Our wonderful helpers in the park…A stroke of good luck saving us lots of moolah!…

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A tattered ear on an old elephant.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Three little pigs…

Update:  There’s a good possibility the “lioness on the loose” has returned to Kruger National Park via the same means (or other means) by which she entered a week or two ago.  She hasn’t been sighted in the past few days.

A few wildebeests with a zebra in the background.

Currently, in South Africa, kids are off school until July 17th for the “school holiday.” The reason we knew this particular date is that Marta, our housekeeper, who lives in a tiny house on the property has a few of her kids staying here with her until the holiday ends when they’ll return to school to stay with other family members in a nearby town. 

A large bull at the side of the road.

This scenario is typical for the local workers in Marloth Park.  Many of them come here to work and walk to catch buses that pick them up to return them to various towns surrounding the area.  Many others stay in Marloth during the week living in small houses such as Marta’s here on the grounds and return to their families on their days off.

Elephants crossing the road.

It’s not an easy life and we appreciate them all including Marta and Josiah who cleans the pool, the grounds and the veranda on most weekdays.  Then, there’s Vusi and Zef who attend to replenishing our bottled water and bottled gas.  Many areas of the house use bottled gas such as the water heater, oven, range, and gas braai. 

Wildebeests, zebras and an impala sharing their food sources in Kruger.

Typically, they all cover for one another if one is ill or unable to work.  Of course, Louise and Danie oversee the efficient running in all of these areas, ensuring the work is getting done proficiently and in a timely manner.

Giraffe preparing to cross the road.

As for our “stroke of good luck,” well, Tom couldn’t have done a better job at saving us over ZAR 14,893 (US $1100) on an upcoming cruise we’d already booked.  The cruise sails on October 24, 2019, beginning in Southampton, England and ending in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on November 8, 2019, at which time we’ll fly to Nevada (and later drive to Arizona) to see family for a few weeks.

As we zoomed in on the above giraffe, we noticed this round patch which must be a result of some type of injury.

As we’ve mentioned on many past occasions, by watching cruise fares almost daily, when there’s a price drop, all we must do is notify Vacations-to-Go, a company we use exclusively for booking cruises.

They’ll verify the price drop with the cruise line and issue us a new “cruise confirmation” document showing the new pricing. Tom had been able to get a ZAR 4062 (US $300) price reduction on this same cruise about a month ago. 

Cape buffalo grazing along the edge of a waterhole.

Yesterday, he contacted Vacations-to-Go again when he noticed another price reduction at Celebrity’s website for another ZAR 10,831 (US $800).  With these combined price reductions we saved ZAR 14,893 (US $1100).  This is more than a 25% reduction from the original cost of the cruise.

It’s this type of diligence we maintain, individually and collectively to ensure we’re always getting the best possible pricing for everything we do.  In doing so, it allows us to spend a little more on quality properties wherever we may travel in the world.

We’d hoped to go to Kruger today but have heard there’s a long wait to enter.  They only allow so many visitors inside the park at one time.  We’ve heard it is a maximum of 600 visitors per day at each of the nine entrance gates to the vast national park.  We’ll wait until the holiday season winds down.

Have an excellent day and evening!

___________________________________

Photo from one year ago today, June 26, 2017:

Vincent caught his first fish of the day, tiny but gratifying.  The hooks are carefully removed to avoid injuring the fish and the fish are tossed back into the lake.  The kids have no interest in eating the fish they catch nor do any of the adults care to fillet small sunfish or crappies (pronounced, croppies).  For more photos, please click here.

Things we can count on….

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“Zebras are very fast-moving animals and can reach speeds of up to 65 kmph (40 mph) when galloping across the plains. This is just fast enough to outpace predators such as lions. Foals can run with the herd within a few hours of birth.”

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

A sliver of the moon and the planet Jupiter as seen on Saturday night.

Last night, before sunset, while sitting at the big table on the veranda enjoying Father’s Day happy hour, we concluded…there are many scenarios in the bush that we can count on.

It isn’t a daily occurrence, but zebras stop by a few times a week.  It’s always fun to see them.

One by one, we reviewed these factors that are presented to us every day and night as we live in this lovely house, “Orange is More Just a Colour,” where we’ve settled into a comfortable and yet exciting routine.

Each zebra has its unique pattern of stripes. Also, a zebra’s stripy coat is thought to disperse more than 70 percent of incoming heat, preventing the animal from overheating in the African sun.

Whether it’s a social event, a game drive in Kruger, a trip away, or an evening on the veranda, just the two of us, enchanted by our surroundings, it all has become so familiar and meaningful, we keep asking ourselves how we got so lucky to be a part of this always interesting, always entertaining, life in South Africa.

We can always identify this zebra by this odd pattern on her right upper leg.

We giggled over the familiar events that occur each evening as we prepare the veranda for the evening’s activity which includes:
1.  Preparing a little cup of fruity yogurt for the bushbabies and placing it on their stand before 5:15.  They always arrive, jumping through the trees, no later than 5:30 pm.
2.  Plug in the light we purchased to illuminate the yard into the long electric cord reel.
3.  Ensure the fruit and vegetable container is filled to the brim with carrots and apples.
4.  Have the yellow container filled with pellets.
5.  Be dressed in warm clothing, so we don’t have to rush off to change and possibly miss something.

A pretty little sandbar on the Crocodile River.

6.  Prepare drinks, whether a glass of wine for me or a cocktail for Tom, or iced tea for both of us.
7.  Have everything chopped and diced for dinner, including salad and vegetables ready to be cooked and meat for the grill seasoned and marinating.
8.  Light the citronella candle along with using insect repellent on all exposed skin.
9.  Place a fresh battery in the camera after clearing all previously taken photos onto my laptop for future posts.
10.  Turn on a portion of the exterior lights prior and the balance after full darkness.
11.  Set the veranda table with placemats, napkins, plates and forks, and knives.
12.  Fill the birdseed with seed for “Frank and the Misses” should they stop by, which often occurs in the early evening.

Sunny midday view of the Crocodile River from the brick overlook.

Does it sound like a lot of work? For us, it isn’t. We both enjoy our roles in making all of the above transpire quickly and seamlessly. By 4:45 each evening, we both get into action, and by 5:00 pm, we can sit down and relax with our beverage of choice in hand and big smiles on our faces.

Here’s what transpires, every single evening that we can always count on, all of which makes us squeal with delight in its dependability as a nightly occurrence:
5:15 pm – Bushbabies fly through the trees toward the perch to the container of fruity yogurt.  For the few hours or so, the dozen or so that dwell in the trees go back and forth, taking little tastes while freely sharing.
5:30 pm – The Hadeda birds, a type of noisy ibis, flies overhead, making their loud ha-de-da sounds as they pass…not once in a while…but every night.
5:45 pm – Frank and the Misses made their loud squawking noises for about 30 seconds as darkness falls.
6:00 pm – Warthogs stop by for an evening snack, not necessarily the same warthogs each time, but warthogs, nonetheless.
7:00 pm – (Give or take a few minutes)…Duiker boy and duiker girl arrive, both very shy and interested in well-tossed pellets when they prefer not to come too close to the veranda.

The scenery on the river seems to change daily based on rain and the opening of the dam to increase water flow.

From there, the remainder of the evening is a mystery. No one may arrive, or dozens may come. It’s unpredictable. And, not unlike fishing, you toss in your line and patiently wait.

It’s during this waiting period that we cook our dinner on the grill, filling our plates with salad and cooked vegetables to be topped off by a great cut of beef, chicken, or pork. We’re never disappointed. Tom does an excellent job of grilling.

We rarely see waterbucks other than along the banks of rivers.

After dinner, we sit for a bit at the table or stay preoccupied with visitors and then quickly gather dishes to be placed in the separate kitchen where Tom will do the words, often to be finished after we come indoors for the remainder of the night. Here again, we don’t want to miss a thing.

Several waterbuck grazing on the fenced Marloth Park side of the river.

Usually, by 9:00 pm, we “call it a day,” pack everything up, finish the cleanup, and head indoors to watch one show on the TV screen using my laptop and our HDMI cord. 

A little tousling between the boys.

By 10:00 pm or so, I’m ready for bed, while Tom usually stays up until 11:00. We’re never bored. We never tire of this routine. And, we continue to find each of the predictable events exciting and exciting. Most weeks, we’re out for two nights for dinner or with friends. This break in our routine makes returning to it all the more enjoyable.

Although not necessarily similar to ours, I’m sure that most people’s routines are not too unlike ours in their familiarity and ability to incite a great degree of comfort and pleasure.

A youngster grazing with the adults.

May today’s and tonight’s routine bring you much joy, especially those “things you can count on.”

Photo from one year ago today, June 18, 2017:

Granddaughters Maisie and Madighan at the community center event while Greg went to find Miles after the parade ended. Other grandchildren photos are upcoming. For more photos from this date, please click here.

Unusual sighting in Kruger shown in our video…Do all body parts have a purpose?…Tom and friends…

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Please note the first few seconds of this video illustrating what transpired below.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

After returning from Kruger on Sunday, we headed to Amazing River View, Serene Oasis, to watch the sunset and wildlife on the Crocodile River. This waterbuck was busily grazing on the vegetation as we captured his reflection in the river.

On Sunday afternoon, upon returning home after our failed attempt to find our friends at Lower Sabie in Kruger National Park, we decided to head out for dinner once we knew they were alright.

This elephant with only one tusk was standing at the Verhami Dam in Kruger leisurely tossing dirt over herself. 

Having been to Jabula Lodge & Restaurant on Friday night with Kathy and Don and few restaurants in Marloth Park, we decided we’d stop for a sundowner at Serene Oasis and then drive the few kilometers to Phumula Lodge & Restaurant for dinner. 

The food is good, not great, but the outdoor dining area is charming, and for that reason, along with good service, we enjoy dining there. While at Serene Oasis, we spotted few animals, but the sun quickly went down, and we left for dinner.

It was fascinating watching her from our close vantage point.

The above photo, “Sighting of the Day in the Bush,” made the river view stop worthwhile but, we’ve found the menu at Serene Oasis difficult to accommodate my way of eating. Also, their prices are considerably higher than other restaurants in Marloth Park, and as we book more and more into the future, we continue to manage our budget diligently.

As mentioned above and in more detail in yesterday’s post, found here, we were unable to find our friends who’d planned to meet us at the Mug & Bean Restaurant at Lower Sabie in Kruger at 11:00. We’re planning to repeat the same scenario tomorrow at 11:00 am at the same location, hoping we’ll find each other this time.

She grasped some vegetation while we waited patiently for her next move.

With our successful drive in Kruger National Park, spotting four rhinos shortly after entering, we felt the drive through the park and back was a success, as shown by photos we’ll continue to share over the next few days.

As shown in the above video, this particular elephant sighting was exciting. We’d never witnessed firsthand the degree of adeptness elephants possess with the end of the trunks.

Suddenly, she lifted the end of her trunk and scratched her right eye.

Here are a few facts about elephant’s trunks from this site:

“Did you know these three things about the elephant trunk?1. The human tongue is similar to an elephant’s trunk. The tongue and the trunk are muscular hydrostats – body parts composed almost exclusively of muscle tissue that utilizes water pressure to move. The muscles provide volume constancy and reversible torsional force.

2. The trunk of an elephant is highly dynamic, able to move in various directions with immense strength and precision, though there is no skeletal structure in the trunk.

3. The elephant’s trunk is made up of an incompressible ‘fluid’ (i.e., tightly packed muscle fibers) that maintains its volume to remain constant through various movements. These muscles are arranged in three patterns (perpendicular to the long axis of the organ, parallel to the long axis, or wrapped helically, or obliquely, around the long axis) and provide versatility to the movement of the trunk.”

Over a period of several minutes, she reached up, scratching her eye again.
It’s so easy to take the physical features of wildlife for granted. As we’ve observed nature non-stop over the past four months in Marloth Park, Kruger National Park, and Chobe National Park (Botswana), we’ve concluded, supported by science, that every part of an animal is an animal’s anatomy has a distinct purpose.
Whether it’s the curled tusks of the warthog, utilized for digging up roots and defense, to the huge antlers of the male kudu, to protect his “harem” and maneuver through dense bush, to the massive size, mouth, and teeth of the dangerous hippo, it all has a purpose.
Further down the road, we spotted this wildebeest’s youngster suckling.
Tom and I have discussed these facts repeatedly, often referencing scientific information to confirm our suspicions and satisfy our curiosity. Wildlife isn’t too different from us humans in this regard. Our anatomical features all provide a purpose in our day-to-day lives.

We laughed when simultaneously we mentioned the purported uselessness of the human appendix, which has long been thought to be a worthless remnant in the human body.

Tom’s favorite, Ms. Bushbuck, and her friend were to his right, while my favorite, Ms. Kudu was standing to his left.

In conducting further research, we discovered the following from this site:

“The body’s appendix has long been thought of as nothing more than a worthless evolutionary artifact, good for nothing save a potentially lethal case of inflammation.Now researchers suggest that the appendix is a lot more than a useless remnant. Not only was it recently proposed to actually possess a critical function, but scientists now find it appears in nature a lot more often than before thought. And it’s possible some of this organ’s ancient uses could be recruited by physicians to help the human body fight disease more effectively.

In a way, the idea that the appendix is an organ whose time has passed has itself become a concept whose time is over.

“Maybe it’s time to correct the textbooks,” said researcher William Parker, an immunologist at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. “Many biology texts today still refer to the appendix as a ‘vestigial organ.”

Parker recently suggested that the appendix still served as a vital safehouse where good bacteria could lie in wait until they were needed to repopulate the gut after a nasty case of diarrhea. Past studies had also found the appendix can help make, direct and train white blood cells.“

To see the elephant at the Verhami Dam so adeptly scratching his eye reminded us of how magically and mysteriously each creature on the magnificent Earth possessing skills, features, and structures vital to their existence in everyday life.

The wildlife in Marloth Park is “wild” but has become used to being near humans.
It’s not as if we’re only sitting back fussing over the wildlife that comes to call each day or those we find in national parks. It’s the opportunity to question, investigate and learn more and more each day, not only about the stunning wildlife surrounding us but also in learning more and more about ourselves, our planet, and our purpose on this Earth.
For all of this, we are eternally grateful. And, we’re grateful to be able to share it all with YOU!

Photo from one year ago today, June 12, 2018:

Across the Bay in Vancouver, we could see the Olympic Mountains.  At first, we thought this was a view of clouds, not mountains.  For more photos, please click here.

Rhino day!…A comedy of errors, well, sort of…Stuff happens…

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Due to other vehicles in the way, we couldn’t get a photo with all four of them together. But, we were thrilled to get these. 

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Large insect in the plunge pool. We lifted her out with the net and sent her on her way.

Yesterday at 9:00 am, we left the house to head to Kruger National Park to meet up with friends Cathi and Rick, with whom we became friends in Kauai, Hawaii, in 2015. We’ve been so excited to see them again here in South Africa.

Only on one other occasion had we been this close to rhinos in Kruger National Park.

Having visited Africa in the past, their enthusiasm for wildlife and nature provided the four of us with a commonality of interests that we share with many of our friends here in Marloth Park. We were excited to see them and looked forward to the day.

With a plan to meet at the Mug & Bean Restaurant located in Kruger National Park in the Lower Sabie area at 11:00 am, we felt confident that leaving by 9:00 would get us to the location without a problem, leaving us plenty of time to stop for photos of any possible sightings. Visitors must drive slowly based on 50 km per hour speed limits (31 mph) and frequent wildlife crossings.

There were four rhinos by the tar road.

By 9:30, we were inside the Crocodile Bridge Gate and ready to travel the hour-long drive to Lower Sabie, a popular spot where visitors to the park can take a break from game driving, have a meal, buy souvenirs and relax, entranced by wildlife on the Sabie River. (Over the next few days, we’ll share many photos from this spectacular location).

Such peculiar-looking beasts, aren’t they?

With breathtaking sightings along the way, including the “crash” (yep, that’s right, a “crash” of rhinos) of four rhinos grazing and lingering on the side of the Gomondwane Road, the tar road that runs through the park, we had plenty of time to stop for photos and still arrive at the Mug & Bean at 10:50.

We had an excellent start to the day. We encountered three of the Big Five in the first 10 km (6.2 miles). Oddly, even with great “safari luck,” we’ve yet to spot a lion or leopard in Kruger during these past four months of many visits to Kruger.  (We arrived in Marloth Park precisely four months ago today, on February 11th). 

From this site: “Members of the rhinoceros family are some of the largest remaining megafaunas, with all species able to reach or exceed one tonne in weight. Their skin looks a little too large for their bodies. They have a herbivorous diet, small brains (400–600 g) for mammals of their size, one or two horns, and thick (1.5–5 cm) protective skin formed from layers of collagen positioned in a lattice structure.”

Surely, in time we will see lions and leopards.  In the interim, we’re not obsessed with the fact we haven’t seen them yet.  It’s more of a fluke than anything. And, due to the fact we jump for joy at the sighting of any wildlife, including those in our yard daily, we’re pretty content.

We made our way to the Mug & Bean, one of few “trendy” type restaurants we’ve seen since back in the US a year ago at this time. The photo-laden menu was a wealth of delicious-looking options, many of which I can’t eat, but there were several possibilities with a few modifications.

From this site:  “They generally eat leafy material, although their ability to ferment food in their hindgut allows them to exist on more fibrous plant matter when necessary. Unlike other perissodactyls, the two African species of rhinoceros lack teeth at the front of their mouths, relying instead on their lips to pluck food.”

No Cathi and Rick and the four friends that had joined them on this African adventure. We were situated at a good table with a bird’s eye view of the entrance to the restaurant and waited and waited and waited. I ordered an iced tea.  Tom didn’t call a thing. We both wanted to stay and dine with our friends once they arrived.

Several times, one of us got up from our table and searched the area, thinking we may have somehow missed them. It made no sense at all. Two hours passed, and we finally gave up. There was no WiFi available, and the hotspot we’d borrowed from Louise for our time in South Africa couldn’t get a signal. There was no way to call or communicate.
Grazing togetherness.

At first, we shrugged our shoulders, thinking somehow our wires had crossed. But then, we became worried something dreadful may have happened to them.
As a result, the return drive through the park, even with many more sightings, left us feeling a bit disjointed. What had happened? They wouldn’t intentionally “stand us up.”

Once back home, around 4:00 pm, I received a peculiar message from Cathi using a park employee’s email, wondering what had happened to us. In the interim, we’d called their hotel, leaving a message. They urgently contact us to let us know they were OK.

In 2017, 1028 rhinos were poached in South Africa, most in Kruger National Park. For more information on rhino poaching, please click here.

What if they were kidnapped, car-jacked, or had an accident on the road? We had no way of knowing. They weren’t at their hotel. Once we received the message from a stranger’s email, we felt somewhat better.

This morning, there was a lengthy text from Cathi to which I responded with neither of us understanding how and why we never saw one another at the location. It will remain a mystery forever.

From this site:  “Rhinoceros are killed by some humans for their horns, which are bought and sold on the black market, and used by some cultures for ornaments or traditional medicine. East Asia, specifically Vietnam, is the largest market for rhino horns. By weight, rhino horns cost as much as gold on the black market. People grind up the horns and consume them, believing the dust has therapeutic properties.”

After speaking on the phone this morning, we redefined a new plan for this Wednesday at 11:00 am, when we’ll return to Kruger, and this time, without a doubt, we’ll find each other. Go figure. Stuff happens. Again, in the realm of things, we’re all safe and healthy. Besides, we all had a great time on our game drives through the park. That’s one drive that’s not hard to take.

Baby and mom walking off together.

After a fitful night’s sleep (or lack thereof) for both of us, we’ll lie low today, perhaps considering a 20-minute nap at some point. It’s not quite as cool as it had been, but we’re comfortable on the veranda awaiting the return of the wildlife who seem to disappear each weekend and magically return by Monday or Tuesday.

Oops!  Gotta go!  Ms. Bushbuck (Tom’s Girl), her baby, and auntie just arrived, and she’s peeking over the edge of the veranda, batting her lovely long lashes, with a look that says,,, “What have you got for us today? Pellets, carrots, apples?”  

Tom ran for the pellet container while I grabbed the produce bowl I prepare each morning from the refrigerator, and in a matter of seconds, they were gracefully nibbling on the treats. They are so dainty when they eat.

Have a great beginning of another week in June with summer rapidly approaching for some, and for all of us in this part of the world, winter is on the horizon. 

Photo from one year ago today, June 11, 2017:

Metal sea sculptures for sale at the gift shop in Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (To respect the privacy of our family members while visiting Minnesota, we continued to post photos from our last port of call. Soon, Minnesota “year ago” photos will commence). For more photos, please click here.

Next trip planned for visa 90-day visa stamp…Off to Kruger to see old friends…

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Mongooses stay close to one another, often seen grooming and cuddling one another.

“Sighting of the Day in The Bush”

We love all the wildlife in Marloth and Kruger Parks, but baboons are our least favorite. They are intelligent and destructive, as are the Vervet monkeys mentioned in yesterday’s post that entered our house. Baboons are much more robust and larger than Vervet monkeys.

Today’s post will be done quickly! At 9:00 am, we’re taking off for Kruger National Park to meet up with friends Cathi and Rick from Kauai, Hawaii. This will be the first time we’ll see them since early 2015 when we spent four months on the island making new friends over the extended period, many of whom we’ve stayed in close touch with.

Waterbucks are often found along the Crocodile River, frequently accompanied by a cattle egret who feeds off their “leftovers.”

Our original plan was to meet Cathi and Rick in Lower Sabie at noon, but we received a message last night asking if we could make it by 11:00 am instead. As usual, getting up early, I felt determined to get today’s post done and uploaded before leaving at 9:00 am. 

As of this writing, I have about one hour to rush through and get it done. If you spot errors, please bear with us. We’ll correct them upon our return later in the day. 

One of our most frequent visitors is the bushbuck, more often females than males. The females, without antlers, are gentle and graceful. It has been reported that male bushbucks can attack hunters when provoked and cause severe injury or death.

One may ask, “Why not do the post when we return?” This makes sense, but we don’t expect to return until 4:00 pm or so, and at that point, we’ll have to make dinner and set up the veranda for  our usual “night-time watching.” 

Neither of us likes to rush. We’re always the early birds. Our friends Kathy and Don asked, “Why are you always the first ones to arrive?”

Male bushbucks are cautious around humans and seldom relax in our presence.  This particular male feels comfortable that we aren’t seen as a threat and often lounges in the yard.

The answer to this question easily falls into our continuing plan of avoiding stress in our lives of world travel. Rushing last minute creates stress. As a result, we make every effort, regardless of the circumstances, to either being right on time or a few minutes early, when possible.

Often, we arrive at airports a half-hour before necessary, which is an environment that can be wrought with stress and frustration. We’d rather quietly wait for an event to begin than be rushing, under stress, to get out the door. We’d instead grab a beverage at a Wi-Fi restaurant and relax waiting for our flight than staring at the clock, worrying we won’t be on time.

A wildebeest is a rare visitor to our yard. 

Speaking of airports, on Friday, we paid for and booked our next trip out of South Africa on August 16th, the last day of our 90-day visa, which we’ll need to renew to stay in South Africa.

As explained in prior posts, South Africa doesn’t allow foreigners to visit any surrounding countries to re-enter for a new visa stamp. It’s vague in the law if even leaving for a non-bordering country entitles a visitor to re-enter for a unique 90-day visa (for some passports, not all). 

The recent full moon.

A few weeks ago, we found we were able to re-enter immigration at the airport in Nelspruit for a new 90-day visa when we’d gone to Zambia for multiple tours (Victoria Falls, Chobe, Zambezi River) for a period of one week.

If we’d gone to another country requiring going through immigration in Johannesburg, we might not have been allowed to re-enter. Our best bet was the small airport in Nelspruit, which only has one direct international route to Zambia…was our best bet. 

Hornbills spend considerable time visiting especially when they love spending time feeding on our bird feeder. It appears she has a seed in her mouth.

Based on our particular circumstances, we decided we’d have no choice but to return to Zambia to fly out of and back into Nelspruit Mpumalanga Kruger Airport. We’ve accepted this reality along with the cost necessary for yet another similar trip.

We’re leaving on August 16th and returning on August 23rd. We got a  great deal on a package with Expedia on our site for a total cost of the roundtrip flight for both of us, including a week-long stay at the same hotel (which we found to be quite good) for a total of ZAR 21,946 (US $1680), less than we paid last time.

What will we do again in Zambia? More tours. When we only spent the morning in Chobe National Park, we were sorely disappointed when the safari ended. We longed to see more. This will be our opportunity to return to this special place which over 30,000 elephants make their home.

The mating season continues.  Warthogs hang around with females and their offspring with high hopes.  The males make a train-like sound when they feel particularly amorous.

We’ll have no shortage of ways to stay busy when four countries come together at the Zambezi River in Zambia. We’ll plan everything once we arrive.

For now, we can sit back and relax and continue to enjoy our next few months until we have to figure this out one more time in November. In February, after the next 90 days, we’ll be off to Kenya, not needing a visa extension again.

With time moving on here, I need to wrap this up. Hopefully, tomorrow, we’ll have plenty of great photos to share from today’s self-drive through Kruger. Once again, we feel the anticipation and excitement of going into Kruger, especially when we have the opportunity to see old friends.

Have a fantastic day! 

Photo from one year ago today, June 10, 2017:

One year ago, tonight was Minnesota, “Meet & Greet,” where we had an opportunity to meet some of our Minnesota readers and other friends. It was a great night.  For that post: “Marie and Bill started following us at the beginning of our posts which started in March 2012. It was Marie who inspired the fabulous idea of the “Meet & Greet.” Thanks, Marie and Bill!  It was wonderful to meet you in person at long last and fun to meet another couple who are “glued at the hip” like us!” For more photos from the event, please click here.

Kruger National Park posted our video on their YouTube!!!…The reality of “haters” in social media…

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Male kudu attempting to reach the seeds in the bird feeder.  He wasn’t successful.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Greater Blue-eared Starling.

Last week, after returning from Kruger, we posted the following video from our YouTube site of two cape buffalos whose horns became entangled during an altercation which may be found at this link. Fine and good. 

We didn’t think much more about it until after we’d searched YouTube and hadn’t found much in the way of a similar situation. We giggled at the prospect of getting lots of hits on the video and how fun it would be to track.

As mentioned in an earlier post, we don’t make any money on the video since we hadn’t “monetized it.” As we’ve often said, we share what we find worldwide with whoever would like to see or read it. That way, we prevent feeling like doing “this” is a job that would create stress and a sense of urgency we’d prefer to avoid in this amazing life we lead.

There are two hornbills in this photo.  The one was waiting her turn while the other was busy eating the seeds in the feeder. They may have been a mating pair but refused to share.

When Kruger National Park, SANParks (South Africa National Parks), contacted us asking if we’d allow them to post the unique video on their website, we agreed. We hoped we’d acquire more readers with whom we were going can share our world travels. However, we didn’t have a lot of expectations as to any particular outcome.

Before we continue, I must add that we’ve been blessed over the past six years since we began posting (start date, March 14, 2012) with very few negative comments or “haters,” those who look for opportunities to criticize anything they see online. 

Why don’t we get haters for our site? The only reason we can imagine is that we “tell it as we see it,” and we’re vulnerable, revealing our flaws and foibles. It’s hard to critique someone who’s critiquing themselves.  Avoiding haters was never intended to be “open,” but somehow, we believe this may have been instrumental.

Female kudus waste no time in letting us know what they want.

In our early days, a hateful commenter wrote, “How dare you spend OUR money traveling the world.” Duh, YOUR money? It was Tom’s 42.5 years of working on the railroad making contributions, along with the company, for his years of dedicated hard work. It was never “taken” from anyone else. 

After that isolated hater, we haven’t felt any comments or questions posed our way have been from “haters.”  We’ve loved and continue to love the interaction with our worldwide readers, which we receive every day. 

Once we agreed with Kruger National Park to post the video on their YouTube site (click here to see), we never gave it much more of a thought. Yesterday, we received an email that the video had been posted and is ready for viewing.

Last night, as darkness fell, these three zebras stopped by for carrots, apples, and pellets. Of course, there was a warthog in the background waiting for the leftovers.

We always reply to comments within 24 hours, except on travel days which may delay a response by a day or two. Thank you to all of you out there who write to us and also to those of you who lurk at their leisure without comments.

This morning we decided to check and see how many hits the video had. Less than 24 hours after posting it, it’s received over 2000 hits. It’s not millions and most likely won’t be, but it’s been fun for us.

Yep, the haters have arrived. A select few are knocking our video, and for the first time in over six years (except for the above-isolated case), we’re feeling the brunt of how impactful negative online comments can be. 

Kudus seem to be intimated by zebras due to their powerful kicks and, thus, won’t join in on the snacks.

Generally, we have thick skins. We have to live this unusual life on the move, especially after so much time has passed. But, like so many others who are subject to haters on various social media platforms, it stings a bit to read negative comments and see “thumbs down” on something we’ve done without an ulterior motive and for the love and passion for wildlife.

Of course, we won’t let this impact the joy in our lives, nor will it stop us from taking videos of situations we find exciting and unique. If you’ve never seen our YouTube page, please click here. 

We have dozens of fun, funny and unique videos with almost no negative comments or reactions. I can’t tell you how often people write to us when they see a video they find interesting, and always, we’re pleased and flattered by the positive response.

The zebras are aggressive with one another while snacking, often kicking and head-butting one another.

This is not unlike all the negative press worldwide about South Africa. Haters are impacting tourism in this beautiful country. Sure, there is a lot of crime in some big cities, but there was a horrific crime only 30 minutes from where we lived in Minnesota, which continues today. 

In evaluating crime in big cities throughout the world, one can evaluate the crime rates in big cities in their own country.  As Tom always says, “Where there are tall buildings and lots of people, there is criminal activity.” This is so true.

South Africa has so much to offer, and the negative comments one can read at many news outlets if often an exaggeration of a few unique situations. Let’s face it; we can’t believe the news anymore when the newsmonger’s goals are centered on sensationalism to make more and more money.

Little Wart Face was exhausted after chasing a female around the yard for about an hour, unfortunately for him, without any luck.

Well, anyway, I always promise not to get involved here in controversial topics, and today, as usual, I’ll back off on this topic. South Africa is a great country to visit, with most areas safe for tourists, especially if they stay away from the more crime-ridden areas. But this is true in London, Paris, Auckland, Lisbon, and New York. The list could go on and on. 

We all must do our research to discover what is best for our safety as we travel. Some of the best resources are other travelers who’ve visited these countries and have enjoyed exciting and worthwhile visits to lands they never imagined they’d get to see.

If you go to Kruger’s link to our site here, you may or may not agree with the negative comments about our video.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But behind every wildlife video is a human being who chose to share something they found worthy of sharing in one way or another, whether motivated by money, notoriety, or for the pure joy of it (as in our case).

We’ve loved to hear your comments on this topic. You may choose to post a comment at the end of today’s post or any post or write to us via email. We appreciate every one of YOU! Thank you for “stopping by” and sharing yet another little piece of our lives.

Photo from one year ago today, May 31, 2017:

This was my favorite photo from Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia. For more photos, please click here.

My boys…What can I say?…It’s a glorious day in the bush!”…A few more Kruger photos…

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We waited patiently as the giraffe made her way across the dirt road in Kruger.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

There he is…Scar Face has returned after a three-week hiatus. 

With Louise, Danie, and her parents coming for dinner tomorrow night, I decided to work on a bit of food prep this morning. I had a late start after actually sleeping until 7:30 am, a rarity for me. Tom was up at 5:30, as usual, unable to sleep any longer.

Greeting the balmy day couldn’t have been more perfect. The sun was shining, the temperature was ideal, and a slight breeze wafted through the air every so often. Now, at noon, the perfect weather continues.

It’s looking better, but it may take a while longer for his injury to completely heal.

Of course, our day has been brightened further by the arrival of one group of visitors after another; Miss Kudu and baby; Mrs. Warthog, auntie, and two babies; a couple of dozen helmeted guinea fowl; and then…pure delight.

Mornings are hectic. At around 9:30 am, Tom called out to me while I was busy in the kitchen to immediately come outside. I was anxious to get out anyway to begin working on today’s overdue post, which I always do sitting at the big table on the veranda enjoying the sights and sounds of nature along with whatever visitors come to grace us with their presence.

Often, when animals in the wild are injured, they seem to know how to take care of themselves without intervention from humans.
I wiped my wet hands on the legs of my jeans as I rushed outdoors, unsure of what to expect, anticipating that Tom was summoning me to see birds at the old bushbaby stand which we’re now using as a bird feeder since we purchased a new bushbaby stand a few days ago from Daisy’s Den.

My heart stopped in my chest when there stood Scar Face, as Tom said, “Your boy is back!” I squealed like a pig myself when I saw him. He and I made our usual penetrating eye contact. Oh, how I’d love to know what he’s thinking.

It’s always a joy to see zebras, whether here in Marloth Park or in Kruger.

Most likely, he was hungry and was looking for apples, pellets, and perhaps a few carrots. (Warthogs are finicky about carrots. Some like them, others do not). Scar-Face will eat a few. 

Luckily, yesterday after a shopping trip to Komatipoort and Lebombo (where there’s a market with the best carrots anywhere), we purchased plenty of carrots and apples, some of which I’d already cut up. (Thanks, Louise, for your help in the carrot matter). I grabbed the bowl from the refrigerator, anxious to get back out to him.

A face only a mother could love!

Tom and I stood on the veranda tossing handfuls of apples and pellets to Scar-Face while he voraciously devoured them as quickly as we could toss them out. With the holiday season over for now and many homeowners off to other lands, it could have been days since he’d had much food other than his usual foraging.

With winter approaching and little rain, the pickings are slim for many animals, and they surely appreciate a hand out of pellets, fruits, and veggies from whoever happens to be around.

Each time we enter Kruger, we see at least one elephant, frequently many more. We never tire of seeing the magnificent beasts or other wildlife, for that matter.

Why we hadn’t seen him since a week before we left for Zambia (we were gone one week) and now back a whole week as of today, we’ll never know. Maybe he came by while we were gone and gave up when we weren’t here.

It’s impossible to read the minds of wildlife. Although they’re “creatures of habit” like us humans, their patterns may be inconsistent as they wander through the 3000 hectares (11.58 square miles) that consist of this unique and magical conservancy where animals roam free.

A cape buffalo was resting in the vegetation in Kruger.

He looked better, although it will take many more months for his injury to heal fully. He seemed otherwise healthy, and when he was done eating and heard a noise in the bush, he took off at a fantastic pace. (Warthogs can run at a rate of 55 km, 35 miles per hour when chased by a lion).

Hopefully, now that he sees we’re here, he’ll return as regularly as he had the first months we were here. Gosh, it’s so easy to become attached to these animals even when we don’t touch them or interact with them as we would a pet in our home. 

This is a female giraffe based on the hair on her ossicones which males do not have.

These are not pets. They’re wild animals, and although some have become used to humans in “their” territory, they still behave like wild animals. It would be unwise and unfair to them to attempt to “domestic them.” Doing so could ultimately result in their eventual demise.

Some disagree with feeding the wildlife. We understand this concept. However, many residents of Marloth Park have been providing pellets and vegetables, and fruit to them for decades, and they’ve continued to thrive.  We’ve followed suit, especially when we see the vegetation drying up as winter rolls in.

Tom’s hair had become unruly, prompting him to get another haircut sooner than usual.

On Wednesday, Tom had his hair cut and is thrilled with the result. Yesterday, as mentioned above, we headed to Lebombo and Komatipoort to shop for groceries, buy pellets at Obaro, stop at the pharmacy for a few items, and see Dr. Theo for our appointment for more vaccinations. More on this in tomorrow’s post.

He had it cut right here in Marloth Park at a busy salon near Daisy’s Den where we buy birdseed and other items.

Today, we’ll stay put while we continue to prep for tomorrow evening’s dinner party. It will be fun to meet Louise’s parents and share great conversation and good food and wine!

May your day be filled with happy surprises!

Photo from one year ago today, May 25, 2017:

The sun filtered through the tall trees at Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia. For more photos, please click here.

First time visitor stuns…Gentle musings on a busy morning in the bush…Two must-watch videos…

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Notice the train-like mating noise Wart Face makes when approaching
this female, one of two moms that stop by each day.
The interaction with wildlife is not only educational but also humorous.
Each day, we spend hours watching their behavior.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

As shown in this photo (not ours), a genet appeared last night while we were packing to go inside for the night. Unfortunately, I’d already put away the camera. By the time I went back inside to get it, the genet was long gone. Now, I suppose, we’ll be hell-bent on seeing this lovely cat again and taking our photos.

We’ve had few quiet mornings in Marloth Park since we arrived two and a half months ago. Whether it’s the four dozen helmeted guinea fowl that live in the bush surrounding our house, a single kudu or a forkl of kudu, a sounder of warthogs or Frank (the francolin) and his wife, it’s always a busy morning.

A good-sized turtle was crossing the road.

Often, they begin to appear once we’re up and about, but on a rare occasion, as soon as we open the giant wooden doors to the house, a variety may be awaiting us. “What’s for breakfast,” their eyes ask as they stare at us. Wildlife in Marloth Park is used to being fed.

A part of this outrageous adventure are the sounds in the bush both day and night, including an indescribable variety of bird calls, cricket chirps, impala barks, hog snorts, frogs croaks (only the males’ croak), and the frequent sounds at a distance, often hard for us novices to decipher. In time we will learn.

Three young monkeys were playing in the dirt in front of the veranda.

For now, we sit back in a perpetual state of wonder, rarely ever missing a beat. The rustling in the bush is often a good indicator that an animal is approaching. My finely-tuned hearing is quick to pick up on a pending arrival, for which I quietly alert Tom while we both wait in anticipation as to who will grace our presence in the next minute or two.

They are highly social and spend considerable time playing with their troop-mates.

With Tom’s years of hearing loss from “working on the railroad,” with difficulty hearing certain tones, he’s often dependent on me to let him know someone is approaching.  But, then, his keen eye often spots action in the bush long before I see it. We’re a good team as observers of wildlife in the bush (along with other things).

Monkeys use rocks and boulders as tools to open nuts and fruit.

One may ask, “What do we have to gain from this?” Other than the joy of knowing we’re providing some sustenance for the wildlife who often suffer during droughts, why do we have this peculiar passion that we and many homeowners and visitors to Marloth Park and nature reserves throughout the world also possess?

As wildlife populations diminish worldwide due to human intervention and a natural cycle of life, death, and extinction, we’ve added the experience of seeing and being entrenched in the beauty of nature and wildlife, which our great-grandchildren may never be able to see.

Monkeys such as this Vervet come by in troops, swinging through the trees and carrying on in our side yard.  Vervet monkeys are smaller and less destructive than baboons.

Perhaps our stories and photos here will provide them with a peek into “what it was like” decades ago to help them have a better understanding of cyclic changes in nature precipitated by myriad forces often beyond our control.

This monkey picked up this pellet off the ground and wiped off the dirt before eating it.

Did “humankind” wipe out the dinosaurs? No. Nature did.  And maybe, just maybe, nature naturally has played such a role over the millennium. Once, humans weren’t on this earth. Will one day we be gone as well? We don’t know, nor can we accurately surmise or assume we can change what is yet to come in our destiny.

This is a blue-tailed day gecko we often see close to the river.

Meanwhile, many of us are allowed to play a role, however small and seemingly insignificant in the realm of things, that may or may not impact the future. If doing so brings us peace and purpose, then the effort and dedication were valuable and meaningful.

Our cute little bushbuck baby with her mom on the left is growing up quickly.

Some may say, everything we do is for our pleasure. And, we’d be foolhardy to deny that reality. But, if somehow, through our daily stories and photos, we can provide a moment of pleasure to others throughout the world who may be reading our posts, then this daily commitment was all worthwhile. For this, dear readers, we glean our greatest joy.  For this, dear readers, we thank all of YOU. 

Photo from one year ago today, April 26, 2017:

The coral reef in the Isle of Pines was exquisite. For more details, please click here.

Unexpected visit to Kruger National Park…Never disappoints…

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No more than 10 minutes into Kruger we spotted elephants.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Kudu sticks out her tongue in anticipation of being hand fed pellets.  We don’t feed the males by hand due to the risk of an unintended injury by their massive and dangerous antlers.

When we miraculously uploaded yesterday’s post by around 11:45 am and the sun was shining on a beautiful day, impulsively I said to Tom, “Let’s go to Kruger now!”

We assumed the dark brown color was due to rolling around in a muddy waterhole.

Although midday may not be the perfect time to find wildlife out and about in the heat of the sun, we decided “why not?”  We’d never entered the park this late in the day but it wasn’t as if we had any other pressing matters on the agenda…the wildlife “at home” could wait for our return if they happened to stop by and we weren’t around.

There were a few giraffes a distance from the road.  Unfortunately, in Kruger visitors must stay on the roads.  Returning to the Masai Mara (in February) on our Greg Harvey Wildlife Photography Tour we’ll have a guide driving the safari vehicle and they are able to drive off-road

Since we were both showered and dressed for the day it took us only a few minutes to get ready to head out the door; gather our passports, park entrance documents, camera and extra batteries, binoculars, and drinks in our mugs (water for me and iced tea for Tom).

When we’d given up hope of seeing a parade of elephants, safari luck kicked in and once again, we were gifted with these elephants crossing the road.  We couldn’t believe the baby’s determined stride!

By noon, we were out the door to head to the petrol station to put air in the little blue car’s tires.  We have to do this every few days but refuse to pay for tire repairs on the rental car, especially since we’ll only have it for another 17 days. 

If we’d been a few minutes earlier we’d have seen the entire parade but we were thrilled with what we did get an opportunity to witness.

Hopefully, the vehicle we’ve rented for the next three more months, which we’ll pick up in Nelspruit after we return from Zambia on May 18th, won’t have similar problems as the past few rentals in South Africa.

Check out the size of this newborn calf which probably was born in the past week.

Once we crossed the Crocodile Bridge and reached the entrance to the park, when we showed our Wild Card (annual pass to the park) we were told we’d have to go inside in order to be allowed to enter the park.

There were dozens more than we could capture in a single photo.

Any visitors arriving after 12:00 pm have to register inside the reception building.  Little did we know it would take 15 minutes to have a rep at the desk check us in.  Next time, we’ll make sure to arrive before noon to avoid this added wait.

We could see, at a distance, where they all were headed.

By 12:45 we were on the main paved road with a plan to drive for an hour or more and then turn around and head back the same way.  With the car’s bad tires, we weren’t about to tackle a washboard dirt road. 

Mating season.  A little hugging perhaps?

One might wonder “Why would you want to return the same way you came?”  The answer it simple.  We can see nothing on the way in and magic happening on the way out.  Wildlife is unpredictable and although they may have favorite watering holes and foraging spots they wander many kilometers on any given day.

Kruger is 19,485 square kilometers (7,523 square miles), the size of the country of Wales.  It’s odd to imagine that driving on any road, paved or dirt, we’d actually encounter any wildlife at all, considering how much space they have to wander.  But, we do.  And it can be on the main paved road or a dirt road with little predictability.

Check out the look on this zebras face!

Once we get a car with better tires, we’ll explore more of the dirt roads in the park, more for a change of scenery than in hopes of seeing more wildlife.  We already know the main road very well recognizing vegetation and watering holes along the way.

It proved to be a good day based on the photos we’re sharing today and will continue to share in the future as we accumulate more and more good shots we’ve been able to take while in the park.

We made it a challenge to see how many bushbabies we can capture in one photo. In this photo, it appears there are four when in fact there were six.  We’ll keep trying.

Today, we’re off to Komatipoort for a dentist appointment for me.  A filling I had repaired in Costa Rica has fallen out and needs to be repaired.  I don’t like going to a dentist but who does?  It’s just a fact of life we all must bear.  Our friend Gail made a recommendation for a good dentist located two doors from Wimpy’s Hamburgers near the Spar Supermarket.  Afterward, we’ll do some grocery shopping. 

So, that’s it for today, folks. We hope you have a fabulous day! Once the dentist appointment is over, my day will be just fine!
__________________________________


Photo from one year ago today, April 24, 2017:

A small uninhabited island off the coast of New Caledonia.  For more photos, please click here.

The saga continues…Doctor visit…Rules for feeding wildlife…

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This flower is blooming from this greyish pod on a tree in the yard.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

A Vervet monkey-eating something rousted up in the trash in the neighborhood. Due to the monkeys, there are caged bins in front of each property to enclose the garbage until the garbage truck arrives.

Soon, we’re heading to the doctor to update some of the vaccinations we’d had in Minnesota six years ago. With several boosters needed, an excellent medical clinic was recommended to us by local friends.

These two zebras stop by occasionally along with Big Daddy Kudu.

We’ve been putting this off for some after failing to follow through with a plan we made to do this in January. We’d changed our minds about going to a local clinic in Buenos Aires, feeling it would make more sense to have these done in Africa, based on potential diseases one may acquire while here.

Yesterday, after the rain, we drove toward the river to find this scene. Adorable baby hippo with mom.

Today, we both have appointments with Dr. Theo, who’s located at the following phone and address: 

Telephone +27 13 793 7306
Address Rissik Medical Centre,
71 Rissik Street,
Komatipoort, 1340

A few weeks ago, I had an appointment to see Dr. Theo when it was time to have some blood tests. Today, I’ll receive the results of those tests and will schedule my vaccinations as needed. Tom will begin his vaccinations today.

As we drove along the Crocodile River, we spotted three more hippos grazing along the shore.

After the noon appointment, we’ll head to the Spar supermarket for more groceries, the Butchery for a few items, and the Obaro hardware store to purchase a few more big bags of pellets. 

Typically, males wander the bush together while females and the young stay together.

It’s been so busy with visitors in our yard that we can barely keep up. Never more than an hour passes that we don’t see any of the dozen or so species that frequently stop by.

Even the evenings are action-packed. As it’s turned out, we have more visitors now than we did four years ago at the Hornbill property, which we loved for that very reason. The house wasn’t ideal, but the flow of visitors was exceptional.

Many local women are adept at carrying heavy loads atop their heads.

Now, we love this house and the steady stream of wildlife, many often returning several times a day, topping our numbers at Hornbill. When they look into our eyes, we feel an affinity with everyone. Sure, they come for the food, not due to their “liking us,” but we can dream, can’t we?

Even the silly mongoose sit in the yard and stare right at us, wondering when we’re getting the big green pie plate ready for them with the raw scrambled eggs. Tom always makes the concoction and lays it in the dirt for them to devour, quickly running back up the veranda as they gather around the dish in the dozens. These funny-looking little creatures have come to know he’s the food source.

In Kruger, male impalas don’t seem concerned about staying close to elephants.

As soon as they see him, they begin watching his every move in anticipation of when the egg platter will be delivered. It’s hilarious. And, the same goes for various groups of animals each of us has come to know more readily.

Some homeowners and renters in Marloth Park don’t feed the wildlife. They feel it domesticates them too much. We understand this philosophy and appreciate their position. We also struggle with this concept.

Bushbabies gently share the cup of strawberry yogurt we place on the stand for them each night. They arrive every night when darkness falls.

But, knowing many of them desperately need nourishment and based on the quality of the vegetables, fruit, and pellets we provide, we feel we’re only supplementing their grazing in the bush.

As the leaves become more sparse as winter approaches, we’re particularly mindful of this dilemma. Also, there’s the concern about who will continue to feed them when we’re off to Zambia for a week next month.

It was almost dark, and these five bushbucks arrive to enjoy some pellets together. The only two we’ve seen together are the mom and baby, who visit frequently.

These animals are intelligent. If they don’t find food here, they’ll wander off to other homes where it’s available or rely upon the bush for whatever they can find. There’s no easy answer for “to feed or not to feed.”

Here is an excellent article from the Marloth Park Honorary Rangers that reviews the feeding of various grazers in the park. It clearly defines our theory of how and what to feed the wildlife. Please click here for the article.

Scar Face and Mutton Chops now stop by several times a day, most often together.

We’ve heard stories of homeowners feeding the animals their human “leftovers.” In most cases, these are not good for them, mainly when it contains foods they don’t typically consume. Kudus (and others) have died after eating corn and other human products. 

Also, it’s important to note that it’s unacceptable to feed wildlife old or rotting food. Their bodies cannot safely process the bacteria and pathogens found in rotting food. 

A warthog mom and her relatively young piglet, a kudu, and a Vervet monkey are all on the road beyond our driveway.

We will continue to feed the wildlife pellets and fresh cut-up veggies and fruit. We’ll always pay special attention to how long it’s been since we cut up apples, carrots, and vegetables to ensure freshness and safety for our visitors.

That’s it for today, folks. We’ll be back tomorrow with more, including details of our visit to Dr. Theo in Komatipoort.

May you have a healthy and enriching day!  

           Photo from one year ago today, April 16, 2017:
Not as clear as we’d like, we took this photo from quite a distance to avoid scaring this rabbit off—happy Easter to all who celebrate. For more photos, please click here.