Wednesday, March 14 – Early Morning

If you read my previous post, and you know me, you know where I had my coffee on this second morning in Kruger National Park.

One of my favorite things in this physical world is to have “atmosphere” with my morning coffee. This was atmosphere!

Cerwin and Jere and Kristen also joined me for this fabulous morning view.

Several waterbuck walked into our view – just below the lookout.

I could have stayed here much longer, but it was time to go back to the lodge and prepare for another day on Kruger roads.

Looking back at our lodge from the steps of the lookout building.

Can you see the little bushbuck?

Someone asked if we were protected from wild animals when we stayed at the lodge. Yes, we were as you can see by this electric fence.

There were a few monkeys and bushbuck on the inside. I understand how the monkeys got inside (via trees), but I am not sure if the bushbuck know where to go under the fence or if a small herd is allowed to be on the inside.

I went back to the steps of the lookout to get a better picture of the bushbuck. Notice its ears in each of these three pictures.

This was our room

We left here about 6:30 am.

This plover was up early looking for breakfast.

Another one at a different location

At first glance, I thought this was another plover, then noticed its short legs. It appears to be an African pied wagtail.

Two water birds looking for breakfast

It looks like a muddy elephant scratched its back here.

Two francolins silhouetted in the early morning sun

Kristen asked Phil about these rust-colored flowers.

Phil looked puzzled, then replied, “Oh, those are seed pods.” My notes say the pods make a good tea.

A typical scene when someone saw movement in the distance – Jere and Phil.

We didn’t need binoculars for these fresh leopard tracks next to our Toyota.

At this point, a leopard is the only one of the big five animals that we had not seen in the wild. We did see one up close at the wildlife rescue station, but we were hoping to see one in the wild. This gave us hope.

We figured that it was probably watching us. This is why it is against the law to get outside your vehicle when in Kruger park, except at specified locations. If a ranger catches you outside your vehicle in a general area, you are arrested and escorted out of the park.

We never did find that leopard.

Waterbuck looking pretty in this early morning setting.

A turtle heading toward the water.

African open-bills looking for mussels

Impala

It was rare that Phil had to consult one of his books to identify a bird, plant, or animal, and then it was just to make sure he was correct.

This is a small baobab tree – ALOT smaller than the 2,000 year-old-one we had seen several days earlier.

I finally got a good picture of a warthog – one that wasn’t running away from me.

Now I know why they are called “wart” hogs.

Phil said, “That youngster needs to be weaned!”

Another way to find breakfast

Our first cape buffalo sighting in Kruger

Continued tomorrow evening…