Wild painter meets preschool
Today we went to a local preschool. Some anonymous copy right infringes blatantly infringed the copyrignt of the evil empire. The kids and their teacher seemed pleased. I may or may not have made a contribution to the criminal activity.
A hand full of Koala toys and a bit of paint extracted the biggest smiles from the kids.
Pic now available as you can see. I did the Zebra, giraffe and lion. Kids thought it was great.

NOW CATCH AND LOAD YOUR RHINO
We have spent a number of days trying to find the agro and randy Rhino mentioned in the last post. He escaped from an area where he was isolated from the other Rhinos, as he will kill them if he can. He was found and we did a mad cross-country dash to be part of the action.
A helicopter and a vet had been brought in to dart the Rhino. Once darted a truck with a trailer bush bashed its way to where he was. Bloody big animal as you can see. Once the trailer was ready our job was to help guide and support the groggy – sedated Rhino to the trailer. It was a little way away and trying to keep a huge lump of groggy Rhino upright was hard work and has its dangers as you can see from my battle scars. Lashed by a Rhino but I jumped back into the fray and we managed to get him onto the trailer and he was returned to his isolation.

When Colleen (My wife) read the details of the program I’m participating in she did suggest I would be like a pig in muck or something like that. Well here I am and what a blast!!!!!!

Good story hey! Unfortunately the truth was a bit less exciting. My battle scars actually came from squatting down in my bush shower, the water bag hangs very low, and as I stood up I gouged my back on the tap. The Rhino attack story had a better ring to it don’t you think?

Sunday was a free day and we travelled to the Vervet Monkey Foundation. http://www.vervet.za.org/ Very cute as you can see.

FIRST FIND YOUR RHINOCEROS!
To day we tracked 3 Rhinos for a couple of ks on foot. Or should I say we walked behind Patson who is one of the 6 best trackers in Africa. It might seem simple to follow several tons of creatures through bush. But theirs and the tracks of other rhinos crisscross the area. The ground ranges from grass and scrub to dusty and stony ground. They graze in an area then head of in random directions.
It’s worth mentioning that a pissed of randy Rhino is also thundering around looking for the same group as we are but with evil intent. Lions are also in the area. In the last couple of days a guide from another group lead a group of tourists in to a pride 12 lions and cubs. They all backed of but it was a very dangerous situation.
Patson sees everything including a freshly squashed tick crushed on a branch used as a bum scratcher by one our quary. A disturbed stone or stick guided his search. The observation and interpretation skills were amazing. Patson is a wonderful guide and host. A real gentleman with a great sense of humour.
Patson has us stick our fingers in Rhino poo to feel the warmth. We were close! We have also engaged in Impala poo spitting competitions. I do wonder if the guides get together some times discussing what they managed to get the tourists to do today! I’m sure they get a good laugh. Oh yer the Rhinos, with in a few minutes Patson was pointing out the group of Rhinos. I was very impressed with his demonstration of his skills. Quite amazing.
Managed to spot the odd bird or two along the way. 73 listed.

AFRICA HERE I AM!!!!!!
The last week has been full on and managed not to prepare my update for the blog. So this will be short.
On arrival in HOEDSPRUIT we were greeted at the airport by baboons on the runway and Kudu near the roads. I stayed over night on a mango farm surrounded by lush gardens full of birds. Weavers and sunbirds.
The next day I was picked up and taken to Enkosini Eco Experience – Makalarli. There is a base but I was of to bush camp. We return to base for presentations, slooooow Internet and charging and washing.
We were told to keep near the main buildings at base. It has a lawn area that animals come and eat. On the second day I spotted a bird and went to take photographs from a rough timber surrounded BBQ. The Green Wood-Hoopoes where then chased by a squirrel. Suddenly Wart hogs bolted from cover and ran past me. A Kudu bolted on the other direction. I scanned the grass. ‘Shit’ lion 20 mt from me and looking straight at me.

First mistake: Called to our guide too loud. He called me back to the main building.
Second mistake: Moved too fast. Our guide chased it away chucking rocks. Sticking close to the main buildings suddenly has greater meaning.
Now for bush camp. Tents! Hyena (Spelling??) howling and later munching – crushing bones near my tent. Tracks around the camp the next morning. Having a wiz in the middle of the night really sharpens your senses.

Bird list now over 50 animals 25 including a rarely seen Pangolin. Our guide is 30+ and had not seen one before. Many of the south Africans I've talked to haven't seen one either. I'm a bit of a lucky charm. We've been finding lots of creatures on every drive.
I’ll let some photos do the talking few of 2500 so far.

The elephant in the close up had its trunk out over the bonnet of the car. The lions got to within 3 meters of the car. More and better next week.

Steve