Not all together a fun day.
But then I have to go to town sometimes for supplies, etc.
Back on the reserve I took a drive towards sunset and was lucky to find several elephant herds near Banyini including Spud. I haven’t seen the dude for some time. There were several big bulls with the herds, which possibly means there’s a female in oestrus.
While some elephant were still in the mopanie others were mud bathing at Banyini pan. A whole group of young bulls gathered around a small mud hole and were vying with each other for what seemed to be really Goooood mud!
Being up close and personal with the elephant I again realised how lucky I am to lead the lifestyle I do. Finishing off my day with this most awesome sight of the sun setting on the backs of the all muddy elephants.
And a giraffe staring at a mad cameraman so engrossed in his work.
2nd November 2000
Rain 26mm.
The rains are back!!! Not long before midnight we were hit by a serious thunderstorm while following Tjololo and the Newington female still mating. After the storm a gentle drizzle set in and kept us undercover for the rest of the night. Had a good sleep anyway.
Tjololo and his girl were north of where we’d left them in the morning. As they headed east Tjololo was seriously keen on hunting and just on seeing the impala he went charging in from about 100m, obviously with little chance of success.
He carried on hunting and eventually on taking the more professional approach he caught a young female impala. Not happy with the trees in the area he dragged it some distance when a hyaena suddenly surprised him stealing his kill. He was taken fully by surprise probably thinking it was his girl approaching.
The hyaena ate most of the carcass and left about half an hour later carrying the hindquarters. Tjololo returned to feed on the remaining scraps of skin and bone.
Finishing off any morsel, he tracked down the hyaena but eventually gave up to groom himself. The rains came.
At dawn, with the rain having let up, they were still mating having moved further south. Shololtoo was in the area too but didn’t follow up as they moved on.
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