KNP-PUNDA MARIA (2 NIGHTS); SHINGWEDZI (2 NIGHTS) & LETABA (2 NIGHTS) - 9TH TO 15TH JANUARY 2011

Feels like we're back home.  A very watery visit - wouldn't be surprised if there's flooding in the near future. Mostly overcast but still hot (& humid). One day of full sun and hot as hell!!! Park is very green and dense so viewing is extremely difficult.
Punda Maria:  Plenty of goggas and no Doom to be had in shop (our "permanent" stock in the caravan was not replenished!).  Stopped at all restcamps en route to our various next destinations and no Doom available at any of them! Lathered ourselves with Tabard lotion. "Lime Green Spider" very prolific and hanging from just about every tree - trips to 'blutes very scary.  Saw little snake at 'blute as well.  (Couldn't ID him).
Special trip to Parfuri to "see" any of:  Narina Trogon; Crested Guinea Fowl or Trumpet Hornbill - didn't see (or hear) any of them.  Rivers at Crooks Corner (border of SA, Zimbabwe and Mocambique) in full spate as were all the rivers on rest of our journey. Mahoney's loop very pretty with lots of "flowery" vegetation (Pride of De Kaap; Lowveld Cluster; Toad Trees included).  Held up by elephant and distracted by Red Back Shrike attacking a scorpion so back at camp 1 minute past gate closing.  Warden thought it was funny.

"Lime Green Spider"

Wet bedraggled Jackal

Chingwedzi:  Some nice bird sightings and close up personal encounters with Crocs on the causeway outside camp. They submerge themselves right next to the causeway with the water flowing into their mouths to catch any luckless fish, etc.

WhiteFronted BeeEater

Green Pigeon

Jacobin Cuckoo (Elusive)

 
Letaba:
Once again, some lovey bird sightings and a small (1 male, 2 females and 1 "unknown" (concealed by grass)) pride of lions. A chameleon was hanging on the elctric fence (which was off at that stage) so we carefully moved him to another, safer location.  He became quite irate and puffed up to about twice his normal size - interesting to behold.

Irate Chameleon being relocated away from electric fence.

Wahlberg?

Martial

Burchells Coucal

Elusive Helmeted BushShrike

Quick shot (no time to "frame") of a Paradise Fly Catcher

4 x lions concealed by grass - would have past by if one of them had not lifted it's head.

Violet Backed Starling

Woody

Mrs Violet Backed Starling

From the time we hit Phalaborwa all the way through to Polokwane, the rain pelted down. Normal tranquil rivers and streams were in full spate.  In some areas, the rivers had burst the banks. After Polokwane the rain was lighter but stayed with us all the way home.  Interesting journey!