Africa Wild

Really love your rhino shots, Ratel

Come to think of it, I haven’t seen the Scops local in a few camp visits now

Nice Korhaan pic so close

Those lesser bush babies at Lower Sabie can jump

A long but productive day of sightings

Lisbeth wrote:Those horned roadblocks can be quite long, especially if they stop for a while to have a good look at you while munching the last collected bunch of grass

Yep Lisbeth, there were quite a few munching on a bit of 'take-away' and giving us dirty looks!

nan wrote:magnificent Rhinos

new paint in the room, I like the green one

Thanks nan. It was a relief to finally see some Rhinos.

The green decor matched the ribbon on our car!

Richprins wrote:This is very good, Ratel!

Your enthusiasm and relaxation both pulse through!

The buffalo are like cows, no incredible danger unless you are walking, or between mother and calf? No attacks on roads ever really recorded, except one out in the far bush many years ago, relating to the second, re vehicles.

I like how you copy members' tones a bit re "plotting" and "for sure"

Thanks for the Buff info RP. And also for the kind feedback about my storytelling.

You are quite observant, picking up where i have borrowed from others' writing styles. It is just a fun way i show my appreciation for those who have taken the time to educate and entertain me with their tales.

Flutterby wrote:It's always nice to see a big buff herd! And rhinos...precious indeed!

Glad the H4-1 produced for you...hopefully spots will make an appearance the next day?

Thanks Flutterby. Spots hey? You will just have to wait and see...

Pumbaa wrote:Really love your rhino shots, Ratel

Thanks Pumbaa. The ligt was beautiful, and the dust they kicked up worked well with the backlighting.

Bushcraft wrote:Come to think of it, I haven’t seen the Scops local in a few camp visits now

Nice Korhaan pic so close

Those lesser bush babies at Lower Sabie can jump

A long but productive day of sightings

It was very disappointing to miss the Scopsy BC. Yes it was a long day and we were very tired by the end, but it was full of wonderful sightings and the Bush Baby was a great way to finish!

Well, come on? You don't really HAVE to reply to the rabble?

Ratel

Just started on your TT (only up to page 6, but excited to catch up soon ) - LOVE your narrative style

The Double-banded Sandgrouse is so striking, the hyenas at play are a hoot (my SO says his favorite toy as a boy was a stick ), probably brings back memories to many young boys....

So glad you've chosen to share your visit with us - can't wait to read the rest

ExFmem wrote: Ratel

Just started on your TT (only up to page 6, but excited to catch up soon ) - LOVE your narrative style

The Double-banded Sandgrouse is so striking, the hyenas at play are a hoot (my SO says his favorite toy as a boy was a stick ), probably brings back memories to many young boys....

So glad you've chosen to share your visit with us - can't wait to read the rest

Hi ExFemm, so glad you have jumped on board! I am glad the narration isn't boring people.

Hmmm, it seems RP is getting a little impatient. Better get things moving again.

Friday 25th August - Lower Sabie

There were so many possible routes to choose from for our first foray out of Lower Sabie, but we felt it necessary to start with the famous H4-1. The plan was to cruise up to the S79 and back again to see if any cats appeared, then re-evaluate from there. I was also keen to find a Nyala for Lyca as they are such a stunning antelope, so the H4-1 was an obvious starting point.

We made it to the gate just as it opened, with only about 6 cars in front of us. Soon beautiful Sunset Dam came into view and we waved to the Hippos and Crocs as we passed by. A brief stop was then necessary to capture the fiery sunrise. The H4-1 was relatively quiet for mammals on the outward leg, though we picked up our first Hooded Vultures and Booted Eagle for the trip to get the bird list moving. The Lubyelubye Lion pride failed to make an appearance and no 'spotted ones' could be found either on patrol or slumbering in a tree, thus we soon found ourselves at the S79 N'watimhiri Causeway admiring this Hammerkop. At the junction with the H4-1 we turned left to slowly meander back to Lower Sabie. Rounding a bend our eyes picked up the telltale shapes of a 'boon gang on the roadside ahead. RPs mob! The sun was now starting to warm the landscape and the Baboons seemed to be just hanging out and enjoying some rays. They are such photogenic creatures and were posing so nicely that we had to pause for a while to capture some images. "What did you say? You can see my what???" "You hairless apes are so uncivilised!" (indignantly returns to his sunbathing) As we watched the Baboons I couldn't help but wonder what they think of these weird creatures that pull up in their metal monstrosities and stare at them while they are just trying to go about their daily business. There was little more of note on the return leg so we soon arrived back at L.S. We decided to continue the day by taking the H4-1 again, this time right through to Skukuza. This would be a beautiful drive in the morning light, and at Skukuza we could suss out if any doggies had been seen in the area since Lyca was desperate to see them. So off we went!

Lovely sunrise!

Any pics of the Booted Eagle? Never seen one of those before!

Glad to see RP's relatives were behaving themselves!

Really love your baboon shots and comments, Ratel,

I would love to know what they think about us hairless apes