Flavour of the Month - June 2014: H10 & Nkumbe Lookout

[Richprins]

Interesting videos be Heksie, 2014!

Then on the H10 I was entertained by wattled starlings, but they don’t really allow one to drive close enough to take pictures of them, I was glad getting some of them



It was misty this morning and very hard to see anything if it wasn’t next to the road, I did see a juvenile bateleur but not close enough for pictures and then as I got near a tree I heard a distinct unhh-unhhh-unhhh and started searching for his owner… and here he was waiting to be found; Verreaux Eagle Owl

http://youtu.be/ULl0IjlFJR4



I waited for another car so I could show the passengers this beautiful owl and then I moved on. Next was a Black bellied Korhaan, I waited for him to sing his unusual song for me and was lucky this morning

http://youtu.be/267S_IQlP3s

viewtopic.php?f=46&t=3799&start=20

[Richprins]

Wendy and I decided to drive the H10 to Tshokwane and then H1-2 back to the highwater bridge and the H4-1 to camp this morning.
After the rain last night I was so glad that nothing in my tent was wet but unfortunately Wendy couldn’t say the same, it rained in at the back of her tent and her towel was outside, I couldn’t save it on time so we had to hang a few things to dry and then we were on the road.
It was very dark so we only started seeing things very later this morning on our drive.
A rhino family



And more of my pooh-shrooms



Then a three banded plover posed a bit for me (don’t you think she has sexy legs?)



Also which was very strange for me, is the fact that I’ve had more sightings of the southern reedbuck, I have seen them now in the last three trips and not one sighting but a few. Don’t know where they were hiding the last few years but they are here now to stay.





And I also had a close encounter with a red crested korhaan, she didn’t look very happy



I know that you guys are wondering where are the baby impis, I just didn’t get them to pose nicely and they are very skittish, was the first time that whenever you would park next to them that they would just scamper of. But not to worry I did get one pic of a baba

[Richprins]

We started with a beautiful morning sun



And first thing we saw was this rhino family



Then some pooh-shrooms next to the road



And then we were lucky enough to see another reedbuck this morning…



Afterwards we had a run in with a secretary bird, after a few pics Wendy drove on but I stayed with the bird trying to get nice shots, it didn’t really happen…



When I moved on I just saw Wendy’s car around the bend not moving and as I turned to my left I saw a lioness in the open walking to a waterhole to drink. She was also calling but we didn’t know for who as she was alone. After a few minutes she just walked off…





Then this road produced a lot of white storks, they were everywhere. I was lucky enough to get one in flight



I looked to my right and was excited when I spotted this…



I flashed for Wendy and pointed towards the lions. It was so quiet and peaceful, sitting for about 40 minutes with these ladies, they only stood up when the other female crossed the road again, but she disappeared as soon as she showed herself.





They stayed on their spot and we decided to move on, soon after we saw this breeding herd of ellies came towards us, but at least after a few metres went into the bushes



We also saw a kori bustard



And a MR Majestic posed beautifully for us

[Richprins]

After my bathroom break it was time to make my way North to Tshokwane. I was about 16km from LS when I got a special and wet sighting. He was crossing the road and as I turned to take a kiekie, I opened up my window and got soaked all over again. I believe that you should never take a kiekie through a closed window… It was a quick sighting but it warmed my heart immediately.





A bad thing about the rain was that there were froggies everywhere and I unfortunately killed a few on my way up to Satara. I stopped to take a kiekie of one (sorry for the quality).

[Richprins]

Kruger Sightings
‏Verified account @LatestKruger
20h20 hours ago

11:15
Roan antelope
H10, 1.5km S of S122
Near Lower Sabie
Vis 4/5
Tinged by Kerry for Kruger Pride Safaris & Bird Song Lodge

[Richprins]

Kruger Sightings
‏Verified account @LatestKruger
2h2 hours ago

07:20
Mating pair of lions
H10, 24.7km north of bridge
"Moeg ge ploeg but he does sniff the air now and again”
Tinged by Liezel

[Richprins]

Kruger Sightings
‏Verified account @LatestKruger
Dec 29

11:00
Bateleur eating what looks like a francolin
H10, just north of orpen dam turnoff
Near Lower Sabie
Tinged by Liezel

[Richprins]

[Richprins]

[Richprins]

Kruger Sightings
‏Verified account @LatestKruger
22h22 hours ago

06:20
3 lions
H10, 850m from S128
Near Lower Sabie
Vis 5/5
Tinged by Pape Family