The Heat is on and the Lions as well

[Pumbaa]

Monday, 12 February 2024 – Biyamiti – Lower Sabie

Explored roads: S139 – S114 – S23 – S114 – S21 – H4-1 – H10 – S29 – S128 – H10 – H4-1

Today unfortunately we had no electricity when we got up early in the morning and same lasted until we packed everything together and the second when I opened the gate the generator started to run so unfortunately no coffee that morning as we were not in the mood to return back to our bungalow.

Whenever staying at Biyamiti the S139 is a must for us but in February that road is extreme dense so we already knew that it will be hard to spot something normally that road is always good for birding and the views into the Biyamiti are sometimes lovely. So we today turned right when leaving the gate as we always drive the Northern stretch at least once. Today it was still extreme dark when we left camp and on our drive along the private road even a couple of raindrops fell and after we shortly stopped at the view point where nothing could be seen we stopped for an arrow-marked babbler, grey louries



and at a part of that road where one could watch into the riverbed we noted lots of elephants who already digged holes in the sand



to quench their thirst.



A lone buffalo luckily where the owner of his private spa as only few puddles where left in the riverbed



We detected a tawny-flanked prinia,



and were happy about a group of common waxbills who were not easy to photograph as they always landed in the grass to feed on the seeds.



Unfortunately then we stood already in front of Biyamiti weir but nevertheless we enjoyed the drive along the S139 very much. At least at the weir we soon noted one of the many pied kingfishers on the weir and same just caught a fish



and it took not long until same caught another one



and in no minute breakfast was gone already



finally also a green back heron landed on the weir



and another pied kingfisher obviously had already enough fish for breakfast at least it was good to notice that there were still fishes left as the water level at the weir was already extreme low.

[Pumbaa]

We again turned into the S23 and although we never had that much luck on that road same is one of our favourites in that area. We stopped for a brown snake eagle,



a couple of grey louries,



and from the giraffes we came across next only part of the neck and the head were visible.



From time to time we enjoyed the views into the riverbed and detected two different wahlberg eagles



who were willing to pose.



Now we even captured a couple of common waxbills in the open



and at the turn off into the S113 there was still a bit water with lot of mud left and we were happy in again being entertained by a couple of blue waxbills



taking a bath.



The vegetation along that road was also extreme dense and so we only noted the elephants when standing right on the road as soon as they left the road they got invisible



so we stood here a bit longer in order to be sure that now all elephants had crossed the road without any latecomers running behind the herd.



So far we were the only car on the road and so we were again extreme happy when noting familiar shapes on the S114 shortly prior the crossing with the H5 running in front of us – wild dogs again. In the beginning they were again extreme uneasy and as it were only three of them it looked as if they were waiting for the rest of their pack. Finally they got used to our car and us and stood long enough still so that we again started to take picture after picture.



One of the doggies was wearing a collar and most of them looked as if they only recently were lying somewhere in the mud.





to be continued......................

[Flutterby]

Plenty of birds again , and lovely wild dog sighting!

[Lisbeth]

The birds never let you down

Nice sighting of the smelly doggies

[Richprins]

Certainly the summer is birdie time, Pumbaa!

So lush and green, as you say.

Those roads must be some of the quietest in the south!

And more doggies!

[Pumbaa]

Plenty of birds again , and lovely wild dog sighting!

Yes, it started with the birds and then we got something different over the day

[Pumbaa]

The birds never let you down

Nice sighting of the smelly doggies

Luckily as otherwise it would have been an extreme quiet drive

[Pumbaa]

Certainly the summer is birdie time, Pumbaa!

So lush and green, as you say.

Those roads must be some of the quietest in the south!

And more doggies!

Yes, at least during February and early in the morning

[Pumbaa]

In the beginning most of the time only one dog was visible and same looked forward and backward along the S114





The two others were standing and observing the H5 or the Northern part of the S114





so each dog was watching into one direction and they really did not move far from the spot





as if this was obviously the meeting point with the rest of the pack. After a while they most of the time stood right on the crossing altogether



so all of them had an eye on the road and the more they waited there the more relaxed they got.





The whole time we stood at that sighting we had them all to ourselves as still no other cars arrived at least the better for us as the dogs even more relaxed.



Two of them even laid down on the road or in the grass alongside the road whilst the third one still checked out the surroundings

[Pumbaa]

The one lying in the grass nearly got invisible but the buddy betrayed same





nevertheless we again had such a wonderful time as we were so happy in finding doggies again on two following days



and nearly reguarly at least once during our previous trips to Kruger as it took quite a couple of trips until we saw our very first wild dogs.



We definitely had another wonderful time in not only taking many pictures we even had time in simply watching the behaviour of the doggies especially with no other cars around.





Meanwhile all three of them decided to lay down as it obviously might still take more time before the rest of the pack arrive.



After we again got so many uncountable shots we even were able to take a couple of close ups before we after around 45 minutes continued our way. The dogs remained on that crossing and I was hoping that finally also other visitors were able to find them on that day.





Luckily we spent such a long time with the dogs as it got extreme quiet. We paid a short visit to Renosterkoppies but the whole area was abandoned so we turned around only to turn into the S21 where we soon were held up by an elephant herd



and during our drive we even could detect an African hawk eagle a bit hidden in a larger tree.



Nearly in the middle of the S21 there is a larger pond which is carrying normally water and so it was during this trip but also at this pond the water level was extreme low compared to other summer days. A couple of zebras arrived at the same time as we but they suddenly ran away as a large elephant bull arrived to quench his thirst.



The zebras finally dared to come again closer as they were thirsty as well but he did not tolerate them at his private waterhole and always shaked his head into the direction of the zebras.



After a while after he got enough water to drink he finally allowed the zebras to take a drink as well and he even was willing to leave the field for them.



to be continued...........................