Month: July 2010

As Gary left on the afternoon drive, a strange “apparition” appeared out of the bushes!!
Continue reading “A Strange Sighting on the Afternoon Drive”

“I can feel it. I am here”
Continue reading “Leopard Hills – July 2010”

I was really excited to see a Saddle Billed Stork at one of the pans close to Leopard Hills on drive yesterday morning.

Being a passionate birder this was my highlight so far at Leopard Hills, especially considering it is a young male. Males have dark eyes and yellow wattles under the bill (This male has very small yellow wattles and new plumage around the head). Females have yellow eyes and no wattles.

Maybe he is looking for a territory and a female, they are usually found in pairs along water courses or suitable pan systems.

There is only an estimated 100 individuals left in SA and EWT is currently running a competition trying to identify individuals and estimate an updated population figure. Each bird has a unique pattern where the black band meets the front of the red bill.

Continue reading “Saddle Billed Stork”

Well I have been well and truly welcomed or should I say put in my place by the resident coalition of 5 Male Lions.

My second day out on drive and all 5 Mapogo’s were together again for the first time in a while. We arrived as the sun was going down and the older male decided to reinforce his seniority and began roaring toward our vehicle. Not to be out done the other four responded but were too lazy to get up and roared while still lying down.

Surround sound African, the most intense Lion audio I have heard that sent shivers through us all. Many Thanks to my guest Ellie for sharing his footage.

Continue reading “Mapogo Welcome”