The Big Cat Diary and a Couple of Lifers

[Bushcraft]

Fantastic sightings and pics as usual Pumbaa

[stefan9]

Lovely pics.

[Mel]

Awesome birds again They are all really nice, but Mrs Paradise Flycatcher is my favourite

If it wasn't such a sad background, the hippo shot would be hilarious... but with Kruger being so dry in the height of the rainy season
it's somewhat disturbing to see hippos occupying a waterhole

[Alf]

I feel so sorry for those hippos

[Pumbaa]

Lovely bird shots

We were extreme happy with all the birdies we saw in that area

Gorgeous pics again, Pumbaa!

I like the oxpecker, nice sighting!

Even the zebras look a bit skinny!

Also the waterbucks looked skinny

the Hippos

and Yellow-billed Oxpeckers
and all the other birds

again superb episode

We were happy to spot the yellow billed oxpeckers

Fantastic sightings and pics as usual Pumbaa

Thanks Bushcraft and depite the drought the sightings were great

[Pumbaa]

Lovely pics.

Stefan - Always a pleasure

Awesome birds again They are all really nice, but Mrs Paradise Flycatcher is my favourite

If it wasn't such a sad background, the hippo shot would be hilarious... but with Kruger being so dry in the height of the rainy season
it's somewhat disturbing to see hippos occupying a waterhole

For me too and that in fact was not the only occupied waterhole by hippos

I feel so sorry for those hippos

Me too - It was heartbreaking to see

[Pumbaa]

whilst the woodhoopoes were busy in searching in each available bark for some insects



and finally also Mrs. Paradise flycatcher looked curiously into our camera.



We once again had a more than pleasant time with all the birdies and were happy to did the small detour.

Slowly we made our way back to camp and simply had to stop for this gorgeous little vervet sitting on the ground.



Same started to feed and still was so fascinated about our lens that same could not take the eyes off from same.



Same was just a cutie.



We further spotted a grey heron,



a far away pied kingfisher and once again little bee eaters who could be seen quite often in that area.



Near camp a wildebeest calf had to be captured





and close to the gate we spotted a family of black backed jackals.

[Pumbaa]

Whilst the parents were taking a rest the youngster was quite active



and was checking out a carcass close to where the parents were resting





and the carcass looked like the remains of a buffalo.



At least we stayed quite long with the jackals as they were quite close to the road and due to the vicinity of the camp soon a traffic jam had built up and everyone were enjoying the jackals.



Finally it was then in fact time for a short break in camp and we had a relaxing time on our verandah especially with the still far cooler temperatures compared to the day before. Although we had difficulties in dragging ourselves away we decided to do a short afternoon drive into the direction of Girivana.

Somewhere we were happy in spotting a beautiful rhino





and although same was walking slowly same was raising a lot of dust.



We stayed outside until it was gate closing time and after another wonderful braai we went to bed still having in mind our wonderful first day at Satara and were already looking forward to the Mananga trail which we had in mind to drive tomorrow.

Monday, 22. February 2016 – Satara

Driven roads: H1-4 – S100 – H1-4 - Mananga Trail - S90- H1-4

As one can only drive the Mananga trail after checking in at the reception of Satara camp from 07.00 – 11.00 o’clock we still had time in exploring once again the S100 a bit, as we wanted to make the best out of the 1 ½ hour waiting time.

We left camp and in fact did not come far as we were stuck again in a traffic jam it was like a Deja Vu as only last year we experienced such a sighting as well on the main tar road leading to the S100. Again two male lions were lying close to the street and were observing curiously the fuss which broke out around them.



Once again nobody could complain in not having seen any lions that day at least when they left camp into the right direction and they left camp quite early.



to be continued....

[Mel]

Oh, wow, that paradise flycatcher shot is even better!

And how cute that little vervet is

Looks like a young jackal too. But I don't get too excited about BBJs in general... they are just too impala or rather springbok in the KTP

Great sighting of the horned one though and nice close encouter with the lion too

[nan]

the cute naughty little vervet
love too the Paradise, a so special bird
and poor Hippo searching for water