The Nyari pride were still chilling out at dusk near Hwata pan. With them lying out in the burn it gave me the ideal opportunity to get on the ground for those low angle shots I so enjoy.
Magwaza was very obliging and Chahwihwi too wasn’t too phased, even though I was only some 15m away. The light lasted only briefly, as it has done for the last couple of weeks. It really hasn’t been good all this time. Overcast every morning and evening and not even bringing rain.
With the light gone I commandeered Mark to bring the filming lights and using them at the right time in the day can be rather stunning. And of course they allow me to film at night giving me light where, when and how I want it. So much easier than filming in the day and I have quality light all the time!
As the light faded the lions greeted and headed out west, that just happening to be where I was lying next to the vehicle. As they walked past they hesitated only some 5m away and then carried on. Seeing those dudes from that angle makes them seriously huge. Really gives me huge respect for what my grandfather was up against when a lion grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him off. (He managed to kill it with his knife.)
The lions moved west all night resting on and off. They were still well fed and in no hurry.
Around midnight Manyari into a bush and came out with a screaming young Duiker. It was soon dead, but the game had just started. Manyari was being pursued by the others. They desperately wanted to hi-jack her kill. For 10mins they chased her around eventually giving up and leaving her to feed in peace. It really wasn’t much of a meal, being hardly much larger than a scrub hare.
This left the pride resting well into the day when we left.
She seemed to be very much enjoying her bath, and didn’t want Sjambok to stop. lol
Kim,
It is fantastic to see the lions again. I have been wondering how they were doing yet enjoying the wild dog clips.
I have got my daughter, 4 yrs, hooked on your blogs daily as well. It is so much fun. Thank you for all you do. I enjoy every moment.
I’m impressed how quickly that deep gash under Sjambok’s eye has closed and healed.
It was amusing to see a lion behaving like a Vervet, gently but determinedly nibbling away at a foreign object on a friend’s skin. Perhaps he thought it was a huge tick.
Kim, I hope you’ll give us Puzzle’s Pups update now and again. I miss the little hellions. I am impressed that all nine have survived so far without an injury or worse. That is an impressive feat.
Oh, I’m sooooo happy your watching the pride again. It’s so heartwarming to see the respect and love this pride has for one another. I wish the girls would get pregnant so bad. I love what you do, I jump on the computer everyday to watch. Thank you soooo much.
All my best, Christina Wickstein , New York City