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Re: Paradise under stress: KTP October 2019

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 3:19 pm
by GavinW
We were glad we did. O/\ X#X

At Kij Kij, a male lion and a lioness had made an eland kill, (how unusual) and were busy feeding off it

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They were busy eating the organs inside the animal, which was pretty gross, so I have only posted one black and white pics of him eating, which is less explicit
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Re: Paradise under stress: KTP October 2019

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 3:27 pm
by GavinW
After feeding for a while, he moved off and lay down in the shade


A few hundred meters further on 3 lionesses were on another eland kill on the far side of the riverbed. They were lying in the shade of a large camel thorn tree and were pretty much comatose, however this male was staking his claim to the prize


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We didn’t stay with them too long as we needed to get to Melkvlei.

Melkvlei was a hive of activity. O-/ O-/


First up was the spotted eagle owl nesting in the fork of one of the trees in the picnic area. O/\
By standing on top of our bakkie and by balancing on one foot, Debbie managed to get this pic of the owl.
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There were quite a few people at the pinic area as a big bus had arrived with a whole bunch of tourists.
A land cruiser stopped and the driver quickly opened the bonnet. :shock:


A cape cobra had got inside the engine of the vehicle and this was cause for some concern.

Very quickly a whole lot of snake experts were debating the best way to extract the reptile from it’s new home.

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Advice ranged from using sticks to brake fluid to get it to move.

:no: :no: O/ O/

Eventually sanity prevailed and the land cruiser carried on to Twee Rivieren for assistance from properly qualified personnel X#X

Re: Paradise under stress: KTP October 2019

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 3:29 pm
by GavinW
Returning back to Twee Riveren, the lions were still around but pretty much flat, however, when we got to Rooiputs , we found that the caracal had moved and was now positioned under a bush right next to the road.
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A great farewell present for us at the end of our trip. O/\ O/\

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Re: Paradise under stress: KTP October 2019

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 3:30 pm
by GavinW
Our evening drive was to Samevloeiing and back, and produced this awesome sighting of a jackal drinking from the waterhole in the evening light

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and our last sunset of the trip.


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Re: Paradise under stress: KTP October 2019

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 3:32 pm
by harrys
Amazing Lion and Caracal sightings ^Q^

Re: Paradise under stress: KTP October 2019

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 3:48 pm
by Lisbeth
The lion fight, for obscure reasons, gave a great photo opportunity ^Q^ ^Q^

Never seen an owl sleeping, lying down :shock:

There were lots of elands around :-?

Lovely caracal O/\ O/\

:ty: for sharing, Gavin and Debbie ^Q^ ^Q^

Re: Paradise under stress: KTP October 2019

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 4:31 pm
by Klipspringer
That was indeed a stunning last drive for you.

Glad that it was not your vehicle with the snake. Not nice to go to TR knowing you have a cobra in the car :O^ .

Re: Paradise under stress: KTP October 2019

Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:45 am
by GavinW
Monday 14 October 2019

Even though we were driving all the way back to Cape Town, we couldn’t resist a short trip into the park

We drove as far as the 10km Twee Riveren sign before turning around.
We stopped at Samvloeiing to take the only picture of the morning

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We left the park at about 8am and were home at 9.30 that night

Looking forward to our next trip.

Re: Paradise under stress: KTP October 2019

Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2020 8:27 am
by Alf
Amazing trip once again

Thanks for sharing ^Q^

Re: Paradise under stress: KTP October 2019

Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2020 8:32 am
by Peter Betts
Thanks Gavin ..your trip reports always make me yearn for my special spots in the Kalahari