Photos From The Kruger Last Week

26 August 2012, 18:46

Fallow Buck

Here are a bunch of Pics I took in the Kruger NP last week. We saw everything bar he leopard, and I thought it was a great way to round off a hunt.

We didn't see any real big Elephant Bulls, with the biggest probably in the 45-55 range, however it was amazing to get a good look at those and especially the Rhino.

Sorry for the "soft" focus. My battery was running down so everything was done in manual focus mode to conserve power.

Rgds,
K

26 August 2012, 18:49

Tembo

Nice Pics.

26 August 2012, 18:54

Molepolole

Absolutely beautiful pics! You're right, Kruger is a great way to wind down from, or lead up to, a hunt. It's one of my favorite places on this earth. Thanks for posting these gorgeous photos!

26 August 2012, 20:40

Scriptus

Yeah, it is going to be really wild when they have finished building the hotel.

26 August 2012, 21:07

Fallow Buck

Scriptus,

They have already been having issues in the park which has resulted in your cooler box being searched no the way in as people were going in and getting drunk with music blaring.

The quick buck brigade will surely try and put more of these types of resorts in place over time, however the good thing is that much of the interior of the park is less developed especially to the north. The Mahlelane and Crocodile river area looks like a resort already if you are within 10km's of the gate.

I'm planning for my next groups to take two nights in the park and head right up to the north for a view of the Elephant museum and some of the less accessed areas.

Rgds,
K

26 August 2012, 23:28

GunsCore

I enjoyed your photos and appreciate you posting them.

Is is just me or does Kruger look pretty dry for August?

I am also reminded of Ron Thompson's warnings about how too many elephants are smothering the natural ecosystem and crowding out other species and plant life. I didn't see very many high canopy trees in those photos which is reason for concern.

27 August 2012, 00:33

Todd Williams

Nice. Can't wait to get back over there.

27 August 2012, 01:07

SteveGl

quote:
Originally posted by BigBoreCore:
I enjoyed your photos and appreciate you posting them.

Is is just me or does Kruger look pretty dry for August?

I am also reminded of Ron Thompson's warnings about how too many elephants are smothering the natural ecosystem and crowding out other species and plant life. I didn't see very many high canopy trees in those photos which is reason for concern.

I had the same reaction. Kruger is beginning to look more and more like the Kalahari.

27 August 2012, 01:58

Fallow Buck

Hi guys,

This year in RSA generally has been an exceptionally dry year. Many of the dams and pans we shot over other years were dry a month ago.

There is no doubt that the October rains will be welcome when they arrive.

Elephant damage was very evident in certain areas but then in other areas it was less noticeable.

Our next hunts will have a 3 day trip through the park so it will be interesting to see a wider area as we didn't even get to Skukuza as time ran short.

I didn't realise but it is the size of the Netherlands so perhaps a day was a bit ambitious.

27 August 2012, 09:33

Frank Martinez

Great photos and very smart to save Battery power by using the manual mode. With a little photo shop help you can really make them pop. Be careful not to overdo or it can get crazy weird.
Frank

28 August 2012, 02:27

Scriptus

quote:
Originally posted by Fallow Buck:
Scriptus,

They have already been having issues in the park which has resulted in your cooler box being searched no the way in as people were going in and getting drunk with music blaring.

The quick buck brigade will surely try and put more of these types of resorts in place over time, however the good thing is that much of the interior of the park is less developed especially to the north. The Mahlelane and Crocodile river area looks like a resort already if you are within 10km's of the gate.

I'm planning for my next groups to take two nights in the park and head right up to the north for a view of the Elephant museum and some of the less accessed areas.

Rgds,
K

The Afro Socialists running South Africa now do not give a continental for conservation, parks/reserves or anything else related, so, to a degree I can sympathise with park management. They have to try to raise funds somehow, but places like the Kruger will pay for their current policies. There was a time when the Kruger employed the highest number of PHDs per square kilometer in the world. Not anymore, going,going, gone?

28 August 2012, 02:32

Use Enough Gun

Enjoyed the pics. Thanks!

28 August 2012, 04:41

LR3

Enjoyed the pictures and yes I ve been going to Kruger for 50 years and just came back three weeks ago and it was the driest I recall. The government has increasingly withdrawn from financing Kruger and only give 15 percent of budget with threat to cut more. During the culling era the elephants alone brought in $4.5 million and that was a ton of money.

28 August 2012, 19:32

Fallow Buck

Guys,

Some of what is going on n parks today is beyond belief considering the position wildlife and hunting plays in the economy.

Funding is at zero and the only good thing is that there is a core of good men and women that care about what they do and continue to go about their business with the limited resources at their disposal.

I don't have the history of looking back at the parks or Africa for the last 20-30 years or more like some here, but even in the short time I have seen times are changing. I don't think it is all doom and gloom though.

K

28 August 2012, 21:24

PD999

Thanks for the great photos!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition” ― Rudyard Kipling