It was a cold early start to look for Whisky.
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find him. I’m sure these days he’s travelling vast distances looking for a mate and will be traversing into unknown territory desperate just to find a companion. These dogs are so social the stress he’s going through must be something else.
This huge herd of buffalo was moving in on Banyini on their way to drink at the pan. And they just kept coming across the savannah. There were probably about 500 animals in this herd. They drank quickly and left straight back out again.
I was back to camp early today, as I’ll be heading out on night shift tonight following Khayeni, the leopard.
On my way home these Chacma baboon were still basking in the sun on this chilly morning. But usually they don’t hang around for the photograph to be taken.
This rock has been hollowed out with years of use as a grinding stone for grinding grain. Probably from the same era as the herder art from yesterday. (Same location)
18th June 2000
When the Mala Mala rangers lost Tjololo soon after sunset he’d already finished off his kill from last night.
We found him sleeping close by, but as the first drops of rain fell he moved on. We didn’t follow as the covers had to go up protecting all the camera gear and ofcourse ourselves.
About an hour later when the rain stopped he was hunting waterbuck. We didn’t see the waterbuck for a ages, but the strong smell they exude told us he was on their trail, but without success.
After another rest and another stroll he was amongst a herd of buffalo. He searched briefly for a youngster but gave up when a cow sauntered towards him.
He really wasn’t in the mood for much and disappeared into the Sand river where he ended up spending the rest of the night.
18th June 2000
When the Mala Mala rangers lost Tjololo soon after sunset he’d already finished off his kill from last night.
We found him sleeping close by, but as the first drops of rain fell he moved on. We didn’t follow as the covers had to go up protecting all the camera gear and ofcourse ourselves.
About an hour later when the rain stopped he was hunting waterbuck. We didn’t see the waterbuck for a ages, but the strong smell they exude told us he was on their trail, but without success.
After another rest and another stroll he was amongst a herd of buffalo. He searched briefly for a youngster but gave up when a cow sauntered towards him.
He really wasn’t in the mood for much and disappeared into the Sand river where he ended up spending the rest of the night.
Well rested.
Because of having a great rest last night, I only got out into the field much later today. But golly I feel good!!!
Had a lovely walk in the hills around Hunyugwe looking for bushmen paintings and just generally having a Sunday morning stroll.
The animals were all out on Banyini as usual in the afternoon but nobody was up to much.
This Grey Heron was having great success hunting Xenopus frogs (Platana’s) as the weed provided it with good cover.
At dusk a rhino cow and calf ventured onto Banyini to drink and a lone jackal started on his nightly patrol.
Soon after dark I heard a wild dog calling near Banyini. But just one dog. It was Whisky still giving his mournful cry, calling for ages. It’s so sad to hear him and there’s still no sign of him having a friend.
These are pretty cool patterns. But I wouldn’t know if they mean anything.
Apparently this is herder art, and so would be a lot more recent than the bushmen paintings.
This painting stands next to a large overhang which seems to have been inhabited at some stage judging by the clay shrouds and other stone implements lying around.
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