KTP March 2013 - Now I've had the time of my life... *

[Mel]

23/03/2013 – Gharagab to Grootkolk

Moving day! Seeing that we only had to go to GK, we took it easy (for a change… ) and left only about 8.30 am after having fully enjoyed our morning visitors:

No. 1


No. 2


The drive out of Gharagab was a bit more adventurous than the drive in with 2 mean dunes that shook us through big time. Actually, I will admit to all of those who have been to Gharagab and felt ashamed for failing the fist dune (or was it the second, can’t remember exactly) – we did as well.

We were still on the loop after having gotten out of the Gharagab route, when I spotted my first Ludwig’s bustards ever. Well, not exactly. I had seen one on our drive up, but the photo was even worse than this, so I thought I’m gonna wait with posting.



In total we saw even 7 of these birds. Amazing! Year after year you don’t get a single one but once the spell is broken… Well, at least that’s what I like to hope.

The injured hyena at Lijers was still there. I was getting worried that day.



But when we came back the next, it was gone. So I hope it made a good recovery.

Another martial along the way.


As we were a bit too early to check in at Grootkolk we decided to check out Union’s End waterhole. There was a strange kind of raptor sitting. Initially I thought it was a lanner falcon and got excited when it didn’t fly off on our approach as lanners usually do – at least with me. But this one stayed put. And it didn’t look right for a lanner either. Hmmmz. My birdbook didn’t give me any indication of what this might be. Some days later we met a kind family on the Aoub side. They had a different birdbook on them which led me to believe I might have caught a juvenile black harrier. But it was Dewi who finally shed some light on the ID of the mysterious raptor – juvenile jackal buzzard. Not a tick, but I have never seen them in KTP before. And a close up raptor always makes me happy anyway.

[Mel]

At Grootkolk we were given our favourite unit and all our friends were already waiting for us:

Scaly-feathered finch

Red-headed finch

Black-faced waxbill

Red-eyed bulbul

Grey-headed sparrows of both sexes

Even a breeding male red-billed quelea came to say hello:



And it seems that every camp now got a braai inspector



Grootkolk has a kitchen inspector on top of it



The wildebeests were hogging the waterhole, but two of them had had their fill and were rubbing faces in the dust.



Later some kudus arrived but the wildebeest were still hogging the waterhole and didn’t let the kudus get anywhere near the water. Even the brownie declared defeat to the mob and ran off.



Once the wildebeest were gone, the kudu were able to quench their thirst.



The hyena would be back later that night, but I didn’t even think of attempting a proof shot.
We had invited Franco for dinner and enjoyed our chatter instead.

[Mel]

Hurry up, nan, we are going to meet at Uri tomorrow. -O

Actually, I think I should wait till you get there as well...

[Mel]

24/03/2013 – Grootkolk to Urikaruus

We already had to move again. Not by choice, but because we hadn’t been able to get more than one night in GK. Actually, shortly before our trip we could have added a second night here, but then we would have had to let go of Uri. Since we don’t hold a single night in Uri on our next trip, we decided to keep our itinerary the way it was. But at least I would finally get to meet nan at Urikaruus.

The morning started with two stately kudu bulls, but unfortunately the light was still very low.



He was intently checking the dunes to our right which got us a bit suspicious.



And, well, what can I say… I didn’t take long for Madame to arrive.



Seems to get a bit of a tradition at GK that the lions try to prevent us from leaving…

Anyhoo. Her face was rather bloody and I wondered if there were still the same amount of wildebeest than there had been the day before. All too soon she vanished into the dunes again, before the sun would have come up. SO and I went on seeing to our business of drinking coffee, getting washed / showered, packing up and loading the car, when…







came marching in.

“You didn’t believe I’d come back and bring Le Petit Prince with me?”



After having finished their business at the waterhole we got some lovely TLC display.











It was 8.30 am by then and it was high time to leave as Franco had to do all of the camp for new guests. Luckily, the lions did us the favour to disappear so it wasn’t too hard to say our final goodbye. -O

[Mel]

If you guys and gals are interested in what we missed out on on our second full day in the park (18th March),
you need to go here to view it.

[nan]

two TT... but the same for some minutes

[Mel]

So, it was still early and we had just left Grootkolk, but we didn’t get too far when the next surprise awaited us: About 15 elands in the riverbed. But by the time I had registered what I was looking at and had gotten my camera pointed at them, they were already legging it deeper into Botswana. Still, we had gotten to see them – something I seriously hadn’t counted on as they seemed to have vanished from the South African side again after their prolonged visit in winter and spring.



Nothing exciting happened anymore until Cubitjie where once again a bateleur was occupying the waterhole. He was close and unfussed by our car so I settled to take a series of shots.



But it didn’t take long for another car to arrive from the north. The bateleur was still going nowhere but then the moron spoilt the sighting because he opened his door to take photos. Naturally, the bateleur was gone in secs and I was furious!

There were also what I believe to be Burchell’s Sandgrouse



At Nossob we took a stop over as Spots had some unfinished business with our rental car company and our fixed tyres. He wanted to phone them to order two new tyres to be brought up to Twee the next day. Still, we wanted our flat tyre fixed in case the fixed spare tyre that had been put on in Gharagab would blow. While the SO explained our situation to the reception staff at Nossob I was dreaming away in the shade outside. I was even too lazy for a trek down to the hide as it was already getting hot by then.

Accordingly, not much was moving anymore once we had left Nosssob and I didn’t take a single picture until we reached Eland waterhole on the northern dune road. This chap was having a nap.



Arriving at Urikaruus we saw that nan hadn’t pitched yet but the most friendly Jacques came to greet us and show us to our unit. He was kind enough to inform us about the bat problem, but that we had already gathered from other guests who had stayed here the night before. Around 4 pm I went to take a shower. Spots went to the bathroom approximately half an hour later and came back in utter disbelieve, telling me I had to see that to believe: Our shower was black… pitch black. There were bats everywhere and even some circling in the bedroom.


I was too flabbergasted to get my wits together and take a photo of that sight. Instead I grabbed a towel and started evacuating the bats one by one. The SO took care of those in the bedroom and by the time we were finished we had set free about 40 bats.

[Mel]

When we had finished with the bats, nan dropped by, saying that she also had heard the sound of bats in her unit. So we went to investigate. Luckily, there was only one - at that time - sitting in the bathroom which we quickly set free.

We had actually wanted to spend the evening together but I didn’t feel too well, probably due to an allergic reaction to something and therefore we agreed with nan that we would have sundowner and dinner together the following night.

When we checked back on our pets later again, we could tell that there were still a few left but far from the amount we had released. Now it was time to relax again and watch the antics of a kori bustard who wouldn’t let the poor bokkies get anywhere near the waterhole.



Once we had settled after dinner to watch the waterhole it didn’t take long for our next leopard to arrive. Jacques came running with his mega spotlight but for some reason my camera didn’t want to play along when the leopard lifted its head. So all I got is a tail shot.



Yet, Matthew Schurch was able to ID her as Tsamma. Seeing that all I had to offer was a tail, I think his ID skills are just incredible

[Mel]

Exactly, Flutts -O

25/03/2013 – Urikaruus and Urikaruus to Twee respectively

We woke up to a bat doing its round in the bedroom. But as it was only one, we weren’t too fussed and just opened the balcony door for it to get out. Which it did.

Today, Spots would have to go down to Twee to retrieve the exchange tyres. Seeing that I would have to have to spend quite some time in the camp there until everything was dealt with, I decided to take a time out at Uri and not to accompany him.

The morning started with yet another giant eagle owl.

[nan]

so I can go on... I would go to Mata Mata
see you in the evening