Daily Archive for August 16th, 2007

Elephants just can’t resist: Video

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by
Wildcaster
on August 16, 2007
in videopost
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The spring temperatures continue with the maximum today being 36 degrees C. No wonder the elephants took to the water at Lojaan dam. And what a party they were having.

God that was good!
I followed them on foot into the hills. It’s rough country up there and it’s amazing how agile these huge beasts can be over the rocks.

In the hills
When I got back to my vehicle I found myself snookered. I couldn’t get to it, it was surrounded by elephants drinking at the dam. Sitting in the shade I waited my turn, waiting till they moved on.

Snookered
I had been with Mandlovu and the herd earlier in the day but they were right up in the north east around Manyoka and definitely had no plans of leaving the area before sunset. I had left them to go to Lojaan dam and went back there again afterwards. They were still in much the same area. How they could resist not going to one of the dams to drink and swim in this heat I really don’t know. Especially seeing how the other herds were enjoying it, Mandlovu was definitely missing out on the big times.

Stretch
I left them before sunset to head back west getting to Banyini just at sunset. With so much dust and smoke in the air the sun lost it’s flare before it hit the horizon allowing me to get this giraffe silhouetted against it’s orange ball.

Spotlight
And as it was disappearing the reflection on the water set up these doves beautifully.

Divine dove

Tjololo 15th August 2000

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by
Wildcaster
on August 16, 2007
in tjdiaries
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The Tjololo Diaries

15th September 2000
Tjololo was predictably passed out at his carcass and in the cold weather had huddled himself up in the donga. But not long after dark from being fast asleep and with no sign of anything approaching, he was bolt upright and sprinting away. 2 lionesses had arrived at the tree with the kill. While they were checking out the situation Tjololo was widening the gap between him and them.


Having discovered the carcass in the tree both lionesses climbed and fought over it. Splitting the carcass they both returned to earth to finish their respective pieces.
Tjololo had sneakily returned to the area where the lions were feeding and soon realized that was the end of his food and moved on.
For the rest of the night Tjololo was back on his western and southern boundaries in the river. At least he was now well fed.
While he was moving around in the river Richard and Dale managed to get me jabbering to camera for over an hour. Although it was really cold this sure had me building up a sweat. I’m learning fast though and after few more sessions you probably won’t keep me away from the camera.