A Week in the Bush Vol. 408
on Apr 13, 2022With the pace of sightings this week, it was a pleasure to take a moment to enjoy an incredible sunrise on a cool autumn morning...
We continue to enjoy regular sightings of a female cheetah and her cub. We were fortunate to spend time with them and watch as the female made an attempt to hunt a male impala. We watched as she patiently crept forward, a meter at a time. When the impala unknowingly walked right past her, she took chase, but unfortunately, her target dashed into the thickets, leaving her empty-handed. She reunited with her cub and took time to cool off after the chase.
![A01Graeme Stewart Female Cheetah 060422 Final A01Graeme Stewart Female Cheetah 060422 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/6116/5788/7315/a01Graeme-Stewart-Female-cheetah-060422-final.jpg?fID=24379&ftid=144&d=0)
![A02ronald Mutero Cheetah 05042022 2 Final A02ronald Mutero Cheetah 05042022 2 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/5016/5788/7315/a02ronald-mutero-cheetah-05042022-2-final.jpg?fID=24378&ftid=144&d=0)
![A03andries Cheetah 080422 3 Final A03andries Cheetah 080422 3 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_466x437/6516/5788/7314/a03andries-cheetah-080422-3-final.jpg?fID=24377&ftid=146&d=0)
![A04andries Cheetah 080422 5 Final A04andries Cheetah 080422 5 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/4016/5788/7313/a04andries-cheetah-080422-5-final.jpg?fID=24376&ftid=145&d=0)
![A05David Den Hartog Cheetah 10 04 2022 Final A05David Den Hartog Cheetah 10 04 2022 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/8116/5788/7313/a05David-den-Hartog-Cheetah-10-04-2022-final.jpg?fID=24375&ftid=145&d=0)
A pack of wild dogs were on the move one morning, in and out of thickets and across open plains. An action-packed safari followed them as they looked for something to hunt.
![A06Jason Street Wilddog 080422 1 Social Landscape Final A06Jason Street Wilddog 080422 1 Social Landscape Final](/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/a06Jason-Street-Wilddog-080422-1-Social-Landscape-final.jpg?fID=24380)
The N’weti male leopard has been seen almost every day this past week. With a young kuku strewn up in the tree above him, he tried in vain to find a comfortable position in the branches of a Marula tree. Shifting here and there, but refusing to move from the tree where his food was waiting.
![A07Amy Leigh Leopard Nweti 1 090422 Final A07Amy Leigh Leopard Nweti 1 090422 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/7016/5788/7318/a07Amy-Leigh-Leopard-Nweti-1-090422-final.jpg?fID=24383&ftid=144&d=0)
![A08Amy Leigh Leopard Nweti 2 090422 Final A08Amy Leigh Leopard Nweti 2 090422 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/3616/5788/7317/a08Amy-Leigh-Leopard-Nweti-2-090422-final.jpg?fID=24382&ftid=144&d=0)
![A09Jason Street Nweti 090422 Social Portrate 2 Final A09Jason Street Nweti 090422 Social Portrate 2 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_466x437/1216/5788/7316/a09Jason-Street-Nweti-090422-Social-Portrate-2-final.jpg?fID=24381&ftid=146&d=0)
The following day, he was still feeding on his kill before descending the tree to rest. Some hyenas came to look for scraps but were out of luck!
![A10ronald Mutero Nweti 11042022 Final A10ronald Mutero Nweti 11042022 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/9716/5788/7320/a10ronald-mutero-nweti-11042022-final.jpg?fID=24386&ftid=144&d=0)
![A11ronald Mutero Nweti 11042022 2 Final A11ronald Mutero Nweti 11042022 2 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/2916/5788/7319/a11ronald-mutero-nweti-11042022-2-final.jpg?fID=24385&ftid=144&d=0)
![A12ronald Mutero Nweti 11042022 4 Final A12ronald Mutero Nweti 11042022 4 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_466x437/1416/5788/7318/a12ronald-mutero-nweti-11042022-4-final.jpg?fID=24384&ftid=146&d=0)
A leopard we seldom see – the Mashaba female. She was hunting impala until having a run in with N’weti before they went their separate ways.
![A13Jason Street Mashaba 080422 Final A13Jason Street Mashaba 080422 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/7216/5788/7321/a13Jason-Street-Mashaba-080422-final.jpg?fID=24388&ftid=145&d=0)
![A14Jason Street Nweti 080422 1 Social Landscape Final A14Jason Street Nweti 080422 1 Social Landscape Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/7916/5788/7320/a14Jason-Street-Nweti-080422-1-Social-Landscape-final.jpg?fID=24387&ftid=145&d=0)
After successfully hunting a rather large impala, this leopardess knows she has her work cut out for her as countless scavengers, such as hyenas, will often come in and steal her kill, she is extremely aware of what’s happening around her. Later in the evening, she found a nice branch to rest on for the night.
![A15Graeme Stewart Golonyi 050422 Final A15Graeme Stewart Golonyi 050422 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/8316/5788/7322/a15Graeme-Stewart-Golonyi-050422-final.jpg?fID=24390&ftid=145&d=0)
![A16ronald Mutero Golonyi 05042022 4 Edit Final A16ronald Mutero Golonyi 05042022 4 Edit Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/9616/5788/7321/a16ronald-mutero-golonyi-05042022-4-edit-final.jpg?fID=24389&ftid=145&d=0)
A few days later, she was once again using the height advantage of a tree to see if there were any potential prey species in the surrounding area. Once she comes down, her visibility will be much less as she is surrounded by thick vegetation. After approximately 30 minutes of stalking impala, she made a dash for it but was unfortunately unsuccessful.
![A17Amy Leigh Leopard Golonyi 080422 Final A17Amy Leigh Leopard Golonyi 080422 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/6616/5788/7324/a17Amy-Leigh-Leopard-Golonyi-080422-final.jpg?fID=24393&ftid=144&d=0)
![A18Jason Street Golonyi 100422 2 Final A18Jason Street Golonyi 100422 2 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/9916/5788/7323/a18Jason-Street-Golonyi-100422-2-final.jpg?fID=24392&ftid=144&d=0)
![A19Graeme Stewart Golonyi 080422 2 Final A19Graeme Stewart Golonyi 080422 2 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_466x437/2916/5788/7323/a19Graeme-Stewart-Golonyi-080422-2_-final.jpg?fID=24391&ftid=146&d=0)
After hoisting her kudu kill high into branches of a Marula tree, the Kigelia female leopard and her cubs took turns to feed in the hazy soft rain of morning game drive.
![A20David Den Hartog Kegilia 11 04 2022 3 Edit Final A20David Den Hartog Kegilia 11 04 2022 3 Edit Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/7916/5788/7325/a20David-den-Hartog-Kegilia-11-04-2022-3-edit-final.jpg?fID=24395&ftid=144&d=0)
![A21andries Leopard.kegeliacub 110422 2 Final A21andries Leopard.kegeliacub 110422 2 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/1516/5805/5121/a21andries-leopard.kegeliacub-110422-2-final.jpg?fID=26151&ftid=144&d=0)
![A22Graeme Stewart Kigelias Cub 110422 Final A22Graeme Stewart Kigelias Cub 110422 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_466x437/2416/5788/7325/a22Graeme-Stewart-Kigelias-cub-110422-final.jpg?fID=24394&ftid=146&d=0)
Following the Southern Pride and understanding their behaviour, we predicted they would move to a nearby waterhole. We decided to wait it out at the waterhole and as luck would have it, they made their way straight there. We watched as they took turns drinking before heading out to our northern plains on the hunt for zebra.
![A23Jason Street SP 040422 3 Final A23Jason Street SP 040422 3 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/6816/5788/7326/a23Jason-Street-SP-040422-3-final.jpg?fID=24397&ftid=145&d=0)
![A24Jason Street SP 040422 Final A24Jason Street SP 040422 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/2816/5788/7326/a24Jason-Street-SP-040422-final.jpg?fID=24396&ftid=145&d=0)
On our way to enjoying a sundowner, we came across the Southern Pride walking down the road on their evening patrol looking for any unsuspecting prey. Shortly after our drinks stop, we came across impala running and alarm calling in all directions. The Southern Pride managed to catch and kill one and finish it off within twenty minutes!
![A25Graeme Stewart SP 100422 Final A25Graeme Stewart SP 100422 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/1116/5788/7329/a25Graeme-Stewart-SP-100422-final.jpg?fID=24402&ftid=144&d=0)
![A26Jason Street Southern Pride 100422 Social Portrate 2 Final A26Jason Street Southern Pride 100422 Social Portrate 2 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/3516/5788/7329/a26Jason-Street-Southern-Pride-100422-Social-Portrate-2-final.jpg?fID=24401&ftid=144&d=0)
![A27ronald Mutero Sp 11042022 4 Final A27ronald Mutero Sp 11042022 4 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_466x437/3116/5788/7328/a27ronald-mutero-sp-11042022_-4-final.jpg?fID=24400&ftid=146&d=0)
![A28ronald Mutero Sp 11042022 7 Final A28ronald Mutero Sp 11042022 7 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/6516/5788/7328/a28ronald-mutero-sp-11042022_-7-final.jpg?fID=24399&ftid=145&d=0)
![A29Jason Street Southern Pride 110422 1 2 Final A29Jason Street Southern Pride 110422 1 2 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/5916/5788/7327/a29Jason-Street-Southern-Pride-110422-1-2-final.jpg?fID=24398&ftid=145&d=0)
We came across this young male lion and young lioness together, resting in the shade. They were not far from another pride of lions that had made a buffalo kill. They were very relaxed but alert to their surroundings, showing evidence of hyenas being close to them, so possibly chased by the hyenas but unsure if there was any confrontation.
![A30ronald Mutero Sp And Unkown Male 06042022 6 Final A30ronald Mutero Sp And Unkown Male 06042022 6 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/4916/5788/7331/a30ronald-mutero-sp-and-unkown-male-06042022-6-final.jpg?fID=24404&ftid=145&d=0)
![A31ronald Mutero Sp And Unkown Male 06042022 5 Final A31ronald Mutero Sp And Unkown Male 06042022 5 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/2016/5788/7330/a31ronald-mutero-sp-and-unkown-male-06042022-5-final.jpg?fID=24403&ftid=145&d=0)
The Mhangeni Pride managed to take down a large buffalo bull in the early hours one morning. The whole pride was found looking well fed and should have a good meal for the next couple of days.
![A32ronald Mutero Mhangeni 06042022 Final A32ronald Mutero Mhangeni 06042022 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/8816/5788/7333/a32ronald-mutero-mhangeni-06042022-final.jpg?fID=24408&ftid=144&d=0)
![A33ronald Mutero Mhangeni 06042022 6 Final A33ronald Mutero Mhangeni 06042022 6 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/6416/5788/7333/a33ronald-mutero-mhangeni-06042022-6-final.jpg?fID=24407&ftid=144&d=0)
![A34ronald Mutero Mhangeni 06042022 7 Final A34ronald Mutero Mhangeni 06042022 7 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_466x437/8616/5788/7332/a34ronald-mutero-mhangeni-06042022-7-final.jpg?fID=24406&ftid=146&d=0)
![A35Jason Street Mhangene 060422 2 Final A35Jason Street Mhangene 060422 2 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/3016/5788/7331/a35Jason-Street-Mhangene-060422-2-final.jpg?fID=24405&ftid=145&d=0)
After noticing a committee of vultures resting on a dead tree, we made our way towards them and found a pride of lions and their cubs finishing off what seemed to have been an impala kill.
![A36andries Lions.styx 080422 2 Final A36andries Lions.styx 080422 2 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/5116/5805/5121/a36andries-lions.styx-080422-2-final.jpg?fID=26152&ftid=145&d=0)
![A37andries Lions.styx 080422 3 Final A37andries Lions.styx 080422 3 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_588x532/3116/5805/5121/a37andries-lions.styx-080422-3-final.jpg?fID=26150&ftid=145&d=0)
The bond between the N'waswishaka coalition is strong - years of hunting, playing and fighting together has cemented a deep connection between all of them.
![A38David Den Hartog Nwas Male 10 04 2022 2 1 Final A38David Den Hartog Nwas Male 10 04 2022 2 1 Final](/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/a38David-den-Hartog-Nwas-male-10-04-2022-2-1-final.jpg?fID=24409)
We came across a pride of lions finishing a waterbuck kill. The male was keeping the remains for himself, not allowing the females to eat – so much so, that he just about fell asleep on the carcass!
![A39ronald Mutero Unknown Lion Pride 11042022 2 Final A39ronald Mutero Unknown Lion Pride 11042022 2 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/4116/5788/7335/a39ronald-mutero-unknown-lion-pride-11042022_-2-final.jpg?fID=24412&ftid=144&d=0)
![A40ronald Mutero Unknown Pride 11042022 Final A40ronald Mutero Unknown Pride 11042022 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_345x437/5716/5788/7335/a40ronald-mutero-unknown-pride-11042022-final.jpg?fID=24411&ftid=144&d=0)
![A41ronald Mutero Unknown Pride 11042022 4 Final A41ronald Mutero Unknown Pride 11042022 4 Final](/application/wp_blog/thumbnails/image_466x437/3416/5788/7334/a41ronald-mutero-unknown-pride-11042022-4-final.jpg?fID=24410&ftid=146&d=0)
Flehmen response - a male zebra checks if one of his females is in oestrus by smelling her urine.
![A42ronald Mutero Zebra 24012022 Final A42ronald Mutero Zebra 24012022 Final](/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/a42ronald-mutero-zebra-24012022-final.jpg?fID=24413)
With the frenzy around the Marula season and the bush being so dry, the reserve has plenty of elephant pathways around, all leading to the Marula trees.
![A43ronald Mutero Elephant 01022022 Final A43ronald Mutero Elephant 01022022 Final](/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/a43ronald-mutero-elephant-01022022-final.jpg?fID=24414)
The Tawny Eagle is a powerful and opportunistic eagle that will not hesitate to attack other raptors even larger than itself.
![A44Jason Street Tawny Eagle 100422 Final A44Jason Street Tawny Eagle 100422 Final](/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/a44Jason-Street-Tawny-Eagle-100422-final.jpg?fID=24415)
Oxpeckers have adapted to occupy a niche where food, in the form of ecto-parasites, is readily available without competition. They have special claws to move about on mammal’s hides as well as specialised bill and tails.
![A45Jason Street Oxpeckers 260322 Social Portrate 2 Final A45Jason Street Oxpeckers 260322 Social Portrate 2 Final](/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/a45Jason-Street-Oxpeckers-260322-Social-Portrate-2-final.jpg?fID=24416)
Owls enjoy excellent binocular vision. Their large eyes help collecting light, the large eyes restrict movement in the skull and therefore only have visual field of about 110 degrees. To overcome this, owls, such as this Spotted eagle-owl, have very flexible necks which allow them to turn 270 degrees to see behind themselves.
![A46Jason Street Spotted Eagle Owl 260322 Final A46Jason Street Spotted Eagle Owl 260322 Final](/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/a46Jason-Street-Spotted-Eagle-Owl-260322-final.jpg?fID=24417)
Up close and personal with the king of camouflage, the Flap-necked Chameleon.
![A47David Den Hartog Chameleon 10 04 2022 Final A47David Den Hartog Chameleon 10 04 2022 Final](/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/a47David-den-Hartog-Chameleon-10-04-2022-final.jpg?fID=24418)
Until next time