The Heat is on and the Lions as well

[Pumbaa]

Most of the elephants were feeding and busy in keeping up with the herd



but these two bulls had a little dispute



which took quote a while until same was cleared.



We continued our drive a bit faster as nothing came across but then we had to stop again as a huge buffalo herd was about to cross the road in front of us.





We gave way to a very impatient driver who nearly hurried between the buffaloes but luckily they relaxed again and allowed us also a couple of close ups



simply love these animals as they have such a gentle look.



We saw quite a number of calves in this herd



and we had again all the time in taking pictures from the nicely posing buffaloes





a lot of them had already crossed the road but there were still many to follow them so soon we were again surrounded by them



as in front as well as behind our car buffaloes started to cross the road and some did not made their mind whether to cross the road at all.

[Pumbaa]

Like the elephant mom and her youngster only earlier that buffalo mom and her youngster were the cutest and on top also extreme photogenic





whilst others only looked at us extreme curious



and when there are buffaloes flies are not far and so are the birds



But most of the buffaloes meanwhile had changed the side of the road and walked slowly away from same so we headed forward as well.



It got again quiet but suddenly a couple of nyala ladies showed up



and luckily presented themselves on the road as otherwise the grass would have hidden most of their beauty



and we even stopped for a group of Europrean bee eaters.



Our favourite part of that road is where the road is following the Sabie river with a couple of loops leading even closer to the river and this is as well our favourite view point a bit elevated in the shade where the N’watindlopfu is normally flowing into the Sabie river but this year the N’watindlopfu was already dry.



We enjoyed a bit standing in the shade there under one of the many large trees and looked around and finally we noted a pied kingfisher on a dry bush



and after a while even a malachite kingfisher landed there with a just caught fish.



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

[Lisbeth]

they have such a gentle look.

Until they get irritated

The red-backed shrike looks strange without the grey head

Lovely nyalas

Beautiful riverview with kingfishers

[Richprins]

Lovely photos, Pumbaa!

I like the ones where the background is out of focus!

Lots of buffs.

Never seen nyala there, they are really spreading!

Ja, the viewpoints on the Sabie there are the best!

And a 2-in-1 kingfisher pic, how rare!

[Pumbaa]

they have such a gentle look.

Until they get irritated

The red-backed shrike looks strange without the grey head

Lovely nyalas

Beautiful riverview with kingfishers

I guess it is a grey headed shrike - We saw quite a lot during that trip

[Pumbaa]

Lovely photos, Pumbaa!

I like the ones where the background is out of focus!

Lots of buffs.

Never seen nyala there, they are really spreading!

Ja, the viewpoints on the Sabie there are the best!

And a 2-in-1 kingfisher pic, how rare!

It is great to see Nyala also in the South - They are such beautiful antelopes

[Pumbaa]

A bit farer away we even noted a bushbuck



and whilst finally crossing the N’watindlopfu riverbed itself a large impala herd came closer out of which this male looked quite impressive





he was in fact such a beauty.



Although we turned into each loop along that road it was an extreme quiet drive with even only few birdies around such as this woodhoopoe with something juicy in its bill.



It was simply once again far too hot already at least the white backed vultures did not let us down.



We turned into the H12 and even could drive the Marula loop which during previous trips was often closed, however, today we could not trace anything. At least behind the Sand river causeway we noted a traffic jam whilst still standing on same and after a bit of checking out we soon detected a male lion close to the road in the grass under a shady tree.



In the beginning same was only looking into the other direction or was lying completely flat on the ground but after a while he turned his head



and after another while we were able to move forward and also the lion got more active.





Maybe because of the traffic around him or because he was looking for his buddy which we finally noted a bit farer away very well hidden in the grass but at least once the other lion also lifted his head so that we were able to get some head shots.

[Pumbaa]

Most of the time this lion was invisible at least his mate was willing for some action



although must say that most of the time he was lying flat on the ground and was then also invisible.



Due to the closeness of camp and gate also a lot of OSV’s as well as other cars were around so after a while we carried on as it got far to full at this spot. Around the Sabie causeway we captured one green backed heron



and after a short body break in Skukuza camp we soon drove to Transport dam as it was still a bit early to check in. Due to the heat a lot of elephants were around and took a bath



which is always fun to watch





and more and more arrived so that it took quite a while until we could drag ourselves away from the bathing spectacle.



The drive alonge the S65 was simply a disappointment as we saw there completely nothing and the area especially around N’waswitshaka waterhole looked already like a wasteland at least one single brown snake eagle could be captured



and then only along the S1 a couple of giraffes showed up.



We arrived just in time back in camp for check in before it got crowded at reception so the procedure took not that long and we could move into bungalow 87 for the next two nights. After we moved in and enjoyed a bit the cool aircondition we walked to the Selati train restaurant for lunch and once again I finally could enjoy again my beloved chicken pizza there which was extreme delicous. Whilst walking back to the bungalow we noted a couple of black collared barbets in the fig trees close to the Cattle Baron restaurant.



Due to the still prevailing heat we only left camp extreme late for a short afternoon drive which took us along the H4-1 but also that drive was quiet. At least we stopped for another brown snake eagle,



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

[Lisbeth]

The latter snake eagle looks strange, maybe it has put gel on the head feathers

[ExFmem]

That impala is definitely impressive ! Also love the kingfisher duo.