Stories from Tar Roads and From Spots

[Pumbaa]

Finally we carried on and stopped again for another brown snake eagle



which we again photographed quite extensively.



A nice break from driving we then made at Nkuhlu picnic spot where we strolled along the river to stretch the legs a bit and simply to enjoy the view. On the highwater bridge



across the Sabie / Sand river we noticed a bit farer away on a sandbank a couple of saddlebilled storks



who meandered in the riverbed



and on the other side we spotted a buffalo in his private spa



Not a surprise for me was then seeing that the S30 had been closed again so we had luck that yesterday we were allowed to drive that road. Further down the road a puffback luckily
presented itself today



extreme close and long enough for a couple of pictures.



Our drive via the causeways across the Sand and Sabie river indeed revealed not much but we were happy about a herd of elephants in the thick vegetation



for which we for sure stopped and enjoyed their presence as we on that day so far did not see any elephants.





After that fruitful and adventurous morning drive we were back in camp around lunch time and decided today to give the new Selati Restaurant a try and on our way to the restaurant I nearly stepped on a tiny chameleon but luckily I noticed that little chap and precautionally Timon picked same up and put it into the deeper vegetation away from the walkway. The food and service were excellent and my mushroom pizza extreme yummy – This was definitely not the last time we visited that restaurant.

After a short visit to the shop we then had still enough time to pay Lake Panic another visit and there we detected again lots of pied kingfishers



whereas one wanted to steal the fish from the other one



and on top one could be captured in flight.



As it was extreme quiet there we decided to drive once again via our magical square as we still had enough time and we were lucky in finding a nicely posing brown hooded kingfisher

[Pumbaa]

again extreme close to where we stood



as well as lots of carmine bee eaters,



a bulbul



and a buffalo in the Mutlumuwi flowing into the Sand river.



Already on our way around the magical square we had been made aware by passengers in another car about a lion sighting and after we found her who was on her own and indeed not very good looking we carried on only to meet her again automatically on our way back to camp.



For sure we did not stay long there although noticed that she had chosen meanwhile another spot to rest and then it was about time to return to camp where we enjoyed the rest of the evening on our verandah with an excellent view and with a nice glass of white wine until it was time for the bed.

Thursday, 20 February 2021 – Skukuza - Satara

Driven roads: H11 – S1 – H11 – H1-2 – H10 – H1-3 – S34 – S36 – S39 – H7 – S12 – S40 – H1-4 – H1-4 – S100 H1-4

It was once again moving day so with a very last view with a hot coffee in hand over the Sabie river we slowly packed everything together and wanted to check once more whether they opened the S65 again and soon we turned right at the crossing close to camp and so did obviously most of the cars this morning and after it was quiet for the first minutes we soon spotted a similar silhouette on the road - our leopard lady from yesterday



but today a lot of OSV’s from the new lodge on the Selati train bridge as well as other cars were blocking the view or were permanently on the move to follow her it was in fact not easy to photograph this beauty today



but as we took already yesterday so many shots we gave the advantage to the others and only from time to time when we had a clear view into the spotted lady we took a couple of shots



although it was nice having seen her again at nearly the same spot and the same time as yesterday.



Obviously today it were far more cars around and as she was not willing to stroll between all the cars she already left early the road and decided to continue her walk in the bush and in the beginning we saw her still quite a while but soon she disappeared completely.



We finally continued and met along the S1 a larger group of giraffes



relatively close to the road



and also with lots of little ones between them.





to be continued……

[Lisbeth]

Nice birds again and the lady leopard, but with so many cars around it kind of ruins the sighting IMO

[Richprins]

Catching up, Pumbaa!

Nice lifer there with the thick-knee!

And a kingfisher extravaganza!

Not to mention regular big 5!

Ja, the Selati business means more vehicles on the road...

[RogerFraser]

Wow a very busy episode .Lovely Kingfishers ,Lions and the Lovely Leopard again .

The Little Giraffe is very cute

[Pumbaa]

Nice birds again and the lady leopard, but with so many cars around it kind of ruins the sighting IMO

She also was not willing to pose longer and soon disappeared but at least it was nice seeing her again

[Pumbaa]

Catching up, Pumbaa!

Nice lifer there with the thick-knee!

And a kingfisher extravaganza!

Not to mention regular big 5!

Ja, the Selati business means more vehicles on the road...

Although must say that it was the whole trip still extreme quiet carwise but that morning obviously not

[Pumbaa]

Wow a very busy episode .Lovely Kingfishers ,Lions and the Lovely Leopard again .

The Little Giraffe is very cute

We could not complain indeed - The sightings were not that bad

[Pumbaa]

Unfortunately the S65 was still closed so we turned around and checked again whether Mrs. leopard came out again but as no car stood everywhere along that road and we did not trace her again at the spot we missed her previously so we continued our way to Satara after another short body break at Skukuza.

For sure we stopped again on the low water causeways over the Sabie and Sand river and as due to the water level only very few birds the previous days could be seen here today with the still dropping water level at least lot of pied kingfishers were around from whom we took extensively pictures.



Then it unfortunately got extreme quiet but we stopped for a couple of warthogs



and for sure for the obligatory impalas



as well as for their many hitchhikers.



As already expected after all the heavy rain the S36 that South was closed so we had no alternative than to drive via the tar road and also here it was extreme quiet that morning but I noticed a sunbathing lizard on a rock close to the road.



Next stop was then Leeupan which was extreme full and luckily we spotted there right in the beginning a moorhen although a common bird but for us not that often seen in Kruger.



After we took a couple of shots same soon disappeared out of sight but a lot of knob-billed ducks



as well as white faced ducks could be seen



who shared an island and that looked extreme idyllic.



Also with the sunshine it was such a wonderful sight



on top we noticed a sandpiper



and a three banded plover.





Overall it was a more than a peaceful stop and also the background noise with all the bird noises around was wonderful but as the grass and vegetation was that high we most likely missed many more birds. A bit further down the tar road we then discovered in a bush a couple of brown headed parrots



who were busy in working on the pods. Luckily they presented themselves in the open that close to the road as normally they prefer to stay hidden.

[Pumbaa]

We wanted to pay Orpen dam a visit but as the S32 was closed we had to turn around and noticed a woodland kingfisher



as well as a lilac breasted roller



busy with its kill



until we reached Tshokwane picnic site for a short break and also a fresh brewed coffee from the coffee shop there was very welcome. Surprisingly the S34 right behind the picnic spot was open and as we so far never drove that road so far we soon turned into same and soon admired an elephant bull





who was extreme relaxed.



We came across another brown snake eagle



and a beautiful steppe buzzard



a raptor we do not see that often in the park



so we were more than happy that this one was more than willing to pose for enough shots.



Giraffes paid a visit as well and at one of the many causeways we had to cross we discovered a hamerkop busy in catching something



which finally revealed as tadpole





and there must have been many of them to be found in this pond as the hamerkop tirelessly was busy in catching same.



to be continued…….