It's so dusty, the animals can't see...*

[Mel]

After a well-deserved nap for the SO and me observing the waterhole while reading almost a whole book throughout the afternoon, we decided that we'd go for a short drive to Union's End and back. Nothing much happened though on our way up and our neighbours had already taken over the only shady spots at the waterhole, so we turned around again with the intention to go down to Kannaguass.

12.6 kays north of Grootkolk the meerkats had appeared from their abode and one was parked right next to the road while the others ran off to the other side of the riverbed...

This one was checking out...


... and dutifully also scanned the sky for possible enemies.


With Kannaguas hardly in sight yet, I quietly said: "Lion". "No way", was Spots' answer. But there she was:


I was totally focused on the pretty girl that I never noticed him approaching as well.

[Mel]

It turned out to be a mating pair who just got started with the foreplay






Not sure what I'm supposed to do now?!

[Mel]

They eventually crossed the road.







And eventually made their way into the shrubs for more privacy


We sat with them for more than half an hour, only one car arriving when the couple had already headed up the dunes.
The bliss of being up at Grootkolk - not many cars around at sightings like these.

[Mel]

Comparing the sundown of the night before:



And this night:

[Mel]

As annoying as the stormy wind was sometimes, it also made for interesting photos:



And brownie again in the evening

[Mel]

20 October - Grootkolk

It was Spots' birthday today so he was allowed to make the call what we would do that day. He opted for staying in and having a lavish breakfast later in the morning.
It might not sound like a treat but since we usually live on crackers, Riveta, cheese, fruits and vegs throughout the day, a full English is something special.

As by that time my only source of charging my camera had blown, I had to restrict myself in regards of photography. Four batteries for two cameras isn't that much when you still got ten days ahead of you...

But this Kalahari scrub robin aggressively digging for food made it.


As well as this beautiful violet-eared waxbill.


And also this young martial eagle...


...who was accompanied by a slightly older version.

[Mel]

The kudu knew long before us something was up...


And rightly so. A couple of hours later Spots' birthday parade came marching in.

[Mel]

I had secretly hoped for a leopard for Spots because that's his favourite animal. But rather lions than no big cat at all.



This must be one of the most hideously looking lion cubs I've ever seen.


The only time I though it had some sort of cute factor was when he did this:


We were later told that there used to be three cubs in total but two had gone and I'm not sure about the remaining one, to be honest...


Some TLC


Even though the little family scampered off again at some point they must have been still close as the brownies gave the waterhole a miss that night.

[Mel]

21 October - Grootkolk

After celebrating Spots' birthday a bit the previous night, we got up latish - which was like 6.30 am and decided to take it slow. An hour later Spots was still enjoying coffee and I had made my way to the bathroom to get ready for the day when Spots announced "Lion!". Can't a girl even have time in the bathroom without being bothered by some lion?! So, I went to investigate to find out that Monsieur was still far off. Right, back into the bathroom again, finishing brushing teeth then.

I got out again right in time for catching him at the waterhole.


He then went around the waterhole and "read" the news...


... and learned about the ladies from last night.


Some posing...


Some soaking up the sun...


...before he disappeared into the dunes again.

Brilliant, I though, now I can finally finish what I started in the bathroom.

[Mel]

Well, I was indeed done when Monsieur re-appeared 20 minutes later. It was 8.10 am by now and not really cool anymore.



But he is a really handsome chap, I have to say.


And talking of a handsome chap - I strongly believe that this is a new pride leader up at Grootkolk. The last one had a really scratched face and lacked that dip in the upper lip. But since I had seen the last dominant male already back in 2010 at Kwang, I think, he might not have been the youngest guy anymore when he took over the Grootkolk pride in the first place. Plus, when talking about an average cycle of 2 to 3 years for a male to head a pride that time is up by now anyways.

Anyways. Monsieur kept roaming about, eventually walking along unit no. 4 and appearing again at the back of it.


Pondering what to do next, he decided that the little shade offered on the access road would be great for some rest.


Unfortunately for us, one of the neighbours hadn't checked out yet by then and once they went off, the lion felt disturbed and moved off again... into the shade next to unit 4. What happened next, I'm not totally sure about because the neighbours had indicated that he was lying right there next to them. Something must have spooked him because another 30 minutes or so later, he jumped up and broke into a half run, passing our unit very closely as well. I was way to mesmerized by being so close to such a beautiful beast to attempt any photos of that. Once I had gathered my wits again, I only looked at him from behind.



He went off into the dunes again, but when around midday Spots performed his favourite activity - scanning the dunes empty - he noticed a movement and asked if I could check if that was the lion again. Well, it was. Still close by...