Dawn was great. Slight cloud produced a great sunrise and great light.
The jackals had dragged the zebra foal carcass out into the open on the airstrip and the hooded and white-headed vultures were getting the last pickings from the carcass.
A lone hyaena homed in on the vultures and took over, but there really wasn’t anything left, just skin and bones. Not a meal for anything, except a hyaena. With it’s strong jaws it’ll make short work of skin and bones devouring every little bit.
The hyaena took the carcass into the thickets to feed in peace and I went in search of the elephants.
Although the grass on Banyini is still long it has started flattening out and the zebra and giraffe are back there in force. Actually all it really needs is a big herd of buffalo to move through the area, to flatten it good and proper.
Hwata pan was quiet and very little game seems to be drinking there as there’s so much water elsewhere. The White-faced ducks had the pan to themselves and could bathe and preen themselves in peace.
I picked up a few elephant north of Chivi but had to leave them when they moved north into the hills.
So it was back to the airstrip at dusk. The light was absolutely stunning for those last few minutes as it came out from behind the clouds splashing itself over the impala herd.
I had hoped the youngsters would get all frisky, and although this one little fellow tried to instigate some play, nobody followed.
And then the sunset came through in all its African splendour and it just didn’t stop. For half an hour I was entertained with this kaleidoscope of colours.
Now I have one good reason not to like hyenas. What seems amazing to me is that some people behave just like the one in your video footage.
Maybe I chose the wrong title for this one. By ‘nothing’, I meant when it seems like there’s no food left, hyaenas can still make a living from it. They are the most remarkable animals. Scavenge when they can, but hunt very successfully when they want. In this case it was doing a great job of cleaning up the landscape and not leaving rotting carcasses lying in the veld.
If you’re not a hyaena fan and not convinced that they are the truly most amazing animals and deserve out utmost respect, then try and watch my film “Hyena Queen” or “Hyena’s at War” as it’s called in America only. It casts hyaena in a whole new light. I love them by the way! Kim
Kim changed my mind about hyaenas. I see them now in a different light.
What I like about Kim is that he shows you reality, nothing is candy coated.
I still like lions, but thanks to Kim, now I know they are not the merciful killers I used to think they were.
Ivanova
I’m not sure what you don’t like. Kim’s videos and explanations have completely turned me around regarding hyenas. Like Ivanova, I have come to realize that lions are not merciful in killing at all. When hyenas do kill, it is fast and furious. But like the vultures, they do clean up otherwise rotting carcases.
Hey Kim…
I’m in agreement with Ivanova & Nancy - you’ve changed my mind as well. I totally ‘got’ the title for this video & you’re right - they really do a great job of cleaning up…love all the animals!!
Ditto and likewise for me, too. Started being more objective about hyenas when I read about the brown species in “Cry of the Kalahari” by the Owenses. Kim has also caused me to have greater respect for them. Besides, any animal deserves to not be judged by humans, for just who are we to judge in the first place…. The majority of humans have totally detached from the natural world, and most sadly, care for nothing but their own aggrandizement. The lack of knowledge and apathy of our species is condemning to all others. People like Kim give you superb opportunities to change that mindset.
And no, lions are not merciful in their killing, but then neither are we. We delegate the carnage to a few so we can pose as blameless above the fray. They are not wanton in their killing prey, no dumpsters for the “waste” at the end of the day. And I still care deeply about lions and all of the other carnivores, for they seem to come in for the greatest rage from our species. But most of all, I care for the entirety of the fabric of life. To study it is to be in awe of all and to be indefatigably amazed with its intricacy, confounded by its simplicity.
Meanwhile, how can one get your film about hyenas, Kim? Have looked at NatGeo and Amazon with no luck.
b.
You should be able to get the DVD from http://www.kalahari.net Their title would be “Hyena Queen”
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