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This Goliath Heron was Skulking at the bridge over the Sabie River


Sunset Dam was as usual, a hive of activity






The LS Monster


Contemplation

Thank you Val.

Impala were quite nervous coming for a drink.


The trip back tp Skukuza was quietish. A beautiful view










Simply can't get enough of them Kudus

Moving along-again. Some monkey business before I post some Lake Panic images.




Buffalo just before Skuks


And so onto Lake Panic (LP). This would be the fist time I spent the last hours before closing at Lake Panic, and I was excited to see what would transpire. I also hoped that today being Sunday, all the traffice and visitors would have subsided and LP woud be quieter and less crowded. I had forgotten that I struggled to find accomodation in the Park for the 5 nights, so I should have known that Skukuza itself would be full. Silly of me to think that the visitors to LP would be less. Well it seems that everyone else also thought that LP was the place to be before gates close-it was crowded, and getting worse as time wnet by, In any event it seems I got there just in time, before the crowds gathered. Found my spot and camped (very selfish of me I know-but this is Kruger-a bit of selfishness does'nt harm anyone-it may mean they have to stand while others sit ) and I was determined I was going to enjoy the spectacle of LP in the late afternoon to the full.

Let's see if we can finish this day. LP was, as always, simply magical. The Herons were having a candle lit Dinner-they were dressed in fine feathers






Not to be outdone by the Darter


Or the Goliath Heron

Heksie . No Mallies were seen, despite the many hours I spent there. Also did not see the Mallie at Shitlave Dam this time round.

Ok, we should be finishing day 4.
That Non-breeding Great White Egret was simply stunning to photograph.






And my good friend came to show of his fishing skills

And the last of Day 4.
I thought these two Little Egrets were going to have a squabble about space. They just stared at each other a while and then one flew off.





Leaving just one to photograph


Hippo's were still coming by the busload from nowhere-how they managed to hide that bluk


A bulbul was there to fill my dreams with music.


And the last-Just managed to get a sunset- although this was just past 17h:00 and I left LP at about 17h:45.


By then it was too dark to see much. But wonderful sounds-hippo's snorting, herons fighting and other birds chirping. I was ready for a shower, supper, uploading the photo's and off to bed. But there was something worrying me to shreds-4 days in the Park and still no LIONS. Maybe i'm in for one of those visits which I have read about-days without seeing lions. Ah well, I have had enough to keep me merrily happy for a while. 1 more night in the park-two more days.

Good night

Day 5, Monday 13th

For those of you who read Garfield, Monday the 13th is the worst possible day I'm up as usual before the alarm, coffee, rusks, and listening to the Hyena's for a change from the silence very morning. Did'nt get to see any, even though I knew about the Hyena den near LP. Pack, another coffee and I'm ready to go.

Sunrise was even more spectacular today, making a nonsense of Garfields theories about life and Mondays








It was a bit misty too-just love this pic


This should be familiar to those who frequent the low level bridges near Skuks.

Onto the sightings of the day.
Only had one chance at this bird-on the low level bridge. A sanparks car was approaching form the other end, and i knew it would fly off.


At the other low level bridge this swallow was absorbing the stunning sunrise.




This pair was enjoying the early morning light-He was in a very amorous mood, but she would have none of it, especially with long prying lenses around.

This guy was buying into Garfield's Monday 13th.


He does look sad


At that misty river scene, a Goliath heron was standing motionless.






Not the best pic, but I appreciated seeing this grey headed shrike.

The plan was to go to Lower Sabie, in the hope that I will get to see some LIONS. En route, I see a Turaco fly into a tree ahead. Just love seeing this bird, so I park the car just off the road, so other cars can pass, and now I camp . Not sure what tree it was, don't think it was a Marula, but it certainly attracted a lot of birds, and I was delighted to be camping here and enjoy this tree. Only one shot of the Turaco, even though another bird arrived, but it was thick foilage, and as usual with these birds, they are excellent at hiding.


Black eyed Bulbul was there too.

Still camping at that tree. It also had this beauty






And this beauty sneaked in somewhere along the way-equally cheeky.




Here you can see it feeding on the fruit of this tree-Maybe it is Marula. It was an enormous tree, and I did not think Marula trees get that big. HELP

Eventually drag myself away from this tree-nature was beginning to pressurise me, so off I went to Nkulu, for breakfast too! On the way you can't not take a photo of this.



I actually mean this




His lovely lady


And at Nkulu this Croc was patrolling the water


So its time for breakfast, there are very few people around, its still early. Monkeys and baboons were there though, and even I know I should be vigilant at all times, I slipped in concentration- and next thing I know the Baboon had my half loaf of bread, knocking over my box as well. Fortunately I had already had some, so I was not going to starve My word, they are fast! And I got my revenge, as it clambered up the tree to get away from the other descending baboons who wanted a share of the spoils, most of the bread fell out of the packet into the river below. So the fish got an unexpected bonus breakfast . Maybe next time I'll see a Fish Eagle come swooping down on them.

One of the Mob which I captured before the raid.


Good night

Time to get to Lower Sabie. You've heard of the Prancing Horse! How about a prancing impala. Just a bit too slow on my part.


Thus vulture, like me, must have had a good breakfast-its crop is extending a bit too much.


And this time N'watimhiri Causeway (S79) did not show leopard, but did have some special sightings to make my day, including this grey headed Lourie, normally it will fly away-this occasion it stayed put, and I could get a close up for a change.




This impala looked beautiful in sunlight, against the backdrop of the forest behind it.


And for once, I could get a Batis, but it was off in aa jiffy.

And blessed to see this bird-What a pleasure. I reckon it must have one of the most beautiful eyes of all birds.