It was dawn patrol again, but on a really cold summer morning. Low cloud cover had moved in and the wind was chilly.
Not surprising the morning didn’t produce much, and anyway I had planned to spend most of the day in the office catching up.
Of course I also went for a paddle on the dam and saw the most amazing display by a hippo. I think the young bull was worried about being cornered by me, although he was nearly a hundred meters away. But he bolted and 4 times he launched himself almost clear of the water. Much like a porpoise. And then crash back into the water. It was an amazing display, but probably his fastest way out the shallow waters.
I’m just so lucky! After hours of being couped up in an office, I can just drive down the road and have the most amazing adventures.
We were out about an hour before sunset. There was white rhino bull and cow grazing in some fairly open country. Seeing them from a distance and knowing they would bolt if I drove there, we walked. Several mopanie bushes gave us cover until we were about 30m away. We sat tight while the rhino grazed slowly towards us. Even though the oxpeckers on their backs alarmed at us a few times, the rhino didn’t take notice.
It was only when they were about 10m from us that I decided to get their attention. They looked up, saw us, but looked totally bewildered that they were about to walk over these apparitions. A slight movement from me and they bolted. The other way.
On the way home Manyari and her youngsters were lying up at a pan and slowly roused soon after our arrival as the sun was setting. Manyari had 4 youngsters with her, the missing lions were those we saw yesterday at Hwata.
After their slow awakening the lions moved off on the hunt.
This young female was last to leave, and lying out in the open like that I wanted to get some low angle shots of her. Now I only do this ‘cos I know these lions having spent a couple of years with them.
I got out the car and lay on the ground with her not more than 15m away. As soon as I did this she went into a crouching position. But this was more to prepare herself to flee than to charge. As soon as I had settled down she then relaxed but didn’t take her eyes off me giving me this most wonderful stare! It’s amazing how those orange eyes can stare right through you.
After about a minute she had totally relaxed down, got up, stretched right in front of me and moved on to join the others.
Isn’t that just the best after a day in the office? And I’m so so lucky I can do this every day. Well at least I’m not in the office all that time every day.
Woao! I can’t believe the lioness shot and your story. Lucky, lucky YOU.
Indeed they behave like cats: staring, cuddling, etc. But always on the look-out. And they do trust you. It must have taken them quite a while to trust a human being (the worst predator ever!).
Indeed they behave like cats–staring, cuddling, etc.–but always on the look-out. And they do trust you. It must have taken them quite a while to trust a human being (the worst predator ever!).
Hi Kim
Great shots of the bull and cow. I noticed the bull is notched and tagged, any additional information you have on him? Is he the dominant bull in the area? Escorting the cow the way he was probably indicates this, it might also indicate she is getting close to estrous as she would have nothing to do with him otherwise. Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.
Both rhinos are notched. I remember that is the way that they identify the different members & that each has a name.
All rhino’s are notched and every individual is monitored on a regular basis. This is a young cow possibly coming in to oestrus.
Why do they notch the rhinos and why only the rhinos?
Hola Kim,
Ahaaa, lions. It was almost as if they were playing rock, scissors, paper with the tree. Yep. Would most assuredly take your kind of office work any day.
b.
They notch the rhino’s ears so they can identify the different individuals to keep tabs on all of them for antipoaching. Only the rhino’s are notched because these animals are so endangered and needing constant protection.
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