A Fantarantulatastic Trip To Kruger - April 2017

[PJL]

Great pics and sightings again!

You think that's a tattoo?

The queleas were flying north-south on the 8th, but ja, millions!

Tattoo done by a 2 year old perhaps
The noise of the queleas wings was quite amazing

[PJL]

Not your current whatsapp pic The one you had up while you were still in the park. I think your current pic is from a sighting where I had some mates in a brown discovery present as you chatted to them and they informed me Ace Ventura

Hmmm... I have been compromised
Yep was good to meet Manus & Ursula. They have the same spots addiction as yourself

[PJL]

like too the Vultures and the Hyenas

Thanks nan

Superb vulture shots!

And yet another close up lion sighting AND in prime position for photos again... I really learned to appreciate that feat during our Kruger time

I find it quite cute that D and H like their hyena where most people think they are rather ugly creatures

Thanks Mel, we were rather fortunate with our sightings position that morning

[PJL]

Great to catch up on two fantastic episodes

Leopard was an absolute beaut! Stunning shots

The Kittie cats sure did not disappoint on your trip ...Gorgeous

Hyena's can be so smelly ...BUT they are always such a pleasure to see, super shots, expressive facial!

Beautiful photos of the Vulture

Glad you got to catch up
Can't say I've smelt hyenas before, but I guess if they've been eating old meat they probably carry around that smell of death

[PJL]

April 2nd Continued

We quietly discussed in the car what we thought the shape might have been. S and I had both caught a glimpse and we were fairly convinced it was a leopard. The question was whether it would pluck up courage and come out again or if it had disappeared back into the long grass for good.

After waiting what seemed like an age it reappeared and literally bolted across the road! It was a good job we had been ready for it









Without even so much as a glance back at us it quickly disappeared into the tall grass



We counted ourselves really lucky with this sighting - we were the only vehicle and I think had there been more, the leopard would not have had the courage to cross the road. After checking the spots a bit more it seemed this was the same individual that we had seen the evening before up the tree

Here's a bit of fun - a number of the images of the leopard stitched together to show its flight across the road



Continuing on our way after the adrenaline rush of the leopard and all the other morning sightings we marvelled at the fact we were less than an hour into our morning drive

Hiding well in the long grass were a couple of Kori Bustards. There were quite a lot of them in the area around Satara, but most days they were too far away for any pics



We also had some decent ostrich sightings on the route to Olifants



Then came our next bit of luck on this incredible drive... a cheetah with her 4 youngsters



From the initial view it was a bit hard to work out exactly how many there were, but heads bobbed up and down allowing us to count 3 near their mom, plus this one a bit closer to us



The mom had a good vantage point and was surveying the area in all directions







Cheetah had been one of the animals we were really wanting to see on our last trip to Kruger, but since we have seen them plenty of times since in both Addo and Mountain Zebra we weren't looking so hard for them... maybe that's why they popped up this time

Fairly soon they started moving and we positioned ourselves further along the road in the hope that they would head our way. It worked to some degree as first the mom then the four youngsters came along











However just as they looked like they might get really close they veered off further away from the road. They had caught sight of some warthog





Before we had a chance to move the car, one of the youngsters took off after the warthog. I didn't even try to take any pics - partly the car was at totally the wrong angle for where the chase was happening, but also it was just amazing to witness them travelling flat out. The youngster didn't catch the hog, and after all the exercise they were further away and starting to lie down to recover so we figured it was best to head on towards Olifants

[Lisbeth]

Spots all over the place

The leopard looks quite young, but you did manage to get some good shots

And also a pic of all the cheetah "kittens" together. The cheetah females are admirable! I always wonder how they manage to raise three or four cubs to an adult age, as the % of their hunting successes is not very high

Lucky Pete

[stefan9]

Very nice pics

[nan]

wow Leopard and then Cheetahsssssss

well done for the montage

[Mel]

I'm not sure whether we can ever meet up again... The SO & I are currently discussing your unbelievable luck and whether we still would want to talk to you at all

Totally with your outstanding sightings here! Can you imagine... the leopard was visible for what? - 20 seconds? And you guys where right there

And then cheetahs adequately close too - wow, wow and wow!

Thanks Mel, we were rather fortunate with our sightings position that morning

Yeah, I see that now as well

[harrys]

Wow what a awesome Leopard sighting and great to see so many Cheetahs