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Post by nycgirl on Jun 15, 2013 17:03:45 GMT
Here are a few more zebra photos. A lot of visitors tend to get tired of zebras, but I quite like them. This little guy was probably the youngest zebra we saw on the whole trip. He was very shaky on his legs and fell over at one point. Nature isn't always pretty. Life in the bush is harsh and perilous. This zebra looks like he had a brush with a predator and managed to get away in almost one piece. We saw much worse than this, but don't worry, this is the worst that I'll show.
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 15, 2013 17:52:06 GMT
Day Eight, the second to the last day of the trip, was another wet one. We knew the torrential rain would impact our plans but we went out and made the best of it. At one point, we had to stop for several minutes because a herd of elephants was in the road. As we watched, two of them got into a skirmish. It may look like they’re playing, but you can tell by the way the one on the right is showing the whites of his eyes that this is not fun and games. The smaller elephant lost the argument, but soon after he was fighting with another elephant. It made me wonder if he was in a rebellious teenager phase, constantly picking fights and being put in his place. Eventually, the herd moved off the road and we were able to continue driving. Predictably, though, we often had to make a detour. There were still animals out and about. The baboons were up to their usual antics. We were fortunate enough to view wildlife even while breaking for lunch at a rest camp. This 4-foot-long Nile Monitor made a surprise appearance on the restaurant’s patio. Back on the road, we were treated to a great view of a rhino criss-crossing the road. First he went one way... ... then changed his mind and went the other way. He did this several times, letting us see him in all his glory, before strutting off into the foliage. Here’s a young kudu, handsome and haughty although he hasn’t yet grown a set of lengthy, spiraling horns. At a designated viewpoint, I got out and saw this millipede as long as my hand.
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Post by bjd on Jun 15, 2013 17:57:19 GMT
I prefer the zebras to the lizard and the millipede.
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 15, 2013 19:02:36 GMT
I agree, zebras are much cuter. The monitor is relatively harmless, though. Glad I didn't see any snakes.
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 15, 2013 20:57:00 GMT
As the day wore on, the animal sightings died down and the safari became more like a survey of the destructive power of the elements. Here we reached a section of the road where the asphalt had broken up and completely washed away. Here’s a video I made of the thunderous water rushing from a culvert. And here’s a look at the Sand River, named for its perennial dry spells. It sure ain’t sandy today. Unsurprisingly, the rest camp where we were going to stay that night was closed due to extensive damage. After some hassle, we were able to get a room at a different rest camp and go to sleep. I enjoyed our adventurous day, even despite the scary weather conditions, and I was sorry to see the trip drawing to a close.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 16, 2013 4:35:54 GMT
I'll bet you that some of the almost 1,000 people who have viewed this thread so far have also been on photo safaris & went & got their cameras & kicked them across the room after looking at the glories here. I can only echo the praise by others -- this thread is incredible. Each & every photo is a "money shot", but I totally adore the young male lion and the noble elephant in profile (2nd pic, #91) Do you know why the young zebra, 1st pic #90, seems to be molting in the face? Killer zebra photos! Predictably, though, we often had to make a detour. That phrase was impressive as a caption to the flooded road, but after seeing the videos, it's amazing to think that you proceeded at all. Did you go off-road in a huge loop?
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Post by lugg on Jun 16, 2013 9:13:11 GMT
So very good, all of your photos girl/boy but I am awed by the lion and lioness pics, ..that glorious mane in the sun light is just crying out to be ruffled Great close up of the monitor too, they are such prehistoric looking creatures. I cannot imagine getting bored at looking at zebra, the photos are again just fantastic. The rhino and elephants , how splendid are they?
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Post by htmb on Jun 16, 2013 19:22:42 GMT
I hope you have a lot of wall space, because I can only imagine the photos you'd wish to frame. How in the world will you choose!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2013 21:34:05 GMT
I'll bet you that some of the almost 1,000 people who have viewed this thread so far have also been on photo safaris & went & got their cameras & kicked them across the room after looking at the glories here. I certainly did.
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Post by Kimby on Jun 16, 2013 23:43:50 GMT
And some of us have merely resolved to go back and do it RIGHT next time, benefitting from the tips & experience of the nyc's as well as tod2...
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 17, 2013 4:05:32 GMT
Thanks so much, everyone. Do you know why the young zebra, 1st pic #90, seems to be molting in the face? Killer zebra photos! ... Did you go off-road in a huge loop? That's mud, he probably fell head first into a puddle. No, no off-roading but there were different routes to take. We had to do a lot of turning around, though, due to impassibility. ..that glorious mane in the sun light is just crying out to be ruffled Ha, doesn't it, though?
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 17, 2013 13:57:01 GMT
Day Nine, our last day in Kruger, was bittersweet. We were sorry the trip was coming to an end, but grateful for all of the wonderful moments that we experienced. Kruger continued to have surprises for us down to the last day. I wasn't very good at spotting animals, but this was my proudest moment. I zeroed in on this little Pearl-spotted Owlet and managed to snap a photo before he flew off. What a cutie. Not a very clear picture, but I'm hoping Tod can help me identify this little ray of sunshine. Edit: it's the Eurasian Golden Oriole. This was sad to see. While taking a photo of this female rhino, I noticed the scars all over her face. When I zoomed in, I saw that she had serrations along the base of her horn. I can't imagine what natural causes would produce such an injury, so it had to be the work of poachers. She's lucky to be alive. Far off the side of the road, we saw a leopard in a tree. He was too far to get a good look, but it was nice to have one more leopard sighting before we left. We got one last lion sighting, too, when we saw this cub crossing the road. He joined two of his friends on the other side. One was in a playful mood and instigated some roughhousing. They romped for awhile, then cuddled together. "Whew, that was a fun." "Time for a nap."
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Post by Kimby on Jun 17, 2013 14:12:43 GMT
Your images flow like a movie. Like being there. I'm loving this thread. Thanks for taking the time to post for all to enjoy.
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Post by nycboy on Jun 17, 2013 14:37:13 GMT
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Post by mossie on Jun 17, 2013 14:54:07 GMT
A really super, super set of wildlife pics. As for the elephants, well "Boys will be boys" And Lugg, I will leave it to you to go ruffling a lions mane while I run off as fast as my scared little legs can scuttle
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 17, 2013 16:27:17 GMT
I'd be up for a multi-day hike, but definitely not during the wet season. Speaking of submerged roads, we next headed to a picnic site but it soon became apparent that the route was undoable. The water was so high that the "closed" sign was almost underwater. Oh well. Moving on, we came to a road with a traffic jam. We soon saw who are responsible for the hold-up. The elephants we encountered on the trip, with the exception of the one who angrily shooed us away from "his" dam, were gentle giants who placidly ignored us as they went about their lives. This bull was different. He was clearly in a foul temper and possibly in musth, an aggressive period during which an elephant's testosterone levels rise sky-high. His ear-spreading was a telltale sign of anger; he didn't merely flap them to cool himself down, but he billowed them by thrusting them forward while pulling the edges back. All the drivers wisely kept their distance. After several minutes of showing everyone who's boss, he finally exited off a side road (ignoring the "closed" sign). As we drove on, we received one last big surprise: a group of about half a dozen wild dogs on the side of the road. I wondered if they were that same ones we saw before. If not, then we saw about 10 percent of the park's entire wild dog population, since there are only about 120 of them. I just love those colorful coats and big, round ears. They all cuddled with each other and settled for a nap. After a few minutes, the crowd of cars lining up to see them was suffocating (one of the few bad pile-ups of the whole trip), so we said goodbye and let someone else have a turn. I can't believe our trip was bookended by wild dog sightings, one on the first day and one on the last. What a treat! We paid one last visit to one of the Kruger stores to stock up on things. Hanging from the store's roof beams were several Gambian epauletted fruit bats. (That name is a mouthful.) Driving some more, we came upon another destroyed road. We worried that we would encounter some difficulties leaving the park. As it so happens, we left without a problem and probably just in the nick of time. I read that the roads got worse in the days after our departure. In the late afternoon, we began to make our way out of the park. I felt such a strong desire to linger a little longer, even despite the lousy road conditions. Before we exited, I consoled myself by spending a few more minutes observing and photographing my favorite animals, the elephants. We paused for a little while, waiting for two elephants ambling on the road side by side. It warmed my heart to see how affectionate they were, twirling their trunks together and nuzzling. This is one of my last sights of Kruger. I couldn't ask for a sweeter farewell.
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Post by tod2 on Jun 17, 2013 18:00:50 GMT
For first time visitors I have to tell you that you saw and observed a tremendous amount of game. You saw things I've only seen after many trips and then only once! To see leopards and lions is the icing on the cake, no two ways about it!! We are always happy if we encounter them and nothing else ;D
Sorry you got a rough time when the floods arrived but that happens all the time in Nov, Dec, Jan or Feb. It's a good time to visit now but the nights draw in very early and the sun rises fairly late - also evenings are cool so I doubt whether you would find us sitting around the camp fire knocking back a few. I do so hope you visit not only Kruger again, but some of the other wildlife parks like Umfolozi as well. They are all so different. Congratulations on taking such wonderful photos, even it it was from the confines of a vehicle.....how did you find that by the way??
PS: The photo you wanted me to ID - It is a Eurasian(European) Golden Oriole (male). My book tells me it is non-breeding summer visitor. You lucky thing! I've never seen one but if I heard it's call would recognise it as an Oriole , of sorts, because they have such a lovely liquid sound of "chleeoooop"!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2013 18:25:18 GMT
What a magnificent trip this was! I totally understand why you are planning a return visit.
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Post by bjd on Jun 17, 2013 18:29:43 GMT
It looks as though you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing your photographs.
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Post by nycboy on Jun 17, 2013 18:35:14 GMT
Babe, almost certain it was a different group of dogs, they were on the other side of a flooded Sabie River.
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Post by nycboy on Jun 17, 2013 18:38:38 GMT
FYI, the flood pictures are of the S34 right next to the Tshokwane Picnic Site which was bone dry the first time we went by it.
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Post by htmb on Jun 17, 2013 18:42:51 GMT
Fabulous report in every way. What an incredible experience for the three of you to share. Thank you for also taking us along.
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Post by nycgirl on Jun 17, 2013 19:23:11 GMT
Tod, I did get the impression that we had beginner's luck, so I certainly don't expect the same luck the next time around. I'll just be happy if there is a next time. Floods notwithstanding, there were a lot of advantages to traveling in the off season. Airfare was reasonable, it was easy to book the rooms we wanted and the crowds weren't a bother. We only had major car pile-ups at three sightings: the first leopard sighting, the lion cubs, and the second wild dog sighting. Many times we had a sighting all to ourselves, or nearly. Of course, we did have some hassle with the floods and it was foolhardy of us to consider camping. I didn't mind being cooped up in the car, but we did get out at every opportunity we could: bird hides, picnic sights, designated bridges. The bush walk was great, I'd definitely do that again. Thanks yet again for the ID. The only oriole in my book was the black-headed oriole. Still, there are details on 500 species in my little pocket guide, so its pretty good. Thank you, everyone, for your indulgence.
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Post by nycboy on Jun 17, 2013 19:58:37 GMT
For first time visitors I have to tell you that you saw and observed a tremendous amount of game. You saw things I've only seen after many trips and then only once! To see leopards and lions is the icing on the cake, no two ways about it!! We are always happy if we encounter them and nothing else ;D Sorry you got a rough time when the floods arrived but that happens all the time in Nov, Dec, Jan or Feb. It's a good time to visit now but the nights draw in very early and the sun rises fairly late - also evenings are cool so I doubt whether you would find us sitting around the camp fire knocking back a few. I do so hope you visit not only Kruger again, but some of the other wildlife parks like Umfolozi as well. They are all so different. Congratulations on taking such wonderful photos, even it it was from the confines of a vehicle.....how did you find that by the way?? PS: The photo you wanted me to ID - It is a Eurasian(European) Golden Oriole (male). My book tells me it is non-breeding summer visitor. You lucky thing! I've never seen one but if I heard it's call would recognise it as an Oriole , of sorts, because they have such a lovely liquid sound of "chleeoooop"! Ah, Oriole, I knew the wings looked familiar! The shooting from the car went very well! I did my best to turn (and u-turn) the car and share the view with both sides, giving Ilia and mom a chance to shoot as well. Sometimes it's nice not being the photographer, so hats off to Ilia, she did a good job with the cameras and followed my instructions well. The funnest was getting that lioness closeup while she was walking next to us. I had the long lens out the window and was feathering the gas and clutch to keep pace with her while Ilia steered. I still get chills thinking about being that close to such an awesome creature, especially as she called for her pride. Since you're interested in photography, I thought that mid-range Tamron 70-300mm lens performed very well for for it's price point (though the pictures suffered being reduced for posting online). The trip was a learning experience, especially with the vast range of shooting situations going from the deserts of Namibia to the most fascinating examples of hydrology I've ever witnessed while in Kruger. There were plenty of times I missed a morning shot because the cameras were setup wide open for waning light the evening before or vice versa. Which reminds me, I never did invest in a stand or bean bag for shooting from the car, so I free-handed or used the window frame for a little stabilization. I imagine it becomes necessary when you get to the far end of your 100-400mm with the extender?
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Post by lugg on Jun 18, 2013 6:46:01 GMT
I am so sorry this report has come to an end it has been so great to read. Thank you girl/boy. Perhaps that ellie had just met up with this
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Post by nycboy on Jun 18, 2013 13:35:35 GMT
Wow
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Post by nycboy on Jun 18, 2013 13:35:57 GMT
Happy to read he was fired, hope his mates were too
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 22, 2013 14:58:56 GMT
First, thanks to both of you for your answers to my questions (mud -- duh! ;D), and for expanding on the off-road answer with links that will help those planning a trip to Kruger. But really, "thanks" is a paltry thing to say after being treated to this truly magnificent report. Your last day alone would have been marvelous enough -- and to think you all were putting up with dampness and low light, but still got killer photos. The rhino pictures are sad, but thank goodness for a reserve such as Kruger. Thank you, everyone, for your indulgence. Ha! I'm sure others will join me in saying you could have kept going. The fabulous photographs and equally wonderful commentary just made me greedy for more.
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Post by mich64 on Jun 22, 2013 15:07:40 GMT
I too want to thank you nycgirl and nycboy for this wonderful thread. I have been following along and have been enchanted by the beauty of your photos and appreciative of your narrative as I have learned a great deal. Thank you to Tod and yourselves for exposing me to this outstanding area of the world. I would never have known about this Park it if it were not for all of your input of these threads.
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Post by mossie on Jun 22, 2013 15:31:29 GMT
May I add my thanks and congratulations on a super thread.
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