A Week in the Bush Vol. 325
on Sep 02, 2020An exciting start to the week as a pack of wild dogs were found resting until two hyenas walked past and witnessed some interesting interactions between them.
After spending the day lounging in the shade to avoid the heat and the wind, these African wild dogs got up and moving in an instant, and move they did. Dogs are notorious for covering a lot of ground in a very short space of time, pushing their canine stamina to the limits and still going further. We try to keep up with them, but they often leave us in their dust.
This large female elephant showed us exactly why elephants have the status of Keystone Species, with their feeding behaviour having a strong influence on the environment they inhabit. With ease she used her head and trunk to push a fallen tree out of the way so she could get to the nutritious roots of some smaller trees beneath it. She then proceeded to pull up a few of these smaller trees, and we watched as they fed contentedly.
“A rose amongst the thorns” – a beautiful Blue Waxbill.
During winter at Sabi Sabi the grass is dry and the leaves thin out. This allows for amazing opportunities to view animals. On a particularly cool day we noticed a stump with ears. With a closer look the owner of the ears was found, a Lesser Galago (Bushbaby). Only its head, ears and massive eyes could be seen as it hunkered down. The more we watched, the dozier it became until eventually it slipped down into the hollowed stump, resting for the day.
Chilly mornings mean that many animals bask in the rising sun to get warm and energized for a day of foraging. These Dwarf mongooses were grooming one another and enjoying the first hint of heat in their hollow stump home when we saw them. They continued sunbathing and gave us a few glances as we too enjoyed the sun!
Cooler temperatures during the day means that animals which are nocturnal can often be seen during the day. Mid-morning brought a surprise as an African Barred owlet perched atop a branch, scanning the drainage line and giving us a cursory look. This small but incredible creature then swooped down and caught an unsuspecting grasshopper in the leaf litter below.
An unexpected guest approaches Earth Lodge for lunch... this elephant enjoyed drinking from the cool water ponds.
As the sun started to set, we were about to stop for a sundowner drink when we spotted a young female leopard. What a beautiful sighting! Just this week, she was formally named and as she will now lead a life as a young independent female leopard, she will be known as the Ngumi female.
One afternoon, we were tracking Maxabeni and eventually found him after locating mating lions. He was roaring frequently and then we heard why... N’weti male leopard was calling back at him. After about 30 minutes of roaring at one another, N’weti moved through the bush, away from the threat of a fight with Maxabeni.
After an afternoon of tracking the White Dam male, we eventually managed to locate him in an open area opposite Selati Camp.
Xovonekela was on a mission after having his hard-fought prize stolen by rampaging hyenas. He wore the wounds from his encounter bravely as he moved along marking his territory and stopping to check his reflection in the Amber Suite window, at Earth Lodge. He then continued on a morning patrol, occasionally stopping to mark his territory, eventually stopping at a watering hole for a morning drink.
The very large and impressive N’weti male showing off his dominance and size while on a territorial patrol. He was using the wind to his advantage, sneakily moving through the riverbed checking warthog burrows along the way.
An incredible sighting! We had stopped for a sundowner and scanned the area with some binoculars. To our delight we spotted the Dayone male leopard and quickly packed up, moving toward the area where we saw him. After some circling, and losing a little hope, he appeared out of the shadows.
The N’waswishaka male lions were doing what lion do best, sleeping. What an experience dinner and sleep was as they vocalised around Bush Lodge throughout the night.
The same male lions were found mating the next evening and the activity carried through to the morning. Moving through the reserve, they stopped periodically to mate. Always amazing to watch this intense affair between lions.
After spending much of the day resting in the shade, two male cheetah male their way across an open plain, using any vantage point to scan their surroundings for a potential meal.
In an exceptional afternoon drive we found five cheetahs laying low in the long grass – a mother with her 4 sub-adult cubs were on an impala kill. By the time we found them, there was not much meat left on the kill. They were lounging around in a nice warm spot, digesting their full bellies.
A wonderful selection of “Monochrome Monday” images again this week...
Keeping a watchful eye on giraffe approaching nearby.
This White Rhino female and her youngster woke from their slumber and immediately started eating, enjoying the grass along the roadside before moving off into the thickets.
A White-backed Vulture in flight.
It’s always an incredible sight to see a young giraffe standing next to its mother.
The dapple of the sun’s rays highlights this young cheetah beautifully.
Oh, baby elephants are adorable!!
Through the eyes of a leopard.
Until next time...