As always it’s just SOOOOOO good to be back.

Just being out and about in my open vehicle in the bush is always special, and the animals are usually an added bonus.

The morning didn’t produce much as I was busy sighting the spot in which to put the hangar for my microlight which I hope to bring up next week.

So over the next few days I’m going to be involved in building the hangar as I need to get that out the way so I can concentrate on filming. When I do get there it’ll be night work on the hunt with Manyari for a few months.
On Banyini in the afternoon I was hoping to get lucky with some extra activity but just had to make do with the usual suspects.

I nearly drove over this puffadder crossing the road as they are such slow movers, preferring to bite rather than get out the way.

The marabou’s I filmed on Banyini a couple of weeks ago, but from tomorrow I hope to be back with original daily footage, although my time will be taken up building the hangar.

Today, I was all set to go further afield and see some of the areas I have been neglecting while being in the office. I got as far as the Pan at Banyini yet again, but so much life is happening there, I ended up staying. A mother and calf rhino were drinking when I arrived.

They made off when they saw me, slowly meandering across the grass, mother followed by calf.

Next, an elephant bull put in an apearance. He sniffed the air to catch my scent before carrying on with his day.

After drinking, he headed off to shadier places and Banyini settled back to wildebeeste and impala.Kim gets back today and will be back with you tomorrow. I have enjoyed my wildcast moments,hope you have enjoyed them too!
By Darryl Nolan-Evans

Today, I had a great elephant experience down at Banyini pan. I spotted the ele’s heading towards the pan and followed them. I watched them splash through the river.

As soon as I knew where they were headed, I got ahead of them and got ready. They came up to the pan and I was soon snapping away. One bull waded toward me through the muddy pan and began throwing water around.

Then, quite deliberately he splashed me and the front of the car. I caught the water flying toward me on camera.

By Darryl Nolan-Evans

Today, I had an interesting experience with a musth bull. Musth is when a bull is ready to mate,the male equivalent of being in heat. He was close to the road and as I drove up to him, he turned and walked towards me in an odd manner.

I sensed that all as not right with this fellow and backed up. He continued walking toward me following me for about 200 m and even off the road. Eventually he calmed down and began feeding again.

I would rather just give hormonal ele’s a wide berth.

By Darryl Nolan-Evans

Banyini is definitely the most productive area at the moment. Everything seems to be happening around the pan. This juvenile Bateleur Eagle came in to perch near the pan.

The friendly jackals sat a comfortable distance from me at the pan, like a faithful dog. The filming Kim has done with them has really got them used to vehicle and I love watching them search around for rats and things. Also while at the pan, I saw a small bat swooping over the water,just skimming the surface. I have not seen bats out in broad daylight before. It was lovely to be able to see his twists and turns clearly in the bright sunshine.

by Darryl Nolan-Evans

Winter is in the air at Malilangwe. The evenings are getting cold but the days are still nice and warm.

Banyini Pan is the centre of a thriving community of birds and animals. It is such a pleasure to sit quietly at the pan and let the wildlife come to you. The birds are prolific around the pan and it is great to just spend a little time with the often overlooked smaller things in the reserve.

By Darryl Nolan-Evans