Tales of the Kgalagadi.

[Michele Nel]

Thank you Pumba.:)

[Michele Nel]

Story #2.

We started the New Year in Nossob camp. Not only was it the 1 Jan 2019 but it also happened to be our wedding anniversary. We woke up to a lion roaring - the first bit roaring we had heard on our trip. We were not in a rush to get up as we had to wait for the garage to open at 7 am so we could refuel before moving off to Grootkolk. By the time we got to the hide the lion had moved away from the waterhole. So we missed that little show but the one that came next was way more entertaining than a lion drinking at the waterhole. A jackal had taken over centre stage and he was trying his best to catch his breakfast. There were hordes of doves flying around and clearly he couldn't resist them.

Round 1
Taking aim...

Taking off..

but missed.

and it took him a while to get legs sorted out when he landed..:)

[Richprins]

Gorgeous pics, Michele!



This would sound a bit funny if it were not on a wildlife forum: Not only was it the 1 Jan 2019 but it also happened to be our wedding anniversary. We woke up to a lion roaring - the first bit roaring we had heard on our trip.

[Lisbeth]

Those two cubs are the smallest ever seen and soooo cute I can watch mongooses and squirrels for hours


Watching the jackals and dove show is hilarious. Your last pic of the jackal is great

[Pumbaa]

Brilliant jackal action, Michele

[Mel]

Aha... with the lack of water at Cubitjie the dove hunting jackal had to move to Nossob.
Would be curious to hear what the waterhole situation was when you went up to Grootkolk.
Apparently almost everything is dry?

But great action shots!

[Michele Nel]

Aha... with the lack of water at Cubitjie the dove hunting jackal had to move to Nossob.
Would be curious to hear what the waterhole situation was when you went up to Grootkolk.
Apparently almost everything is dry?

But great action shots!

Yes it is fairly dry up north...and some waterholes were completely dry but I really don't see the point of making sure that there is water in every single waterhole when there is absolutely no grazing around those waterholes. Most Kgalagadi animals need food before they need water. The only the animal that needs water to survive is the wildebeest...they should move south where there is water. At the moment rain is needed in a big way....

[Michele Nel]

Thank you everybody for reading and commenting. It seems I am able to get back onto the forum now...here is the rest of my post that I was trying to post the other evening. :)

Round 2.

The jackal was getting better at his modus operandi which was helping me to get the shots ....
He would run around the back of the waterhole ..crouch down in the dip ..and take aim...

Take a flying leap over the waterhole and try his luck

He missed again.

[Richprins]

Success!

You must just reconnect your internet if you try and post more than 5 pics at once, Michele!

[Lisbeth]

I don't think that the jackal had success

Michele could not get access to the forum. In any case, I gave her the same advise