I've got a feeling of a hot summer in Kruger

[Pumbaa]

We really enjoyed being so close to them as they were so peacefully sleeping,



however, one of them started to sniff on the flank of the other one





but soon stopped again as this was obviously not that exciting and also moved back into sleeping mode.



We were so happy about that incredible encounter with the rhinos and so were also a lot other passengers in other cars



We stayed quite long with them and after at least one of them had enough from sleeping



same started to feed on the grass



whilst the other one continued its beauty rest.



After we got many shots and nothing else happened we carried on and gave a group of kudus right the way and a bit further down we came across another group of giraffes who had to be captured either from close



and also from far.

[Pumbaa]

As last year most of the gravel roads in that area were closed we so enjoyed now driving on one of those now although it was already extreme hot. A curious crested barbet had to be photographed



as well as this drongo.



At the waterhole behind the causeway at the crossing S114/S118 we noticed a couple of thirsty impalas but the air was already flickering due to the heat.



At the causeway itself we then discovered a malachite kingfisher who just caught a dragonfly but far too soon swallowed same



as a lot of cars wanted to cross the causeway as well we always had to take a couple of shots and carried on only to turn around and cross the causeway again when no car was in sight. Luckily the malachite was cooperative and stayed quite long at that spot



on the other side of the causeway two buffaloes were hanging around so we also wanted from them a couple of shots

as they had chosen such a more than lovely spot to rest.



Later on they even laid down somewhere between the reeds and simply chilled for the rest of the day.



After we finally got all the shots we wanted we carried on but as so often we did not come far as at first sight a couple of warthog piglets made us stop again



Finally mom also arrived and started to feed on some fallen marulas



and she had even time to share some tender moments in between with her offspring.



To be continued…….

[Lisbeth]

Rhinos are such special animals, completely different from any other

Beautiful malachite kingfisher

Also the piggies have their place in the wild

[Richprins]

Catching up again, Pumbaa!

Birdies, scenery and big 5, along with others!

The rhino don't look the same without horns...

But still!

[RogerFraser]

the malachite thank you for taking the extra trip to get the pics

The time with the Rhino is special and the piggies

[Pumbaa]

Rhinos are such special animals, completely different from any other

Beautiful malachite kingfisher

Also the piggies have their place in the wild

I am sure each and every animal has their place in the wild

[Pumbaa]

Catching up again, Pumbaa!

Birdies, scenery and big 5, along with others!

The rhino don't look the same without horns...

But still!

Totally right but better rhino without horns than none

[Pumbaa]

the malachite thank you for taking the extra trip to get the pics

The time with the Rhino is special and the piggies

It was a more than lovelyphoto shooting with the malachite

[Pumbaa]

After all of the little ones had enough from the grass or marulas they all joined their mom who nursed them collectively



but after a while the pile of poo got again more interested as there were still lying a couple of marulas around



on which all of them were finally feeding.



Finally we were even allowed to take a couple of close ups



from the piglets.



Gardenia hide was not far and so we took a nice break there from driving in the heat as in the hides it is so often far cooler in the shade there as always a cold breeze is blowing at least it always felt colder there.

Soon we spotted right in the middle of the waterhole a green backed heron on a branch which rose out of the water



and on the other side of the waterhole at the waterside a huge crocodile took a sunbath.



Furthermore something dead was floating in the water – two years ago we already had the same experience of something dead in he water so it was a bit like a déjà vu at least the green backed heron was still on the hunt



where the hamerkops were busy in building a nest somewhere close or even in a tree close to the hide as they were busy in collecting nesting material from the shore.



For sure the obligatory white faced ducks were also hanging around and in two of the dead trees surrounding the waterhole we noticed two eagles although a bit far away.



One of the two hamerkops needed a break

[Pumbaa]

only to fly again with lots of small branches to their nest.



Another green backed heron on the other side of the waterhole in one of the thicker bushes was already sitting on its nest although indeed not easy to spot.



Sorry for that shot but that was the dead animal in the water which looked like an impala and now the crocodile previously sunbathing was feeding on same



and now even the crocodile emerged whilst swallowing pieces from the impala



whilst the hamerkops tirelessly were bringing nesting material to their nest for new life a poor impala lost same.



It was a come and go in the hide with people and as it was a Saturday it was a bit fuller than normally but at least we enjoyed our stay there extremely as we last year could not visit the hide due to the road closures



besides some very well camouflaged water dikkops in the shade and the weavers now our green backed heron friend successfully caught a frog extreme close to the hide.



After more than an hour it was also time for us to leave the hide and to carry on although it already got unbearably hot at least we spotted Carmine bee eaters



and a beautiful paradise whydah.



At one of our favourite loops along the S25 which this year was extreme washed out and nearly undrivable but same is leading close to the Crocodile river and today we spotted there a group of waterbucks and in the distance great white egrets



and after carrying on we for sure enjoyed the view on one of the many causeways you have to cross along that road and compared to others we spotted this year here still lot of water was around.



To be continued……………….