Dear Followers, you may have gathered that this site developed a problem which has now been fixed (25th Nov). However, some of the previous posts that I made were lost so I am redoing them and hopefully my memory holds out. Apologies.
Steady, light rain fell during the night and we go out on a damp, dark morning. This morning we have chosen to go down the S28 gravel road towards Croc Bridge.
It becomes apparent that quite a bit of rain fell here overnight and when we arrive at the Duke waterhole, we find it well filled with water. Now these are conditions that make them my favourite times in Kruger. Everywhere there are pools of water and in many lurk things of interest. Amazingly today we find Black Ducks swimming in the brown waters of Duke whilst along the shoreline a male Painted Snipe is busy.
A few days ago and there was no chance of seeing these wonderful sights. Rain turns these rich, basalt grasslands into a frenzy of activity and we spend a good three hours dawdling down this most rewarding of roads, constantly finding items of interest.
It is always so enjoyable to sit quietly amongst a herd of buffalo watching them go about their business. They are in their element today feeding off the green grass which is sprouting everywhere.
What follows are photos that were taken over the next couple of hours as we drift towards Croc Bridge. They will give you an idea how busy we were.
Nothing spectacular but an absolutely marvellous morning amongst Kruger’s beautiful animals. Coming to the end of the road, we turn back up the main H4-2 road towards Lower Sabie very fulfilled.
At midday the sky clears and in no time the temperature soars into the mid-thirties. At 4pm we again quickly go down the H4-2 road towards Croc Bridge but then turn in at the bottom end of the Gomondwana S130 loop and then quietly move along this exquisite road with the veld bathed in rich evening sunlight. Pools of water lie everywhere and again this heralds the arrival of many new birds.
This road really is outstanding and serves up so much of interest. We finally get back onto the H4-2 tar and with the sky darkening, head for camp. Our progress is delayed by a Wild-dog lying not far off the road.
This evening the south wind arrives bringing with it a sprinkle of rain. Goodness but without seeing anything spectacular we all agree that today was one of our best days in the Park. Constant interest all set in the rich splendour of Kruger at its best.