I’ve just got younger! Well so I feel after all this time off and chilling out with family and friends for my big birthday. And that all happened right here. So it’s not as if I’ve been away and missed all the action, I was just taking it easy. But now I’m back in the saddle for a big year ahead. 3 films go into post production, while at the same time I’m shooting another film on wild dogs.
And already today they put in some great action! When I arrived at Khayeni at dawn, just a gentle grey on the horizon, the wild dogs were already full-on hassling 4 hyaenas. The sound was absolutely awesome! Each predator trying to outdo the other vocally. The hyaenas with their whoops and giggles. The wild dogs with their twittering and occasional bark.
The wild dogs surrounded the hyaenas and would run in to nip them on the backside, even the pups joining in. Although the hyaenas screamed with delight or pain, they weren’t in any way interested in leaving and nor were the dogs.
For several hours the games went on. And between games they’d rest no even 10m apart.
Usually it was the dogs that started the game each time running at the sleeping hyaenas who jumped up onto their haunches to fend off the ‘attack’, and when things got a bit rough for the hyaenas the big mommy would rush in bringing a balance back into play. Puzzles would alarm each time the mommy made her advances, to warn the pups ‘this one is dangerous’.
And so the games continued for ages until the dogs moved off to drink at Khayeni pan.
It was now already seriously hot and although the dogs hadn’t hunted this morning, they were sure to be too hot to head off now. But I was wrong and twice they chased impala coming up empty handed.
The pups took on some zebra chasing them quite some way off, while mom and dad killed a baby impala and finished it off. The pups soon returned to find their well fed parents, and try as they may, the adults didn’t regurgitate for the pups. Normally they would do but it seems like the pups have now come of age and have to look after themselves.
It was now really hot and the dogs were panting madly but still they kept moving, now heading south. It was only in mid morning that they eventually rested up in the mopanie.
That was the end of my day in the bush too as I spent the rest of the time working on my poor old vehicle. She’s really getting tired and needing lots of TLC.
Last night on my way home with Lindy, we came around a corner to find a zebra lying down. As we approached she slowly got up and the sac fell behind her. She had just given birth. Wow! Lindy was loving it. I was too but without lights to film I was a hopeless case, although I did manage to snap off a couple of photos.
The mare seemed stressed at our presence and we left. Just as well I didn’t have my lights.
That must have been a blast to watch!! Even though it is dark, I’m glad you caught it. Listening to both those creatures and their strange calls was awesome (I hate using that word but sometimes that’s exactly what it is!).
Great Video and welcome back !
2 questions ?!!
1. Now that the pups have “come of age” …. will they still get any priority feeding at a single carcass over the adults ?
and
2. Cant wait to see your Wild Dog film ! When’s it out do you reckon ?
Thanks a million
Ron
Dear Kim, Welcome back - another tough day at the office - thanks for the video - amazing interaction
Wow! That was fantastic! It was clear that they were not actually fighting. Amazing, two species that compete for the same food actually “playing”. Sort of reminds me of “West Side Story”. Wow, again. You keep showing me things I NEVER knew existed. We so desperately need to save what is left of this world before it is gone, there is so much we don’t know.
Absolutely incredible! You provide such a education for us “city folk”. The entire scenerio was amazing: two preditors have a game with each other and the prey enjoying the show.
Thank you, Kim.
Kim, Thank you once again for making my day!! That was just wonderful interaction, and as you saif the sounds were just entrancing! Well wishes to you on your post production work!! I am sure that most of us have no idea how much time goes into your films!! Thanks again for all you do, and Happy New Year to you and your daughters ( and the whole Wildcast team!). Maybe a new yaer will bring about much needed change in this world-hopeful thinking
So amazing!
Hey Kim…
Loved all the noise - the imagination can reallly take over!! Don’t always need to see it…that really was great!! I won’t be deleting that one - good to listen to whenever!! Happy New Year to all - look forward to what 2009 will bring us…also, Happy Belated Birthday to you Kim…always love the work you & Mark do!
Ron; It seems like the pups and adults are now feeding together.
dog film will only be out towards the end of the year
What larks they had!