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I guess I had better get this TR up and running, otherwise I might just forget everything that I saw & experienced Still have'nt even finished editing half the photos.
For those of you wanting to know about the 6 B's.
Bonkers
B-my surname starts with a B so you can fill in anything you like (just not Baboon, though that might just be
appropriate Brainless would also be appropriate )
Birthday (early January)
Bonanza
Bash
Bliksem!
Binocular-less in KNP (can you believe it, I forgot the Binocs )
Bonkers B Birthday Bonanza Bash Bliksem and Binocular TR. Or, Beetles, Baboons, Black Shouldered Kites, Black backed Jackals, Blue Waxbills and Bushbucks (some of which I did not get to see).

Some introductory notes.
I had a terribly difficult and tiring December/early January, and knew that i would be needing a holiday pretty shortly and desperately. So in the middle of it all, I logged onto the Sanparks websites, checked out the availability, and next thing you know, my bank account is a lot more empty than it should be.
1 Night Pretoriuskop
2 nights Lower Sabie
1 night Pretoriuskop
2 nights Lower Sabie.

By the time I got to leave I was exhausted, and wondered about the wisdom of going to KNP for 6 nights, as all that driving can make you pretty tired. But I was desperate to get away, and off I went, at least this time I did not forget the 500mm lens, but instead forgot the binocs. Well the 500 lens would have to do + x2 teleconverter should be enough.
So i'm off by 05:30, on the 7th January, travelled without incident to Nelspruit, and took the advice of some forumites and went via Schoeman's Kloof, a delightful drive, except for the traffic cop with his Camera. Not that I would be speeding anyway.
Off to Pick 'n Pay for the usual supplies of foos, the now traditional koeksister, which they do not have, so opt to have something else instead, then its off to Numbi Gate, where I will have some coffee and the replacement of the koeksister, plus a prayer of thanksgiving for safe travelling and another prayer for a much needed time of de-stressing. Add some requests for special sightings.

Must say, the road to Numbi gate was terrible, the potholes have been multiplying at an enormously fast rate, and someone should have a serious talk to the road about the birds and the bees, and birth control. Good grief, some of the offspring were much larger than their parents whom I had met the last time I travelled on this road.

It was a really good time in the Park, I enjoyed it immensely, despite that the Camera's focusing mechanism began to give trouble , it was overcast/raining for 4 of the 7 days I was there, so not the best for photography, but great for animals, especially raptors. Relaxed and relaxing in an enviroment as only KNP can give, I set out to simply enjoy the beauty of KNP, and was simply not going with the intention of wanting to see this, that and the the other. I even swam on a few occasions, something I rarely do. It was more like swimming in a warm tub of water. Refreshing nevertheless. This I think, was the 2nd longesst period I have been in the Park, the other longest occasion was also my birthday present many moons ago when I turned 25

Saw no Yellow Ribbons, no matter how hard I looked. I had some lovely sightings, and as before, I try to gauge my visit with the guidelines given here on the Forum. Was it a "breathtaking experiencë" and the answer is yes. I even saw a Civet, though it disappeared before my troublesome focusing mechanism could get into gear, so no photograph of that special sighing. Besides, I was keeping my eye on an elephant not too far away, which if you did not know, gets my adrenalin flowing and much more besides -a thing called phobia! Well I must say they behaved splendidly indeed!

First up- the obligatory Sunrise in Mpumalanga.




This served to remind me why I am going to KNP.


While having some coffee a few quick shots:
Wasp


That pest which I thought I left behind?


And some beauty

Hi Noel

I'm on board and waiting for the next episode. The Mpumalanga sunrise isn't so bad if you expect to have electricity everyday. But I would als much rather see a sunrise without power stations and electrical cables

Noel,

On board to see more of your exciting trip.

Awesome close up pics .....Luckily no binocs required for them.

Noel, ah Kruger, rest for the soul and it sounds as though you left needing inspiration for the road ahead.

Great start Noel

Ola Noel...
How great it is to see that you went to Krugs and now another TR a lot of expectations I have for this trip and definitely looking forward to an entertaining report
Please just tell me that you have proof about each amazing sighting?

Im on the bus and not getting off.

I am also on board .

Great start as always .

Love the closeup's of the little things in Kruger .

Thanks Sky and welcome. Agree with that sentiment about the sunrises, except I wanted to capture some of those industrial sunsets. Next episode coming up!

Welcome too Trr trrrrrr. Thought about you everytime I saw one of those beautiful birds that go Trrr trrrrr.

Yep MM, needed that inspiration for sure. Welcome too, Popcorn on the way!

Thanks Billy. More coming up!

Hello Heksie, you are back from your adventures, and great to have you along. Welcome. And uhmm, watch this bush, oops I mean watch this space Sure to deliver some interesting looks-like-a-.....

Hi Sparrow,
Great to have you along too. I so enjoyed your recent TR. Welcome!

Hi Barry, great to have you along too, though I'm a bit worried that you are here without Hilda! You may be in trouble What God has joined together let no TR put asunder here Welcome Barry!