Living My Dream Day 111 (Skukuza Day 7)
Before I start tonight…I want to send a message to all the Muslim Friends reading the blog…I want to wish you on the eve of Ramadan…a Ramadan Kareem! Fathima, the time for your visit is coming closer..cant wait!
Chrissie, inspite of sitting at the dead Giraffe for so many hours, I still went to Silolweni Dam and still did about 120km….Jannie & Willem, glad you are happy with your pics…still hope to get a nice one of a Pied Kingfisher fishing at Lake Panic, but time is on my side…so maybe I do get it! Fathima, a special message to you and your family and all those at work at the beginning of tonights blog….just stop giving all my secrets away of “doing nothing at work” I worked very hard!!! GemmaT, I know what you mean, sometimes we cant bring pics to the ppl, but its the experience of being there at that time that will always stay in your mind…That is why Kruger is just so Awesom!!! Sarah and cant believe all the Hornbills I have seen in the last couple of days…and yes, they are Ugly, but their eyes and eyelashes are so beautifull…wish I had some like that! Mike, as good a cook I believe I am on the fire…your descriptions make my mouth water! Wish I had all those goodies…but then, Im not a venison person…so I hope you are going to enjoy each day and each night…hope you make a wood fire and not a charcoal one!!! All those who were interested in reading about my Golf Day…Idid not go….sorry, but I promise you that before I leave Kruger I will definately play a round or 2…my arm felt better today, after a good dose of Voltaren Jel and 2 heat bags (that JenE) made on it…I kept on waking up at night and warmed it in the microwave…it did wonders,but I did not want to “push” it today….All the new readers, who have stumbled on the blog…or have heard me on Radio 702..a Warm welcome to you too….I hope you enjoy reading my days in Kruger…sightings or no sightings…sometimes I just ‘babble on about nothing”…but dont go away…as maybe tomorrow I dont talk, but just show you Kruger!!!
So today I reached what they call in cricket language…A Nelson…now before you think that I know all about the game..I sent an SMS to Engel asking him to explain the term…as I have only heard about it….So, while I made my fire and as I started this blog….I stood on 1 leg…cant do it the whole night..so hope that send the bad spirits away and I will make it to 340 days…Not Out!!!
Well, I woke up in time to get to the doctor…once again, such a nice down to earth person….really felt like I have known him all my life….Dr. Ferraira,I think he is called…but if you have any problem while in the area…please pop in and see him…always ready to help and listen to those with questions and illnesses…he still had the “nerve” to tell me to stop smoking….silly man…not sure which planet he is from!!! Well, he gave me almost a clean bill of health….just got to finish the antibiotics and Im as good as new!!!
By the time I got back I told my neighbour that I was not going to play golf with him today…I really needed to give my arm rest while it was almost back to normal…..and it was so late already..I started a bit of housekeeping…made my bed properly…swept the cobwebs from the caravan and did my laundry…Wow that is a lot in one little hour..but I did it…packed the car and off I went…
By 10am I was on the road…I received a PM (Private Message) from a forum member telling me that I could get a Red Ribbon (meaning Im a Sanparks Forum Stiffneck…birdwatching…Member)…from Wacktazz…(A forum member and manager at Nkuhlu Picnic Spot) and off I went to see if he was there and I could get another ribbon for the car….Before I got there, my first Mayor Sighting for today…A Roadblock…..nice to see they are checking the cars, licenses and so on….then I continued….only to find a police van or 2 going pass me on the same road…now, when I got to the Highwater bridge..the same policeman in the road again….they seem to be like rabbits..jumping from one hole to the next…but I guess they have a job to do…a bit at this intersection and a bit at that…atleast they waved me through this time….
On the way a few lions lying, once again, on the far side of the river bank…I saw them, but did not wait….or take any pics….then a big herd of Elephant…and 2 lone buffs in the riverbed….I arrived at Nkuhlu and Wacktazz was there…got my ribbon and off I went…thought of doing the road to Croc Bridge and then the S28 and back to camp via the “Lower Sabie…Skukuza Higway”…Croc Bridge..in my opinion has the most amazing and tasty take aways on offer in Kruger…and wanted to be there around 2pm for a late lunch…but, I never got there!
Just before LSabie..this Brown Snake Eagle in a tree close to the road…
A quick loo stop at LSabie and off I went…not even 5km down the road…a few cars on the side….Leopard…Im told…it was in the tree, but jumped down onto the ground…I could see the “kill”, but no leopard..so found a spot..not a very good one as so many cars were coming, but I could see the V in the tree…then the leopard jumped up and sat down ontop of the kill…..(Sorry about the twig in the way, but its the best I could do)
So, I sat there for a while and this Indian family infront asked me if I could see it…Yes, I said…its lying down in the tree..cant you see it?…No, not that one they said….the one on the ground….Oh, My …2 leopards at once….I just got this one as it started getting up…..
It lay down again…gave a yawn and then dissapeared into the bush..the one in the tree..that looked like a young male…by the look of his size and his “balletjies”…made me think it was a mother with a young teenager…now tonight Painter came along and told me that they saw the young one making the kill yesterday…really struggling to suffocate the Impala…so maybe it was a mother with a young teaching him to hunt..still nice to see 2 leopard in one day….
By that time it was too late to go to CBridge, so I turned around…stopped at LSabie…wanted to buy a take away..but they told me that they had no containers so could not do it!! I went to the shop instead, bought a packet of Biltong and that was my lunch….as I got to a nice view of the river, a herd of Elephant in the river showing me a “Bumbs Up”!…I took it as Cans up!!! So, I opened a beer…my first in the daytime for a few day…but before the fam start shouting…I had 3 liters of water this am…so a beer or two is not going to make a big differene……I really enjoyed it..!! And then a snake….now I dont know if this was dead or alive…from the pic you can see a whole in the tail…but it did not move…but its eyes looked alive…so you decide…dead or alive…still a snake to show to Engel…
I then took the S114 back to camp as the road was getting very busy with the weekend traffic and I must say it was a lot more quiet..still a few speedsters..not sure why they want to travel those road as such a high speed…rather take the tar road…and you could do your required speed..and hopefully get a fine!!! Just after Renosterkoppies Dam a Rhino in the bush..and that completed another Big 5 day@!@!
As I got close to camp I decided to go to the Giraffe Kill…and can you believe….still no lions around..the carcass is mostly intact…no vultures on it..only in the trees….and no hyena or jackals around….not sure why the lions would desert the kill…maybe because it was moved…maybe to many cars around…but why not eat it durin the night…something I cant answer…!!!
And with that I came back to camp…Painter came around to say bye as they are leaving tomorrow and so did Andries…but not before giving me some more tips….it was great meeting you both and some of your familiies…and after that I made a fire…as it was too late to take out my meat, I thought of having a Woolworhts Suasage Roll and chips made on the fire…then the neighbours across the road brought me a piece of boerewors…so I had the chips with that…but apart from the boerewors, they also gave me a very nice Large Bean Bag for the cam!! Thank you so much…Im going to miss you when you leave day after tomorrow…its always so great when ppl come and tell me about their sighings…and you have been marvelous..so excited with all you have seen and Im so glad you got to see some amazing sightings…sure you will b back in Kruger soon!!!
Now with that I wish you a good night…and Im taking the day off tomorrow from blogging….unless I see something amazing…
Until Sunday…have a great weekend.
Sleep tite
Martie
Like
August 21st, 2009 at 10:02 pm
So delighted that you have your red ribbon!! Three cheers for the Stiffnecks’ Silver Slug !!
August 21st, 2009 at 10:10 pm
great pics of the leopards. why are the police so active? what do they check when they stop you? we are due there in 2 weeks and want to be sure we have everything in order! glad to hear your arm is feeling better. the bean bag you had given you will help holding the camera, my so uses a bean bag. help keep the camera steadier aswell.
have a nice relaxing day tomorrow. hope you have good sightings
linda - uk
August 21st, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Hi Martie
So glad your elbow is much better. Dr Fereirra sounds like a good chap!
Great to have another big 5 day but the snake eagle and snake were also lovely sightings.
I am open-mouthed and wide-eyed at your leopard sightings. How amazing to see the mom with her youngster.
Enjoy your rest day tomorrow. My guests are going deep-sea fishing with Hubb and hope to catch snoek and maybe see whales.
August 21st, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Hi Martie, i’m so glad that your elbow is feeling better, and that you sound like your old self!!!!! Your pics are amazing, that snake!!!! I think maybe a black mamba (the length and the shape of the moutn) i’m no expert,but hey!!!! I love the brown snake eagle, (please don’t quote me but if I see an eagle and I don’t know what it is, I always say “Brown Snake Eagle”! and hope that I am right!!!!! Have a wonderful day tomorrow, (weekend and all), just because I know I would feel (this is my place - go away), but it is a place made for all of us and so we must share with people who are really inerested in the African bush!!!! The others (I don’t know?) Thinking of you always, the screaming bushbabies, the hyena calls et al!!! I know that my love of my life and I will meet you before your departure date on April 3rd 2010, (my 62nd) birthday!!!! Sh…. it’s crazy!!!) I feel as though i’m 40 odd!!!! Martie take care of yourself and God Bless you!!!! Till the next time - lots of love! me and my SO
August 21st, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Thank you Marie !! What a great day you had ! Enjoy your weekend.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Hi Engel. If snake is Black mamba then definitely dead. No ways a BM would lay like that. Great pics again of leopard, hoping for Black Rhino soon. Glad your health improving but stick to medication. In spite of your illness you still managed to drive, take pictures & blog. Thank you Engel. Going to sleep now Luv you XX
August 21st, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Forgot to mention… If I get leave in November maybe I can join Fenwickh husband for 2 weeks deep sea fishing in Cape Town after spending a day with you in KNP
August 22nd, 2009 at 7:41 am
Morning Martie, not very familiar with knp and distances especially where you are, that was the reason for my comment. Glad to hear you are much better, I used to work in a camera shop and my ex boss sells car window tripods for cameras, they do work but bean bags are much easier to work with. You had another super day yesterday, nice to know your arm is not as sore. Have a great day and super sightings, enjoy your weekend off you deserve it and a medal for what you are doing.!!! Regards Chrissie.
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:26 am
Hi M (and all our Kruger friends world wide)
With internet technology distance is absolutely not a problem!
With our previous correspondence we wished you some great sightings and sure you did! Please to see that luck is on your side - on the other hand the longer your spend in KNP the greater your chances - although we think it is also to be at the right place at the right time! Great to hear about the elbow improving - maybe it’s because of less beer can lifting (lol)! Strange to find the park so crowded during out of season time - although with the wildcard we think that the Lowveld locals are truly in the best position to maximize the benefit! Good for them.
111 not out - keep on batting girl!
Enjoy every moment - we envey you!
Lotsoflove!
D+A
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:36 am
oh wow Martie
thanx once again for sharing it with us.
looks like another fab day in Kruger.
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:13 am
Martie , a nice view of a magnificent cats , did you zoom in a lot for the pictures ?
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:16 am
Hi Martie,
What a great day you had, the Big 5, loved the pics of the Leopard especially the crouching one.
I tend to think the snake is a young Black Mamba, shape of the head is very typical but also no expert on snakes.
If its tail had just been run over it could have been a bit stunned.
Till Sunday, you deserve a break from blogging.
Take care
Regards
Elsa
August 22nd, 2009 at 10:48 am
Hi Martie,
Caught up on your blog today - but only saw a few photos as connection too slow! Glad you are getting better now - take the non-smoking advice seriously - it is meant kindly for your own good.
Punda is quiet at the moment - although I had 7 lions on the the road the other evening. Nearly went to Pafuri today as there was no morning drive, but then remembered it is Saturday……so decided to give my blood pressure a break and stay in camp instead!
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:29 am
Hi Martie
Well, back in Hout Bay after our 6 days of heaven - it was wonderful meeting you at Nklulu and then again in the huge traffic jam outside Skukuza with the lions walking next to the road. Was thrilled to see you telling off the idiot who was hanging out of his car - well done
Hope you continue with your fantastic sightings and enjoy EVERYTHING !!
Gill
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:30 am
Hi Martie,
My son told me about your blog just yesterday! I have spent ages reading it - really fabulous that you are living your dream - and like somebody in America said - it’s truly a gift to us that you are sharing it with us so generously. I am very lucky with wild dogs and have even seen a pangolin and her baby early in the morning in Kruger, so you never know what you may see or not! Maybe my luck with the dogs will help you..
Get better soon - I now have a new compulsion - to read your blog every day - and to try and catch up - going backwards to the start!
Jilly
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Hi Martie,
Thanks for the wonderful photos and descriptions of your sightings.
We were at Lower Sabie at the end of July and they didn’t have any take-away containers then either!!
The snake you saw looks like an Olive Grass Snake, we had the wonderful luck of seeing one at Biyamiti catching and then eating a lizard.
Wow, beautiful leopard sighting, it looks like you were quite close.
Enjoyyour day off.
Jo
August 22nd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Hi Martie
Thanks for the Ramdaan wishes, with all on your plate you still take time out and remember everyone, even though it will be a busy month, will still make time to read your blogs … trying desperately to find accommodation at KNP the 1st weekend after Ramadaan (24th - 27th Sept), how nice would that be.
August 22nd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Hi Martie
Congrats on the 111 day, I know the nelson won’t get you out, I can’t say the same of the Aussies, I love your pics.
Still reading every day, glad to hear you are fealing better it is not nice to have a flu in Kruger. Keep an eye on our farm, for us.
Regards
Marius & Jackie
August 22nd, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Hi Martie
thanks again for lovely pictures your blog keep me going everyday. Also had flu twice and struggling with a sore elbow called golfers elbow from picking up and carrying JJ grandson had injection twice getting old is not for “sissies’ but enjoy him every moment. <
sleep tite and look after yourself
boskabous (Jane from Boksburg)
August 22nd, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Hi Martie
Great pics of leopards twig and all, pleased to hear there is some visible policing around hopefully people will start obying the parks rules for a change (ha ha in our dreams)……. have a great weekend and ca’nt wait till Monday for my next “fix”.
Take Care
August 22nd, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Jo ! Jo! … Steve you’re playing with your sick leave !!!!
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Maybe that should be …. ‘ sjo ! sjo ! (not jo jo )
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Hi Martie
great to here the arm is mending, Nothing tastes as good as a cold beer in Kruger except a glass or 2 of grape juice and of course the amarula nightcap. Glad to see you have a good size bean bag they work wonders for the cam and the shots they also work brilliantly as a tripod in the hides. Ive really been enjoying my daily dose of kruger thanks for the hard work and keep up the bird pics I realy enjoy the debate they cause in the forum we all learn so much when the big guns tuck into a difficult identity. How have you found your photo lessons have helped, your picture have been amazing. many thanks once again for the hard work.
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:55 pm
PS Martie
The comment your SO made about spending one day with you must be a joke hey…….ha ha he is mean.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Hi Martie
I am another reader and non commenter but just a word to say thanks for the interesting bloggs — often have to read 3 blogs to catch up. Glad your health is /has improved. We hope to be in Kruger soon and if we get down your way will look out for you.
Keep the interesting blogs comming
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Glad to hear you are better.
Best Regards.
August 23rd, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Hi M,
Well we are having a lovely discussion about the snake in the pic! It looks like a Cobra. But we are not sure. Oppies and Luan says its a cobra, we will leave it to the professionals! A cobra’s head has a triangler form and a mamba’s head is more flat and straight! Well we hope we have the answer by 2 morrow!
Great pics once again!
Lujoli and family
August 23rd, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Hi Martie,
It was nice meeting you. Arrived safely in Pta. Andri so glad to be with Mom and Dad. I will scan your blog for the past week and give a few commments
Skukuza day 1. Second pic of the hyena is excellent - a real keeper.
Day 4: Luv the fish eagle, excellent colour and pin sharp. Well done
Day 5: The Hippo pics are excellent.
Hope you are fully recovered now and can enjoy the rest of your dream. You had the most awesome sightings while we were there - You will have the share your secrets with me before my next visit to Kruger
Sleep tite
August 23rd, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Hi Martie!
I’ve been reading your blog the last couple of weeks, but decided not to comment until I’v cought up with you. Reading your blog really puts me right there in knp with you. Can’t wait since we will be there in 2 weeks time. Unfortunatly up norht, so won’t be able to meet up. But you make me so jealous when I read your blog, and wish I thought of this first!!! Your photo’s are great and keep on entertaining us all. You are living my dream. Hopefully we will in the near future be moving to Phalaborwa from PTA, and will then be in KNP every weekend! Hopefully, our dream will come true like your’s did… Look forwrd to reading tommorrow!!! Goodnight!!!
August 24th, 2009 at 5:11 pm