Stories from Tar Roads and From Spots

[Pumbaa]

Your hyenas do not belong to the best looking examples of the species

Giraffes are not the most exciting animals, but very special and nice to look at

The best looking hyenas are still to follow, Lisbeth

[Pumbaa]

Nice greenery again, Pumbaa!

You write well about your experience, I like the giraffe relationship.

And the troubles of the dung beetle!

I always felt so sorry for the dungs beetles when most of the work was in vain

[Pumbaa]

Normally where one elephant is to be found more are not far and so it was here too



as suddenly more and more appeared on the scene





and started to roll in the fresh green and long grass in tufts.



Some latecomers followed the herd



and we had all the time in the world to give them the advantage



but obviously we still surprised a couple of them.



All of a sudden all of them were gone and we could continue only to stop for a nicely posing Jacobin cuckoo who luckily sat still enough for a couple of shots.



As already noted earlier that morning the H2-2 was open and so we decided to try our luck there and along that road masses of impalas



could be found nearly everywhere and most of them were feeding on the high, fresh and green grass which simply must have tasted delicious.

[Pumbaa]

The European rollers were also here plentiful and so were the zebras



then a car stopped us and the passengers already warned us that they turned around as the Mlambane was flowing strongly and they did not dare to cross same but as already supposed we wanted to take a look by ourselves and as it was not far any more we did so but the river was flowing far too strong to cross the causeway and so we also turned around only to meet all the impalas again we just left behind us.



They obviously thought we were gone mad in driving the road back we just came from as they already blocked the road again they had to clear to let us pass and now the same procedure again



at least they looked as if they wanted to complain.



This is how it looked in the veld water everywhere and lush and dense vegetation



and also the zebras were still there



and this impala ram obviously just found out that the juicily leaves always hang on the highest branches.



Now we even had more time in photographing all the zebras



and impalas which we found nearly everywhere.



to be continued……

[Mel]

Looking at your pix is like taking a drive through Kruger
Nice sightings of zebbies and impies that just belong on every drive you go on. At least in my mind.

And the startled ellie looks quite cute.

[Lisbeth]

You always see lots of Jacobin cuckoos and I have not ever seen one in Kruger......I think

[Pumbaa]

Looking at your pix is like taking a drive through Kruger
Nice sightings of zebbies and impies that just belong on every drive you go on. At least in my mind.

And the startled ellie looks quite cute.

Totally right zebras and impalas could be found everywhere in the park

[Pumbaa]

You always see lots of Jacobin cuckoos and I have not ever seen one in Kruger......I think

The last years were extreme wet when it was far dryer we in fact nearly do not see them

[Pumbaa]

The mud looked far too inviting not to stop or lay down for a nice mud roll



and so thought also this youngster obviously earlier.



Meanwhile we again reached the tar road which we wanted to drive now to camp and came across a tawny eagle



and some very hidden hyenas especially in the high grass



luckily on the other side of the road close to a den another one was lying in the sun.



A crowned lapwing



as well as a reed cormorant we met next



until we stopped for another elephant bull now close to camp.



Meanwhile it was already around 15.00 o’clock and we were a bit too tired after that exciting first day in the park that we made ourselves comfortable in our bungalow No. 31 close to the fence in which we could move in after a quick check in and after we moved in I now finally re-packed all the things we forgot yesterday to remove from our luggage to be available quickly for our Kruger mode and after a short break we strolled along the fence to the dam. Buffalo weavers were around



but not much more and so we decided to enjoy the beautiful landscape from the dam which was brimful





and whilst already on our way back to our bungalow a lovely waterbuck came across.



Back in our bungalow Timon lit the braai and how I love these first braais in Kruger especially after it never was clear whether we will make it to our beloved park this year. We were far too tired for an afternoon drive so we enjoyed an early dinner only to fell in bed afterwards.

[Pumbaa]

Sunday, 14th February 2021 – Berg en Dal – Crocodile Bridge

Driven roads: S110 – S110 – H3 – S112 – S22 – S114 – H101 – H4-1 – H4-1 – H4-2

Unfortunately or better to say fortunately for the vegetation it rained again heavily overnight at least partly and also when we were about to pack everything into our car as it was already moving day it rained torrentially so we had to wait a while until the rain got less and even stopped suddenly completely so besides the many puddles into we stepped the rest of us stayed dry.

Surprisingly the gravel road leading to Matjulu was still open as we already feared that most of the gravel roads were closed as many of them were already yesterday closed so we decided to drive today as many gravel roads which are allowed to drive. Right at the beginning we spotted a family of ground hornbills



which we already saw during our previous trips funnily often at nearly the same spot.



The rest was then again quiet and only at Matjulu waterhole we now noticed many white fronted bee eaters who are also regularly to be found at the spot



and also the dust bath was a must for them.





Lots of other smaller birds could be seen as well



and we had again a great time in simply looking a bit around here and photographing all the most willingly posing feathered friends



and also Mrs. Zorro was hanging around.



After a lovely while we continued and fell a bit sorry that we already had to leave this beautiful landscape in Kruger



some rain clouds were still hanging in the mountains and it was such a beautiful morning as it looked as if it will clear up during the day.



We slowly continued and were entertained by a couple of red billed hornbills who checked out what’s on the menue for breakfast.



to be continued……..