Joyride with the Bateleurs *

[Pumbaa]

For our afternoon drive we once again chose the S25 as this is simply the best option from camp. It did not take long until you reach the causeway and here you can stay until you have to return or you may drive a bit further into the direction of Crocodile Bridge which we did after a short stop at the causeway where our pied kingfisher friend was still or once again in hunting mood.



But now we got a better view onto the hamerkops which were now to be seen walking around in the riverbed



and not far away from them we had the honour in spotting as well two wooly-necked storks



a specie we definitely did not see that often and so we were again delighted and only whilst turning our heads we could see a large ellie bull feeding in the riverbed.



Sometimes you really did not have to drive far – you simply had to be patient as the animals will for sure come to you. Nevertheless we were in the mood to drive a bit further and although the obligatory lions did not show up we had a great time and soon stopped for this couple of banded sandgrouse





only to be followed by some more mini-me’s



which were hiding behind each other whilst approaching them



but later on they more and more relaxed by our presence and started to feed again.





Although the sun still was shining but with the deeper going sun the light started to get dimmer in the dense vegetation in that area and from time to time only a couple of sunrays could made their way through the bushes and turned everything into a magical forest like in a fairytale – At least this is my imagination of a wood in a fairytale! And a fairytale without birds is unthinkable so on one of these overflows a hamerkop couple was busy in bulding a huge nest – disproportional large in comparison to the size of the hamerkop itself but in fairytales



nests could not be large enough and with the size of a candelabrum they hit the nail on the head.



One of them was busy in collecting nesting material and the other one was busy – which for sure must have been the female – in putting everything at the right place in order to turn it into a cosy home for the little ones.



Although we often do see these huge nests in the park we have neither at least up to now saw the hamerkops itself in the nest nor being still busy in building one and then even so close to the road.



to be continued.....

[Pumbaa]

We stayed quite a while watching the hamerkops come and go with material so that we nearly forgot about the gate closing time and so we had no alternative then to turn around but did not get far as in one of the little ponds we found another green-backed heron standing motionless on a rock hypnotizing the fishes in the water at least it looked so.





The heron must have been in a comical mood as it made some funny poses and needless to say that Timon was in seventh heaven again by pressing the button nearly permanently.





The heron must have decided that the fishes in the water have all been caught meanwhile and flew only one rock further to try it’s luck there again.



Same must have had a flexible neck as it extended same so that the green backed heron looked a bit like a grey heron. We definitely had a great time with the birds on that road and were already looking very much forward what still might come across next during that holiday birdwise.



Back on the causeway the pied kingfishers were gone buy now the giant woke up and was busy in catching some dinner.



Between the causeway and the turnoff to the S139 we were caught in an ellie herd but the members were all so relaxed that we could stop for a couple of pictures



as moreover the light was so great and enwrapped everything in the magical golden light which is so great in the early mornings and late afternoons.



One of them even wore a green headdress!





Between them finally a little one appeared and same looked suspiciously like the naughty chap we met early in the morning!



With this picture I wanted to capture the magical atmosphere which was predominating on that road this lovely evening.



Back in camp we lit the braai and sat quite a long time on our verandah as we could not believe that our stay in Biyamiti was already nearly over and we wanted to soak in as much atmosphere as we could to survive the next year in the North European urban jungle until we will be back.

to be continued with a lot of grey ones and a couple of disappointments.....

[Pumbaa]

Thursday, 14. February, 2013 – Biyamiti – Skukuza

With melancholy we packed together and had to leave this comfy and quiet place and whilst we just left the gate we immediately felt homesickness! As the weir was still closed and the S139 in the direction very dense we decided to for a very last time this year drive the S25.

But before going into the details of the sightings we had this day we wanted to share our rhino pictures with you which came across somewhere on our way to Skukuza. Both sightings were extreme close to the road and you even had not to use a long lens. First we met a group of three out of which two of them were more than relaxed



whereas one was a bit anxious and did not fell that good by our presence



but with turning the engine off same became more and more released and even joint the other two again by lying down again and continue the just disturbed sleep.



Compared to other animals these grey masses are indeed late risers. As already said they were so close that even the lens Timon had on was far too large for a portrait.



The next couple which came across was a mom with her little one and obviously our car was the first one the little one ever saw as same was so curious and inspected us extensively.



Now back to the chronological adventures of the day. Whilst for a very last time driving through my fairytale forest – in the early morning the light is as good as in the later afternoon – we met again good old friends at nearly the same spot and nearly at the same time as yesterday our naughty baby boy suddenly stood with mom and an aunt in the road.



At first sight he was still a bit shy and stayed close to Mom but with every further seconds he got even naughtier and more self-assured compared to yesterday if ever possible.



The first victim was mom as he stole right out of her mouth a large branch full of green but he did not started to munch as the other two did but started the Dumbo show with catapulting his small trunk around like an airscrew which was for sure so funny and cute to watch that we both could not hold our cameras because we laughed so loud.



Needless to say that only a beggarly rest of the branch he just had stolen survived his stormily rotation as most of same was now lying down spread all over the road.



He simply was in his own world in which he might have dreamed of being “Super Ellie”.



After he finally lost the interest in the remains of his branch he discovered a sandgrouse right in front of him and started to chase it away.





You cannot believe how funny that looked because although still a teenage ellie but far larger than the small sandgrouse which hit finally in the high grass.



“Did it!” “Oh, it’s you again!”



He was so cute with his behaviour that nobody could be angry but as already said whenever grown up I would not feel that well should he might cross our path.



What cheeky little bugger!





He even got a bit stronger with Mom as back up but finally Mom had enough of his performance – his aunt only crossed the street and disappeared munching in the bush right at the beginning of that sighting – She might already know him very well – and vanished in the thick bush and needless to say that with Mom out of sight he took his heels and followed her immediately.





What a show and believe me it was once again extreme hard to chose my favourites and sorry about the amount of pictures of our “little” friend. At least I am looking already forward what he might puzzled up until next year.

Unfortunately the rest of our drive until Gesanftombi was quiet not even a bird could be seen – At the dam a huge buffalo bull – might have been the same as the previous days – was about to make himself comfortable in a shady muddy place.

Today we decided to give the S130 another try but same is so overgrown at this time of the year that we saw again nothing. For the very last time we drove the S137 and besides some zebras in the distance nearly nothing but I could not pass without taking a picture of the high grass.



One of the noisy glossy starlings landed close by and allowed Timon a couple of shots.



We turned into the upper part of the S28 and besides this brown cheeky looking snake eagle also on that road it was quiet.



After a final visit at Lower Sabie and Sunset dam we drove North and on one of the bridges which you have to cross on the S79 we met another hamerkop couple on the lookout for some fish.



Although whilst driving closer they did not feel disturbed in any way and we were happy to get some close ups of them.



to be continued with our visit at Lake Panic.....

[Pumbaa]

naughty... or cute little Ellie
and magnificent Rhinos too

At that age still cute, nan, but in a couple of years later we will definitely call him "naughty"

[Pumbaa]

Originally we planned to drive the S21 that day but same was unfortunately closed due to the only recent rainfalls – same was open earlier and with the closure of the S30 as well we in fact did not have much options to chose. At Nkulu we granted ourselves the daily ice-cream dose and could spot a large rock monitor whilst sucking away. Same was so hidden so we were not able to get a clear shot.

We only hoped that after the recent rainfalls that the S65 and Lake Panic might not be closed as well and because it was still far too early to check in to pay a visit at the bird hide first.

The naughty vervets to be found nearly everywhere in the vicinity of the Sabie river raised our mood a bit



although the light was not that good in the shadow.



On our way to the bird hide we at least could spot a sentinel on top of a tree in the best light.



Originally we visit Lake Panic only on the second day whilst staying at Skukuza but today we had also time to spend some time there and gladly same was open and so it was time for an excessive two hours stay there and in the midday heat indeed a good choice as the light breeze which was blowing felt very pleasant and chilly on the skin.

A couple of people were about to leave and made Timon aware of a dragonfly on a water lily.



We simply sat down, looked around and waited but in fact we did not have to wait that long as our malachite friend was again present



and the even Black Crake was coming closer



using the huge leaves of the water lilies.



Pity was that the African jacana stayed nearly the whole time hidden but allowed some shots whilst same was busy in grooming the plumage – Is it indeed the right description/word? "grooming?"



The reeds were very thick and floating in the wind and with them a tawny flanked prinia which obviously had close by a nest.



Unfortunately the hippos neither could be seen nor been heard and also the huge crocodile normally who swim for a closer look did not show up. So besides the whispers of the people and the noise of the feet on the ground from some more coming or leaving people were the only sounds we heard besides the chirping of the birds.





I remember here our very first visit to Lake Panic were I desperately trying to locate the lake as in same warthogs were grassing. This must have been indeed a very dry summer and compared to our last three visits here after the floods still an unbelievable sighting. We could not take our eyes away from a colourful fluff ball flying from one edge to the other of the lake trying to catch some fish or frog.



Same even must have dug somewhere in dirt as its bill was a bit dirty which even made the pictures we took from same much more interesting.



What a cute colourful beauty same is!



Needless to say that the following is my favourite shot of the malachite and meanwhile framed!



I guess it was simply too hot as no other birds could be seen and even the obligatory Lake Panic pied was somewhere else today and we even found out later where same was plus some other friends as well the next day.

Meanwhile the malachite caught a fish and landed close on a branch where the green backed heron was breeding but same became due to the presence of the malachite agitated and left its nest to have a closer view what same was doing so close



and same even chased a terrapin away which was about to climb a root at the bottom of the bush in which the heron was breeding.

Finally after everything was inspected and found to be trustworthy the heron returned to its nest and satisfactorily enthroned on same in the end.



We were about to leave when I spotted a beautiful Paradise flycatcher very far away but same was already gone when I made Timon signs where he had to look for same. After splendid two hours at the hide we left very satisfied and at that stage we were confident that we will return the next day again.....

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

[Pumbaa]

Finally it was still not late enough to check in so we originally only wanted to check whether the S65 was open and after realizing that in fact same was open we decided to drive a small detour via this road although not expecting much to see and in the end it turned out that we were right. The birds obviously avoided the heat and also other animals only appeared sporadically – For example this elephant bull in the large riverbed of the N’waswitshaka which you have to cross on that road



to be followed by two buffalo bulls in the next riverbed.



The rest of our drive was quiet so we made it in no time back to Skukuza and after checking in I triumphantly showed Timon the key of the Lion Cottage which I had asked for and which was meanwhile granted to us for the fifth time and after we moved in we enjoyed the view from our huge verandah over the strong flowing Sabie river.

As we only left for our afternoon drive quite late we skipped our original plan to drive via the highwater bridge and back via the low water bridge as we only had to hurry and would have had no time to stop for sightings so we only drive up to the highwater bridge and checked each and every loop along the tar road and compared to last year and even after this year’s flood the riverbed looks already much more overgrown



as this picture with some grazing hippos on simply proved.

In one of the many trees whilst staying in one of these loops and scanning the area we nearly overlooked this African fish eagle as same was simply too close.



Finally nearly at the highwater bridge an injured baboon was sitting on the roadside apart from the clan and was licking a wound on his arm.



He looked as if he was sorry with himself but the wound indeed must have hurt immensely. Some smaller teenage baboons finally joined and comforted him.



As already said it was now already extreme late so we could not stay long and had to turn around and it was due to clouds nearly dark and if not another car made us aware of a couple of hyaenas sleeping in a nearly dry riverbed which we had to cross we would have overlooked same as we oviously did already on our way to the highwater bridge.



The adult one, obviously mom, auntie or the babysitter, kept sleeping the whole time the sighting lasted and kept hidden behind a small bush.



The two pups were about to wake up and one was extreme agile already whereas the other one only stood up, looked up to us, did the cat stretch and whilst doing so



already laid down again – It was simply far too early to wake up completely!



On this picture same looked as if it was smiling – maybe it dreamt already from a yummy dinner later that night!



Meanwhile the light nearly faded due to the cloudy weather and the dense foliage and I watched the clock suspiciously but we still had enough time to stay a bit longer as on top the more active one was now even coming a bit closer



drank from a puddle and exercised on the many rocks which also were plentiful



and tried to reach another puddle with obviously some better tasting water.



Then it was also for us time to leave in order to be back in time and we had to say bye bye although we wanted to stay a bit longer.



All in all it was a quiet day and compared to the other quiet days same was even quieter and with the many road closures on top a bit disappointing especially as we had in the past years or better to say always when we stayed in Skukuza some great sightings with many surprises but we still had tomorrow and nobody knows what might come across and I only can say now that it started quiet again but then.......

As it was Valentine’s day today I already had booked a table in the Selati Train restaurant from home and although we stayed already a couple of times in this very atmospheric restaurant we never ate that great there as we did that night. We both had different salads as starters which would normally already be enough to be filled up – Timon chose fish for the main and I had a chicken pizza which arrived freshly made and large as a cartwheel!

Needless to say that I only managed to eat half of it and gladly the waitress asked whether I would like to have a doggy bag which I accepted as same simply looked too yummy. It was simply a fantastic evening with great wine and after we strolled back to our bungalow we went straight to bed and slept happily.

Friday, 15th February, 2013 – Skukuza

The next morning after the obligatory morning coffee on our verandah with the awesome view over the Sabie river we headed for our morning drive forward on the S1/S65 but somehow that road did not like us because besides only one single hyaena





we saw nothing even no bird. I know that on that road awesome sightings occur and I also know that one day same will be extreme productive for us but not during this holiday and on top not today.

As in no time due to the lack of sightings we finished the S65 and therefore we decided to even drive down up to the Biyamiti weir already knowing that same was still closed but finally our drive that far down had been held up by some road blocks in form of massive grey animals which even occur in herds.



This one appeared out of nowhere silently and the matriarch was not that sure what to do and so the rest of the herd neither.



Gladly for us was that we had a more than comfortable safety distance and so the matriarch relaxed again – obviously she got lost – and she simply was recapitulating where to walk next. As soundless as the whole herd appeared they disappeared again



and it was as if there was definitely no roadblock only seconds earlier. Actually we did not come far as the next barricade already awaited us in form of a large group of rhinos.



to be continued with finally some golden kitties.....

[Pumbaa]

Suddenly from everywhere there was also great volume of traffic and although a lot of cars drove around the rhinos we stayed where we were as the rhinos were blocking the road from both side





and to end finally between two of them as car sandwich was not the way we wanted to begin the day and moreover two bulls started a quarrel or at least did not like the presence of the other one that close.



Finally they calmed down and each one returned to his side of the road and then struggled with a lot of highjackers invading the grey “bus”.



Each time a car dared to slip through the gap and the rhinos gave them enough space they afterwards immediately took the same spot – as same must have been still a bit warm – and started to continue their nap.



Especially the little ones between them were still extreme sleepy.



Somehow the road has been cleared and we continued our way, stopped for a brown snake eagle – the light was still too bad due to the many clouds, and for another sleeping beauty in a tree.



As bird especially owl lovers we could not drove on without stopping and at least taking a couple of pictures of this pink eyelid cutie. Pity was that this one was alone as I would have loved to hear the hippolike sound they make when communicating with each other again.



After taking picture after picture I forced Timon to continue our way as otherwise we still would stand there and admiring the owl. Somewhere in a dry riverbed there was a family of rhino peacefully sleeping but same got aware of a closer coming elephant bull and so stood up.



Whilst watching the pictures later I realized the kink in the left ear of the female and with that remarkable sign I remember having seen them already a couple of days earlier when we were on our way to Crocodile Bridge on a totally different road.



The sun meanwhile came up and illuminated everything in a fantastic way and you could even saw the sand which splashed up and around them due to their fast jumps up and believe me although they do might look snugly they can move and run very fast.



Also the oxpecker burst excitedly up not knowing for what reason. Finally Dad in front, followed by Mom and finally the little one disappeared deeper into the riverbed out of sight.



Due to the back light this picture of them all together plus the elephant bull is not the best one but I simply wanted to show the interaction we just watched between these different species.



After a dry spell with nothing to be seen on our way further down South we reached again the weir but as already known earlier the road was still closed but from high where we stood and after Timon maneuvered the car in a best possible position to overlook the biyamiti weir a bit we noticed a beautiful goliath heron on top of a rock which could not be left without a couple of clicks



which finally ended in an excessive number of clicks as moreover no disturbing grass was in the way. Whilst Timon was busy in capturing the heron I once again scanned the area and located a fish eagle in a tree – maybe once again not the best sighting of a fish eagle because same was a bit hidden from the leaves.

We also noticed a pair of giant kingfishers trying to fish some breakfast but due to the road closure we could not come closer and only saw a couple of colourful dots flying around.



In the end we turned around and strolled back via the Biyamiti loop and the S114 and besides the usual suspects in form of zebras, wildebeest, waterbucks and impalas



it was a quiet drive until we got stuck in a traffic jam although nothing to be seen......Finally we got a glimpse of a paw and a belly.



Only one meter away from the road although invisible in the high grass framed by a couple of smaller and thin trees and on top in a small scrape we realized a clew of bodies, legs and paws which finally solved into three adult lionesses.



If we do not know where to look for we would have never seen them. So we had no other choice than in exercise in patience and wait for some action.



From time to time we even saw a head and finally one lioness stood up, stretched everything a bit and finally changed position and we got at least a glimpse of her behind the high grass.



to be continued with the revenge......

[Pumbaa]

Pity was that we could not leave the car and push the grass behind as then we would have had the perfect view – So close but then so far away!



Nevertheless we were so happy to once again find some cats although taking pictures through the high grass was indeed complicated.



A lot of cars and even a couple of JJ’s joined us and stayed a bit but as it was indeed hard to identify at least an ear and so they did not stay that long.



One of the lionesses had a strange posture and looked the whole time we could spot her a bit weird.



All in all we stayed with them two hours but as there was no sign that they were about to leave their cosy place we decided to return first back to camp for a short break as also Nature was now calling heavily.

Whilst waiting for each other Timon spotted a stick insect in the planting close to the reception area and I asked him “how could you spot same?”, he then answered that “an employee just had left the “Men” with same on a piece of paper.....otherwise I would also not have noticed same” – I am always fascinated how funny creatures do have their place on Earth to keep same in balance.



On our short way back to the car we even found this moth on the ground – Same was still alive but simply needed obviously only a short break.



As it was still far too early to stay for the rest of the morning in camp we decided to drive around the “magical square” which is my nick name for the drive around the H 4-1/H12/H1-2 and back to camp and if still a bit time left to pay another small visit at Lake Panic but it went out totally different as planned.......

Right in the beginning we spotted a huge spiderweb close to the road and admired an eight-legged beauty with her harem.



Whilst coming closer to the high water bridge we already spotted from far an enormous traffic jam directly on the bridge and we enqueued patiently at it’s end still a bit puzzled at what all the people in the cars were looking at as the only thing we saw was a gigantic crocodile with a stick in its yaw. Well, originally it was a stick but on top it just had caught a water monitor!



I cannot remember on our meanwhile numerous visits to South Africa having ever seen a kill where the caught animal was still alive and I also was not that sad about it as I definitely could not imagine how I would fell seeing a creature fighting for its life although knowing that same is Nature.



We arrived at the time where the crocodile only had caught the monitor a couple of minutes before and was about to move farer away now from the bridge with its prey although via binoculars and without any disturbing bushes or grass the whole spectacle was for everybody in their cars best visible although some comedians stayed under the impression that this was also a “get out of the car bridge”......gladly the people in the cars close by told them to return immediately back to their car which they finally did.



In the beginning we only saw the head of the monitor but now the crocodile whilst still moving further away allowed some views onto the body of the monitor and same must have been also an enormous specimen – Indeed not a way I wanted to see one of my favourite animals (I am fascinated by all kind of reptiles especially by monitors) but consequently also more than impressed by crocodiles.



I think it was simply the revenge for stealing earlier in life a lot of crocodile eggs and then the monitor was at the wrong time at the wrong place whilst the crocodile was the lucky one that day.



Needless to say that the monitor had no chance whilst the crocodile did not release a single millimetre the tight grip of its jaw.



This fascinating spectacle lasted nearly half an hour until the monitor finally lost its death struggle which for me indeed was cruel to watch.



Whilst the crocodile was still busy in finally feeding on the monitor we left with mixed emotions between sadness and fascination.

Originally we wanted to drive back via the Marula loop but as guessed already same was also closed due to the recent floods but gladly the causeway had been repaired after the last year’s floods and so we decided to stay there and wait what might come across whilst standing there but before we made ourselves comfortable on same we had to stop for two nyala females which are at least a rare sighting for us that South in the park.





At that time of the day gladly for us it was not much traffic so we simply parked in one of these bulges on the bridge over the Sand river so that at least the people who are about to hurry to Skukuza can pass easily. Finally we found the pied kingfisher who is always roaming around Lake Panic but today we had luck and even got to see two of them – both females.



One of the two ladies just caught a fish but somehow was not that hungry and so she hold the fish permanently in her bill



the other one was still on the look out for some fish but also that attempt looked a bit unenthusiastic



to be continued.......

[nan]

oups...the Monitor but nice spoted

why you didn't cut the grass ... we will have better pictures -O
it's a Phasme (Phasmatodea)... the strange and fascinating insect, well done, not easy to spot
and half picture of the butterfly, seems to be the head of a fish -O
again, nice episode

[Pumbaa]

whilst the one with the fish started to play a bit with her catch.



Although it was hot and the sun was sparkling on the water it was also windy and funny was to watch how the wind was blowing from the back into the head feathers of the pied.





Obviously the rivers, dams and even huge puddles presently were overpopulated by fish so that there were more of them to be found that the ones whoever eat them were able to eat. Also lots of debris could be seen and I also never having seen the Sand river so full and only recently same still must have been overflowing the causeway.



Mrs. pied with the fish flew finally away with same and also it looked like the other one was about to follow her but she first had to do her aerodynamic flight check before taking off.



Airbrakes - check!



Left wing - check!



Elevon – check! and off she finally flew.

As nothing more could be seen we moved forward to the next bulge and could already see a blacksmith plover relatively close



and finally transformed into a duck – At least it looked so.



From the recent floods which gladly spared this awesome causeway this year a lot of puddles on the many rocks could be found and whilst still busy in admiring the plover I suddenly realized a shadow above us and then the culprit even landed close to where we parked.



A yellow billed kite although already often seen we never saw one that close and so relaxed by the presence of our car.



Same immediately started to drink from one small puddle and it was indeed funny to watch how same drank as it put the head nearly completely under water and whilst coming up most of the water dripped out of its bill.



Our presence did not disturb the kite in any way but same was a bit irritated about the permanent click noise which came from our cameras whilst running hot.



Besides their brilliant eyesight these raptors also must do have a more than fantastic hearing as we often experienced already that they react more on the clicks than whilst on our whispers but maybe it is simply because they cannot allocate that strange “click”.



This guy or girl was indeed very thirsty and drank and drank without intermission and after such a long time its head was completely wet but nevertheless allowed us some more than great close ups and we enjoyed that sighting very much and after a more than slow early morning the day developed once again to a typical Skukuza day as whilst staying in that camp the areas around same do often offer some special sightings in form of leopards, wild dogs or lions and well today it was that crocodile taking vengeance.



After a long time we were allowed to watch the kite without even being disturbed by any other cars same flew finally away and as it was meanwhile already nearly 3.00 o’clock we with heavy hearts skipped another visit at Lake Panic as we still had to buy some things from the shop and our legs needed a stretch as well.



Whilst driving back to our bungalow we already saw from far a group of banded mongoose running around and as we do not see them that often I was already a bit disappointed that we missed them and so we hurried to the shop and whilst enjoying our ice cream on our verandah with cameras ready the family of banded mongoose appeared again and with the melting icecream in one hand and the camera in the other we snapped away although same was not that easy.



I was under a spell how they communicated with each other in such a cute squeaking and whimpering noise and waited for each other not that one might get lost. This once again proved that although staying that often in the African bush already there are still so many things and impressions I still want to experience.





Between their communication they even stayed a while, looked where the other family members were and so allowed some nice shots and as we stayed with them until the last one of them disappeared completely it was nearly far too late for an afternoon drive.





to be continued with a couple of different road blocks.......