This blogging is turning out to be a slow process with a lot of cutting and sorting out screen caps so hopefully this will reach all of you before the next drive starts.
I think my internal time clock is slowly reverting to Africa timezone instead of Ontario, Canada. lol
Apologies for missing the first 35 minutes of the drive. I was tardy.
So here goes
We are on the drive today with Brent as our guide and Dave, on camera
and
James is our second guide and he has Bryan on camera
and our drives take us on a journey through various parts of the Sabi Sands and Cheetah Plains.
James opens the sunset drive for us with an Elephant who he says would wear a 25 size shoe! Wow.! that's HUGE!
James is talking to a classroom in the United States who are watching live from their classroom.
And as he asks this question. Everyone who is reading this should follow along with his instructions.
Take your fingers and open your mouth place them on your upper 2 front teeth and give them a tap. Only the top 2 front teeth. Those 2 front teeth are your incisors and that is what the Elephants Tusks are. They grow out of the Elephants mouth.
Elephants out here at this size have no predators. The only animals which might attack an Elephant are Lions which are the largest predators in the park or perhaps a very large clan of spotted hyenas. The mothers and the others within the herd protect the babies and the youngsters by keeping them within their circle
Over to Brent briefly and a viewing of a spotted hyena (once again apology for no screen caps for the first few minutes)
Back to James and soon I will have screen caps.. (please be patient lol) James is heading back towards the water now.
NEWS FLASH!! We are back to Brent and he has a LEOPARD for us!!
Tingana (dominant Male Leopard) has put his kill (kudo) in a tree and is resting a short distance away.
Now lets see some pics!
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| Tingana |
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| Tingana |
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| Tingana |
Tingana's name means "The Shy One"
Tingana is not only very full but feeling the heat with a temp about 84 degrees F so he has found himself a nice shady spot on his way back from the watering hole.
Their favourite food is medium sized antelope, Kudo and Impala. He can lift his body weight into a tree. He is amazingly strong.
He can run 0-55 miles per hour per second.
The rosette spots that Leopards have provide them an advantage to be able to move through brush and foliage and blend in within the environment.
When a female has cubs, she will suckle the babies until they are approximately 3 months old and then she will feed them meat until they are large and strong enough to feed themselves.
While James keeps an eye on Tingana, we will go over and see what James has in store for us this evening.
James is telling us about Buffalo horns. If a Buffalo's horn breaks off, it will not grow back. Unlike Deer who have Antlers which will grow back. Although very different, Buffalo here play the same role as Bison do in North America.
As we come back with Brent, Tingana has moved into a much more shady spot.
Brent is explaining the identification of Leopards using a "Spot Pattern".
You look at the line of spots above the whiskers is the best identifying feature.
Back with James and he has a special bird to show us
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| African Harrier Hawk |
This is an African Harrier Hawk. Normally their face is yellow but if they are in a heightened state either from stress, attacking or mating, their face will go red. This bird has a double jointed intertasal. Which means his "ankles" are able to bend both ways This proves very helpful to get inside nesting holes within trees to eat the nestling birds
Back with Brent for a few moments
Brent is showing us Tingana's Spot Identification Pattern He has taken a pic with his phone which is below.
Tingana is a 4 -3
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| Tingana's Spot pattern is a 4, 3 |
You will see the lines of spots.. The first line above the last set of whiskers is 4 dots and the line directly above that is a 3.
Scars that are distinctive can also aid in identification.
Leaving Tingana resting for now and we are back on the road with Brent. He is looking for some Ellies,
We are back with James who has arrived at the waterhole and GUESS WHAT?
A Buffalo has just now given birth! A brand new Baby/
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| Brand New Baby Buffalo |
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| New little one |
This beautiful little baby has just been born. The umbilical cord still being attached and already he is although slightly wobbly is walking around and getting his first glimpse of his new world.
As James said. This baby is being born NOW NOW NOW.
And as the camera pans we locate a Hamerkop. Another bird for your bird list everyone
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| Hamerkop |
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| Hamerkop |
Back with Brent as momma Buffalo takes her newborn into the thicker brush for safety.
Brent has some very large Elephants.
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| Big Big Elephant |
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| Elephant |
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| Breathtaking Sunset |
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| Ostriches on Cheetah Plains |
A group of Ostriches can be called a Pride or a Wobble.
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| Black Backed Jackal |
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| Black Backed Jackal |
And to end of yet another perfect Sunrise Safari. Lets go back to Brent and Tingana.
The following photos show Tingana up in the tree feasting again on his Judo carcass. Cracking the bones to get at the rich marrow inside. And it wouldn't be a live safari without Hyenas. They pay a visit as well and hope that Tingana will drop a few morsels for them to scavenge.
The following pics show Tingana re arranging his kill and yes, dropping a piece a few times where we see the Hyenas are quick to grab up. Enjoy the pics Everyone
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| And the Hyena grabs a fallen scrap |
Another Hyena arrives but does not appear to be a dominant Hyena and waits his turn or opportunity.
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| Another Hyena arrives on the scene |
It appears that Tingana has pretty much consumed this Kudo.
A little grooming is in order as the meal is finished.
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| Tingana hears Elephants off in the distance |
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| Stunning! |
Tingana is STUNNING!
And as Evening rushes in and darkness envelopes the landscape we say Goodnight To Tingana, The new baby Buffalo and all of the creatures large and small that we have had the privilege of seeing this evening.
Good night Everyone!
Will see you all on #safarilive.
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