Pooky back in Satara *

[pooky]

Sunday 14th Sept. 2014

Left Centurion very early. This was after the long drive from Cape Town. This trip was a bit
different for us. We weren't with the family as we normally are. We were with friends, 4 couples in
2 cars. The other car had already arrived in KNP a few days earlier.The couple we were with had never
been to Kruger before so excitement was at fever pitch

Just a comment on rhino sightings. We saw about 25 in the 7 days in the Park which was fantastic.
We even had a black rhino run with us for a while. No photos.

We miss read the detour sign to White River and ended up doing that horrendous road.

Booking in was quick and easy

On the way in we saw this very dark giraffe



Just before Nsemani dam these lion were resting up in the shade.





A very dry Nsemani dam



The usual suspects watched us setting up camp.
burchells starling and



a red billed buffalo weaver.



yellowbilled hornbill



redbilled hornbill



More to follow for the afternoon

[pooky]

Continued----

After we setup camp we set off to check out the sighting board and heard that there were cheetah
on the H6 towards Nwanetsi. What luck
This is what we found. Our friends were delighted at the great start we had




We also came across this giraffe giving us the beady eye and then he pulled a tongue at us





A big tusker was quietly grazing along the banks of the river.



and a close up


and a pretty little steenbok blending in with grass.


There was so much smoke in the air from all the fires in and around Kruger. The evening light had a beautiful orange
glow to it with stunning sunsets. Nsemani dam reflected some of that light.





Back to camp for a welcome braai and so nice to have hot weather after the long cold Cape winter

[pooky]

Lions AND cheetahs!! How many cheetahs were there? We saw 5 on the H6 in April.

Only those 2 this time Flutts

[pooky]

Monday 15th Sept.2014

We were in the queue at the gate for opening time. The sunrise was stunning and again gave everything
an orange glow.






First up were these coucals catching the early morning sun





We made our way down to Nsemani dam to see if the lions were there. Two males walked up the road towards us
and then made their way into the grass. They were on a mission so I only managed 1 photo before they were gone.



Closer to the dam were 3 cubs, but no sign of their mums anywhere.





This little guy had a bare patch under his neck. Not sure watch the cause of it was



It was an early breakfast for a big croc with a decent sized barbel.







We made our way to the S100. Not much was going on there,just a few wildebeest and some birds.


First up was a brown-hooded kingfisher


followed by this verreaux eagle owl peering at us through the twigs


and another brown-hooded kingfisher



finally before getting to Nwanetsi for breakfast we came across this picture of horns - a lovely group of kudu bulls

[pooky]

continued------

A black crake with her chicks at one of the river crossings.



At Nwanetsi a water monitor came sneaking over the rocks.



After a hearty breakfast we made our way down to Sweni hide. It had warmed up nicely so the cool hide was welcome,
although it was quite busy.

Right in front of the hide was a group of white faced ducks.



On the way back to Satara this hyena was surveying the scene.



We had some lunch and a swim before going out for a short drive past Nsemani dam again then to Girivana dam. There
was no water in the dam just a mud puddle. We had just missed a family of ellies having a mud bath. Mum was
having a nice scratch against a tree.





Meanwhile one youngster was still enjoying the mud.







Oh gee,I have been left behind, quick, catch up to mum



Floppy eat was having a drink of clean water but also had to hurry to catch up with the family

[pooky]

Tuesday 16th Sept

While waiting for the gate to open this was how the day started




Just outside the gate mum hyena was giving her cubs breakast



A kudu cow posed beautifully for us. She still had her winter coat



We went to Ngotso dam and while watching to see what might be there these two young male lions came past.The early morning light gave them a lovely glow.









We were on our way to Timbavati picnic site and this kori bustard was very close to the road.





This juvenile ground hornbill was moaning for his parents to feed him but they weren't obliging.



I am glad we don't have to bite our skin to stop an itch



There was a bit of greenery for a kudu bull to munch on.



A little steenbok male was checking us out.




A slender mongoose was also catching the early morning sun.



Finally at Timbavati the ever present bushbuck.



There are always birds looking for scraps and this laughing dove was no exception



Our gang having coffee and rusks or sandwiches.



We were going on a sunset drive later on so slowly made our way back to camp for a swim and lunch. The temperature had risen to 38 degrees again as with the previous days.

more to follow later.

[Mel]

pooky, I think you had some really fabulous sightings! A great variety in any case,
with lots of the "smaller" stuff posing nicely for you. And the colours, wow,
so beautiful!

And so far, there wasn't a shortage of cat sightings yet. The cubs look well
fed - even if mum seemed to have disappeared for the time being. Probably
trying to find replenishment to make sure the cubs' bellies stay round.
Strange wound on one of them though.

[pooky]

Continued ------

Before going back to camp we stopped at Ratel Pan hide. The spring on the door is broken, so security to the hide wasn't great

A couple of crocs were lying in the shallow water.



This egyptian goose had a very wonky leg but she managed to get around quite well and even had some big goslings.



Yellow-billed storks.



We went back via Nsemani dam where a big ellie was enjoying a bath.










Back at Satara all the red-bills, buffalo weaver and hornbill were scratching in the dry leaves.

We had lunch and a swim then made our way to the pick up point for the sunset drive.



In the trees around the reception area we found this bat watching everyone walk by.



Back to Nsemani on the drive where, once again, the sunset was beautiful. The light over the dam was lovely.





and the sun setting behind the big tree at Giravana dam.



We went down towards Timbavati. Just before the junction we saw 2 jackal.The truck stopped for us to look at them
and right next to the road a movement caught our attention.There were 3 very tiny pups trying to hide.The parents
had been digging a hole next to the road but it wasn't deep enough for them to hide in. Unfortunately no photos.
I was battling to get the camera to focus with the flash lights shining and I couldn't see to change the settings

Just when we thought this was going to be one of those quiet rides, someone shouted leopard.We were back on the
tar road. A warthog had obviously smelt the leopard and came out of a drain under the road. They faced each other
for a while before the warthog took off. The leopard lay down not far from the road then got up and came closer before laying down again. But he was determined to check out the drain and came right up to the edge of the road,
gave us a glare then moved off. We spent about 20 minutes with this leopard. What a sight and so close. The highlight of the drive and the trip

[pooky]

Wednesday 17th Sept2014

We made our way down the H7 to the S36 and on to Muzandzeni picnic site.On the east side of the S36 a huge area
had been burnt.
Along the way was a red-crested korhaan with his beautiful feather markings.



Further on was a pair of double banded sandgrouse with one tiny chick.









and two warthog watched us pass by.



We stopped at the picnic site and the ranger there told us of a big herd of buffalo at the Shimangwaneni dam. It was early so off we went to check them out. It was a big herd. They were just moving off from the dam,so we kept our
eyes open for lion. They were there, our friends in the other car saw them but we missed them.





The oxpecker were also having some chow.





At the water were a couple of very alert kudu bulls. This fellow posed beautifully for us.



Eventually they relaxed and along with the impala settled down and quenched their thirst.



Back at the picnic site we hired a scottle and had a big cooked breakfast. First time we have ever done this. It was
very nice.

Purple roller



We continued down the S36 and turned onto the S125, coming out at Kumana dam where a fired was burning. This
fire had come from Mozambique and burnt a big area of Kruger. It wasn't too fierce here and there were patches of
grass still. Plenty of smoke around though.





Finally we visited the southern most baobab before making our way back towards Satara.

[pooky]

Continued -----

On our way back at the Sweni bridge this lioness was lying in the shade panting her heart out and with her face
covered in blood. It was 40 degrees and she had just caught and killed a wildebeest. No wonder she was puffing







After a late lunch and a swim it was back to Nsemani where a big ellie was slowly making his way to the dam



Below the wall a couple of bushbuck were having a drink. It was still very hot



and Mr Monkey looking full of mischief.



Another great day in KNP