Sprocky's visits to Kruger Park

[Sprocky]

[Sprocky]

Yeah, it takes an "uit kak" to get her here, but thanks for joining Shi.

This mornings trip plan to paradise went all wrong. My intention was to do the LMR's for a few hours and head back home. Myself and J-Lee entered the park and headed for Sable Dam, not much life there, a few Marabou's and a lonely Dagga Boy. So we moved on along Sable Loop heading for the Masorini LMR.

Then I spotted this couple...I suspect we will soon see a few more Plated Lizards in the area.



Now for the LMR...so I thought. Next thing there she was, right next to the road and we were alone with her.

This sighting caused us not to get to the LMR. I will post it as a mini TR in three posts, and some strange people will feature.

[Sprocky]

So here we are at the sighting. Quite a young one but very good looking, relaxed and friendly.



At first, like any female, she gave me the look...



She then decided to trust me and moved in a bit closer. Real close, like up against the bakkie close. She then backed off a bit and dropped in the road and chilled.



After a few minutes she headed into the shade as soon as the sun broke through the clouds.



More to come...

[Sprocky]

Like any typical good looking female, she posed beautifully for the camera.



And sticking to female routine, it was time for a touch of grooming.



Once she was happy with how she looked, she made her way back to the original termite mound where I first spotted her.



By now J-Lee was moaning, she wanted coffee and rusks. So we made our we to Masorini picnic spot for a leg stretch and coffee. There I told two other couples about the Leopard, and they left in a flash. We finished our coffee and were going to go back and take the LMR. Up ahead in the road I saw this strange looking chap taking photo's of an Ellie half a mile away. When I got close to him he asked what the green ribbon was about. Being strange looking, I countered his question and asked what he knows about green ribbons. He then replied..."Are you Wayne?" Well, it ended up being the one and only Leachy! After a brief chat, I told him about the Leopard, and seeing that he showed some interest I thought it would be nice of me to show him where it was. So we both set off back to the Leopard. I just hoped that she would still be there to save any embarrassment. Ant the termite mound....she was there, and Leachy smiled wider than anything I have ever seen before.



Last ones coming up...

[Sprocky]

We were only with her for a few minutes, but she had already had enough of Leachy's face. She then got up and did some stretching and claw sharpening.



Then she was on her way.



She found herself a better vantage point to scan the area from.



And then suddenly my longest ever Leopard sighting, a full two hours, came to an end when she slipped away.



I hope you all enjoyed this, because I sure did!!!

[Sprocky]

Unfortunately we can't get beauties like that everyday. This morning was a bit quieter in the park.

This Chameleon is visibly injured and not too happy. I'm not sure what caused this, my initial feeling was that it was a car but now I don't think so.



This little Terrapin was up against the side of the LMR all alone.



I watched three Yellow Billed Kites diving down for prey. The light was from the wrong side so the pics didn't come out well.

[Sprocky]

This Elephant bull was in musth, and every now and again he would make sudden moves towards me, but he was rather calm and let me get quite close.



Then a lone Zebra.



This Steenbok looks like he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar.



And that's it for today.

[Sprocky]

Thanks Shi and LVB!

Today had a few more good sightings.

I took the turn to Sable Dam and then the back road to the dam. Well the road is now part of the dam. The water in the front is what used to be the road.



This Zebra was really enjoying the meal...



A bit further I spotted this Jackal, he kept me busy for a good while...



This Giant Kindfisher was too happy to bother moving when I arrived, I could almost touch it.

[Sprocky]

Next up was not one, but two Secretary Birds, a bit far but still a good sighting.



These two rams were giving each other horns...



Along the Letaba River a squadron of Vultures scrambled...



And the last pic for today, my favourite summer bird!

[Sprocky]

I love living in Phala!!!!

A chilled drive this morning along what is left of the Low Maintenance Roads...

Water Thick-knee in full cry



Blacksmith Lapwing



A section of Sable Dam from the hide



My favourite spiders