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As you may have guessed from the ID posting, we’ve been to the Kruger again – our 11th visit. As we’re both well north of 80 it may be our last. I thought I’d theme the photos slightly differently this time and I’m starting with photos from hides. At any one time in the park there are thousands of (mobile) hides as well as a few permanent ones. Ours looked like this.
Others are more sophisticated.
In case you get the wrong impression we don’t normally drive an Audi Q5 but we got it as a free upgrade. We could have done with higher profile tyres on the dirt roads but overall can’t complain.
There are a dozen permanent hides in the park, some much more productive than others. You can spend the night in two of them (they have bunks, a loo and a braai) if you wish to get the full African experience.
Our first stop was the Gardenia hide which is the most southerly of them all. Normally it doesn’t produce much for us but on this occasion a small herd of ellies was taking a mud bath.
The hide at Lake Panic is a must-visit, although at this time of year the water level is quite low. Last year there was none at all and I had a nice photo of a trio of banded mongooses crossing it. Once the rains start the level will rise by four or five feet and hippos will replace the giraffe, although water buck will still be around.
The nyala is a relatively uncommon antelope although widespread in the park. The male has a shaggy coat and is quite different from his mate. Goodness knows what he was digging for. It’s not uncommon to see animals digging in a river bed for water but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.
The green heron was catching some very small invertebrates in the shallows but the pied kingfisher had got itself a decent lunch.
Another of our favourite hides is the Sweni Hide overlooking the river of that name. It produced a pod of hippos, a small crocodile and that curious bird the open bill.
Just nearby a water monitor was scavenging on the bank.
Now, I know you’re all dying to know whose tail it was in the ID posting and the answer will be revealed at the Matambeni hide. This looks south (remember we’re in the southern hemisphere so south facing is good) over the Letaba river, a few miles downstream of the main camp.
This family herd of elephants had been down for a drink and the picture is almost as classic as you can get in Africa.
A little further round a pod of hippos was resting up in anticipation of a night grazing ashore. Note that one is keeping an eye on what might be approaching from astern.
Movement just below the hide drew our attention to some passing kudu. The kudu is a shy animal so we were able to get some shots without causing alarm. They are browsers and when you do see them their heads are often part concealed in a bush.
Finally here is the owner of the tail. A troop of baboons passed through in front of the hide. One even tried to get in and I had to shoo it away as it’s the last beastie you want joining you in a confined space.
All photos with an EM1ii and the 12-100 or 100-400 lens. More to follow in another post.
Others are more sophisticated.
In case you get the wrong impression we don’t normally drive an Audi Q5 but we got it as a free upgrade. We could have done with higher profile tyres on the dirt roads but overall can’t complain.
There are a dozen permanent hides in the park, some much more productive than others. You can spend the night in two of them (they have bunks, a loo and a braai) if you wish to get the full African experience.
Our first stop was the Gardenia hide which is the most southerly of them all. Normally it doesn’t produce much for us but on this occasion a small herd of ellies was taking a mud bath.
The hide at Lake Panic is a must-visit, although at this time of year the water level is quite low. Last year there was none at all and I had a nice photo of a trio of banded mongooses crossing it. Once the rains start the level will rise by four or five feet and hippos will replace the giraffe, although water buck will still be around.
The nyala is a relatively uncommon antelope although widespread in the park. The male has a shaggy coat and is quite different from his mate. Goodness knows what he was digging for. It’s not uncommon to see animals digging in a river bed for water but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.
The green heron was catching some very small invertebrates in the shallows but the pied kingfisher had got itself a decent lunch.
Another of our favourite hides is the Sweni Hide overlooking the river of that name. It produced a pod of hippos, a small crocodile and that curious bird the open bill.
Just nearby a water monitor was scavenging on the bank.
Now, I know you’re all dying to know whose tail it was in the ID posting and the answer will be revealed at the Matambeni hide. This looks south (remember we’re in the southern hemisphere so south facing is good) over the Letaba river, a few miles downstream of the main camp.
This family herd of elephants had been down for a drink and the picture is almost as classic as you can get in Africa.
A little further round a pod of hippos was resting up in anticipation of a night grazing ashore. Note that one is keeping an eye on what might be approaching from astern.
Movement just below the hide drew our attention to some passing kudu. The kudu is a shy animal so we were able to get some shots without causing alarm. They are browsers and when you do see them their heads are often part concealed in a bush.
Finally here is the owner of the tail. A troop of baboons passed through in front of the hide. One even tried to get in and I had to shoo it away as it’s the last beastie you want joining you in a confined space.
All photos with an EM1ii and the 12-100 or 100-400 lens. More to follow in another post.
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