Saturday, 9th March
After my good day at Timbavati yesterday, I decide to repeat it. So at 5.30am I am up the main H1-4 northwards. I find yesterday’s lions in the road at exactly the same spot. I push on and cut across to Timbavati under a cloudless sky – a rarity since we arrived here nearly seven weeks ago.
I begin a slow idle along the river road (S39) but immediately a Sanparks bakkie filled with armed guards rushes past in a cloud of dust and all thoughts of a leopard lying in the road vanish. I have seen quite a few armed foot patrols in the Park and I do hope they are doing their job. We have yet to see a single rhino since we have been here.
So whereas yesterday was full of action today is quiet and I reach the end of the road without once lifting my camera. I arrive back in camp just in time to bid farewell to Bob & Katrin, our US/Swiss friends who have just completed an excellent Sweni Trail on foot.
This afternoon I go down the H6 tarred road towards Nwanetsi and then drift back with the sun setting across the grasslands.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Jackal-Black-backed033-1000x700.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Shrike-Lesser-Grey006-1000x700.jpg)
What is very noticeable is how the Red-billed Quelea flocks have now swelled into vast clouds that noisily feed on the grass seeds.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/D4S9548.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/D4S9605.jpg)
Sunday, 10th March
With another clear sky I set off to Sweni S126 where I am the only vehicle along this oh so attractive road. Although I creep along it willing a leopard to show itself, nothing stirs.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Impala051.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sandgrouse-Double-banded019.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sandgrouse-Double-banded018-1000x700.jpg)
At the end of the road I turn northward along the S36 towards Rockvale and before long I come across six lions in the road.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/D4S9729.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/D4S9743-1000x700.jpg)
After a while I continue and amazingly 200m further on, I come across their mobile larder – a herd of several hundred buffalo.
Back on the tar H7, a group of cars informs me that a cheetah and cub is lying in the grass some 80m off the road. I do succeed in seeing a tail flick but that is all.
High cloud makes for favourable photographic light so I decide to travel along the Timbavati S39 road but again its promise is not matched by the result.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Impala052.jpg)
It is quite hot today and after my usual swim I again take the H6 out towards Nwanetsi. The advantage of this road is that the evening traffic is lighter than the other main roads.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Spurfowl-Swainsons014-1000x700.jpg)
Coming back to the main H1-3 road, I come across something unusual. I have only once ever seen a Long-crested Eagle in Kruger, down at Malalane just across the Crocodile River. So this sight proves most exciting.
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Eagle-Long-crested007-1000x700.jpg)
![](https://richardgrantphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Eagle-Long-crested009-1000x700.jpg)
Gate closing time at 6pm hastens my departure from the eagle but just then a lioness comes pushing through the long grass onto the road. So what was rather a quiet day ended quite well – hopefully to be continued tomorrow.
1 Comment
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