Stories from Tar Roads and From Spots

[Richprins]

Lovely morning activity, Pumbaa!

Quite unusual the yellow oxpeckers in the south!

seems to be a hornbill day!

Great birdie pics!

[Lisbeth]

Lots of yellow-billed oxpeckers. They are becoming quite common in the south

Great pics of the snake eagle

[Pumbaa]

Lovely morning activity, Pumbaa!

Quite unusual the yellow oxpeckers in the south!

seems to be a hornbill day!

Great birdie pics!

Luckily we already discovered them there - Normally they indeed do occur more in the North of the park

[Pumbaa]

Lots of yellow-billed oxpeckers. They are becoming quite common in the south

Great pics of the snake eagle

We were so happy about the many snake eagles we saw during that trip

[Pumbaa]

A golden breasted bunting was willing to pose



and it was amazing to always stop at the feeder streams which were carrying still a lot of water



and we also meanwhile drove parallel to the Sabie river along that road which is always allowing some incredible views into the river where we again stopped and enjoyed the shade under the many trees



and we even discovered a hamerkop



although now I must say that I got a bit queasy about those water masses which were still flowing as we still had to cross the Nwatindlopfu which was just around the corner there luckily the water was not flowing that strongly and as the road was open and another car just had crossed same we tried our luck as well and after a moment of shock where we plunked down from a higher terrace it was indeed doable to cross this causeway but for sure not for a small sedan. After we crossed the river we shortly checked the back where we plunked down but It looked as if it simply was only the tow-bar so we calmed down and carried on our way.

We noticed a vulture in flight



then more



finally a couple of them landed in a tree



and at another look out point under shady trees we stopped for a buffalo in the river



and whilst watching the buffalo we noticed on top a couple of wood hoopoes who just



landed on a tree close to where we stood



and also here we enjoyed their presence and were lucky that they posed that nice and long for us.

[Pumbaa]

Meanwhile it got extreme quiet when it comes to cars and now we indeed got again a bit uncomfortable as at the end of this road a lockable turnpike is standing and we were a bit concerned that same might be locked although this road was open from the other side and we indeed were not in the mood to cross again the Nwatindlopfu but must say our concern was groundless as finally the turnpike was open and so we soon calmed down again and enjoyed our further drive first on the high water bridge crossing the Sabie and Sand river and then the kudus we met,



one of the many lilac breasted rollers



and finally also the railway bridge whilst standing on the causeway close to Skukuza camp.



From the causeway we also discovered the obligatory hamerkop



and also a fork tailed drongo



and then we in fact needed an urgent break at Skukuza to stretch the legs a bit and then we were ready to continue our morning drive as it was still far too early to check in. We enjoyed along our way a martial eagle



as well as a juvenile bateleur



and then stopped for a booted eagle who simply posed too nice



so we had to stop and again took



masses of pictures.





to be continued……

[Lisbeth]

Driving in the water when you cannot see the road, is not for feeble nerves

You were lucky to be able to get such great shots of the woodhoopoes, as they normally are fluttering around always half hidden.

I wonder how the luxury train is doing. It must have had a very bad start with so few overseas visitors.

[Dzombo]

@Pumbaa

Don't think that it's a Booted Eagle.
Looks far too robust.
My guess would be dark form of Tawny Eagle (am at work and don't have my books with me)

[Dzombo]

@Pumbaa

Don't think that it's a Booted Eagle.
Looks far too robust.
My guess would be dark form of Tawny Eagle (am at work and don't have my books with me)

Looking in my Roberts, I think is more likely a Steppe Eagle

[Flutterby]

Hey Pumbaa, just caught up here! So glad, you were able to get to Kruger during a very hard time!

Lovely to see the park so green and wet. You had some amazing leopard sightings and great photos all round!