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Ja, my feathered friends always keep me happy - not only if nothing else is around.

Day 11
31/10/2012 Urikaruus

The day started off with a big bang! Around 4.30 am we were woken by a commotion outside. In the moonlight I could make out a shadow at the waterhole so I race to the bed stand to get the torch. I was just in time to see a leopard retreating as a spotted hyena was moving in. Adrenanline got pumped through my system and there was no way I’d go back to sleep for another half an hour. So I dressed up warmly against the chill outside and settled on the deck with a cup of coffee. Nothing really happened though until the sun was up and to my delight the hyena returned for a bath and a drink at the waterhole





Despite the hyenas we had seen so far – this was the first one in daylight! And we hadn’t got far on our morning drive when another one of this clan lurked over dunes:

Then it went quiet for an hour or so until we spotted a lappet-faced vulture in the riverbed, happily obliging to have its photo taken. I’ve never seen a lappet-face on the Aoub side before.



At Gemsbokplein we saw a martial eagle sitting in the waterhole during the hottest hours of the day.

Back in the camp for the midday siesta I manned the waterhole while Spots was lying down for some rest. The springboks granted me some company moving back and fro the waterhole. Not much happening. But all of a sudden one of the rams started pursuing another one and a serious fight was in the make.











Tbc with more sightings from the camp.

Lionspoon:
Well....a Jackal must do what he must do

Lovely TR and great photos Lion, Bokkies, Birds, Hyena etc, etc!!!

Must have been nice, at least, to see the Leopard

Yip would be very nice to meet up again! Remember how Spots had to tell us to stop talking as we were holding up the fuel pumps at TR?

Lionspoon,

How exciting to have seen the Leopard, photo or no photo Leopard is a Leopard.

Lovely pics of the Hyenas seem well fed. ...just love watching them when they can sit so long in the water to cool down. With all their bathing would think they should smell somewhat nicer.

Super pics of the Vulture and Martial.

Lionspoon, gorgeous pictures of 2 of the ugly five I don't know how anyone can call them ugly stunning, particularly your lappet face. Look at that beak.

Gorgeous hyenas. The one in the bath has blood on her face. Had a good meal it seems

Wonderful sequence of the fighting springboks

Stunning hyena sighting .
Also love the fighting springbok sequence .
Thanks for sharing .

AWESOME!!! That's all I can say Lionspoon! The Lappet-faced Vulture, gorgeous Martial Eagle, the Hyena in the water, Brown Hyena on the dune! Fantastic!!

Great sequence of the fighting Springboks!

Hi Lionspoon

I wouldn't have minded being woken up by a leopard at the waterhole, even at 4.30am!!
What an exciting start to your day

Then two very impressive birds and some sparring springboks

But where are all the boring lions??

Love the lappet-faced vulture, looks like a bit of a smile is lurking there

An early morning leopard, a couple of hyenas, martial eagle cooling off and great sequence of the sparring springbok

...and, I also agree with the others - not bored with lions

Thx Lionspoon

This wonderful TR and the pix gave me wonderful memories

Thank you Philip, Tobieo, Trrp, MM, Sharifa, barryels, hilda, Mel, Timbits and Toddelelfe

Tobieo - I remember Spot's words well... Whenever he starts a sentence with 'Sorry guys, I don't mean to be rude but...' you know that the good times are over.

Timbits and Philip - Agreed! A leopard is a leopard. And very exciting even without a photo. Would have been blurred anyway as it was still dark.

MM - I have to admit that I find young hyenas much more attractive than grown ones. But they sure are interesting and fascinating critter. BTW, the I'm sure that you'll love the next installment.

Mel and Timbits - I laid out my TR the way that I first report about the exciting sightings we had and everything else under other sightings at the end of the day. Draw your own conclusions.

Toddelelfe - Just noticed your signature. I feel for you!