They Can't All Be Gems...

[Flutterby]

So sorry your shoulder was hurting again!

But you (and SO) still got some great shots!!

[steamtrainfan]

Your pictures are tying up so nicely with your commentary so that I cannot make up my mind if your pain is real or part of the story.

Stunning photos especially the kingfisher having a bad hair day.

[ExFmem]

Thank you Sis, RP, Flutts, and STF for taking your time to comment.

Sis, I DID take the Prednisone with me, but it's a tapered regimen where you take less and less, then are off of it - the intent is that your underlying inflammation, etc has resolved. But sadly, not this time.

STF - the shoulder issue was real. Just had to sort through my "goofy" pics, and choose which to use. Chose the Mohawk pic instead of this Olde Time Judge's Wig hairdo because it was easier to understand

buff.jpg (211.97 KiB) Viewed 482 times

Also considered "I gave him a swift, well-placed kick..."

goose.jpg (172.43 KiB) Viewed 482 times

but stuck w/ the same species bird instead.

Just my tomfoolery

[ExFmem]

Tomfoolery aside, he was an EXCELLENT doctor and gave me a steroid shot and put me back on Prednisone for the remaining week+ of our trip. He is a real asset to SanParks.

[ExFmem]

We stayed in the Southern part of the park the entire trip, staying at Lower Sabie, Croc. Bridge, Tamboti, then Skukuza.

Despite the relative paucity of sightings this trip, Sunset Dam is often productive any time of year, so will start there.

We witnessed an interaction we hadn't seen before, and saw it on several occasions. When it came time in the afternoon for the hippos to begin contemplating leaving the water and resting on the shore, one or more self appointed , or bullied

hip3.jpg (233.27 KiB) Viewed 482 times

hippo police would go ashore and nudge the basking crocs to "Move along, move along, No Loitering".

hip4.jpg (233.8 KiB) Viewed 482 times

hip5.jpg (257.13 KiB) Viewed 482 times

hip6.jpg (246.45 KiB) Viewed 482 times

Seems the crocs knew the law as well, and dutifully abandoned their prime lazing spots and slid off into the water.

hip7.jpg (250.42 KiB) Viewed 482 times

[ExFmem]

The "common" characters that can usually be depended upon to make an appearance did so:

goose.jpg (145.61 KiB) Viewed 480 times

heron.jpg (180.09 KiB) Viewed 480 times

hip.jpg (178.78 KiB) Viewed 480 times

plover.jpg (266.25 KiB) Viewed 480 times

YB.jpg (148.71 KiB) Viewed 480 times

YB2.jpg (104.24 KiB) Viewed 480 times

YB3.jpg (177.56 KiB) Viewed 480 times

But they are still as beautiful and/or appreciated the 100th time I see one, as they were the 1st

[ExFmem]

We don't usually see African Spoonbills at Sunset Dam, so these were a special treat:

spoon.jpg (261.24 KiB) Viewed 479 times

spoon2.jpg (161.87 KiB) Viewed 479 times

spoon3.jpg (78.77 KiB) Viewed 479 times

Me And My Shadow

croc.jpg (281.56 KiB) Viewed 479 times

It was just trying for an easy meal as the fish were funneled through the small opening in the structure, but certainly cast an eerie shadow

croc2.jpg (198.83 KiB) Viewed 479 times

[Richprins]

Such clever pics, Ex!

Who is that doctor...good to know for confirmed hypochondriacs like myself!

Strange hippo behaviour indeed, looks like a teenager...

[Flutterby]

Amazing pics and story of the hippos and crocs...never seen that either!

Very clever pic of the croc and his shadow!!

[Lisbeth]

I hope that your shoulder behaved for the rest of the trip

It looks more like the hippo nudging the crocs

Loverly pics of the spoonbills

It took me some time to make out the shadow pic it is rather