And then the rain set in or at dusk the bush comes alive

[Pumbaa]

Nice behaviour pics, Pumbaa! I never knew the wildebeest rolled in mud like that!

The dam is also pretty!

We do often saw them rolling like mad - I guess a bit later in this TT I got some more

[Pumbaa]

Lovely pics of the lionesses!

The S100 can be very quiet sometimes!

Nevertheless we do always give that road a try but overall I guess the quieter moments predominated

[Pumbaa]

The minute we turned into the S41 it started to rain torrentially and the road got immediately muddy and slippery therefore we parked in one of the loops in which you could watch into the N'wanetsi but it got with the rain a bit scary at that spot as same was extreme steep and so we decided to carry on even slower than normal as the windscreen wiper did overtime but we definitely felt much saver on the road and gladly no other cars came along so we reached safely N'wanetsi picnic spot but still had to wait until we could use the toilet as otherwise we would have drenched completely. Gladly the rain got a bit less and after we were back into the car we wanted to see how quickly those dams especially at the causeways might fill up after such an enormous rainfall and whilst we were successful in crossing the first ones we capitulated at this one which was not even a causeway



but crossing that torrential river was too dangerous for us and so we had no alternative than to turn around still hoping that meanwhile also the other causeways allow us to pass - It still rained heavily but it was no comparison with earlier where it felt as if you would drive under a water fall and gladly for us the remaining road was drivable and meanwhile also the dams at the causeways had filled up nicely



and it even stopped to rain suddenly and that was how the veld looked after the heavy rain



but the next minute it started to rain again harder indeed not a nice day weatherwise - The lions we then came across were indeed not that thrilled by the rain.



It was indeed a large pride but due to the rain and thick bushes in that area not that good visible - It was nearly at the same spot where we yesterday missed the leopard and only saw the kill in the tree - the kill was no longer there today.....



Also the group of ostriches who then crossed our path were not that excited by the rain



but at least they had a relaxing time in the mud.



An advantage for us was the sparse vegetation in that area so we could take a lot of shots of that lying ostriches



and on top it got soon and immediately brighter and slowly the rain got less and less - Also Mr. ostrich stood up but same had extreme muddy legs





but it was nevertheless one of the best ostrich sightings we so far had in the park as normally these birds always came along during the hot part of the day and then only in the distance and then the it is not nice to take pictures as the air is glimmering already extremely so the rain had at least a couple of benefits that day.

[Pumbaa]

Further down the road a large group of Senegal lapwings was hanging around and nearly all of them



were busy in taking a bath



in a puddle on the road and it was more than obvious that they loved it



and so did the many wildebeests who we then met with the fresh mud



soon that spot acted as hot spa tip of the day between the wildebeests.



This one still had not yet finished its treatment



and all the others had to wait a bit longer until it was their turn.



We stopped for another black shouldered kite



and for white headed vultures.



to be continued...

[Peter Betts]

Typical lions sitting out in the open when it rains ...Great to see Senegal Lapwings in the East on the clay soils ..They normally are found on the west around Orpen on Granite and especially Gabro plains at the turn off to Tamboti/Maroela camps on the H7

[Peter Betts]

Cut Throat Finches in Kruger ...AWESOME !!..The Robin is fairly common especially in well wooded camps etc

[Richprins]

What absolutely unique sights, Pumbaa!





Amazing water behaviour, and yes, there is no way one should even think of going through a rapid causeway like that!

Love the muddy ostrich!

[Flutterby]

Wow, that was a lot of rain! And you still saw quite a lot of animals.

[Lisbeth]

That was some serious rain but part of the game especially in February

[Mel]

So much rain! But one has to love it, even if sightings slow down a little.
Just the feeling of the rain drumming on your car roof while being out on a drive - totally awesome

Wonderful sightings and great pictures over the previous episodes that I caught up on and followed quietly respectively, too