Monthly Archive for March, 2009

Elephant Huddle: Video

So begins a new month, with another month on its back and launching into the next only just remembering to breathe. Now I’m all for a challenge, but today I had the wool pulled over my eyes as I ambled over to the dogs expecting to find them where I left them. This was not to be, they have completely eluded me! I tried every high point I could to get a lock on those dogs, but to no avail.

Malilangwe Dam

I picked up on Alan’s leopard though, so I thought if I headed East towards it I might pick up on the dogs at the same time – no dogs! The Leopard I found up a tree, he was not too happy with me. I think he’s used to Alan, but may need a bit more work before he loses his camera shyness. I was also happy to find Elephant, I haven’t seen any for a while now. A lone Bull thought he would try to play some games with the car, nothing serious though, just making sure we weren’t there to do him any harm.

Big  Bull

As the sun set leaving Sosigi Hill in darkness, I stumbled across a lone Hyena at Nhoro Pan. He was just as elusive as everything else today, I think he had a den nearby, which he promptly disappeared into. I had a quick look around, but didn’t find anything in the dark, I would like to go back and have a better look tomorrow.

Python Tongue

Although it was an eventful Sunday, I still wonder what these dogs are up to.

Ground Hornbill

Hyena Insect Snack: Video

Most people are raised being forced to eat what is put before them, two young Hyenas we came across on our way home last night didn’t need any convincing in that department. As I flooded the area with light, swarms of insects flew in to their doom, the two Hyenas could not resist catching the insects and chomping them as an early evening snack. Whenever I come across Hyena, they consistently display behaviour of a diverse nature that gets me all excited – they are such intelligent creatures!

Guinea Fowl Chicks

I was cut short on my morning hunt with the dogs, they were moving through a thick patch of bush, so I took the easy way round. Unsuspecting, the steering on my vehicle went in its own direction. Good thing I was only crawling along at the time of the incident and I allowed it to take its own path as I brought it to a standstill. Take note: for all emergencies keep a roll of Gaffer Tape (Duct Tape), which I naturally had with me and it got me to the workshop gate before bombing out.

Posed

I repaired the steering link and managed to get back on the dogs in the afternoon. Funny thing is, I haven’t seen them kill anything in two days now - unless they’re doing it on the sly. They demolish a carcass so quickly that it is probably history by the time I arrive, being held back by the bush.

Loosing interest

They still make a habit of sportingly messing with Zebra and wildebeest whenever possible; in fact, just about any animal they come across. Heavy rain is forecast for tomorrow, I hope that leaves me with a gap in the morning to spend some time with the dogs.