Morning Game Drive Day #3!

This is our last day in Kruger and I am not looking forward to this trip ending!  It has been wonderful. All night last night we heard an elephant trumpeting somewhere near the entrance.  He was really loud. The night before the lions had been roaring but we didn't hear them---they seemed to be closer to Bob and Elivra's house.

So, as we are leaving the lodge this morning... Andrew says
"Look at those tracks."  It looked like a giant snake had slithered through.. but Andrew said
"NO....that is an elephant dragging his trunk as he is walking along".   You can see our tire had just driven over it. 

Sunrise was stunning today... And as always, quite early--6:30.

Our first sighting this morning!  The impala.
The spiked trees are small Acacia.

These water bucks were off in the river bed... With the morning sun on them they look like a watercolor.

The light fog.... and the stunning sun made for this
beautiful scene...

This was some kind of bird of prey.. but right now i can't think what his name is.

We reached the bridge over the river bed.

This was the picture looking out the other side of the car.

 Bruce took a picture of our vehicle.  Can you see it?

See the animal tracks???  Hippos or elephants or crocodiles?

More Impala.... Going again... How do I get these shots?

 Handsome guy!

This little orchid was popping....

out of this totally dead tree.

First time we have seen a squirrel in Africa.

A Cape Buffalo.. off on the hillside.

The entire river bed was virtually dry...which was cool to see because.....

...we were able to see all the tracks of the animals that had crossed the river bed.  See the elephant tracks?

Look at all of them....

 Time for snacks and hot chocolate or coffee!

Waiting for the warm drinks.

And the SUGAR COOKIES! 

Now a real picture of our vehicle.
We got in the top door because we were sitting in the back. 

 A contemplative moment... while warming up. 

Off again.. into very heavy brush.

Soon more rhinos appear.

 A Hammerhead.. along the stream...

 Fishing... for breakfast.

These guys were just sunning themselves and I cannot
remember their name at the moment.  Oh..they are
 Dwarf Mongoose! 

 Not sure who this guy was but he seems to be
 resting on his laurels!!

So, we drove home to rest on ours just a bit 
before breakfast...

We were definitely ready to eat 
and rest. 
The guys took a walk in the bush after breakfast
with Andrew...
but Elvira and I chilled at the lodge by the 
pool.. talking, writing postcards, etc. 
It was the first time we had actually stopped.... 
and it was nice to just relax 
and enjoy this beautiful place! 

love,
margie