Kruger National Park In May 2016

[nycgirl]

Great bird photos. The lilac-breasted roller is such a little stunner and you captured it so well. I've never managed to get a good in-flight shot.

Nice video of the giraffe at the waterhole. I saw the awkward drinking stance for the first time on this last trip and I was so thrilled.

Wow, that was a close brush with the elephants! They didn't seem intent on causing trouble, but they certainly would've raised my pulse just the same. We had a couple of encounters that made me nervous. At one point, a young elephant crossed the road right in front of us, sending his mom into a tizzy. We immediately backed off so she could cross and join her little one. On another occasion, we were driving down a road and saw a big guy walking toward us. He made it clear he wanted us to buzz off. We backed up for what seemed like ages and he kept coming and coming. Finally, we put enough distance between us so he couldn't see us any more, and he crossed the road and went on his way.

You had such amazing cat sightings, especially that leopard! What a beauty. So lucky you got to see it moving around. (But I think you accidentally re-posted some giraffe videos.)

I think it's nice how you appreciate the small things, literally. Those bush babies are adorable. I also really wanted to see one. I went for walks at the rest camps with a flashlight looking for them, to no avail. Apparently they were spotted on the night drive I was on, jumping from tree to tree, but I didn't see them and neither the tour guide nor the passengers were remotely interested in pausing for them. I was the only one craning my neck for a look as the truck pressed on.

[tod2]

I am delighted the 'old faithful' Anyporters came on the scene to view my offering - I appreciate all the nice comments. This makes the time taken to put it all together very worthwhile. Thank you all so much.

Nycgirl - I am hoping you will give us your photos SOON - for me personally this will be like getting there a week earlier! You did the right thing by backing off a large lone elephant. I always back up and wait for it to get back in the bush.

Lugg - I might be wrong but the slightly larger one I think.....then again so many young Impala were challenging each other, and doing that snorting/bellowing/grunting thing. I don't know what makes the males go into this rutting season...is it their hormones or the females?

[bixaorellana]

And we are delighted and honored that you share your wonderful adventures with us!

Anyway, it's not just the old faithful who are viewing. Search engine bots pick up material posted on anyport and this report is on facebook as well. To date, even though it's a newish report, it's been viewed by 427 people.

[tod2]

Sorry to bring this terrible news -

citizen.co.za/1134513/contagious-virus-kills-kruger-park-wild-dog-pack/#.V0lxYDnXmrI.mailto

[lugg]

That's terrible Tod. Hopefully it will not affect other packs . I wonder about the call to vaccinate domestic dogs; is it a little meaningless for some families in this area and maybe there needs to be a government funded programme? Or am I way off the mark here ?

[tod2]

It is up to dog owners to annually have their pets vaccinated but a large majority cannot afford the fee and most have no means ( or inclination) to take them to a veterinary practice.
This has resulted in mobile clinics moving through townships and the countryside calling on people to bring their dogs to be vaccinated - they give warning of the day well in advance.
This is the way my gardener has his dogs done.
Lugg - I don't think other packs will escape some damage. It is a great pity as they have dwindling numbers. That's is why it is so exciting to come across a pack in the Kruger Park.

[bixaorellana]

It's chilly and wet here, so I revisited this always astounding thread to get warm.