Our Mission and Values at GBT...
Here at GBT we hope to foster an interest in all things birding, and in so doing, also create a deep and abiding respect for our natural environment. We do so without taking ourselves too serioulsy, but we do take the state of our environment very seriously. We share our knowledge and our passion for all things birding willingly and enthusiastically.
@ Jay We often had our most exciting sightings on the way back to the camp in the evening, especially when running late...
Thank you Muis!
@ WTM Just couldn't take enough photos of the little Hyena ...
@ IMAX We were very happy to see them at last...
“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.” Douglas Adams (British comic Writer, 1952-2001)
That day was somehow quiet, but we had some nice sightings nevertheless, as the days in Kruger are never dull…. Our first sighting was a Woolly-necked Stork.
At Nwanetsi we walked up to the amphitheatre and enjoyed the view one last time, as it was our last full day at Satara before moving on to Shimuwini for our last couple of nights.
It was time to return back to Satara. While we had dinner we could hear Lion roaring nearby and they kept doing so nearly the whole night.
Sigh, what a wonderful sound….
“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.” Douglas Adams (British comic Writer, 1952-2001)
Well we listened to the Lions nearly the whole night, so you can imagine that I was eager to leave the camp in the morning to have a look for them… And indeed they were still there, just north of Satara, close to the campground, but unfortunately so far away in the high grass, that I was, by no means, able to see, let alone photograph them… Moreover the road got busier and busier and so I decided to return back to the camp, as we still had some packing to do before leaving for Shimuwini. On the way back I once again could not resist to take another photo of the magnificent sunrise….
I stopped at reception and walked over to the fence. A quite unusual sight, an empty restaurant at Satara. But it had a very special atmosphere… Very quiet and peaceful.
Then it was time to say goodbye to Satara… Once again we drove the S100, we had enough time to cover the distance to Shimuwini so we opted for the longer, more scenic route…
We stopped to watch the antics of some Baboon youngsters, always so entertaining.
Stop at Gudzani and then we took the gravel road heading north. Here we spotted three Cheetahs, not far from the point where we spotted the Cheetah mum with three youngsters last year and we were wondering if these three here were the same. Still hanging around in the area…
We stopped at the Olifants lookout for breakfast/lunch and some Vervets already awaited our arrival, lol… This one here was sitting on the fence and it seemed to me he was almost watching the Elli having a drink down in the riverbed, as he was looking straight into that direction.
Another quick toilet stop at Letaba, before heading straight towards Shimuwini. We arrived around 3pm, were greeted with the broadest smile and a very friendly welcome back…. After that we moved into #10 with a nice view onto the river, Shine was there to visit us and in the evening we enjoyed a lovely braai with friends.
“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.” Douglas Adams (British comic Writer, 1952-2001)
Always impressed to see the big fishes in the Olifants....
“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.” Douglas Adams (British comic Writer, 1952-2001)
We did not leave too early on that morning. Just 4km after we had left the camp a Leopard crossed the narrow road right in front of us and disappeared into the bushes right away.
A really bad capture, I marked the position of the Leopard you have to look really, really hard, lol…
Then we sat outside enjoying the sounds of the bush and this really perfect setting…
“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.” Douglas Adams (British comic Writer, 1952-2001)
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world”. Mahatma Gandhi
Treat the Earth and all that dwell therein with respect.Remain close to the Great Spirit Show great respect for your fellow beings. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind Give assistance and kindness wherever needed. Do what you know to be right Look after the well-being of Mind and Body. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater Good Be truthful and honest at all times. Take full responsibility for your actions. American Indian Ten Commandments
It is amazing how a leopard can hide. I love Peter Capstick's books and in one of them he reckons that a leopard can hide behind a matchbox! And I don't think that is too far fetched either.
Check that Baboon's canines!! Whilst on the topic of leopards. Leopards love baboon meat, but a big male baboon is capable of tearing a leopard apart in no time with those canines!
@ Jay Always so amazing how they are able to stand on that steep rocks...
@ Muis Thank you!
@ WTM I would never mess with one of those Baboons
“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.” Douglas Adams (British comic Writer, 1952-2001)
Our last full day in the Park…. We planned to drive up to Mopani for breakfast returning via Letaba to Shimuwini. The morning started overcast and as we had reached the main road it even started to drizzle.
On the tar road we had to stop for another Francolin Mum with chicks crossing the road…
By the time we had finished breakfast at Monpani the sun was back again and temperatures were rising. In a tree close to the shop we found this quite impressive Chameleon.
From the Letaba bridge we observed two Hadedas looking for food and a Blacksmith Plover closely following them, see what he can possibly snatch from under their “noses”…
Close to Letaba we spotted this lovely scene. A huge Herd of Ellis was already on their way back from the river into the bush and this little one with his/her Mum were following them. I can imagine constantly talking to Mum…. Why do we have to leave?! Why is it dangerous to be close to the Crocs?! I want to be in the water for longer?! When are we coming back ?! How long do we have to walk ?!.... And so on….
After a short stop at Letaba we were on the road again. And spotted a Dwarf Mongoose on a termite mound, this year we have not been to Lucky with our Mongoose sightings…
Of course we were sad that we would be leaving the next morning and yet we still had some hours to spend in the park before leaving for the airport…..
“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.” Douglas Adams (British comic Writer, 1952-2001)
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world”. Mahatma Gandhi
Treat the Earth and all that dwell therein with respect.Remain close to the Great Spirit Show great respect for your fellow beings. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind Give assistance and kindness wherever needed. Do what you know to be right Look after the well-being of Mind and Body. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater Good Be truthful and honest at all times. Take full responsibility for your actions. American Indian Ten Commandments
“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.” Douglas Adams (British comic Writer, 1952-2001)
.gif "Africa Birds and Birding Magazine")
and the buffalo shots are gorgeous too!!
