We were a good 15-20 mins late heading out this morning as apparently our truck companion was in one of the farthest tents, but she didn't seem at all bothered she'd kept George and us waiting. I suggested she mention it to the managers as people were leaving today and perhaps she could be moved closer.
I don't often bother with sunrise shots as I think they're better seen with the naked eye but the shape of this tree and the vulture at the top tempted me.
And two more shots across the plain.
George heard early on that there was a leopard around, it's a young male whose mother is notoriously shy and it seems he’s out attempting to hunt on his own. I've got a bit carried away with the number of shots but he’s such a magnificent creature who wouldn't?
Somewhat spoilt by the truck in the background.
His target appeared to be a small herd of Cape Buffalo enjoying a wallow in a nearby pond which George thought was overly ambitious as even an experienced leopard might just about manage a youngster or a weakened/injured adult one as they don't hunt in packs like lions do.
He decided to try and get a little closer.
Leopards are always so clever at using the topography to their advantage.
I think they might have sensed they were being watched.
The leopard then took himself up a large tree.
And settled down ready to play the long game.
Almost my dream shot - so I did a quick edit of it (actually I think he’s slightly over bright on the face) and for once printed it out and framed it.
I must admit I was feeling a little tired from being in a constant state of readiness should the perfect moment happen and I have a feeling our truck companion was just a little bored; it seemed like she'd come to Africa because “everyone does” rather than because she had a burning desire to see the wonderful wildlife.
Yawning is often a precursor to moving so, fingers crossed!
We heard a revving of engines and turned to see that a truck had got stuck crossing one of the gulleys. Another truck came to help and as it was going to attempt to tow the struck truck up the bank, the occupants were asked to get out for their safety - not ideal when there's a leopard up a tree not 400 meters away. Finally another truck - one of ours from Kicheche - was able to get it free by pushing it as the other truck pulled.
I wrote earlier about the young leopard’s dreams of a huge feast being bigger than his hunting abilities, we had to smile as if only he’d turned 180° he had more than a dozen Impala within easy range.
We'd spent an amazing 1 1/2 hours watching the young leopard and now it was time to head off to safer ground and have some breakfast. A few shots on the way, nothing of particular note.
These two young bull elephants were intent on totally destroying this poor tree and George said they'd eat every bit of trunk.
They really are so dexterous with their trunks.
Hippo skull
And although I think this is also hippo, I don't think it's the same one as the bones are a very different colour.
White-backed Vulture waiting for an opportune moment to steal some scraps.
It didn't have to wait very long.
George found a lovely spot by the river for us to stop, stretch our legs and, more importantly, check the tyres (euphemism for having a wee). But poor George nearly had heart failure when our truck companion just wandered off towards a nearby bush - the rule is you let the guide go first and check nothing is hiding there.
Quite a large bloat of hippo.
And several Nile crocodiles.
For a moment we thought this large hippo was going to get up on the sandbank and sit next to the croc.
Most of the hippo were dozing and lolling around on each other, reminding me of Marine Iguanas.
I felt sure this one was dead as it didn't move the whole 20 mins or so we were there, but George assured me it was just resting.
Do you think the committee has banished this one for misbehaving.
A stunningly beautiful Rüppell's starling.
The tracks in the soft sandbank are hippo highways, they use the same routes night after night when they head out of the water to graze.
The "short rains" in December didn't bring much rain and so grass is scarce and there have been a few problems of late with the Masai grazing their animals in areas which are designated for wildlife. On our route back to camp we met yet another vast herd of cattle, it's not uncommon to see 500+ as villagers often combine up for the day, although how they sort out whose is whose at the end of the day I have no idea.
Sitting peacefully under a tree was this cheetah and male cub. George said she looked quite hungry and she seemed to be interested in some gazelles down in the valley, whereas son just seemed interested in sleeping.
We stayed with them for around 15 mins but George felt nothing much would happen during the heat of the day and so we left them to it. A fallen tree just because I liked it.
