't bad

But of course the leopard is the icing on the cake

[Richprins]

Lovely bird photos, Pumbaa!

Great waxbill bathing shot.

The leopard was gored by its prey, I think?

It is a real beauty!