Sunrise Safari- July 18, 2016

Sunrise Safari- July 18, 2016

We start off this mornings drive late as Gremlins have attacked once again.

NOTE: If pics and Video are of less quality, it is because the resolution on youtube has been capped at 360 with no high def for some reason on the safari live stream.

We are live!
The first part (not sure exactly how long) was not live so we start with both guides driving and we missed their introductions.

Jamie is checking the Hyena Dens but all is quiet.
Jamie has misplaced her pom pom beanie hat.

Brent is checking for tracks. There are Lion tracks everywhere but appear to be from earlier last evening. Brent has Dave on camera.

Both Brent and Jamie are both driving and looking for those Lion tracks. Jamie is also looking for Hyena tracks.

Jamie is wondering since one of the Nkahuma Females might have her cubs in the drainage line which was close to the Hyena Den, that perhaps the Hyena's moved off to stay away from the Female Lion.

 With Jamie an a very quiet Hyena Dan

 Brent sees tracks of a single Male Leopard heading straight West. Could be Gijima.

Jamie is on Twin Dam road and it is one of the lowest areas and therefore the temperature there really dips and with the wind from driving it is very cold.

There are Elephant tracks everywhere but now not an Elephant in sight.

Jamie notices and backs up for 2 Hornbills who are engaged in quite the battle. They are quite angry with each other and continue to grab each other beaks with a mass of feathers outstretched.

Hornbills Fighting

The Male Leopard that Brent was tracking has moved into Buffleshoek so Brent is following up with guides from the Lodges who are looking for Shadow. He is racing down Triple M.

Jamie tells us that Brent has offered her "Cat Finding Lessons".

Brent last saw Female Leopard tracks with a cub going into this thicket so we is going to leave Dave in the vehicle and Brent is going in on foot to see if he can locate Shadow. He is going to follow the Elephant paths so while he does that we are going to stick with Jamie for a bit.

Brent is back in his vehicle and meandering through the block. Hubert is out there as well. Hubert had found her and it looked like she was chasing warthogs.

Back with Jamie.
Jamie is slowly taking her vehicle down into the fire break. Fresh crisp clean Lion tracks with cub tracks. Jamie is in the drainage system at Gowrie Cutline.

Jamie thinks this is the area where the Lioness with the oldest cubs are being kept.

Back with Brent. Shadow has actually crossed on top of Brents vehicle tracks behind him. She is hunting so Brent is listening for alarm calls and Hubert is still following as well.

A few Impala off in the distance. They cannot zoom in because the focus lens is having an issue.

With Jamie and a brief visual of an Elephant munching and moving along calmly.

 Jamie says we are going back to Brent to see if he has found Shadow and if he has not, perhaps Jamie should give Brent "Cat Finding Lessons".

Brent is stationary in his vehicle and listening for any birds or animals that might be alarm calling.
He says "Come on Shadow-- Where are you hiding?--

Brent listening to the game drive radio. Hubert is getting an update from Aubrey.
Shadow is still within the block and is moving Southward. Shadow is known for ducking and diving all over the place.

Jamie has some Waterbuk for us to see.

Waterbuk

 To Interfere Or Not Interfere

 We see a fig tree which has overtaken a Leadwood tree. The Leadwood has provided a very good platform for which the strangler Fig to entangle itself and grow. This fig started off by a single seed probably from a bird.

We come up to the Buffleshoek Dam and we see a Male and Female Lion both having a drink. We pan to the right and see another female resting a short distance away

Male Lion With 2 Lioness's

While Jamie gets closer we pop over to Brent who is having no luck finding Shadow.

 Back over to Jamie who is working hard to get lower and closer to the water's edge to get a better visual.

Amber Eyes

 Full Bellied Lions

 We notice almost right away when we get a closer view of the Birmingham Male that he has a most nasty gash on his face. Wide open Gash on his lip which seems to be giving him some discomfort.

Birmingham Male Has A Nasty Gash

Brent moving along slowly Hubert is still on foot in the block

Over to Jamie

 Guess who has come to visit!! 3 little Lion cubs happily run down the dam wall towards the water

 The Cubs Pay A Visit

Little Muddy Faces And A Family Portrait

Back with Brent who says Shadow has continued her nonsense.

Shadow has gave us the run around today for both Brent and Hubert.

 

 Brent says goodbye for this morning and hoping he can catch up with Shadow on the Sunset Safari.

 Jamie still has a huge smile on her face after having been able to spend some time with the cutest of cute cubs.

This concluded our drive this morning.

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