We somehow always find ourselves somewhere exotic for Roger’s birthday, e.g. in 2017 we were in Namibia and in 2018 we had a big ‘event’ at Snatch32, to mention only two. This year we decided to do the low-key thing and go to Marloth Park. “Again?” I hear you ask. Yes, for the 3rd time this year!
We left home after breakfast on the 9th. It was a public holiday, so the roads were quiet and the drive pleasant. Lunch was at Kumi Restaurant at the Viva Fuel station in Schoeman’s Kloof. A pleasant, affordable, family-run setup. It was very busy though; there were two groups of bikers, out for the long weekend. The sheer number of bikes made the parking lot look like a field of locusts after the rain. Fortunately, we arrived as they were leaving.
We arrived at our house in MP at about 4pm with plenty of time to settle in before dark.
Quietly enjoying the night sounds and staring up at the night sky, a movement in the Knob-thorn tree caught Roger’s eye. It was a Southern Lesser Galago (Bushbaby). We were so excited; this was a first for us at the house, even though Marlene and Eugene had seen them here before. Very special indeed!
The next few days followed our usual pattern: some essential maintenance, some painting of the old furniture and a visit to Kruger, all of which we find very relaxing.
There was a little sunbird who could not understand why there was an intruder in his territory, and that it just would not take the hint to ‘get lost’. He expended a huge amount of energy attacking his own image in the side mirrors of the bakkie, until we covered the mirrors with cloths, which allowed him some peace!
On the day we chose to visit Kruger it felt like we had been catapulted into summer overnight, with temperatures reaching 32⁰C. Not surprisingly most wildlife was drawn to any shade and cool water they could find, and our visit was notable for the large herds we encountered, especially near the Sabi River. Even the hippos were in large pods, congregating in the few remaining larger dams. They tend to migrate to the bigger dams and rivers as the smaller ones dry up.
There were multiple large herds of elephant, but I wanted to share this specific scenario. We’ve observed this in the past and it is just another thing about these gentle giants that fascinates me. At around midday the youngsters seem to need a rest, so the adults patiently stand and wait for them, while shielding them against the sun at the same time. When siesta time is over the whole herd peacefully moves on again.
They were not the only ones taking a siesta though!
White-backed Vultures’ breeding season is between June and September, so we were lucky enough to see several occupied nests. Both parents take care of a single chick for 58 days.
Although the colourful migrants only return in spring, there are always the ‘residents’ to entertain any birdwatcher.
We thoroughly enjoyed our day in the Park, as always.
Once again, Roger had to rebuild the little water feature/birdbath. The first build was broken by zebra pawing it; the subsequent build’s lining got punctured and did not hold water. So, this time, Roger bought a tough butyl rubber lining that we hope will last longer. At least it lasted for the duration of our stay…
An extremely aged and battle-scarred Warthog did his rounds every day. He lived up to the ‘hog’ part of his name; such a glutton. He would chase away the other animals and would then not leave until he had finished all the pellets, making sure no-one else got an innings. One afternoon after such a feeding session we saw him lying in the riverbed sleeping it off, totally unaware of his surroundings; a real cantankerous old man!
The beds in the first ‘guest’ bedroom was our Annie Sloan painting project for this trip. I don’t know if I mentioned this before, but when we bought the house it included the furniture. Over the past few years we have systematically been painting the very worn pine furniture to give it new life. It is fun and very therapeutic.
Since our last visit Roger had been added to a WhatsApp group for ‘Marloth Park Sightings’. This has been rather fascinating. There are people who scan the fence between MP and KNP every day, more than once, and they report whatever would be of interest to the group. Unusual ‘inside’ MP sightings will also be reported. So, based on this group’s info we’ve been following the progress of Goliath Heron chicks on a nest located in the middle of the Crocodile River. Incubation and feeding is shared by both parents. They feed the chicks by regurgitation.
During the long weekend we stayed home in order to avoid the crowds. We eventually went down to the river on the Tuesday, specifically to see the chicks. It was rather fascinating. There were initially three chicks. There were only two when we visited. Soon after we left MP it was reported that there was only one on the nest, and later on none. Have they fledged, or were they taken out by a raptor? No-one knows…
Sadly, after five days it was time to return to Rosebank. But, as we always say, “until next time…”