I am continually amazed by the acute sense that predators possess. Between eyesight, smell and hearing, they predict the happenings of the scene before it plays out in front of you. That’s what makes viewing them such a treat.

Crisp winter mornings have been incredibly rewarding when it comes to predator activity. On this particular morning, I ventured down to the south of the reserve to see if I could find the resident female leopard and cub, of that area.

The sunrise, desperately trying to escape the mist’s hold, lies low along the horizon, however in a beautiful turn of events, its early morning colours shine through the cover, painting the sky in an array of soft pastel pinks.

With my binoculars in hand, I scan the densely gathered Boer Bean trees in front of me. The flick of the conspicuous white tail is a dead giveaway.

I bumble on down through the misty drainage line to find the Scotia female tucked away in the questionable safety of narrow tree top branches. Stashing the remains of a bushbuck kill in the treetops ensures that hyenas and other scavengers have less of a chance of reaching it.

The ever cautious yet fiercely tenacious character of the leopard can provide valuable life lessons; the beauty of solitude; fear is our ultimate life gift; under-emphasised strength of the single mother.

Her ears prick; sharp and concentrated is her stare. I mimic her stare and gaze intently in the direction of her own. Still, is the bush around me. The leaves from the Boer Bean gently fall to the ground. The Woodpecker continues his tireless attack on the Leadwood tree ahead. I’m met with the realisation of weak senses.

Leopards have senses that exceed our own by least 6 - 8 times. I’m unsure of what she has heard, but what I do sense is something is on the move not too far away from us; she is acutely aware of its presence.

The Grey Go-away birds persisted in their alarming. I was so sure that her cub would return and join her mother in the tree. Suddenly, as though the entire reserve fell silent, she sits up. Startled eyes give way to the life inside of her. A larger dappled version of herself, paces through the grass; nose to the ground.

Scent is a sense widely used by leopards. Not only does it communicate a number of emotions and signs, but it gives away a few hidden stashes. Her body leaving small traces of her scent behind, along with the ever-wondering smell of fresh blood draws in unwanted visitors.

He knew that not only was the mother leopard around, but she had something that he wanted. In his old age he has become an expert scavenger. Not having to work hard for meals means that there is limited energy wasted. A win for the old male leopard.

Their eyes lock in an intense stare that sends shivers down my spine. This moment lingered in mid-air. Intense salivation and heavy raspy breaths made me wondered what would come next. Had the cub met its demises at the jaws of this old boy; was he willing to chase down this female for an easy meal; were the remains of the carcass worth his time?

With a fleet footed motion set in place, the female escaped the clasps of the treetops, slipping stealthily into the drainage line before he could make his move. He ventures up into the tree with a grace not as pleasurable as hers, investigating the tree for his easily won bounty.

I hurriedly leave the male to his remains in desperation to find the female and her cub. My vehicle climbs the hill side and I come to a stop, hearing a familiar chuff. Reunited, she escorts her cub to safely. She has done her job and she has done it well. She has been one step ahead the entire time.

The nature of a leopard is a gift in itself. To be able to watch and learn from their stealthy nature has made me realise the power of these solitary animals. As independence looms on a female leopard, their lives and comforts change dramatically. There are many lessons she needs to learn to lead her into a long successful life such as the Scotia female.

Lesson: Fear is a gift.

It is a reminder of the fragility of our existence. When we encounter a situation, we are conflicted with two factors; are we worried about the present happening or are we worried about the outcome?

For a leopard, fear happens frequently. In my opinion however, this can be viewed as a healthy fear. Fear guides our responses in a dangerous situation. Leopards use their fear of a certain situation and their intuition to keep them safe. Call them, “animal instincts”. She faces fear and executes her escape with learnt precision. She leaves behind the hard-earned meal to escape to safety.

Lesson: The undeniable beauty of solitude.

Both male and female leopards are solitary animals, bonded together for short periods during courtship. Once complete they head their separate ways. Mothers are left to raise their cubs, alone. I don’t know many mammals, including the human race, with the ability to lead a content life of solitude. The value of solitude in terribly misunderstood. We want independence but are terrified of being alone.

Novelist, Sara Maitland says the solitary are “those courageous people who want to dare to live; and to do so believe you have to explore the depths of yourself, undistracted and unprotected by social conventions and norms.”

Solitude means getting to “live exactly as I chose, obedient to no necessities but those imposed by wind and night and cold, and to no man’s laws but my own,” as Richard Byrd, the American admiral and explorer, wrote in his book, “Alone”, about his solo adventure in the Antarctic.

Leopards lead this courageous life. They have explored every depth of themselves in order to become the courageous, undeniably great cats of the African bush. For many they are a symbol of great strength of character.

Lesson: Appreciate our senses.

Often, we take for granted our sense of smell, sight, touch, hearing and taste, for granted. Until it's gone, then we realise how fearfully and wonderfully made we truly are.

We need to learn to appreciate all that we have, while we have it, especially that which gives meaning to life.

Leopards depend on their senses for life. Large eyes that provide them with binocular vision make for great eyesight, their exceptional sense of hearing give life to a world unknown by our ears. They use their combined senses to ensure their survival.

She heard him long before he arrived. She felt his presence looming long before the need to move was urgent. She watched him pace and move, hearing his seemingly silent footfall.

Lastly...

Lesson: Under-emphasised strength of the single mother.

Ever wondered the outcome if a young mother elephant didn’t have the guidance of the many generations before her who have successfully raised young. Every time I watch elephants and theirs calves, I am reminded of family and the deeply rooted bonds between us.

Through leopards we are reminded of the inherent strength of mothers and aptness in raising their children. Female leopards spend every waking moment in the journey through motherhood protecting their little ones. Moving them from one secure den site to the next. They fight tooth and limb in honour of their offspring, in the hope that they too will one day reach independence.

The female is always a step ahead. Sensing danger, the cub is strategically placed in thickets and dense shrubbery. She remains in constant contact with the little one as she bounds down the firebreak before me.

I am amazed that this mother stared down fear and left unscathed, with a cub oblivious to the danger around it. The young one, hesitant to retreat from the safety of the bush at first, sees an opportunity for play. Her mother’s protection allows for a care-free nature.

I am brought back to reality; the strength of women around us, through whatever adversity they have faced that leaves them “single", they show resilience, they face fear and hone in on skills, senses and all that motherhood embodies, to raise their child.

She is an expert in her field.