By far the easiest way to get to Kruger NP.
The lush view from my veranda!
Leopard
Walking very unconcerned about my presence.
Had a wound on its flank.
Spent all day with two girls cleaning the house as it was in a terrible mess. Last time I was home was in October. They did a fantastic job & the house is once more looking great again. On my way to the TV room to check e-mails had prolonged views of a Leopard on the track in front of my truck! Brilliant stuff! Managed some photos, but always walking away from me.
Lorraine & her two children.
Sandy & her three month old baby!
The dam at Lower Sabie is very full.
in a mud hole.
The girls & their milkshakes!
As a thank you to Lorraine & Sandy for working so hard yesterday on my house (from 7 am to 5 pm)! I took them on a day visit into Kruger National Park. They live in Huntington right next to the park but had never been inside! So early doors on the 16th March I picked them up with their three young children. We enjoyed a lovely time together & the kids were so well behaved. What was interesting was the reaction from people with me with two young black girls & three tiny infants, who are also black. The elderly white South Africans were disapproving, one guy even tutting in my face & shaking his head to his wife! However, what was really interesting was the reaction of the black people. For example the staff at Mugg & Bean at Lower Sabie were so friendly, one girl even sitting with us while we had our meal! I have never, ever enjoyed such excellent service from staff inside this national park. Obviously the new South Africa has still got a long way to go!
Martial Eagle with snake as prey.
Look at the length of white in the tail (male)
The park was very green & lush & game viewing was difficult, but we had a great day out. I had forgotten what it is like to have babies in tow! I dropped the girls & their children at home & then went to the TV room in Sabie Park to check e-mails, seeing three Square tailed Nightjars on the tracks.
White backed Vulture, showing the white back!
Brown Snake Eagle
Yellow billed Hornbill
European Roller
Southern Carmine Bee-eater
These intra-African migrants will be leaving soon.
European Swallows getting ready
for heading north.
Amazing to think these birds will be in Russia soon!
European Roller in good light.
Brown headed Kingfisher
Long tailed Shrike
Spotted Backed Weaver
On 17th March went into KNP for a short run via the Bird Hide & the Golf Club. It was a very hot sunny day & wildlife viewing was quiet.
Cape Buffalo
Getting ready for mating
She is really not that interested!
White Rhino
Blue Wildebeast
On 18th I was up before dawn & had a run into Kruger. Covered the S3 & then down the tar all the way to Malelane. Best sightings were a nice breeding herd of Cape Buffalo & 12 White Rhino.
I then drove to Nelspruit to put my fridge/freezer in for repair yet again! Came back to Sabie Park & spent the afternoon on the veranda where the Vervet Monkeys were going nuts. They had a predator beneath the trees, almost certainly a Leopard but I couldn't see it. After about 40 minutes the monkeys gave up, but they were very upset!
Lion, with not a care in the world!
It came within a foot of my head, hence the hazy
photo as I shot through a rapidly closed window!
Make sense?
A female looks on.
What is all the fuss about?
Swainson's Francolin, calling.
Wahlberg's Eagle
Pale phase individual.
White faced Duck
On the 19th I was again up before dawn & went into Kruger. I drove along the S3, the Waterhole Road, Transport Dam & back via the Stevenson Hamilton Memorial. It was dull & very overcast, but then the heavens opened & had heavy rain for a couple of hours. Game viewing was slow going but nice views of a group of Lions.
Went back to Sabie Park for lunch & then into Kruger again. Didn't see much but the light on the landscape was amazing.
Skukuaza Golf Club in wonderful afternoon light.
for heading north.
Dawn on the S3.
Despite all the rain, this river
is not completely flowing.
The very scenic Crocodile River,
which forms the southern boundary
of the national park.
The view from Stevenson Hamilton
on a very overcast day.
photo as I shot through a rapidly closed window!
Make sense?
What is all the fuss about?
The light was just amazing!
European Roller sunbathing in the afternoon light.
Found this little gem on the track close to my house
went I went for lunch.
What a brilliant little creature!
Feeding on the Sabie Park side of the river.
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