Shingwedzi 3 – 5th August

Saturday, 3rd           I apologise for the short break in coms experienced by readers to this blog. The problem was quickly remedied by my admin. For those of you who missed my recent posts from Lower Sabie and Shingwedzi, please go back and re-click the email notification sent to you. Or, go to the website on:  richardgrantphotography.com  where you will find all the back numbers.

There may be areas where Kruger Park management is shoddy but generally speaking, I feel that there has been improvement. If only they would give more attention to corrugated roads and the occasional +80kph speedsters. The ablutions are reasonably clean, the water is always hot, the washing machines are working, the camps are neat with no litter and staff at the reception desks are usually pleasant and helpful. Our caravan provides every comfort we need and together with a typical Lowveld winter’s day, then surely Kruger must be the most idyllic destination possible – a real refuge from a topsy-turvy world.

Today we again drive quickly up the H1-7 northwards to Babalala where we turn left onto our favourite S56 river road. On a typically still, clear winter’s day, this amazing road delivers so much to see. Game and birdlife are abundant, all set against this beautiful backdrop of great trees and desolate roads. Without seeing anything spectacular, we enjoy yet another exhilerating morning.

This S56 road is something special. To think that we drove Salitje S30 down at the Sabie four times and I took only one photograph. Here I am constantly finding interesting  subjects.

Down below nyala and impala feed on the berries that the baboons let fall.

When one considers that one meets so little traffic along the S56, then I must rate this road the most enjoyable in Kruger. The Sabie H4-1 is a wonderful road but the volume of traffic does make things difficult.

This afternoon I travel out along the S52 Red Rocks road and enjoy photographing a White-fronted Bee-eater. The beauty of photography is that one is always trying to lift the bar. Therefore, it becomes a challenge to get a common bird in a new pose.

Sunday, 4th       This morning  I am out early again along the S52 Red Rocks road. This early morning light is perfect for viewing tawny lions.

Like the Giraffes, it seems to me that the general condition of Kruger’s lions has improved. Perhaps they are becoming resistant to the TB that so weakened them some years ago.

Back on the H1-6 tarred road returning to camp, I take a little loop road and note large pools of water along this section of the Shingwedzi River.

Whilst sitting at this viewpoint, I come across a bird whose call caused all that commotion down on the Sabie.

The temperature today reaches a pre-frontal 33ºC. Late afternoon we again go out on the S52

Monday, 5th             Back to the S56 we go and in clear, warm weather this amazing road delivers. At the S56/Sirheni crossing we come across three lions on a freshly killed Kudu. However, the Sirheni visitors are already there and the kill is screened by bushes so we quickly move on.

We come across an African Fish Eagle on the road feeding off the remains of something that I struggle to identify. Perhaps someone has some suggestions.

As we travel down the S56 a strong south wind arrives causing swirling clouds of dust. Later clouds arrive and the afternoon is quite dismal. Birds in particular do not like wind so with unpleasant conditions we stay in camp for the afternoon – giving me time to prepare this blog.