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Post by tod2 on Nov 8, 2012 5:07:59 GMT
We will stay at Tamboti, though, which I'm very excited about. I read that they have a resident honey badger  The Honey badger is a real problem in the area raiding the units in Orpen Gate Camp and Tamboti and I'm sure he worries the life out of the campers at Maroela. If you suddenly come across him in your tent or groceries please back off . He WILL attack you and rip you to shreads  They are highly dangerous. Didn't I mention on one of our trips he ripped the wooden kitchen unit door right off the wall trying to get at the breakfast cereal? (thought I did in a previous report on Kruger). I would love to know your 4 camps - I will look at my map and see if there is anything specific around them you should look out for. You must be so excited to get away from icy cold NY and come and sweat it out in Kruger ;D |
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Post by tod2 on Nov 8, 2012 7:24:50 GMT
On our first night at Croc Bridge we heard the wind rage outside. In the morning we saw some of the damage it had done, like this young Fever Tree blown across a small stream.  This hareem of Impala looked as if they were listening out for something. They are all females but close by a lone male will be watching.  And here he is fending off this rival!  This giraffe is enjoying the new leaves on the acacia tree and the Red-billed Oxpeckers are feasting on his pesky ticks.   Lots of bushes have come into flower like this pretty white 'golf ball' one.   On the lower Crocodile River road there is a superb weir with lots of water birds. This was the first sighting of a White-breasted Cormorant.  First time we've seen a Black Stork.  We had no idea what these two birds could be but finally decided they were junior Saddle-billed Storks from the decription in our bird book..    Here is an adult Sadlle-Bill - so much brighter!  This is a Grey Heron, also waiting for a little fish to swim by..    This is only the second time we have seen a Greenbacked Heron. The other being at Lake Panic sitting on a nest.  There were a lot of Little Egrets - what strange yellow feet!    More birds coming.. |
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Post by mossie on Nov 8, 2012 8:26:55 GMT
More absolutely superb pics. I shall run out of superlatives  The heron in flight is a knockout. By the way, at my age I often find I have to set up some sort of rocking motion to get up. If I find myself on the floor then it takes considerable effort. So I know just how the giraffe feels ;D Thanks for your time and patience. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2012 13:08:54 GMT
Water really seems to bring out the best in birds. Those impala certainly all look like they have the same DNA. Perhaps they need to get out more and mix up the gene pool a bit!  |
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Post by htmb on Nov 8, 2012 14:12:03 GMT
The animals are all fantastic to see, tod. It's so interesting to see all the different colors on the birds' feet and bills. The bird on the giraffe is an interesting shot, also.
On my last trip to France, I met a woman in the Atlanta airport who was heading to South Africa to hunt wild game. I was both fascinated and appalled at the same time. I absolutely cannot fathom hunting wild game for sport, UNLESS it's with a camera instead of a gun. Thank you for continuing to take us along on your trip through your amazing photos.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 8, 2012 14:58:25 GMT
You're very kind Mossie! We were so fortunate the rivers started running and the birds were hungry. A few more..... This is a Pied Kingfisher -  From the sitting position he flies straight up and hovers.....and hovers....and hovers, before folding his wings and diving into the water.    He is so fast it's impossible to get a shot on his downward flight but here is his entrance into the river.  Patiently standing in shallow water is this strange bird called a Hammerkop (hammerhead).   Back on dry land it seems to be the season for dung beetles and we came across literally thousands.  Tried to video it but it got a bit blurry - sorry! Here is a close-up of a Sausage Tree or known as Kigelia Africana. They are everywhere but the most famous one is on the tar road just a short distance from Lower Sabie Camp towards Croc Bridge. There is a plaque opposite marking the spot where a trader named Albasini had a store. We have often pulled up underneath it to watch vervet monkeys jump playfully in the branches while we have a sandwich.    I was curious about this bush which had yellow and white flowers on it. I looked it up and see it is called a Transvaal Gardenia. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and turn yellow within a few days.  What a majestic fellow this is - a male Kudu.  Next - at last we find the rhino's! |
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Post by nycboy on Nov 8, 2012 17:00:42 GMT
Well I've always been extremely impressed with the photos you have posted! Thanks for the camera information. This trip we took our Canon 7D with a Canon100-400mm lens /stabilized, and the second was a Canon 5D mark11 with a Canon24-70mm lens- not stabilized. Both are L lenses. We always use something on the window to steady the camera even more. Tremendous setup! Exactly what I would want out of two bodies; 640mm with the long lens on their best crop and 24mm on a full frame. May I ask what your are doing with filters, if anything? Circular polarizer to get the clouds to pop? The stressful part is trying to get a photo when there are a lot of vehicles at a "crime scene"  This needs a bit of patience, reversing, turning, going forward, facing the wrong way etc etc. This is the part Ms. Daisy won't be good at. And I just shuddered thinking about her driving on the other side of the road. |
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Post by nycboy on Nov 8, 2012 17:05:10 GMT
We will stay at Tamboti, though, which I'm very excited about. I read that they have a resident honey badger The Honey badger is a real problem in the area raiding the units in Orpen Gate Camp and Tamboti and I'm sure he worries the life out of the campers at Maroela. If you suddenly come across him in your tent or groceries please back off . He WILL attack you and rip you to shreads They are highly dangerous. Didn't I mention on one of our trips he ripped the wooden kitchen unit door right off the wall trying to get at the breakfast cereal? (thought I did in a previous report on Kruger). I would love to know your 4 camps - I will look at my map and see if there is anything specific around them you should look out for. You must be so excited to get away from icy cold NY and come and sweat it out in Kruger ;D Not the best for routes but this is what we were able to get: Sable Dam Hide Shipandani Hide Lower Sabie 2 nights (we got a bungalow and a safari tent with excellent views) Satara 2 nights (perimeter bungalow) Tamboti (requested a tent with a view) |
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Post by nycboy on Nov 8, 2012 17:28:28 GMT
The heron in flight is a knockout. My favorite thus far; the bend in the neck and corresponding bend in the wings. To borrow a word from my wife: majestic! |
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Post by tod2 on Nov 8, 2012 17:57:46 GMT
Nycboy - Right. We have polarizing filters bought for other lenses which we don't use, and have not bought any for current lenses we are using. All our lenses have ultra-violet filters to protect the glass. I take it the bookings are in that order. You will have to make an early start from Shipandani if you want to get to Lower Sabie by 6pm. I think the supermarket closes at 7pm. It's a long way and I would stick to the main tar route. Back up to Satara is easy. Please have a good look at the dinner buffet which they offer at around R150 per person and AVOID it like the plague! We have never been so disappointed and ripped off for a long time  Recently the staff at all restaurants have been on strike so maybe the food improved ;D Satara supermarket should provide something more edible in the way of a barbecue kind. (Please don't think the word "supermarket" is in any way the grand kind we all have in our home towns!) I don't know about "a view" at Tamboti but I reckon it must be of the river. The short drive around the camp did not reveal what a person would find on foot. All I remember seeing was the tented accommodation being well into the bush! You should all have a fabulous time in Kruger! I have to laugh at your 'mom' comments Sounds like she might just drive into an elephant.......not kidding. They storm out of the bush on the side of the road without so much as a trumpet call! PS. You can buy those little headlamp flashlights at the store in Kruger to see what you are doing and where you are walking at night. Have you got your Malaria pills?? Don't bring a lot of bug spray - its available at camp stores. Special Tip: If you don't want the bugs to fly into your accommodation keep the light off inside. |
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Post by nycgirl on Nov 8, 2012 18:36:15 GMT
Tod, yes I'm sure that Honey Badger raises all kinds of hell. I am surprised the rangers haven't decided to "get rid of him"- not that I want them to! I do want a glimpse of him, but don't worry, I'll keep a wary distance.
Terrific shots of the birds, especially that kingfisher. His diving is impressive.
That kudu is a beauty. I love the look on his face, it's like he's thinking "That's right, I'm a badass."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2012 18:44:10 GMT
The sausage tree is fascinating (well, so is everything else). Are the sausages any good?  |
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Post by nycboy on Nov 9, 2012 1:00:57 GMT
I take it the bookings are in that order. You will have to make an early start from Shipandani if you want to get to Lower Sabie by 6pm. Yes they are in that order and that was the one drive that was a little more rushed than I'd have liked. Getting a real kick out of your hate for that buffet! I don't know about "a view" at Tamboti but I reckon it must be of the river. The short drive around the camp did not reveal what a person would find on foot. All I remember seeing was the tented accommodation being well into the bush! I did a bunch of searching and found that one of the units has a pretty good and wide view over the dry riverbed (suppose it could be wet then). PS. You can buy those little headlamp flashlights at the store in Kruger to see what you are doing and where you are walking at night. Have you got your Malaria pills?? Don't bring a lot of bug spray - its available at camp stores. If there's one thing I have a lot of it's those headlamps! I used to use them to read haha. The malaria question still lingers with me, is it really necessary? I hear mixed opinions. And I was thinking we could pick them up in Cape Town for cheaper than I could over here. We'll have a couple weeks before we get over to Kruger anyway. So excited. |
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Post by tod2 on Nov 9, 2012 4:58:19 GMT
Nycgirl - Yes, I thought that Kudu had a haughty air to his pose!
Kerouac - This is what my book on the Kruger vegetation says:
Fruits - Long cylindrical, up to 50cm long and 10cm in diameter, grey-brown, slightly rough, hard, very heavy (up to 3.5kg), stalks up to a metre long: fruits fall from the trees in March/April. Fruit inedible and possibly poisonous, nevertheless sometimes eaten by baboons and bushpigs; Leaves utilized by the elephant and Kudu, flowers by Nyala and their nectar by primates.
When we made the trip with our friends from the UK we got one from a tree in the camp grounds and sawed it in half with a bread knife - took some doing I can tell you! Inside looked like a gem squash. Sort of pale yellow with tightly packed pips/seeds in the centre.
Ncyboy - Malanil is on prescription. Don't mess with anything less effective. You are in the height of the malaria season especially down south. You can get the tablets in Cape Town but get a script from home. Dr. visit will take up precious time and cost around R300.
What I am going to do in the meantime is phone a pharmacy in the V&A (Cape Town)and ask if they can dispense the drug without a script. My pharmacy does, but then I know the guy and run a big account each month.
Will let you know.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2012 6:19:21 GMT
I like "possibly poisonous" -- so nobody wants to try and find out? |
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Post by tod2 on Nov 9, 2012 8:42:37 GMT
Kerouac - that's for sure!
Nycboy and girl:
I phoned WATERFRONT PHARMACY,(021-4212256) in the Victoria & Albert Shopping Complex. This is where all tourists head for as the view of Table Mountain is superb from there. Also the harbor atmosphere with sailing boats, seagulls, and resident seals, surrounding the many places to eat make it a lovely 2 hr stop.
The Pharmacist said they "normally" would want a doctors script but could assist you without one.
He does not recommend Lariam because of the side-effects. You will need 15 Malanil tablets each :
1 taken the day before you enter the park, 7 while you are there, and 7 for the following days after you have left. Cost: around R850 each which roughly is $97 each.
He says he thinks it would be the same price in the USA.
I was talking to someone who goes to Mozambique regularly and has just been to Madagascar. He takes Doxycil ( which is an anti-biotic which one can take for protracted periods).
Now be ready for a shock! A course of Doxycil has to be taken for the time period in the risk area plus 1 month afterwards but costs just R23 - that's $2.6 US !! They work just fine he says but whether you can get them OTC is another matter. Need a script.
Hope that helps you decide.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 9, 2012 15:07:45 GMT
Most of the world knows about the dreadful situation with rhino poaching. I was shocked when the newspapers revealed that over 600 have been butchered this year alone and that game rangers and even veternarians have been involved in this criminal activity. We sometimes try and think of a solution - cut all rhino horns off and sell them on the open market reaping the proceeds to protect the rhino even further? Poison the rhino horn after cutting it off? Keep a gene pool of rhino in a facility similar to Fort Knox? Who has the answer  We were becoming quite sure that this trip we would see no rhinos but then Lady Luck smiled on us and alongside the road a heaven sent pair! Mother and baby.   This ranger uses his bicycle to peddle from Croc Bridge Camp along the S25 Crocodile River road, down the S27 which leads to the Hippo Pools. He is there at certain hours to take visitors on a guided walk. Here he is talking to a motorist and they must be asking him what he sees through the binocs.  On his way again..  Turning onto the S28, Nhlowa Road, off the H4-2, I see a vehicle coming towards me frantically signalling. They are pointing to something and shout "..............at the back of your car!" I slam into reverse but can't see anything until my DH shouts "STOP! - You are going to run over a cheetah!" Fricking heck! - I do the quickest U-turn ever and he gets the shot -whew!  He doesn't hang around long and heads into the bush with one last backwards glance as if to say "That's All Folks!"   Sometimes things don't go to plan and a rare sighting of a Sidestriped Jackal ( as opposed to a Blackbacked Jackal) doesn't make a good photo but I thought I'd show you anyway so that if you do get to see one.....it's extremely fortunate!  He has a white flash running alongside his body.  Back to birds for a moment - One we had never seen before. This is Verreaux's Giant Eagle Owl. He is not only huge but when he blinks his eyelids are a dark pinky-red which identifies him with certainty. Whether the two in the tree were males, females or one of each , don't know.   I mentioned Dung Beetles in their thousands...well, here they buzz!  And to end the photos for today....A magnificent male Impala , also known as a McDonald's because of the M on their backsides.  But wait.......I promised to show Kerouac what happens when they get involved in serious rutting! You end up like this for the rest of your life...  Last lot coming up... |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 9, 2012 17:35:01 GMT
These really are stunning...incredible. I am particularly taken with the kingfisher photos...absolutely wonderful.
Haven't got anything intelligent to say Tod...but I have enjoyed reading this thread very much. X
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Post by lugg on Nov 9, 2012 19:39:34 GMT
Oh wow oh wow Tod , this whole post is fantastic. For me this is giving me a whole new view of a land / flora and fauna that I have never experienced . I have only looked at the photos and text once so far so will return many times to really take it all in and to look at your videos.
Loved the elephant photos particularly that of the big tusker, the birds shots are all so spectacular. My particular favourite photos are that of the male kudu in #65 and the close up of the ox-pecker on the giraffe and of course the rhinos, hideously criminal what "we" are doing to them .
Thank you so much Tod.
PS I am really envious of you NY girl/boy ( hope you Dad is doing OK ) and looking forward to seeing your reports too.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2012 0:56:24 GMT
Amazing photos, Tod! And your narrative is excellent. It's hard to pick a favorite picture, each one is a beauty.
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Post by nycgirl on Nov 10, 2012 4:46:13 GMT
Thank you for your kind wishes, Lugg.
Tod, thanks so much for taking the time to do comparison shopping on the malaria pills. That's very sweet of you, I appreciate it. I'd like to get my hands on some Doxycil if I can. Sounds like a bargain!
So glad you got to see rhinos. I really hope something can be done about the poaching. It is shocking that this continues- and on such a grand scale! I wish there was a way to not just crack down on the poachers, but punish the foreign buyers that make the industry possible.
That cheetah is so, so beautiful. Definitely one of my favorite animals.
That poor impala. I imagine that in the wild, it's hard to get lucky with the ladies with one antler.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2012 6:22:32 GMT
The dung beetle videos are fantastic, but they don't seem to work as well in a group as ants do. But I suppose with such an abundance of treasures, it doesn't make much difference.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 10, 2012 10:59:08 GMT
We are only two days away from the end of our lovely time in Kruger and are concentrating on the roads between Croc Bridge and Lower Sabie.  However, even the pesky monkeys in our camp gave us some camera time. These two are females and seem to want the same baby.   Here is the Pesky Monkey Controller...armed with amunition. A catapult and some hard seeds.   One morning we find these warthogs - one of the most difficult animals to photograph as they immediately take off the moment you stop. These seem to think there is safety in numbers and allowed us a few shots.   Animals love the heat of the tarred road and after a rainstorm you will find many creatures taking a chance with the traffic. Here's one laid-back hyena trying to snooze.  There are some very inconsiderate tourists who don't care if they ruin your attempt at a photograph or video. He's had enough.  This is a great place for having a break. The chances of an animals arriving on the scene is also very good. Here is the little stream flowing across the road, and the shady spot under a superb tree.   Opening the sun roof we put our seats back and enjoy the feeling of being outdoors.  More aquatics on the way.... |
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Post by tod2 on Nov 10, 2012 13:37:24 GMT
Guinea Fowl are found everywhere and appear to be quite stupid - Oh how I would love to be able to barbecue one as they are delicious!  We only saw a leopard a long way off - still, when you need to count it as a 'sighting' when trying to see all Big Five, you do  Baby elephants are also hard to photograph on their own as they stay very close to mum.   Gotcha, you little whipper-snapper!   The end is nigh... |
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Post by mossie on Nov 10, 2012 14:15:20 GMT
Your baby elephants are superb, well everything is really. I don't know whether to praise you or be jealous |
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Post by tod2 on Nov 10, 2012 14:40:24 GMT
Aaah! Mossie - be both |
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Post by htmb on Nov 10, 2012 17:58:00 GMT
Absolutely fascinating, tod! I've been cruising through looking at the gorgeous photos, and plan to go back and look at the YouTube videos I've missed. What a fabulous opportunity for us to live your trip vicariously.
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Post by nycboy on Nov 11, 2012 3:48:45 GMT
Far be it from me to question a seasoned vet, but isn't that a cheetah?  And thank you so, so much for doing the research on the malaria pills. I have to get on that before it's too late, can't believe it's coming up so quickly. |
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Post by tod2 on Nov 11, 2012 4:41:56 GMT
Crikey, you're right! Sorry, posted wrong photo!
I can see you are going to be very 'with it' in Kruger Nycboy!
Will delete and post correct photo.
Yes, good idea to get the malaria pills out of the way - just don't forget to pack them! My son is going to Kruger this week and have had to get totally different tablets for the kids ( 2 & 4yrs) but are going to get Doxycil for themselves.
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Post by bjd on Nov 11, 2012 7:24:47 GMT
Wonderful photos, Tod.
One my one occasion of being on such a trip, my favourite animals were the elephants, giraffes and zebras rather than the more spectacular lions. At the gift store in Masai Mara in Kenya there was a tame warthog so he was easy to photograph or touch. However, in the ugliness stakes they run a close second to hyenas.
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Recently the staff at all restaurants have been on strike so maybe the food improved ;D
