Africa Wild

25.10.2014 – TR- No 1

6:30 I am almost ready to leave Nossob, still catching the license ... without queuing ... I hate that
Short stop at Rooikop, as usual, a Brown Hyena is drinking, with Sangrouses around and two Jackals.
Beautiful light wow

Hyène brune

Sandgrouses

A Steenbok arises from the tall grass, a PCG eating its breakfast on a nest of Sociable Weavers and Secretary Bird is hunting

Steenbok

PCG breakfeasting



Secretary Bird/Secrétaire

Oryx, Kudus, warlike Gnus, as always, Common Fiscal

Oryx

Gnus

Common Fiscal/Pie-grièche fiscale

A Dikbaardskolk, a Yellow Mongoose and I search Mum and the babies. Magnificent

Spotted Eagle Owl/Grand Duc Africain







à suivre...

Later, two Lions ... lying ... and again a Spotted Eagle Owl and a flowered nest



Spotted Eagle Owl/Grand Duc Africain

I scan the water point of TR, a Tawny Eagle takes a bath, while a Secretary Bird is going.

Tawny Eagle/Aigle ravisseur

Tomorrow my nephew arrives ... I have to sleep early, the road is long ... Upington and back, some shopping for the next three weeks, passing to the garage for stories of fridges, recovering alcoholic drinks c/o my friend, it's Sunday ... I will be in lack of savanna

Kgalagadi and Ivan 26 au 13.10.2014

26/27.10.2014 Kieliekrankie – No 2 – Jacques

Everything goes as planned ... except that from 4 AM in the morning, I can't more sleep,
that the fridge has, supposedly, a fuse that does not "strong enough", I try to contradict the mechanic/electrician/car hire ... nothing ...the voice of a woman has no weight.... in mechanical

In short, I absolutely have to leave Upington towards 14 hours, the next step is Killiecrankie.
No photo ... my job is to drive my nephew safely ... to KK before dark.

26.10.2014
4:00, I can't sleep more ... I "kill" time by updating the backups pictures and checking that the batteries be fully charged. We will not have electricity ... the next 4 nights.
In parting, I meet Mel and Stef, who themselves are preparing to leave Twee Rivieren. They have my first cottage, and enough parking space

It's long... the way to Upington ... alone.
I see Meerkats, Squirrels and even Springboks. There is no traffic and I advance well, but I have to stop ... nature I do not choose the best place! I stuck myself in the sand of a dune at the edge of the road ... and makes me realize that revelers have been there this weekend ... it was full of broken bottles ... reverse, 4x4 inrush...

Upington finally, I rush to the super market, give my list to the slaughter, this time it's easier, she knows my tastes. Give appointment at my friend (and alcoholic beverages) in the car rental company/garage.
There I'm all wrong ! this is a fuse, it gives me 2 or 3 spare ... just in case
Just time to go to the airport, my nephew will arrive. WOW what excitement. I am glad that finally someone in my family allows me to share my love of South Africa and its parks

12:30 I need a very strong coffee ... I still have 300 km to drive up Kieliekrankie. We exchange "commands" not under the eyes of customs ... raclette cheese and kirsch for Swiss abroad and beers, Amarula and other savannas that I can not buy that day. Curious law ... easy to divert
14:00 p.m. it is time to think refuel and take back the long straight road where my nephew goes from astonishment to astonishment. No more mountain, no more grass, open salines to the sky,, the road without (traffic) security barrier, and lot of herds of goats and sheep in the middle and along the last stretch of road
Thee entry to the park is no problem, I'm expected and continue straight towards Kieliekrankie where we arrived around 18pm.
Jacques welcomes us, he gave to us No. 2. Great! My nephew will, at least, see Barn Owls for his first day in the park.
We transport all our stuff, I'm lucky to have someone to help me and I realize that I forgot to refuel at Twee Rivieren
I do not remember what we ate, but I remember that we were in bed early ... completely put out ...

27.10.2014

I ... we decided to explore the northern Auob River. I drive to show to my nephew what we can and can't do. How to position themselves so that both can have the best possible view. Then everyone will take his turn.
Everything is precious to a new visitor, apart from the Springboks, Gnus and other Oryx, a shy Steenbok makes an appearance. Then again, I have the chance to see an owl ... through the branches ... not easy

Then we find Hanri, I have so much sought these days with these little and again with a kill, then Giraffes, Bee-Eaters, Hornbill, Ground Agama, Pygmy Falcon, Crowned Lapwing, Namaqua Sandgrouse.

At the return, we check that the 2 Owls are still there, and in the dark, a Cheetah just comes for a drink, and disappears into the night.
Good first day













like always 2 Jackals are waiting

Southern White-faced Owl(Scoops)/Petit-duc à face blanche

Marico Flycatcher/Gobemouche du marico

Swallow-tailed Bee Eater/Guêpier à queue d'aronde... still in love... well almost

Giraffe/Girafe

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill/Calao leucomèle

Ground Agama

Pygmy Falcon/Fauconnet d'Afrique

Crowned Lapwing/Vanneau couronné