The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers

[Flutterby]

Lovely light in the last photos!

[Richprins]

Exquisite studies, Pumbaa!

Nice to be alone a bit at Transport...don't think I've ever seen rhino there!

Ja, the hippo looking for a bit of water at the trough...normally the beginning of the end...

[Mel]

Sunrise... so beautiful

And of course that little ellie with the flapping ears is very cuuute

Like the croc shot too. Looking forward to get to see those again next April.

[Pumbaa]

Another great series of pics Pumbaa. Love the little ellie with its ears flapping.

That was in fact a cutie

For sure elephants in all sizes are not missing

We had a great time at that waterhole

[Pumbaa]

love all the babies... specially the big fan

In fact a more than big fan - Never saw such a cute one

Lovely light in the last photos!

It was the golden hour in the morning

[Pumbaa]

Exquisite studies, Pumbaa!

Nice to be alone a bit at Transport...don't think I've ever seen rhino there!

Ja, the hippo looking for a bit of water at the trough...normally the beginning of the end...

Never saw that many waterholes occupied by hippos as this year Love to do waterhole studies sometime it is in fact nicer to stand there and let the animals come instead of driving the whole day

Sunrise... so beautiful

And of course that little ellie with the flapping ears is very cuuute

Like the croc shot too. Looking forward to get to see those again next April.

A sunrise in the bush is always a very special one

[Pumbaa]

Some teenagers out of a herd had to guard the youngsters while the mom was quenching her thirst.



I simply love those tender moments between the different members of a herd.



The sun had risen meanwhile higher and higher but the golden light was still amazing to capture some beauties



and once again we did not know where to look first as there was so many animals to capture and observe



and even more were on their way



and whilst the little ones still get a special protections from the bigger ones same were allowed to play with a stick.



We once again could have stayed for the rest of the day at that waterhole but we had to drag ourselves away as the way to Satara was still long and so we were already back to Skukuza and even got a glimpse of our honeymoon couple from 2 days earlier – In fact not a great shot but a proof that we met them again.



They just walked deeper into the bush as it started to heat up already extremely. At DeLa Porte also lot of animals already met.



We saw masses of kudus, impalas and giraffes whilst a hippo already took over the waterhole. The warthogs and kudus were thirsty and quenched their thirst

[Pumbaa]

and then after looking into each direction carefully also a giraffe started to drink



as well as a kudu who just drank



with the giraffe in the background.



It was a more than steady come and go of animals and uncountable giraffes, kudus



and impalas either walked away or were about to arrive.





At least we were extreme happy to once paid a final visit at this very productive waterhole.



Before we then turned into the direction of Satara a short break at Skukuza camp was needed and once again whilst leaving the car the heat was already unbearable at that still extreme early hour.

Today we decided to drive via the high water bridge further North instead of via the causeways. We could admire a goliath heron looking out for some fish



and in one of the many loops along that tar road we could capture a golden breasted bunting, a bird we in fact did not see that often so far at least that close.



to be continued.....

[Lisbeth]

Lots of animals at the water holes

[nan]

have nice souvenirs at De Laporte... always (for me) lot of animals
and yours are

love the Bunting