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|Heksie's Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger - Jan. '13
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Sat Mar 23, 2013 4:28 pm
Now whoever have talked to me on the forum or those 'lucky' mites that have been in an actual conversaton with me would know that all I want to see is the golden kitty breed. And my luck hasn't been that good, leppies-yes them I see, doggies now they come and give me show and a half everytime we mee but those kitties with the golden glow they elude me or are always toooooo far for a great kiekie opportunity or they just stay for a few minutes.
Now I went to Sabie Park with my fam for 2 weeks in December/January. And a daily Kruger trip was planned. Sometimes I was alone and sometimes my mum/family joined me. Was I lucky when it came to kitty cats? Yep you bet I was!!!!
We left Bronkhorstspruit at 2o'clock in the morning. I had trouble with my cars battery, it just needed a few tries before it started and before we left we checked the water and put some battery water in. The morning we left there were no hassles and off we went taking paradise road to the bush we all love. Everybody had different reasons for the trip. My 2 sisters wanted to rest and wanted to catch up on some reading (that means that they want to read about 15 books in the 2 weeks) the 2 snotties didn't care, they love the animals and wanted to swim and play and just make us mal all the time. Mum wanted to to see Krugs again as well as rest as she works 25/8. And then me------------->HELLOOOOOOOOOO... I want to be in Kruger and take a gazilion kiekies!!!!!
On our way to Sabie Park we got to see our first golden kitty and lucky for us, he was very chilled out and allowed us to take a kiekie of him.
On the Schoemanskloof road, a kiekie of my mum and 2 sisters with our very first kitty.
We got to Sabie Park in tgood time and unpacked and chilled for the day. Only the following day we went into Kruger the first time. We were up very early and as I started my noble squeekems nothing happened, she was as dead as a log. No worries we jump started her and with 2 cars we enetered the Park. Our route was H11->S1->S65->H1-1 to transportdam->U-turn to Skuks->H3=>S113->S112->H11 to Sabie Park.
We only had general game on the S65 and had our first luck on the H1-1 just for mummy dearest as she loves her spotties.
NOw as you know, my mum have bad luck with all the meat eating animals and as always it showed here again. We heard leppie and moved through the little roadblock to get a clearer view. We actually got a spot next to our spotted friend and he looked very agitated. I switched my car off and mum was engrossed in her kitty that was hidden in the horrible Pretoriuskop longgrass!!!!! He came towards us and hissed and snarled saying that we better back down, mommy dearest did not ccare and was taking kiekies. The JJ whispered 'madam close the window' where my mum exclaimed that cats love her and won't her.... Well at least it wasn't like the hyena where mum thought that she would be food... The cat just turned around there and dissapeared into the grass. We saw a far off ellie at Transport and somewhere on our route we had some unmentionables as well but a speeding women chased them away trying to find what I don't know...
We didn't see much further but I was afraid that it was because of the smell... We just started smelling a rotten/scrambled egg smell and it was chasing us everywhere. At Skuks we found out that it was us...
THen on our way to the Gate we had this hyena sighting. He was busy with a carcass and didn't know what to do with the bones/flesh/meat, really very entertaining to see him running around.
We also had a baba imps on the road. They were so cute but they did grow alot in the 2 weeks while I was in Pretoors.
Then as we left the very friendly guard at the Gate informed us of a python baking in the sun. Well that was all he had to say to get me out of my car and searching for the fella. YOu could see him from the bridge.
It was a groot meneer about 2-3m long. And looks like he ate something because he was lekker fat. My sisters climbed into their car and sped off as they don't like snakes and as we climbed into our car nothing nada niks... my car was dead. We phoned them and jumpstarted my car again. At our house we tried again but the battery was gone, he went to vehicle heaven... we were in a frenzy as we only had 40minutes to get to HAzyview and buy a new battery. well with my formula 1 instinct and killer sharpness we made it with 2minutes to spare. They took my battery and threw it immediately into the garbage bin... NO hope they said, a battery cell exxploded that is why we smelt egg the whole time. On our way back it just dawned at us that I stopped and switched off the car at the leppie, hyena and everywhere we saw sightings... Just glad it decided to start everytime otherwise we would've been in BIG trouble...
Well we didn't go to Krugs again that day and ended a great ehilirating day with a braai and Amarula.
to be continued...
|Last post
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Sun Mar 24, 2013 9:35 am
Day 3: The start of my kitty luck
Now I decided before the trip to do 2 trips a day so that I can rest/read/build puzzles or do whatever a person can do during the hot summer afternoon to not be in the sun... So this morning I planned on driving H11->H1-2->H12->H4-1->H11 in 5 hours and so I left my family at home and packed some droewors and took on the road.
There were a lot of general game including g-raffs, zebs, willies and then on the bridge on Sandriver I saw my first pied kingfisher.
I then decided that maybe my trip planned was a bit short and then went on S21, a road that I have never taken before. I'm really glad that I took this road as it was a very beautiful road with a lot to offer. I had beautiful sightings and the other thing was that this road was very quiet. The only 'gagga' thing was that a JJ rushed past me at a horrible speed.
Here is some of my sightings on the road.
I spoke to people on the road and was informed about some lions on this road-how lucky am I that I decided to tale this road? And also some bad news... A grumpy ellie was waiting for me and a horrible sighting...
Now the ellie at least moved on Phew! And there was no need to run with tail between my legs but then just past it my eyes got teary as they lay on this...
I strongly believe that it was the JJ. There are a lot of turns and twists on this road and animals are skittish when it comes to cars. Just a horrible accident that people don't want to see in Kruger!
My heart was sad and I contemplated about the type of people that come to Kruger and why this is allowed in the Park. There are a lot of complaints about people breaking the rules and they are reported but I hear that not always something are done about this??? Just saddens me!
Now on a much happier note I was greeted by 2 cars in a mini road block, I crept closer, lo and behold a mooi man on my left hand side chilling underneath a bush. Pure bliss, I sat there for about 2 hours, because me with my eety beety fiat wasn't in any cars way and the great thing about dirt roads are that people don't like them. I enjoyed a beautiful specimen roaring next to the road and filling my heart with joy.
I then left my golden kitty to move on. As I was on my way to go home I decided that turning onto the S1 was a much better bet. Well that wasn't such a great idea... I didn't have sunscreen and it was starting to get hot hot hot hot hot. I also got a message from my worried family... 'where are you' so I replied 'on my way to Phabeni Gate' I then refreshed at the Gate and decided to do the S3. I am actually glad that I took this road as I got a new lifer. It is a bearded woodpecker...
Very very happy I moved on and had some different sightings than normal. It was too hot for animals.
I got another message from mommy dearest 'Where are you now?' Where I replied that I am on my way to Kruger Gate. I had a lot of time so I went to visit my lions again and I stayed with them for another 2 hours. It was really a great start to my search of the golden cats of Kruger.
The day was ended with a KPA and lekker braaivleis and I passed out early to start yet another day in Kruger.
To be continued...
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:34 am
Day 4... the search commences
I woke up this morning and packed my car for a morning drive(well lets hope that it is a morning drive) and off I went to go find the Kitties of the South. My route was H11->H1-1->H3->S113->S114->S21->H4-1->S1->S2->S3 today and I planned on being at home late afternoon. The lekker thing about Kruger Gate was that I wasn't greeted by imps in the morning but without fail the first animals I saw entering the park was zebs. The road was very uneventful until I reached the S113/S114 crossing and was entertained by these cutie pies. They were busy scurrying around looking for seeds together with some hornbills.
Then on the S21 a friendly tallhorse greeted me on the way.
I was bout 15km down on the S21 when a 4 car traffic jam said 'halo'. They were all on the left hand side of the road and looking down. I got a spot in the middle but could only see the ears of a lioness. I saw a male lion sleeping as well but the view were shoddy. But that is where patience come in, after about 20 minutes of waiting the one lioness stood up and went to lie behind the one jeep. Nobody moved so I obliged, I drove behind the Jeep and had a lekker conversation with het.
She moved back after 10 minutes or so then I moved back into my place. Still very gaga kiekies for 20 minutes and then the 2 ladies decided that the road is much better place to go lie down in. I again reversed out of my spot and the one occupant of the Land Rover looked at me like I had a screw or two loose. They were checking out the male and had front row seats to him. I just wanted to see lions, didn't care male, female or cub. I was about 3m from then and had prime view.
And then it happened. The male decided that he wanted to join his two lady friends in the road. YAY I had the best view and all the other cars had to make u-turns and stand behind me and next to me. See it pays off when you don't always go for the best. My cam was going berserkers...
I was blissfully happy and so excited about this sighting. I never in my whole life thought that it could get any better. But I counted my chickens before they hatched. The female walked to the male and the next scene played 2m from me. They were so close that I couldn't get the both of them fully in my camera frame.
I was about 2 hours with those beautiful kitties and then decided to move on. I had a great sighting of a martial eagle then I found 2 piggies for VVV.
And then another surprise sighting, on the S1. She was a bit far and my kiekies are very bad but it is proof. Today has been a great day in the Park.
I went home very happy that afternoon. It was about 3o'clock and time for a MMC. Yes mum thought I was a bit mad drinking coffee in this heat but I had to celebrate my sightings for the day. I had a big smile the whole day and couldn't wait to see what the rest of the trip could bring forward. We had a lekker braai and as it was Christmas eve prezzies were given to the snotties. We enjoyed ice cold KPA's underneath the Kruger skies and chatted till 21:00 when I decided to go to bed as another day in the Kruger awaits...
To be continued...
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Tue Mar 26, 2013 2:46 pm
Day5... What a way to spend Christmas
I woke up this morning a bit upset, my sisters SO and his family would be joining us this festive day. Now having them over isn't a problem but my Kruger time is being cut short-I have to sign in my sisters entourage and I was told that I have to be back at Sabie Park by 10:30 because they can be there anytime between 10:30 and 11:30. So very negative I am. I decide that because the S21 has been so good for me that I will try it again from S112. So off I go, on my search of kitties with a golden shimmer. General game is to be seen everywhere, imps, zebs and g-raffs then I get the corner of the s114/s21 and a lady greets me from a rock.
She decided to lay low and then basically I couldn't see anything, people came from the S21 and asked me what I was looking at. It was bad telling them that they just missed a lioness. The law of the Kruger... be at the right time in the right place. They also told me that not to worry as about 5km down the S21 there is a pride of lions in the middle of the road. YAAAAAAAAAY !!!!! So I drove this road which hasn't made me regret it once! Now I know why people love this road. There were lions in the road just as they said, but not a pride. Just two males and the best thing was that there was only one car. The older one walked into the bushes while the younger male stood in the road. They were the same males I've seen on my first S21 drive.
He walked into the bush as well to join 3 ladies, which I only saw later but they were hidden well.
I spent a good few hours with them and at a time there was a heavy traffic jam, just glad that I was all settled in my lekker spot. I then went in a conversation with the one JJ-driver and he informed me about a wild dog sighting on the Hamiltons loop which was about 10km from us. I waited for the jam to be spread thinner and I went to see doggies on Christmas. There was unfortunately nothing and time was against me, I also hear about a leopard on the S113/H3 but I had to go back to Sabie Park. On my way to the Gate I saw the following...
The Christmas feast was divine with ice cold KPA's and champagne. Couscous salad, chicken, gammon and corned beef roast. We ate like bushmen and had trifle for dessert. We spoke about the Park and the fact that there aren't any fences, they read at the entrance about the leppie but I commented that the leppie in the park is only a urban legend, in 24 years no one in our family has seen the Kruger leppie. I just checked my watch the whole time, at 15:30 I had enough and said to the guests that it is time to say farewells, just to add that they were late... They only arrived at 12:00 so I could've checked out a leppie this morning... They agreed because they had to drive back to Nelspruit. We said our goodbyes and I was off to Kruger. At the Gate I was greeted by ellies.
I went back to the Hamilton loop and was greeted by about 10 cars. All bakkies an here I was with the Getz. I saw absolutely nothing, I was just too low. I waited for 40minutes because I was checking my time and didn't want to be late or speed in the park. I gave myself another 5 minutes and then it happened. I heard the yelping of dogs and heard them running in the grass. They were active for a good 2 minutes in which I got 1 shot.
I was so glad that I got to see my doggies on Christmas. On my way to the Gate io had the following sightings.
I was about 4km for the Gate when I received a phonecall from mommy dearest in which the following was said.
Ma Heks: 'Heksie there is a leopard in our driveway!!!!!!!!!!!'
Heksie: 'Don't lie'
Ma Heks: 'No man, I took photos with my phone!!!!!!!'
Heksie: 'Ja whatever!'
I can hear the excitement in my mums' voice but I truly believe that she is lying. I phone her back and ask her if she is and she replies 'No' that she isn't. Now I'm very excited and I push on towards our house. I get in our driveway and nope nothing nada niks... Where is this so-called leppie? My mum wait outside and I cram her, my sis' SO and a snottie in the car and we go leppie hunting. At least there are no time restraints here!!!! And guess what I drove right past him. I turn around and he decides to lie flat in the grass. Sorry the pics are dark as this was almost at 7 already.
We wait and wait and wait and wait and after 20 minutes he stands up and takes a stroll down our drive way.
As you see there in front, if you turn you are about 10m from our stoep. He walks straight into the bush and disappears into the bushes like he was never there. That night we had a lot of exciting stories and looking around in the dark as there are mos no fences. I passed out very early to take on another day in Kruger.
To be continued
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:21 am
Day6...a family daytrip
My sisters SO is staying with us for a few days so today we decided that he needs to discover Kruger. We had our own little 3 car convoy today and the route was H11->H1-2->H12->S30->S29->H10->H4-2->Gomodwaneloop->H4-2->H4-1->H11 a long day is definitely waiting for us. As we entered the park a herd of zebs greeted us. Here is the baby.
And we came upon this group of banded mongoose. They are a lot more skittish than the dwarfies. It was also drizzling so they were very wet.
Then very sad as I love seeing snakes but mostly only see them run over by other cars. Here was a transvaalse brown house snake that was run over earlier that morning. What a beautiful snake. I also saw a giant land snail and a frog.
On the H12 high water bridge we were entertained by these baboons. They grabbed the attention of a lot of people.
And there were a tree full of these Amur Falcons. And on the S29 a Wahlberg flew past our car. We also had a small herd of buffs that greeted us in the road.
A lifer for me was this red billed quelea. They always fly everywhere so this was the first time that I could photograph one.
We had lunch at Lower Sabie, it was actually very nice. I never expect anything from the restaurants, I just hope that they are edible but this lunch was delish. The pizza that was ordered for the snotties was munched up by the grownups. And the service was good too. Well done LS. We haven't seen any lions and then a Good Samaritan told us about lions on the Gomodwane loop. Off we went to charter the unknown. On our way I had a close encounter with a g-raff.
And I was about 20min in a roadblock because of these okes.
Then on the H4-2 we found this mating pair. They were about 100m into the bush and well hidden between the grass.
Then we came upon this beauty in a tree. He kept us busy for as long as we could keep the traffic jam.
After him we learned that we missed a failed hunt and saw the 3 ladies retreat into the bush.
We stopped at Lower Sabie again for a body break and my mum decided that she will drive the Gets for the last stretch. I was in the back with my old squeekems and I came upon a good roadblock cause there was a big breeding herd of ellies crossing the road I was about 100m from them but I could hear that something wasn't right! The one ellie was trumpeting furiously and as I got a clear view of them I saw a stupid white car in the middle of the herd!!!! I thought by myself what moronic person would go ahead and do that? As I got closer-still at a safe distance I recognised the number plate!!!!!! It was the Getz with my mum, sis and 2 snotties in????? Dare to say they survived and got a good scolding from me later on!!! On Ntwamhiri causeway we had a great sighting of this saddle bill.
We just missed a leppie sighting of the year on the H11. I just caught a glimpse of her jumping out of the tree but someone told me she was there for about 5 hours. Now why did we go and stop for every single birdy and animal. But it's fine, we had an awesome day and great sightings were seen and new birdies were ticked off and a lot of laughter and joyfulness we had today. Tomorrow will await with new adventures to be taken in the Park.
To be continued...
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Wed Mar 27, 2013 4:23 pm
My dear mites, unfortunately this TR will pause for 5/6 days. I'm leaving for Kruger in an hour and will be there over easter weekend.
Sorry guys
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Thu Apr 04, 2013 4:41 pm
Day 7... my first babies
Now with those golden kitties I have never been so lucky in all my years that I've seen cubs. It was only something that I saw on the forum but not experienced myself. So what a surprise this day turned out to be when my first eety beety kitties was spotted.
The day began just like any other, when I drove alone it was one of three roads I took (H1-2 or S114 or S65) as they were all beautiful roads that brings forward amazing sightings. So this morning
I had a aching for the Watergat causeway and thus I moved towards the S65. When I drive alone I always get to thinking-and I think that it is maybe dangerous for me to do so. I always thought about if I could get a house anywhere in Krugs that it would be 4.8km S of the S1 on the S65. There you can sit for hours underneath the canopy of leaves and look over the causeway. As
I drove closer to the so-called causeway and what is in front of me? A 4-car roadblock... And why not? This was home for the next few days to a lioness and four cubs. Here they are (they were about 150m from bridge)
A lot of cars started coming so I moved on. I then decided that a short drive will only be happening today. You can really start feeling it if you drive 10+ hours a day. So my drive would be H1-1->H3->S112->S114->H1-1->H11->H1-2->S83 (maroela loop)->H12->H4-1->H11. The ladies on the corner of S21/S114 didn't disappoint, a lady was lying on the rock checking all of the cars out from a higher vantage point. She was at eye level with no grass in the way and posing beautifully.
I left the beautiful lady and on my way home had some great general game for the rest of the drive. Mainly on the tar road which was very strange, at least the roads weren't very busy.
This was one of my best sightings for the day as we don't see them alot in the South. I was very surprised to see 4 of these amazing animals on the H1-2 just after Low level bridge.
Then on the sandriver low level bridge I had a grey heron.
I then took the West entrance of the S83 and in about 5km I saw 2 cars and as I crawled up to them they were nice enough to point me into the direction of some male lions. They informed me that there were two but I could unfortunately only see one.
I stayed there for a while but it became a bit crowded and the sighting wasn't very lekker. I was on my way again and towards home I saw the following on my way home.
The rest of the day I chilled at Sabie Park with a book in the hand a KPA on the table next to me. We had a lekker braai that afternoon with wors, pap and sheba. Enjoyed the campfire till late and then we were off to sleep as I was to meet tannie VVV and Mads the following day at Lower Sabie 14:00.
To be continued
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Sat Apr 06, 2013 3:46 pm
Day 8...kitties here, there, everywhere
Now unfortunately I have to bore you guys with the longest episode of the whole trip. This was a lucky day indeed with a lot of sightings, because I was to meet tannie VVV and Mads at LS @ 14:00 and it was just 70km from me, I decided to take the scenic route which was H11->S1->S65->H1-1->H3->S112->S114->S23->S114->S26->S25->croc bridge->H4-2->lower sabie->H4-1->H11-> home. Yes it was a long day but oh so exciting.
The day started like any other, me packing in some droewors and biltong with a bottle of water. Me entering the park all by my lonesome and engaging with nature like a longtime friend. I drive past a few general game like the zebs which greeted me everyday when I entered the Park. I decided to check out the kitty family on the S65 causeway but was surprised by a male about 1km before the causeway. So here was KITTY #1
I sat some time with the handsome fellow when and then decided to move one. As I thought, the mommy was on the causeway again but a few metres closer as the previous day. They were very chilled on the sand but soon decided to move towards the side where some shade was waiting for them. KITTY #2
On the tar road a small surprise waited for me. I just love seeing these fellas in the Park and always make sure they get to the side of the road safely.
On the S114 I was surprised to have 2 different slithering sightings but unfortunately they move so fast across the road that I only could stop for them and not take kiekies. I just know the one was brown and the other one was black with a white belly. Things that I could take pics of was this friendly giant.
It was very quiet on the Biyamiti weir road and I was kept busy with this francolin family.
As well as kitty prints-I always get so hopeful when I see them, then I know those whiskers aren't as far off.
I was so glad that I looked into the road otherwise I would've gone straight into the back of a bakkie. There was a 2-car jam and I waited patiently behind the bakkie to see what they were watching. But then I heard something right next to my car... YAY it was KITTY #3 for the day
It was 3 females with 4 cubs. They became restless and decided to walk towards the weir in the road. How exciting was this? They were so close and in full view. The one female decided to stay behind in the bushes.
The disappeared into the bushes and the other car decided to move on. I watched a grey heron on the weir and then moved back to where they were to check out if they would come back. A car passed me from the front and as I got the spot I saw them firs the third female came from the bushes and I followed her to where the other went into the bushes. They just missed a great lion sighting...
The rest of the way was a bit quiet with a shy bushbuck that didn't want to pose for a kiekie and some ellies. On the causeway when you just get on the S25 from the S26 I got a beauty of a hamerkop.
And then a highlight of the day!!!! Another snake crossed the road but from the other side and I got to take 3 kiekies before he disappeared. It was a vine snake----MY FIRST ONE!!!!
The S25 have a lot of general game, warties, g-raffs, zebra and willies. A great road to drive but I believe not enough view of the croc river. I had a quick stop at the CB camp to go to the loo and buy some ice cold water. It was 12:30 and I had 90 minutes to get to LS. I stopped at Gezantfombi and some buffs were chilling in the dam.
It was very hot and the wartie the passed me just showed me what I was missing whilst I'm in my car-how does a lekker mud bath sound when it's 37 degrees?
Just before the N entrance of Gomodwane loop (S130) I had a lekker surprise. I had a good spot checking KITTY #4
There were about 6 lions in total and this female was right next to the road. I saw the one lioness going down as a impala came closer but they ran away quickly. The rest looked very lazy.
Time was ticking and off I went to LS. I quickly crossed the low water bridge to check out how beautiful the restaurant deck was. This is one of the things that I never grow tired off.
Tannie V and Mads were a bit late so I enjoyed an ice cold Savanna on the deck. They came and we had a lekker chat about their trip and the amazing leopard sightings they had at Punda. I can't wait for their TR!!!!! We also had a ice cream, it was 16:30 when we had to bid farewell because I still had to get to Kruger Gate and they to Croc bridge. It is always nice to see mites in the Park and they were some of the few. I did meet a JJ who is called tiny on the forum, but I've never seen him active. On my way back I saw the following:
KITTY #5 on the H12 bridge
I got out of the Park with about 20 minutes to spare. A braai was already in process, I got a KPA from the freezer and shared my many sightings with my family. How jealous were they about this. Sometimes it really pays off to be in the Park the whole day, you just have to be in the right place on the right time.
To be continued...
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Sun Apr 14, 2013 6:57 pm
Day 9... Spots everywhere I look
Now after yesterdays very lucky day, mamma heks decided to join in on the drive this morning. We packed in some droewors and biltong together with cold water and off we went to the Kruger @ 5:15. Our route for the day would be H11->S65->H1-1->S114->S112->H3->H1-1->H11 this morning. Mum went in with high hopes to spot some leppies the day. So we drove very slowly on the lookout for some spots. Again our first animals were the zebs and then on the S65 a cute little duiker waited for us in the grass.
And then on the tar road one of our favourite birds walked past us.
The rest of the road was very quiet until we came upon a little road block on the S112. We stopped and looked into the grass but nothing was there... What are the people looking at? The bakkie in front of us waved us forward and said we should stop next to them, they showed us that in the tree almost right above us were something having breakfast. At last mums wish came true. The kiekies aren't great but still it is proof.
We sat with her for about 30 minutes and then she decided to leave her meal and move off into the bushes. We moved off and came upon these beautiful specimens somewhere I cannot remember.
Then another little roadblock stopped us. We saw 3 male lions in the grass and this was one of my worst sightings but oh so exciting. These 3 males were chilling in the high grass and then a ellie approached them, he trumpeted a few times and then those majestic males made like kittens and scattered. It was very funny how we depict them as the kings of the bush and then a situation like this let them seem as somewhat less. There were too many cars as this was on the H3 so I don't have pics to show but the memory of this episode still lingers freshly in my head.
Because I went into the Park daily I started befriending the JJ's of Echo Africa and we shared sightings as well as chatted while sitting at some of them. The one whispered at this sighting that I had to go to Kwaggaspan as there was a mating pair. Oh YEAH!!!! I drove off and then eish how I regretted it as there were a jam of and a half there as well. We got to see them and were at a time smack in the middle of the jam.
My car started overheating because of some absurd reason and we waited for people to move off so that we can just go back home. Well it was a bit impossible as the lions stayed in the main road and between us and the way we have to go back! A car drove past me and quickly greeted me bay saying 'Hi Heksie' I still don't know who it was as he didn't linger long enough to get his name, he didn't even have a YR on his car. How strange was that? We sat for 20 minutes and then tried to push on through the crowd. Here is the lady sitting in the grass.
My car wasn't getting any better so we went straight home. Where I had an ice cold KPA and we chilled for a few hours. We then propped the rest of the family into the Getz and then went back into the park @ 14:00. We decided to take the route the other way round this afternoon what we took this morning. My sister wanted to see the leppie as well and because it had a kill we checked the same tree out but nothing was there, no imp and no leppie. I later found out that the leppie took the imp out of the tree and deeper into the bushes. But there were no worries as we approached the S21/S114 intersection and again a little roadblock. Yep, you guys guessed right! Another leppie, this time a beautiful male on the rocks posed.
On the H3 we were lucky to catch the mating pair again but it was a quick glance because we didn't want to be in the roadblock and we turned toward Skuks we had another encounter with kitties. They were in the small riverbed just 500m from the S112 intersection.
We crossed paths with a breeding herd of ellies as well.
Time was catching up on us and we had 20 minutes till the gate closed. We just turned on the H11 and started to relax as there was 4kms to go to the gate. Then as we drew closer to the gate I saw 1 car stopped on the right hand side of the road. I thought it was rather odd but then scanned on that side. And would you guys believe what was next to road not more than 1km from the Gate? Another female leopard sitting on a rock? It was unbelievable!!!! A car stopped next to us and 'n oom asked what we are looking at as we directed him to the leppie he was the most happiest person in the park because he was looking for a leppie his whole trip and couldn't find any and he was on his way out of the park. We really enjoyed this goodbye sighting and left the Park very happy.
Another successful day in the Park. Because we got home so late we made pasta and just enjoyed the night. A few KPA's were consumed to celebrate our sightings and we slept early.
To be continued...
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Tue Jun 25, 2013 5:16 pm
Day 10… a short drive is all I needed
Now driving in the Park is all I really want to do-I think of it all the time, now sitting on my bed I'm just wishing my days by until I will be in in the Park again. Now saying it, waking up every morning at 4:30 can be exhausting and it started getting harder every morning to be bright and shiny. Ek was besig om baie moeg te word… A whole day was planned for my lonesome and on I went just like every other morning. I packed in some droewors and water to keep me going during my animal stake outs and I entered the park. My route was H11->S1->S65->H1-1->H3->S112->S114->H1-1->H11. More was planned but not necessary.
I was blessed in having had a lot of carnivorous sightings within 20km of the Gate and I was spoilt rotten that is why I did not think twice about driving certain routes time again. The S65 had a special stripy surprise for me this morning.
Then I went to go look at the H3/S112 lions again and alas they were there again.
The loving couple moved into a drainage pipe to get some undisturbed time and off I went. There were still one male showing off but it started to get crowded. I turned into S112 and drove for at a snails pace when one of my JJ-buds passed me, after a few meters he turned around and drove passed me again waving for me to follow him. How glad I was that I did because as they say in the KNP: "you must be at the right place at the right time" truly played a role here and if it wasn't for him then I would not have had this great sighting. Not even 2 km behind me they appeared from the bushes and I would've missed them completely.
This was a super exciting sighting and seeing babies so close up was just breathtaking. I was happy with my sightings for the day and just decided to visit Lake Panic on my way out of the Park. There was no one else there and it was both calming and scary being there by myself.
A Jacana
A new one for me, the thick billed weaver
A beautiful lily in bloom
And as I was on my way back to Sabie Park a yellow billed kite said his farewell.
Not as long trip as I normally did in the Park but still full of amazing sightings and always surprisingly beautiful.
To be continued…
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Wed Jun 26, 2013 11:24 am
Day11… golden kitty galore
After a lot of rest the previous day and a chilling afternoon I had a jam packed trip planned today. First to start with a Heksie drive this morning and then to go have lunch and fetch the fam for an afternoon drive. I was very chilled today, not a worry in the world. I knew that it was nearing the end of our holiday and the time spent in the Park was being appreciated more. My morning drive was H11->H1-2->S83->H1-2->H12->H4-1->H11. I just love the two lower level bridges on the H1-2 so I take this route as many times as possible, and this morning I was so glad that I decided to take this route. I saw this bootiful willies on my way to the second low level bridge.
And some pied kingy as well as a giant king posed for me on the bridge.
Then I looked in my back mirror and saw that a car was waiting for me, he wanted to get passed me very quickly but I didn't know why. I started my car and drove on so he could pass and looking quizzically at this car speeding in front of me, the reason I believe he was speeding came around the bend.
I took a few kiekies and then made a u-turn so I can follow then across the bridge-YAY!!!! I was in front and it was amazing following these cats-my first time having then on a bridge.
A new strange thing I saw today for the first time was the male lions that decided to roll in the buffpooh, I believe it is to mask their scent when hunting? But still a great sight!
I then let all the cars pass me and then went back on my route. I saw on the Maroela loop this cute imp.
And then in one of the riverbeds another baby shower.
I was alone with them for a good 20 minutes and it was so quiet that a slender mongoose came to visit.
The bad thing was when a car came and I told them what I was seeing, they moved behind me and I had to move on. The view was only 'o-k' from one spot so one car could view them at a time. Then on my way back to I saw the following. Dwarf mongoose.
Back at Sabie Park we had a braai and then laaied the heksie-clan into the Getz. We drove the H11->S1->S65->H1-1->H3->S112->S114->H11 We wanted to check out if the mating pair was still at their normal spot and then hope and pray for some leppies. The road was very quiet and we saw on the S65 this chameleon.
Then as we passed the riverbed towards the watergat something caught my sisters' eye. It was two lionesses lying in the bush. My mum called them as you would to your cats and you yes you guessed it they moved towards our car?
They went behind our car and lied down on the other side of our car. We moved on and then as the previous days the mating pair was at their normal spot. We had a good view and they decided to gooi us a show.
Then on the dirt road we got to see a red crested korhaan.
And my mums sighting of the day-a hyena swimming in a pool.
Then we saw a yellow billed kite.
We also saw this lapwing/plover which I can't ID? Any help would be appreciated.
As well as a white faced duck.
This was quite the day with many birdies and kitties and other animals which made it very special. And whilst I was braaing that night I heard something in the grass next to my chair. I did a bit of sherlocking and with a flashlight and numerous blodged kiekies I got to take a pic of these skinks either fighting or mating in some dead leaves.
It was exciting as we had to try to ID them and mum and fam was afraid that they were snakes or any other dangerous reptile. They did not help at all with those kiekies so sorry for the bad pic. We ate a delicious meal and went to bed earlyish.
To be continued…
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Thu Jun 27, 2013 1:46 pm
Day 12… Family fun
Every morning I drove around mostly alone, but we have decided that today the whole family will be joining; it is my sis, her two snotties, mum and I. We packed in the two sleeping princesses with our other condiments for the day and off we went into the great Park of oom Kruger. Our route was H11->H1-1->S112->S114->H5->S102 to Mpondodam->S26->S25->S28->H4-2->H4-1->S79->H11->S1->S65 to the riverbed->S1->H11. It was a long day and a good 12 hour trip we had but a lot of fun. So here we go, on our way to Mpondo (our first stop) we saw a black stork,
A chameleon
And a shoe of a very unfortunate visitor,
We had a few run ins with ellies and just to tell you guys how hilarious it is for me, after mum and co.'s ellie escapades just outside LS, do they have more respect for these massive animals. One could only look our way and then they actually scream at me to put the pedal to the floor. I always kept a safe distance but 500m+ were the only safe measurement for them. At Mpondo we saw something different today, we saw these black grass everywhere sticking out and when I took the binocs we noticed that it was actually barbels/catfish that were swimming very close to the surface with open mouths. A rare sighting.
We also had a grey heron in flight,
Off we went again and had the following sightings to Crocbridge, our next stop. Mr ellie that had us reversing and waiting for a good 30 minutes. There were a few tight sphincters after this…
A dungie with fam,
And what I believe to be the lesser striped swallow,
Also a muddy zeb,
And a beautiful specimen, why people kill them I will never know.
At crocbridge some freshing up and snacking and then we were on our way again. We had an encounter with a buff or two-just for my sis, she likes them wild cows a lot.
A beautiful Bateleur strutting his stuff,
I also saw a boomslang but he was a bit too quick for a kiekie-darn it. These snakes are a bit camera shy!
Very close to LS we saw the fish eagle couple on their tree.
And as you all know we have to cross the low level bridge before we enter the camp, here I saw my beautiful yellow billed stork and he was very close today, YAY!!!
After freshening up again and buying some lekker ice cream, ok not really, you guys know that fruitree icicles in guava, orange and lychee. Ya, we bought them because they are much more refreshing than a creamy magnum when it is 35+ degrees. Just past Sunset dam we encountered a bit of a traffic jam for these gentlemen.
On the S79 a juvenile green backed heron.
I told mum and co. that we should go check out the riverbed because the babies have been seen almost every day there, so they agreed and we went to check it out. So glad that we did, because they were there entertaining only two cars.
Happy with what we saw we turned around and went back towards Kruger Gate. We had seen four of the BIG 5 today and a lot of other strange things, we hoped that we would have a leopard just before we leave so driving extra slow towards the Gate a few cars passed us. They Gate came closer and we bid our farewells, as we got on the bridge, 2 cars stopped next to the road and the passengers jumped out of their cars, very weird behavior I did the same, leaving the car door open with my cam around my neck and as I peered over the railings I could not believe my eyes!!!!!! A FREAKING LEOPARD!!!!!
My camera went ballistic taking kiekies, a few people came next to us and an oke showed us that the leopard came from other side of the bridge, crossing it to go and visit oom Kruger as well I suppose. We knew it was the Sabie Park leopard that visited us on Christmas. We were euphoric that afternoon braaing and discussing how wonderful our Big 5 day was. A few KPA's were consumed and we went to bed very satisfied with another day in the Park.
To be continued…
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Fri Jun 28, 2013 1:26 pm
Day 13… a very slow but special day
This morning me and ma-heks decided to do a morning drive. I woke her up early and we packed some biltong, droewors and buttered buns so we can have a lekker bush breakfast whilst enjoying nature. Off we went and our route wasH11->H1-1->H3->H2-2->S114->H1-1->H11. It was very quiet today but we did have lovely sightings and it was mums first time seeing Biyamiti weir. We saw the following:
Red backed shrike
Great egret
Water thick-knee
One or the other plated lizard
And at Renosterkoppiedam we had another mating pair of kitties
Our special treat for the day was on our way back on the H11 about 1km from Skuks on the bridge where we had a close encounter with a fisheagle. I have never seen one giving his marvelous call so close and it was magical. Just for you Hilda.
We went home and after an afternoon chill reading a book, taking a nap, having a few KPA's and maybe a game of scrabble we fitted the whole famdamily into the Getz and went on an afternoon drive. It was a quick drive as it was already 15:30. We just went to Nkuhlu and back. The only thing that was upsetting about this drive was that there were wild dogs supposedly in the grass when we got to a roadblock, the cars didn't move and no one saw them, they say that the dogs were lying flat and they were waiting for them to move. We were there for about 2minutes and then decided to move on. We got to Nkuhlu at 16:30 and it was like a ghost town, we didn't know that it closes at 16:00. We wanted to buy ice cream but were heavily disappointed. But we did see a few water monitors at Nkuhlu that was a good consolation prize.
Also on our way back we got to see a purple crested turaco feeding its young which was a super sighting for me!
And we had a beautiful hyena sighting as well.
This was surely not a big cat day for us but a lot of interesting sightings and the special bird sightings was so worth a day in Krugs. She never seems to disappoint us. We had a lekker braai and went to bed after drinking a few cold KPA's and looking at the stars.
To be continued…
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Mon Jul 01, 2013 11:22 am
Day 14
This morning everybody was loaded into the Getz again. We just wanted to do a morning drive to Nkuhlu as we hoped that the wilddogs would be in that area again. So it was only the H4-1 for us this morning. We came around a bend and saw two cars sitting on the wrong side of the road. As the rule are with sightings: 'move to the side of the sighting' and lying there in the shade were 3 menere.
They were very relaxed and we knew we would see them on our way back so we moved on. It was a very slow day today and just before we came to Nkuhlu we had another encounter with the turaco. They are just one of the most beautiful birds I've ever seen.
There were no doggies and we turned back, to our surprise, the 3 gentlemen moved out of the bushes and just next to the road and there were a bit of a traffic jam, but they were about 10m from each other and on different sides of the road so the cars were spaced evenly and it allowed us to take a few nice kiekies.
We also saw a rock monitor in a tree.
We went home with no luck of doggies and off my mum and sis went to the swimming pool. I dove into a book with and ice cold KPA in one hand and spend my late morning reading some fiction. At 15:30 I went into the Park again only to drive to the low water bridge on the H1-2. I really love the road to there and the bridge always holds some beautiful bird-gems to photograph. A southern Red Bishop.
A common sandpiper
A wood sandpiper
My favorite bird- the hamerkop
And on my way back at the Skuks low water bridge a few JJ's had a run in with Mr Magnificents.
I got home and lit a braai. The whole family sat outside and we enjoyed the night immensely with something to drink and a lot of laughs and stories. It dawned upon us that tomorrow will be our last full day in the Park…
To be continued…
|Re: Searching for the Kitty Kats of Kruger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:37 pm
Posts: 4253
Location: Pretoria
|Tue Jul 02, 2013 1:23 pm
Day 15… A Super Seven Day
You know what? It has happened to me timeously that on the last day of visiting the Park I get the best sightings, to put it bluntly-dit gee 'n krap in my gat (makes me itchy) to go and book a trip as soon as possible-and today was definitely one of those days. This morning I set up to do a morning drive on my lonesome as we had a maid cleaning our house and my family wanted to start packing. I always pack in the last minute you can ask Wendy about it. I was sitting in front of the gate when I received a BBM from Cheetah2111 about the S65 causeway kitties. So my route this morning was: H11->S1->S65->H1-1->Transportdam->H3->S112->S114->H1-1->H11.
First on my sightings list was a kudu fawn having breakfast.
And a cute little imp-I always take close up kiekies of these cuties
A car was in front of my the whole time to the causeway and I couldn't believe it!!!! They drove over it never stopping and on the right hand side about 200m in was a lion family chilling on the sand. Just shows that you can miss a sighting just like THAT. I stayed with them for a while and then after 2 JJ's arrived went on my way.
On my way to transportdam I got a lekker 5 car roadblock and after asking someone and squinting a lot I got to see this through a lot of branches. My car was just too low so branches and grass was what I saw. Now those of you that know me have heard that I saw my first cheetah sighting with Wendy on 25 Nov so I was ecstatic of this far-away sighting. I was a bit sad though because mum has never had a cheetah sighting in the Park and I couldn't share it with her.
Too many cars started arriving and so I didn't go to Transportdam and just made a U-turn. On my way to renosterkoppie dam I had the following sightings. A ground hornbill
My first white stork so close up to me,
Rockjumpertjies, it was my first sighting of these cuties-they are by far my favorite antelope in the Park
I made a quick turn at the S21 intersection just hoping that there would be a leopard waiting on a rock or something where I was waved down by another car comeing from the S112. They informed me about a lioness on a rock about 1km back on the road and I thanked them for the information and waited for them to pass when I started laughing at myself-Ya I do have a loose screw or two so I do talk to animals and myself and laugh at myself as well. Here I was thinking just an hour or two ago on the S65 how could people just not see a sighting like that and what do I do? Drive past a lioness almost next to the road…
The road was very narrow and after a few kiekies I moved on. Here is a ellie herd that got us a bit nervous. We were about 4 cars waiting and discussing who would take the leap going first when a JJ arrived and said not to worry. He moved forward and the matriarch trumpeted a few times then he moved closer still, she then moved off. He waved for us to come and then I had to just get my balls and take the plunge. He informed me that she was just acting and never really in a charging mood. Oh-ok mister whatever you say, I will check them out from a distance.
I went home in one piece at least and we made a brunch and I just told them about my great sightings. It was just past 12 when I informed them that the weather is great-it was cloudy which is not kiekie weather but great Summer drive weather. I also told then that it would be our last full day so they agreed for another family outing in Kruger. We were informed about a leopard at the H3/H1-1 intersection so with that our route for the afternoon was planned. H11->H1-1->H3->S112->S21->H4-1 to LS and back->H4-1 to Skuks->H11. Here is the leopard on the intersection. There were a lot of cars and the view wasn't that great, also the people were rude. This one car with a guy sitting on the side window scolded at us for being in front of them . So it was stop, take 5 kiekies and get your ass out of there.
The lioness was still lying on her rock on the S112 and also the rockjumpertjie was frozen on his rock. We passed them and moved on to the S21, Here I saw my first white backed duck,
A Wahlberg eagle
A little vervet posing nicely
After buying our last ice cream in the Park we went for our last drive on the H4-1. We got to a ellie crossing and found a very stupid human being as well.
There was another ellie crossing and she climbed out of the car like that again. Then we got a special sighting. This is what we have been searching for, for the past few days and here they were looking like this….
Now what do you say about that? That woman climbed out on the window ledge again at this sighting! But they were never close enough so I could give her a piece of my mind!!!! We decided to take in a parking space at this doggy sighting and wait-I started to get very nervous and just worked out how many km's are left and time till gate closing. Everytime I said just another 5minutes because doggies we want to see, and we started chatting to other people who had to go to Skuks etc. we all just waited and then it happened…
We were elated and that we had to get going or be fined. We also had the following sightings on this road. Buffalo across the river,
A very ugly hyena
And that is how we ended our last day in the Park with 5 minutes late for gate closing, but after 2 weeks they knew us and just left us with a warning. I saw the Super 7 that day and hyena, we had amazing bird sightings and the greatest most exciting wild dog sighting. That night we had our last braai and sipping on my KPA, reflecting about the days sightings I just knew why I love this Kruger place…
To be continued…
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Once back home, after your holiday at Il Borghetto, a sincere review about your stay will be greatly appreciated.
Write your comments here below.
Thank you very much!
- Traveler Reviews for Il Borghetto di San Gimignano Agriturismo
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«« page 2 di 7 »» | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Stuart Family Calgary, Canada
Sandra and Nicola, Simone and Ricardo: Thanks again for everything and for making our time in Italy all the more enyoable. Il Borghetto is beautiful and we simply loved our stay with you. Your sincerity and care was very much appreciated. Our evening dinners with you were very special and memorable. We will see you again. Till then...Ciao
2011-08-14 | 10/10
Barbara Popp Colorado
We just arrived back in COlorado and were looking at our holiday photographs and also at your DVD about Il BOrghetto. We want to let all of you know how much we enjoyed our stay at your beautiful place, we loved our apartment, especially being able to sit outside on the patio and look over the country side. THe dinners were delicious and are a fond memory of our stay. Your place will certainly be recommended to everyone who we know to travel to Tuscany and we hope to be able to visit again some time. Also, in watching the DVD - you all must have been soooo optimistic to undertake such a project, I cannot believe that I would have been brave enough to do this, it is absolutely amazing what you all made of this place it turned out so beautiful!! All the best,
2011-07-25 | 10/10
Kerrie Jess Sydney Australia
This is incredibly belated but my husband and I were just reminiscing about our wonderful stay at Il Borghetto and lamenting that I could not find a pair of boots of the quality I purchased in Poggibonsi! We felt so much at home with our wonderful hosts and relaxing by the pool or taking a leisurely walk into San Gimignano. How funny it was that we walked the streets of Poggibonsi trying to find the bus stop to Siena, and managing to find a lovely young gentleman who happened, by chance, to have an Australian bride! He shared his story with us on the ride into Siena, sharing history and his local expertise. Thank you Sandra, Simona, Nicola and Riccardo for allowing us to share your villa. You were the most hospitable hosts and our memories of our time in Tuscany will live forever. We will return to enjoy the comforts of our Italian "home". Thank you for the beautiful memories :).
2011-07-09 | 10/10
Steve & Kathy Clark New Orleans, Louisiana
This past June, 8 of us in 2 apts had a wonderful week at this special place. The scenery is drop dead gorgeous. We ate all 3 dinners offered and I think it was the best food we had in Italy. Nicola selected our wine for us. Sandra arranged a taxi to take us to Florence for the day. That was a godsend because none of the men in our group are good on foreign roads even with GPS. Sandra also arranged a castle and wine tour and a balloon ride for us. There is a winery nearby that had wonderful wine. There is an easy to find PAM grocery store a few miles away. Wonderful San Gimignano is nearby. If you are thinking about staying here, you will not be disappointed!
2011-07-02 | 10/10
Andrea & Anders Sweden
A late review... We spent a week at the lovely il Borghetto last August. It was everything we expected and more. It is even better than the pictures and everyone are so friendly. We keep recommending it to everyone we meet. We will definitely come back soon. Thank you Nicola for the recommendations for restaurant l'antica scuderia, it was apparently the perfect location for a proposal.
2011-06-13 | 10/10
Myron Hutmacher Winnipeg Manitoba and Bristol New York
We just wanted to thank Simona, Sandra, Riccardo and Nicola for the fabulous week we spent at their villa. Their friendliness, hospitality, (directions) amazing food, great wine selections and wonderful accommodations all exceeded our expectations! We have run out of adjectives to describe the experience which certainly was the highlight of our trip. We hope to one day return to take in their breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside. Myron, Maureen, Bob and Laura.
2011-06-01 | 10/10
Adeline Prins Asnieres sur Seine
Je rentre à l'instant d'une semaine passée à Il Borghetto, le cadre est magnifique, les appartements sont décorés avec goût et très spacieux. Les propriétaires sont très chaleureux et réservent une délicieuse cuisine lors de leurs repas à ne pas manquer! La situation est idéale! C'est un lieu très agréable pour découvrir la Toscane!
Emma Australia
Our group of 7 people enjoyed an unforgettable week at Il Borghetto in April 2010. Thank you so much to Simona, Sandra and Nicolas for making our stay so memorable and thank you for your wonderful restaurant and activity suggestions. Our wine tour with Francesco was an absolute highlight!
2011-04-30 | 10/10
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Can't get enough of the classic spring pairing of strawberries and rhubarb? Me neither. So I baked a batch of muffins, dressed up to party with cinnamon streusel topping. These easy to toss together treats are tender pull-apart bites of grainy buckwheat sweetness studded with bits of tart rhubarb. A recipe perfect for brunch or afternoon tea.
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Karina's Strawberry Rhubarb Muffin Recipe with Streusel ToppingRecipe posted May 2009.
These tender little muffins are the perfect bite for a morning snack or afternoon pick-me-up. Wrap and freeze in foil for easy take along treats.
First: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease or line a 12-muffin pan with paper liners.
Whisk together:
1/2 cup GF buckwheat flour or brown rice flour
1/2 cup sorghum flour
1/4 cup arrowroot starch or tapioca starch
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup organic light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon organic ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Make a well in the center of the dry mix and add in:
1/4 cup light olive oil
Ener-G Egg Replacer for 2 eggs mixed with warm water (or 2 organic free-range eggs)
1/2 cup warm vanilla nut or soy milk, more if needed
2 teaspoons bourbon vanilla
Stir in and beat by hand until smooth.
Add in:
1 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 cup chopped rhubarb
Stir to mix in the fruit. Spoon the batter into 12 muffin cups. Make the streusel topping.
Streusel Topping Recipe
1/4 cup organic light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons coconut oil or Spectrum Organic Shortening
Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in a tablespoon of the shortening and mix until you have grainy crumbs. Add another tablespoon of shortening if you need it. Tou want a light, sandy crumble.
Spoon the streusel topping onto each muffin.
Bake in the center of a preheated oven for about 18 minutes or so, until golden and firm. If your fruit was cold it will take longer to bake, up to 25 minutes.
Cool briefly on a wire rack, then lift the muffins out of the pan to continue cooling.
These are lovely warm from the oven.
Makes 12 muffins.
Recipe Source: glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com
More gluten-free muffin goodness from bloggers:
Gluten-Free Zucchini Muffins from Gluten-Free Homemaker
Green Chile and Cheese Egg Muffins from Kalyn's Kitchen (check on GF status of Spike Seasoning)
From Elana's Pantry Gluten-Free Carrot Mini Muffins
Gluten-Free Chai Muffins from Book of Yum
For substitutions, please see my guide to baking with substitutions here.


text:
©2014 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this work may be reproduced or used without express written permission of United HealthCare Services, Inc., regardless of commercial or non-commercial nature of the use.
Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan's contract renewal with Medicare.


text:
Some feel Durham putting up too many stop signs
Friday, January 11, 2013
DURHAM — Speaking before the Town Council Monday evening, 24-year town resident Henry Smith, was straight forward about his feelings toward the increasing number of signs bringing motorists to a complete halt in the college town.
Sharing a story of when he was "slammed into by a pickup truck and sent "sprawling into the snow and ice," while crossing a street in town, Smith urged councilors to reconsider the use of so many stop signs, though he also stated that, his advice is rarely heeded by the council.
Smith said fewer stop signs would also benefit the environment as forcing cars to stop and then proceed is only "spewing carbon emissions" into the air.


text:
JunoMagic's Birthday Stories Playlist 2006
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Inheriting the Earth: 1. Inheriting the Earth
"Yeah, that's him," he replied. Jake looked skeptical. "No joke—boss brought him by, said we should keep out of the way, unless he asks for something."
"I know the boss and him were friends from Korea... or whenever," Jake said and waved a hand. "Never did get all those dates. But man, he coulda said he was hiring someone's grandpa!"
"He's the boss. Says he's a first class grease monkey."
"Must be a pain to clean out of that hair. He's seriously gonna make that engine run again?"
"Boss thinks so."
Jake whistled softly, then grinned. "Master Li's in the house, and we get paid to sit. I like it! Wonder if he can fix that stupid pump while he's—"
There was a coughing sputter, and then the whine of gears and pistons churning up to speed. The two young mechanics turned to see Li wiping his hands off on a rag, seeming quite pleased. He gave the engine casing a proprietary pat, then carefully shut it down again.
"There you are; she's good as new," he told them.
"Weeks we've been working on that! And nothing!" Jake exclaimed. Li snorted and gave him an appraising look, then harrumphed.
"Course you have," he grunted. "I don't know what they teach you in these fancy schools of yours, but it isn't craft. No pride, no love, just pieces and parts as dead as an or—never mind. It's working now. Tell Mr. Walker it's done. I'll let myself out."
Nevertheless, Miguel, after a moment, followed him to the door, which opened onto the long row of dockside business. Tugs and boats dotted the harbor and a hot breeze was blowing. Across the lot, the shop sign—Walker's Repairs: Family Owned Since 1910—swayed, unsettling a gull that had perched atop it.
"I said I'd let myself out, lad. There's no need for you to be hanging about in doorways," Li said, without even looking back, and Miguel jumped a little in surprise. Li turned and gave him a bit of a glare. "I may be an old grease monkey with oil in his beard, but I'm not deaf, son, you know."
Ouch, Miguel thought, and winced, and quickly apologized: "Sorry. Jake doesn't mean nothin' by it, sir."
"I'll say!" Li grumbled. Then he sighed. "Well, what is it, then?" he demanded.
"I just..." Miguel paused. History was no more to him than it was to Jake; he had always been too busy taking things apart or putting them back together again to be bothered with stuff that was good for nothing but fighting over. But he knew Mr. Walker, who had gotten him this job in his shop, thought differently.
"Almost a hundred years my family's been in this business," his white-haired employer was in the habit of saying to him, and more and more often now, Miguel had noticed. "A long time. I'm not looking forward to taking that sign down, but I suppose if the gift just isn't given, well... Well. Better this shop go to someone who's got it, family or no. Someone who likes old things, likes seeing them made new again. Pity Li isn't younger."
So he would say, and smile at Miguel, and then retreat to his private office—really his workshop, since half of it was given over to more delicate parts in need of care. And for all that Miguel was not one to dwell on ancient history, he thought he understood a little; at least the part about old things being made new again. He was also fairly certain that Jake didn't, who was wont to complain that some of the jobs they got should just be tossed and the owners advised to buy something new, or at least to order out new parts instead of trying to fix them.
And so now here was old Li, Mr. Walker's strange old friend from Korea (or someplace and some war, somewhen), whom Miguel had heard so much about and frankly been hoping to meet at some point, and he was... not exactly what he would've expected. Miguel had a couple of Korean neighbors, and Mrs. Woo came up taller on him than Mr. Li did, and what with that bristly beard, he looked like he came out of one of those old photographs from a hundred years ago or more, back when the Walkers had first moved out West to set up their shop. And he certainly didn't seem Korean, either, or anything else.
But he had gotten that engine to start, and Jake hadn't been lying when he'd said they'd been working on it weeks without getting anywhere. "It—she sounded good," he said at length, only mildly surprised by how easily that 'she' came to him, after having heard Li say it once. "We couldn't get her going right; there was always this rattle and then that plug would snap..." He paused. "How did you do it?"
At that, Li's face cleared rather remarkably. "Trade secret, lad," he replied, and chuckled. But then he cast a speculative dark eye over Miguel, and said, after a moment, "Old Walker's been a sad sight these last ten years, I tell you. He keeps looking at that sign and sighing over the daughter in law school and the son writing his screeds at the local paper. You know his son told him he ought to sell this place, that it'd be worth more to his retirement than keeping it?" Li gave a disgusted shake of his head. Then: "If you want to learn, you should come by sometime. I live down by the point, there, just under the hill." This, as he gestured with one well-muscled arm to the strip of land jutting out into the bay some ways north.
"Could I?" Miguel asked, eagerly.
"I think you should. Ask Walker to bring you by next time he goes out to the point. He won't say 'no.'"
"Thank you, Mr. Li!"
"Good afternoon, lad." With that, Li strode away towards the bus stop, moving remarkably quickly for a short, stocky old man.
For of course, of all the things that 'Li' was, an old man he was not. The elder children of the earth do not die as do the younger. Bodies wore out with time, and more quickly than of old, it was true, for Mahal's people were not immortal, save only in spirit, as are all the speaking peoples of the world. But still, they endured longer than most Men, which was good, for they were few who were chosen to return, again and again, and there was much to take care of in the world, while Men wrought their changes and then departed. One day, the Last Breaking would come, and all the long learning of the Dwarves of the foundations of the world would be gathered then to mend what had been Marred so very long ago...
But that was yet to come. Today, there was a new apprentice, who might perhaps learn something of the old way in care of the new things of this thinning world, whose matter could hardly bear the spirits put in it anymore it seemed. Not as it had once, and even in days not so long ago as the First Awakening. He remembered, if much more dimly now, the feel of flesh made of that younger earth, so much stronger than this present form, which tired so very quickly.
And the task not even so weighty now as it was then, when the Dark Lord might have ended the Dominion of Men ere ever it began. Now it is come, the world is more fragile, even as they are, and they change it so... Ah well. We all have our long tasks, he thought as he boarded the bus and caught a glimpse through the window of the young lad staring after him still. And in amidst that long, steady effort to maintain the world, there was the other—necessary, and necessarily shorter, but to tend the spark that might make another custodian of the earth and its things was no small thing, however small the effect might seem. And I am already weary! But no matter. Dwarves make light of burdens, and as for every body, the way forward to the final end was one day at a time.
I should note that I am perhaps the most unmechanical, impractical person on the face of the planet. So please don't ask exactly what sorts of engines and gizmos Walker's Repairs deals with, or how you go about fixing them, because I haven't the foggiest notion.
Dwarven reincarnation and mythology: "For they say that Aulë the Maker, whom they call Mahal, cares for them, and gathers them of Mandos in halls set apart; and that he declared to their Fathers of old that Ilúvatar will hallow them and give them a place among the Children in the End. Then their part shall be to serve Aulë and to aid him in the remaking of Arda after the Last Battle. They say also that the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves return to live again in their own kin and to bear once more their ancient names..."—"Of Aulë and Yavanna," Silmarillion, 42.
Obviously, I'm taking a liberty in saying there might be others besides the seven fathers of the Dwarves who return, but if anyone else were a candidate for continual reincarnation for some Valar-appointed task, I know who my money would be on...
"Dwarves make light of burdens"—"The Ring Goes South," FOTR
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i went to chapters today and saw a book on the making of rise of the guardians @hiswittlehands
432 days ago.
@mitch_adam @lanashower nope the movie from the game was rise of the guardians
I watched Rise of the Guardians w/ my former roomies last night and u know what our ovaries burst bc jack
Is it weird that I had a dream of Jack Frost (Rise of The Guardians) and we like dated and he was all punk but hot IDK IT WAS WEIRD
Just watched "Rise of the Guardians." It was really good and, no, I don't have kids.
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Individual Match Records
More Headlines
2/4/2015Gophers Sign Six for 2015
1/28/2015Golan Names Stoots to Coaching Staff
12/10/201415 Gophers Named Academic All-B1G
11/17/2014M.A.G.I.C. Visits Edgerton Elementary
11/7/2014Gophers Fall in Semifinals
11/6/2014Gophers Upset No. 25 Michigan, 1-0
11/1/2014Gophers Fall in Season Finale
10/26/2014Minnesota Upsets No. 16 Rutgers
10/24/2014Gophers Shutout Terps, 1-0
10/19/2014Minnesota Drops to Wisconsin, 4-1
11/06/2014Border Rivals to Meet in Semifinals


text:
That's good news. I imagine this might get them some new contributions from C++ devs.
Phoronix: GCC Can Now Be Worked On In C++
The Free Software Foundation and GCC Steering Committee have now decided that it's okay and permitted to write code for the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) within C++. Up to this point, C has been the preferred language for working on GCC...
That's good news. I imagine this might get them some new contributions from C++ devs.
Ah, I only hope that LLVM, Clang and friends get the same level features/speed as gcc, so we can stop depending on gcc.
But any way, competition is always good.
Or look at it a different way - the developers already have standards on the code they accept, and anything they find overly complicated is going to get shot down pretty quickly - whether it's because the code was badly written, or because it uses advanced language features that the reviewers aren't experts in. A coding standard like the one proposed merely identifies up-front the subset of C++ which they're prepared to accept, to avoid wasting contributor's time.
Yeah I wonder if the decision to allow C++ in the GCC code is a consequence of them feeling the "heat" from the LLVM/Clang crowd.
LLVM/Clang is moving along VERY nicely and with recent self-hosting capabilities and their new libc++ they are quite free to get ported and used independently of GCC.
The ClangBSD project seems to move along nicely and work is underway to get the Linux kernel compiled with clang.
Competition is good indeed. I look forward to a couple of interesting years ahead.
Hu? C++ in a C compiler? Are gcc devs high on drugs?
I hope it will be in a part after the first bootstrap, so that GCC can still be compiled by a C compiler....
here comes the pain


text:
HOME NBA Philadelphia 76ers Gear Philadelphia 76ers Mens Philadelphia 76ers Mens Hats Philadelphia 76ers Mens Hats Adjustable (41 items) Product ID: 1048604
Main Content
While watching your 76ers Dribble down the court with ease, you're reminded all over again why you're such a huge fan. Your Philly team has dominated the court for many years – and you hope to keep it that way! Top off the latest game day look with this slouch cap from adidas. It features the team name embroidered on the crown with a 76ers logo, plus contrast team-colored accents all around.
- 100% Cotton fabric
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Special event items are produced by manufacturers only after the outcome of a game or event. These are advanced sale items and will ship immediately after they are received in our warehouse.
Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


text:
The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility leads the fight against underage drinking for over two decades. While rates have declined, alcohol consumption among youth under the legal drinking age remains at an alarming level.
Nearly 9 million youths, ages 12 to 20, in this country report they have consumed alcohol in the past 30 days. The rate of current alcohol consumption increases with increasing age according to the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 1% at age 12 to 18% at age 16, and 52% at age 20.
The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility works with all segments of the community, including parents, youth, law enforcement, judges, educators, public officials, government agencies, and advocacy groups to provide valuable information and develop comprehensive programs to delay first consumption of alcohol, prevent underage drinking, and reduce the access to alcohol by minors.
The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility has created a number of research-based educational programs that address underage drinking at the elementary/middle-school, high school, and college levels, and track statistics and the latest available underage drinking research on this critical issue.
Drinking Trends
- Drinking Patterns 2013
- 30 Days 8th Graders
- 30 Days 10th Graders
- 30 Days 12th Graders
- 30 Days College Students
Binge Drinking
Been Drunk
Why Youth Don't Drink
State Facts
Recoverable fatal error: Argument 2 passed to feeds_tamper_feeds_after_parse() must be an instance of FeedsParserResult, null given in feeds_tamper_feeds_after_parse() (line 21 of /var/www/vhosts/responsibility.org/httpdocs/sites/all/modules/feeds_tamper/feeds_tamper.module).


text:
Check out some of our most popular discounts
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Jax Kar Wash has been keeping the cars of the Motor City shining for over 60 years. Jax offers a variety of packages and detail services to suit your vehicle's needs. Our 48-hour clean car guarantee assures a sparkling set of wheels for at least two days.
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text:
Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite will be bringing the blues to Ottawa with performances from their GRAMMY®-winning album Get Up! on June 27 at the Ottawa Jazz Festival.
Ben's take on the Jackson Browne classic "Jamaica Say You Will" comes out April 1 on Looking Into You: A Tribute To Jackson Browne. Pre-order and listen to song clips at iTunes and Amazon.
Ben will play Saskatchewan for the first time ever on June 21st with Charlie Musselwhite at the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival! Pre-sale tickets are available now at ShowClix using password: GetUp! (no spaces).


text:
A Gala for Liberty: The Independent Institutes Gala Reception and Dinner
Recorded: Tuesday, September 16, 2008
On September 16, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, actor and director Andy Garcia, and entrepreneur William K. Bowes, Jr. were honored at the Independent Institutes A Gala for Liberty. Each honoree received the Alexis de Tocqueville Award in recognition of their contributions to advancing the ideas and ideals of liberty, entrepreneurship, innovation, and peace.
Experts: William K. Bowes, Jr., Andy Garcia, Archbishop Desmond M. TutuType: Independent Institute EventIssues: Business, Civil Liberties/ Human Rights, Culture/ Society, Democracy, Diplomacy and Foreign Aid, Economic History and Development (International), Free Market Economics, Government Power, History (International), Latin America, Political Ideology and Philosophy, Race Issues, Religion
What the Second Amendment Means Today
Recorded: Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Part 1 |
Part 2
Part 3
The Second Amendments right to keep and bear arms has been among the most controversialand least understoodrights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Did the Founders intend to safeguard an individual right or a collective right?
Experts: Stephen P. Halbrook, Don B. Kates Jr.Type: Independent Institute EventIssues: Civil Liberties/ Human Rights, Constitutional Law, Crime, Culture/ Society, Defense and Foreign Policy, Gun Control, Law Enforcement
Guns and Violent Crime
Recorded: Tuesday, September 21, 1999
With the recent school massacre in Littleton, Colorado; the shootings of Jewish children in Los Angeles; and rampant drive-by shootings and other atrocities, what can and should be done to protect the innocent against violence in American society? Can government protect the citizenry against gun-related violence? What is the record of individual self-defense against violence in Britain and the U.S.? In this very timely Independent Policy Forum, acclaimed historian Joyce Lee Malcolm and civil rights attorney Don Kates will examine gun laws, violence, and rights.
Experts: Don B. Kates Jr., Joyce Lee MalcolmType: Independent Institute EventIssues: Civil Liberties/ Human Rights, Crime, Criminal Justice/ Prisons, Culture/ Society, Gun Control, Law Enforcement


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Please note that as of October 24, 2014, the Nokia Developer Wiki will no longer be accepting user contributions, including new entries, edits and comments, as we begin transitioning to our new home, in the Windows Phone Development Wiki. We plan to move over the majority of the existing entries. Thanks for all your past and future contributions.
Filter and Custom Filter Management Framework for the Nokia Imaging SDK
This article explains Imaging Framework that implement for to use custom filters and built-in filters.
Note: This is an entry in the Nokia Imaging and Big UI Wiki Competition 2013Q4.
Windows Phone 8
The Nokia Imaging SDK provides more than 50 filters and effects for developers to use and combine them to create new filters. Moreover with SDK 1.0, It allows us to implement custom filters and image providers.
After Nokia Imaging SDK graduates from beta, there were lots of changes. I think it become more difficult to use, but It become more flexible and allows almost anything we want. With the new SDK, custom image source and custom filter introduced which I excited most.
It become more difficult to use because of to add/undo filter we have to build pipeline like Image Source > Effect > ... > Renderer. In beta version of the SDK, we could simply add/undo filters only calling one method. About custom filters, It's confusing that we can't use them as we use built-in filters because CustomEffectBase is not an instance of IFilter interface. Also custom filter doesn't allow to change output size, sourcePixelRegion.ImagePixels and targetPixelRegion.ImagePixels implemented to be equal size iin the SDK.
Because of those problem I implement a framework which extends Nokia Imaging SDK, solves those problem and gives more extensibility for further needs. In this article I'll explain problems and how I solve those, custom filter implemantation and technical information about framework in detail. Also you can find sample filters which are used for image processing. Stay in touch, more custom filters will be added to framework in the future so watch here and github page.
Note: Please read all documents about Nokia Imaging SDK to understand this article.
Imaging Framework
- IHistoryable
It used for factory classes, gives factory to historize filters. Example is NokiaFilterFactory which stores every built-in filters. This interface provides following methods;
bool CanUndo();
void Undo();
void UndoAll();
- IPostProcess
Use to extend custom filters. It provides custom filter to post process factory. So after custom filter processed, post process factory's filters processed. For example, QuadTransform filter implementation.
public class QuadTransformation : CustomEffectBase, IPostProcess
protected override void OnProcess(PixelRegion sourcePixelRegion, PixelRegion targetPixelRegion)
public FactoryBase PostProcessFactory()
var factory = new NokiaFilterFactory(null);
factory.Filters.Add(new ReframingFilter(new Rect(0, 0, Size.Width, Size.Height), 0));
return factory;
- IPreProcess
Use to extend custom filters. It provides custom filter to pre process factory. So before custom filter processed, pre process factory's filters processed.
Note: IPostProcess solves the problem which is custom filter can't change output size of an image. Normally after we use a customfilter, if we want to change output size, we have to call ReframingFilter. For example, I need to get Quadrilateral object from image using QuadTranform filter in sample filters. Lets says image is 800x600 and I want object to be 300x300. My filter get object pixels to "targetPixelRegion". But "targetPixelRegion" dimension is fixed to 800x600. So after custom filter, I have to use ReframingFilter. As shown in the picture.
- ImagingManager
This class is the main core, everything happens here.
- FactoryBase
Factories derives from this class. It has Input and Output as ImageProvider so that it builds pipeline with another factory. There is already two factories; CustomFilterFactory for customfilter and NokiaFilterFactory for built-in filters. In future, there'll be more for same type of custom filters like convulation filters used for smoothing, blurring, etc.
- CustomFilterFactory
This factory stores only one custom filter. If custom filter has IPreProcess or/and IPostProcess interface, with ApplyFilter method, it builds pipeline inside it.
- NokiaFilterFactory
This factory stores built-in filters which are added consecutively.
Note: Factories implemented because of custom filter use different than built-in filters. It inherited from CustomEffectBase and isn't an instance of IFilter. Despite built-in filters are an instance of IFilter. Built-in filters used like that;
But Custom filters as following;
Because of difference use with the help of factories, pipeline can be built easily like that;
- FilterHistory
This class used in ImagingManager. It historizes factories and It has the key role building pipeline between factories. It connects one factory output to other as input as shown in diagram above. It provides Add, Undo and UndoAll method for filters.
How to implement custom filters?
I'll be explaining custom filter implementations in different article. Because of all of custom filters implemented for this framework can be used directly outside this framework. Only thing you have to consider, filters are instance of IPreprocess and IPostProcess interfaces, you need to apply pre/post filters manually when you use that filters.
You will find more detailed information by following this guide, "Implementations of Custom Filter for the Nokia Imaging SDK"
How to use?
As far as now, I described confusing things. The most easy part of this Imaging Framework is how to use. It's really simple.
First of all, add ImagingManager to page;
ImagingManager ImagingManager = new ImagingManager();
Then, start a new session;
await ImagingManager.StartSession(imageStream, imageControl);
- ImageStream is whatever you want to use from them.
- imageControl for viewing purpose. Use image control which is in page.
After that, add filters to be applied. The only restriction here, when initializing custom filters, you have to pass ImageProvider. But you don't have to worry about provider, use DummySource. ImagingManager handles and changes it.
var effects2 = new FilterEffect();
effects2.Filters = new IFilter[]
new BlurFilter(32)
ImagingManager.AddFilter(new ThresholdFilter(ImagingManager.DummySource, 150, 100, 0));
ImagingManager.AddFilter(new ColorPaletteFilter(ImagingManager.DummySource, AccentColorsPalette()));
ImagingManager.AddFilter(new PixelInterpolation(ImagingManager.DummySource, 64));
To render filters,
await ImagingManager.Render();
Finally releasing resources,
Sample Filters
- HistogramFilter (calculates Red, Green, Blue and Luminance data for histogram of image)
If you want to contribute the project, add your custom filters or you want to improve framework, please contact me over github page.
It's my approach for custom filter and built-in filters for Nokia Imaging SDK. I'm not an expert in imaging process, I tried my best and continue to learn new things. I believe Imaging Framework will speed up development of filter based application. I'm also using it with my applications and constantly updated and added new things to it. I'm planning to implement more filters that used for image processing.


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What he calls organic, is ofcourse what the religious calls metaphysical. Let natural roles form around a project. Which is also religiously surrender to natural behaviour and Gods will.
Praised Be God.
Peace Be With You.
WHQL Testing (Windows Hardware Quality Labs).
Also, Windows Vista introduced Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) which I think made device drivers more stable or something.
I remember in the early days of Linux that many hardware manufacturers were not helpful and had refused to provide documentation for their hardware. Diamond and Neomagic come to mind as those examples, but as time went on these companies eventually did provide at least some documentation for their graphics hardware and in the end Linux users bought such hardware..thus those companies had sales to some extent.
I'm sure at some point, with the right persuasion and pressure nVidia could provide some documentation where they legally can in the same vein as what AMD did to vet their code and sanitize it to be *legally* releasable. Devs can then write code to replace any missing pieces that could not be released.
Linus's bashing of nVidia (directly or indirectly) might not even help the cause at all in my opinion.
With all religious views aside, there is a big benefit for Nvidia to release the specs and an open driver. The next innovative consumer product that doesn't try to mimic a desktop computer will run Linux. And the hardware that requires the least amount of hassle and gives the most flexibility will be the target for that device. Lets take augmented reality glasses as an example. You have to optimize the software stack on those devices because you need performance while still having to fit everything in a very tiny space. Relying on Nvidia writing the drivers for your device is not an option. Perhaps Google can get a company like Nvidia to write custom some custom code, but for a small start-up company it's just not possible.
By selling closed technology, Nvidia (or any other GPU manufacturer) eliminates the possibility of being part of the next big thing. I'd say it's worth the trouble of sorting out any IP issues for the benefit of letting people use your products to innovate. Linux is the playing ground and Nvidia refuses to play with the other kids. Basically a poor business decision that will cost them real money. The wise thing to do would be to open up before someone else does it and grabs the market completely.
So now the LinuxTards are bringing down the nvnews.net site because the admin asked that the topic not be discussed on his forum? The irony is so rich... the Linux community demands "freedom" but at the same time, if a person exercises his freedom in a manner deemed heretical by the Church of FOSS then it's time to mount a crusade.
Seriously... is closed-source and proprietary software forbidden on this platform and if not, where is the tolerance? If people don't like a piece of software, then they should exercise their freedom to avoid it. But don't try to force your decision on the rest of us.
Of course, using closed-source software is perfectly fine with Linux when we talk about user-space software (not using GPL stuff).
It's not that easy to tell in case of kernel-space drivers. AFAIK it's still not clear what the legal situation really is.
That thin layer of glue code might just don't work as an excuse. So all those blobs potentially violate the kernel licence.
It doesn't matter if it has been tolerated until now or that there has not been any court case so far concerning this issue.
The thing is, the Linux idea is based on some rules the developers agree on - for simplicity lets say it's what the GPL contains.
How about reversing your statement and say "If a user doesn't agree with that idea, he should user another OS".
Or use an OS with a BSD licence or Windows, whatever. There are plenty alternatives.
Last edited by entropy; 06-18-2012 at 11:22 AM.


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Cushe at the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2014-2015!
Are you looking for more adventures and thrills? We at Cushe are happy to continue our partnership with the 2014/2015 BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR and the RADICAL REELS TOUR!
The Banff Mountain Film Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world. The Festival is held each year in Banff, Canada and features a collection of thought-provoking films from all over the globe. Hot on the heels of the festival each year, the best films head off on the Banff Mountain Festival World tour with stops in many communities and countries across the globe. This year, the finalists will be chosen during the 39th edition from November 1st to 9th, 2014.
After kicking off the Festival and the night rolls in, the adrenaline junkies such as our very own Matthias (Super Frenchie) Giraud come out to play as the Radical Reels Tour also kicks off! Don't blink during this exciting event as you will be presented with non-stop action sport films that will have you clenching to your seats! Once all finalists for both tours are determined, the World Tour begins! To view a complete listing of films and dates, please visit banffmountainfestival.ca
"I WANT TICKETS!" is what we always yell when the tour visits our home town. For a chance to WIN TICKETS in your area, sign up for Cushe emails as we will be giving away a pair of tickets for each stop during the tour!
To sign up, check the bottom of the Home Page and look for this spot:
Once you signed up, you will receive exclusive news, great promotions and you'll be eligible to win a pair of Banff Mountain Film Festival tickets, Cushe Footwear and swag. Tell a friend (but only if they promise to take you if they win)…be ready!
Follow us on Facebook Cushe Canada and Instagram Cushe Canada #happinesshunting to learn about the latest news of the Banff Mountain Film Festival and Radical Reels tour.
Enjoy the films! Click here to watch the teaser of the tour 2013-2014


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