“From the East side to the West side” is a phrase used by many rappers in their hit songs. Flip the West and East around and it perfectly describes my day, which started out at Sosigi dam in the West and ended at Chinzwini dam in the East.
The long grass has frightened most animals away from open areas because of it being easier for predators to stalk in. There is plenty of water lying all over and I had to seek out all the favourite little nooks and crannies to find any life out there today. There was a bachelor group of Buffalo in the secluded area of Chinwini Dam, tucked between two rock faces. They were enjoying a good wallow as the sun began tearing the clouds apart.
I stick to my theory that the rainy whether has a calming effect on animals, or they just become more docile. I’ve found these buffalo there a few times and they normally high tail it out of there the minute they see me coming, but today they were quite happy for me to invite myself to their Buffalo Bachelor Party.
Later in the day I headed for Banyini to find Manyari and Sjambok. They were lying in a cushion of long grass when I arrived – and still mating! Manyari was getting a little agitated with Sjambok still doing the wild monkey dance on her back. This is going on way longer than her eastrus period would normally last, I won’t attempt any theories about that one.
Manyari was looking hungry and she eased her way up from her bed of grass straight to the hunting field. Her first atttempt was on five or six Impala, but she just ran in and caused too much pandimonium. The candescent light of the sunset had faded and Manyari was now on the edge of the open grassland on Banyini, looking to see that Sjambok was still behind her, she moved off into the Mopane forest. I dare not attempt negotiating those forests in the muddy weather, so I thought a drive through the hills past Nyari would be a most pleasant trip home.
Looks like fun - a good afternoon with your mates :o)