When small Streams turn into Rivers

[Pumbaa]

The mother meanwhile already disappeared down in the embankment at the end of the S110



whilst the cubs steadily still followed her



and with a last glance the cubs followed her and could never be seen again at least at that morning.



Whilst we were still taking pictures from the cubs a couple of OSV’s turned into the S110 from the H3 and one of them told us that a leopard is coming up. For sure we originally though that he was kidding but there was indeed a leopard coming up but we were now wedged in by all the other cars and could not move so we only saw the leopard only from the back



and same walked steadily his way and was not in the mood to turn at least his head around.



That was once again a proof of the magic of Kruger as in the beginning you nearly saw nothing and then only within minutes you did not know where to look first. After the leopard as well as the lions were gone we continued our way and it got again a bit quiet but we stopped for a Wahlberg eagle



and for a group of vultures gathering around in the Mlambane riverbed. Due to the debris you can notice that the water level was far higher only days ago but same was still quite high.



Close to the vultures in the riverbed we again came across the huge vulture tree we already noticed and photographed yesterday but same had still the same power of attraction as the day before so we took again



a couple of shots.



Another Wahlberg eagle needed to be photographed before we again stopped at Afsaal for a fresh brewed coffee and for a leg stretch.



The river before the turn off into the picnic spot dropped drastically compared to yesterday but believe me that was not the end and not the last time we took a visit to this spot.

[Pumbaa]

Whilst drinking our coffee we looked a bit around and discovered a woodland kingfisher and for sure masses of vervet monkeys out of which the cute youngsters simply needed to be captured.



They could look so innocent when at the age





and this one was so busy in feeding on some seeds and we soon fell in love with this little rascal





and same flirted extensively with the camera.





After a while we could drag ourselves away and next we stopped at a dead tree in which we discovered a tawny eagle and a juvenile bateleur and both were dive bombed by a fork tailed drongo and during one of its manoeuvres same even landed on top of the bateleur.



Obviously the tawny had enough from the attacks and left the dead tree only to land closer to where we stood on a bush



whilst the drongo still hit out against the bateleur whilst the tawny



stayed away from the danger zone.



to be continued…………………….

[RogerFraser]

Wow amazing to first have the Lions with Cubs then a Leopard .What a great magical kruger sighting

[Lisbeth]

Cuteness overload! The vervet babies are so clean and fluffy I cannot decide which photo is the best

Great pics of the tawny and the bateleur

[Richprins]

Great pics, Pumbaa!

You certainly made the best of it, and a cat overload!

Lovely vervet shots, plus lots of birds of prey!

[Pumbaa]

Wow amazing to first have the Lions with Cubs then a Leopard .What a great magical kruger sighting

Yes, especially with all the road closures on one side and then as compensation such sightings - We were thrilled

[Pumbaa]

Cuteness overload! The vervet babies are so clean and fluffy I cannot decide which photo is the best

Great pics of the tawny and the bateleur

Also had problems in chosing the vervet shots - Unfortunately therefore are so many posted

[Pumbaa]

Great pics, Pumbaa!

You certainly made the best of it, and a cat overload!

Lovely vervet shots, plus lots of birds of prey!

Overall we definitely could not complain about the sightings when the day was nearly dry we saw a lot but when the next day was a rainy day it got quieter

[Pumbaa]

After a while and the drongo was gone now the tawny eagle started to attack the juvenile bateleur



who finally sought refuge in flight



only to return only minutes later again to the dead tree where now all three bird species sat although away from each other peacefully on the same tree



but only for a short time as now the drongo started to attack the tawny.



Nevertheless we spent indeed a couple of time watching this spectacle and luckily we were not alone as a couple of other cars joint us.



We continued and again noticed our beloved klipspringer who we already saw yesterday but now he took a nap and that sleeping position indeed looked more than a bit strange.



After a while he obviously noted the uncomfortable sleeping position and sat up



whilst his wife stood not far from him on another koppie.



For us it is always lovely to spot these small and extreme agile antelopes somewhere in the park.

[Pumbaa]

To our luck the next stop we made was for a rhino who was grazing peacefully



unfortunately this was the only rhino we saw this year as all the roads where we normally do see them regularly in the South were closed



and at least we were happy having found same as same was good visible from the roadside and each car had a fantastic look onto same





and also the vegetation was at that spot not that thick.





Very wisely we stayed with the rhino as long as possible as we already had the feeling that this might be the only one we sat eyes on during that trip and in the end it was the fact.



Not far we again had to stop as now several elephants appeared on the roadside and most of them were extreme hungry



and somehow more and more appeared from the dense vegetation there



and started to cross the road right in front us and between the larger ones lots of little ones could be seen



and photographed as well.



to be continued……………….